Apps
Ford’s SYNC 3 Wins the Bronze Stevie Award
The latest generation of Ford’s innovative communications and entertainment system, SYNC 3, has helped earn its developers a Bronze Stevie Award for best new software product of the year at the recent International Business Awards. NNG, a global automotive software provider, claimed the honour for the navigation software that comes as standard on all new Ford vehicles, available in over 50 countries.
With the launch of SYNC 3 last year, Ford’s intelligent infotainment technology saw a greatly-improved, fully-integrated navigation system, including 3D support with landmarks, a Mecca compass, and enhanced junction view providing detailed lane visuals and guidance. Navigation also auto zooms out when the next manoeuvre is more than three kilometres away to making it easier to see the full route.
SYNC 3 provides full off-road support in Africa, and full dead reckoning support – which means being able to navigate even after the loss of GPS signal – in some markets. The software can cater to the unique and specific needs of each market, handling local languages – both text and voice guidance – enabling simpler controls for drivers.
Created in 2002 to honour positive contributions of organisations and working professionals worldwide, and to generate public recognition of their achievements, the Stevie Awards have grown to become one of the most coveted international business accolades.
In awarding Ford’s in-car infotainment system the Bronze Stevie, jurors were impressed by how SYNC 3 managed to create a consistent user experience across a vast number of regions with different cultural background and languages.
“SYNC 3 is designed to complement modern smartphones, with an intuitive touchscreen and an exciting array of new features, and includes more than 3.5 million POIs and over 3.5 million kilometres of road in the Middle East,” said Ziad Chaaban, EES Engineer, Product Development, Ford Middle East and Africa. “Winning a Bronze Stevie award is great recognition for NNG, and confirmation of the high standard of innovative technology available in all new Ford vehicles.”

Apps
AppGallery Gamers Cup Returns to Iraq

The much-anticipated AppGallery Gamers Cup (AGC) returned to Iraq with the AGC-Yalla Ludo Friendly Cup on March 21, bringing together the wider gaming community. The event was organized in collaboration with Jetour Iraq and its exclusive distributor, Harlem for Commercial Agencies, a subsidiary of Harlem Group. This year’s tournament witnessed 64 players, carefully selected from a record-breaking 38,000 online registrations, compete in intense, back-to-back matches for a share of the $6,000 prize pool.
The tournament, featuring the popular Yalla Ludo game, highlights the increasing demand for competitive gaming experiences across the Middle East. It further strengthens HUAWEI AppGallery’s commitment to supporting the region’s thriving gaming ecosystem and fostering esports growth.
William Hu, Managing Director, Huawei Consumer Business Group, Middle East and Africa Eco-Development and Operation, added, “We are very proud of the success of the AGC – Yalla Ludo Friendly Cup. This event is part of our ongoing commitment to fostering esports in the region and connecting with passionate gaming communities. We are honored to collaborate with Yalla Ludo and Jetour, further strengthening our dedication to creating exciting opportunities for players and fans alike. This is just the beginning of many more initiatives to come, and we look forward to seeing the continued growth of esports in Iraq and beyond.”
Mohamed Majeed, Harlem Group Representative, also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with Huawei at such a prestigious event. He highlighted Harlem Group’s commitment to innovation and support for digital advancements in Iraq. “Harlem Group has always been at the forefront of fostering technological progress in Iraq. We are proud to sponsor this event through Jetour Iraq,” he said.
Apps
Astra Tech Unveils Botim AI

Astra Tech announced the integration of Botim AI into its Botim Ultra App, bringing advanced AI capabilities to the platform and enhancing accessibility for over 150 million global users. This makes Botim the first fintech in the region to introduce this innovation. Botim AI is a chat assistant designed to elevate user engagement and interaction, offering free, seamless access to cutting-edge features directly within the Ultra App. Users will benefit from intelligent, AI-driven conversations and assistance across various areas, including productivity, education, research, and everyday problem-solving.
H.E. Dr. Tariq Bin Hendi, Board Member and CEO of Astra Tech, commented: “The launch of Botim AI marks a significant milestone in our journey to revolutionize digital communication in the MENA region. By integrating advanced AI capabilities, we are enhancing user experiences and setting new standards for intelligent, seamless interactions. This innovation underscores our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to meet the evolving needs of our users, while advancing our mission to deliver more inclusive solutions that empower individuals from all demographics and enable frictionless engagement with our solutions.”
The AI currently supports chat-based interactions, with enhancements such as web search capabilities and action-based integration planned for future phases. As part of its strategic evolution, Botim is advancing toward the deployment of executional AI, enabling users to complete tasks in their native language with ease. This innovation meets the growing demand for inclusive AI solutions that ensure seamless, accessible interactions, empowering individuals from all backgrounds to engage effortlessly with the Ultra App.
Botim AI represents a significant step forward in the evolution of communication apps in the MENA region, offering users a smarter, more interactive way to connect and engage. Easily accessible from the landing page, Explore, and Search sections of the app, Botim AI allows current users to simply update to the latest version to access these new features directly on the landing page. Additionally, users can securely save chat history for future reference and have the option to delete past conversations for privacy and control.
Apps
Google’s Latest AI Model Enables Watermark Removal from Images

A potentially controversial application of Google’s new Gemini 2.0 Flash AI model has emerged: users are leveraging it to remove watermarks from images, including those from stock photo sites such as Getty Images.
The recently expanded image generation feature of Gemini 2.0 Flash allows for native image generation and editing, a powerful tool that seemingly lacks robust usage restrictions. Social media users have highlighted how the AI can not only remove watermarks but also intelligently fill in the resulting gaps, often with impressive accuracy, and it’s currently free within Google’s AI Studio developer tools.
While labeled “experimental” and “not for production use,” Gemini 2.0 Flash’s ability to bypass watermarks stands in contrast to models like Anthropic’s Claude 3.7 Sonnet and OpenAI’s GPT-4o, which explicitly prohibit such actions, citing ethical and legal concerns.
It’s important to note that Gemini 2.0 Flash isn’t foolproof; it can struggle with semi-transparent or heavily overlaid watermarks. Nevertheless, the ease with which it can remove watermarks raises potential copyright issues, as removing a watermark without the copyright holder’s permission is generally illegal in many countries. This situation underscores the ongoing challenges of balancing powerful AI capabilities with copyright protection.