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SEAT to Integrate Amazon Alexa in its Vehicles
SEAT will be the first car brand in Europe to integrate Amazon’s Alexa voice service in its vehicles. The announcement has been made by the Spanish carmaker in the framework of the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Alexa service will be available at the end of this year in the Leon and Ateca models, and in the Ibiza, Arona and the large SUV in 2018.
Launched in 2014, Amazon’s Alexa will now be integrated in SEAT’s cars, offering drivers advanced connectivity. Alexa has more than 20,000 skills thanks to the open skills development kit , which encourages developers to continually expand and evolve Alexa’s capabilities. Amazon Alexa will enable SEAT drivers, using voice commands, to optimise their time while in their car: managing their personal schedule, finding songs, locating points of interest, real-time news or the nearest dealership, among many other functions, all within the strictest privacy protocol.
Alexa can be used in English or German, the two languages that are currently available for it. “Integrating Amazon Alexa in our range represents a great boost to SEAT’s digital ecosystem and connectivity and certainly contributes to position the brand as a front-runner in connected vehicle in Europe,” pointed out SEAT President Luca de Meo, who added that “the trend in voice-activated services is growing and for this reason we want to make it available to our customers.”
“We’re excited for SEAT to incorporate Alexa into its vehicles,” said Ned Curic, VP Automotive, Amazon Alexa. “We think voice is a big part of the future and this is particularly true in cars. With just a tap of the steering wheel, SEAT customers will be able to ask Alexa for music, get the news, control their smart home, and much more.”
Amazon Alexa is not the only novelty featured by SEAT in Frankfurt. The German venue is also the backdrop for the official presentation of the company’s new models. One of SEAT’s major highlights at the event is certainly the international presentation and market launch of the SEAT Arona, with prices starting at €15,990.
Following the Ibiza, the new compact SUV is the second car built with the MQB A0 platform which SEAT was the first to implement within the Volkswagen Group. Presented last June in Barcelona and built exclusively in Martorell, the initial units of this crossover will be delivered to customers in November.
The Arona stands out for its design, great height and width, its compact crossover dimensions, huge customisation potential and the most advanced technology in safety and connectivity. The compact crossover is part of SEAT’s biggest ever product offensive following the Ateca, the Leon facelift, the new Ibiza and the new 7-seater SUV which is set to make its appearance next year.
SEAT is showcasing the Digital Cockpit in Frankfurt, which is featured in the Arona, Leon ST CUPRA, Ibiza and Ateca. Thanks to the new Digital Combi, to be introduced in early 2018 first in the Leon and the Ateca and later in the Ibiza and the Arona, the instrumentation not only has a more modern and versatile design, but will also give better functionality.
Finally, the BeatsAudio sound system, a brand bringing energy, emotion and excitement that has changed the way people listen to music, will also be available in the Ateca and Leon by the end of the year. This revolutionary sound system is already available in the Ibiza and Arona.
In addition to presenting the Arona, SEAT also surprised visitors with the exclusive Leon CUPRA R, the limited edition of only 799 units of the brand’s most powerful car will be available at the end of 2017. Either with a six-speed manual (310 hp) or DSG gearbox(300 hp) and front wheel drive, its body features exclusive carbon fibre detailing on the front and rear spoilers, side skirts and rear diffuser, while the door mirrors, wheels, wheel arches and newly designed front grille, with its mighty air inlets, are all copper coloured.
SEAT also plans to take the CUPRA spirit beyond the car itself, by creating a universe surrounding the brand that includes unique experiences with future cars, merchandising and partnerships, This New ‘CUPRA world’ will also include a dedicated network of SEAT dealerships which will include a differentiated space for the brand and where customers can test drive the sporty models.
SEAT Vice-president for Sales and Marketing Wayne Griffiths pointed out that “from its very beginnings, CUPRA has been a symbol of evolution and innovation for SEAT, closely linked with circuits and the open road”. Moreover, and following the CNG fuelled engines on the Leon and Mii, SEAT is launching a new model powered by this kind of fuel: the new SEAT Ibiza 1.0 TGI, further proof of SEAT’s strong commitment to Compressed Natural Gas as a clean, efficient fuel alternative.
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The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Comes to PUBG MOBILE
PUBG MOBILE has announced a partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures to celebrate the highly anticipated theatrical release of New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Animation and Wingnut Films’ The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. This epic collaboration combines the battlegrounds of Middle-earth with lore-inspired events and skins, available for a limited time.
Starting today through January 7, players will be able to join the Allies of the Realm, standing in steadfast defence of the famed Hornburg. Through daily tasks, players will prove their mettle by selecting Normal or Elite challenges, each victory advancing the glory of the realm. As they progress in their noble endeavours, players earn points toward generous rewards, with Elite challenges offering the most coveted treasures. The Allies of the Realm event is a true test of courage and honour, celebrating the unwavering spirit of those who rise to the challenge!
PUBG MOBILE players can also claim items inspired by legendary myths, such as the formidable Skadiwynn Sentinel character set, the powerful Gungnir M24 sniper rifle skin, and the iconic Gjallarhorn Double Barreled Shotgun skin. For thrill-seeking players, an epic adventure awaits those bold enough to explore.
“We strive to bring immersive content that complements the excitement PUBG MOBILE players have come to expect,” said Anthony Crouts, Senior Director of Marketing for PUBG MOBILE. “By blending the lore of The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim with the winner-takes-all action of PUBG MOBILE, we’re giving fans the best of both worlds. We can’t wait to transport players back to Middle-earth with our lore-inspired in-game challenges and skins.”
“Our partnership with PUBG MOBILE brings an exciting new dimension to our theatrical campaign for The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, merging the worlds of immersive gameplay and movie storytelling to bring richer experiences to key audiences,” said Cameron Curtis, Executive Vice President of Global Digital Marketing, Warner Bros. Pictures.
Set 183 years before the events chronicled in the original trilogy of films, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim movie tells the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan. A sudden attack by Wulf, a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg— a mighty fortress that will later come to be known as Helm’s Deep. Finding herself in an increasingly desperate situation, Héra, the daughter of Helm, must summon the will to lead the resistance against a deadly enemy intent on their destruction.
The PUBG MOBILE x The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim collaboration is available until January 7, 2025.
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Google Maps Integrates Waze Incident Reports for Enhanced Navigation
Google Maps has started to display Waze incident reports during navigation, allowing users to contribute by confirming road conditions via prompts. This integration follows Google’s July announcement that both apps would share more data, including Waze-sourced road closures, construction updates, speed cameras, and police presence information.
Over the holiday weekend, a Reddit user shared a screenshot of a prompt indicating “Police reported ahead” based on Waze driver reports, as reported by 9to5Google and Android Authority. Users can update these reports to reflect current conditions, similar to other incident notifications in Google Maps.
This is the first confirmed sighting of the feature in action, but more reports are expected. Despite merging the teams behind Maps and Waze, Group Project Manager Can Comertoglu told The Verge that the apps will continue to operate separately. Waze’s 500,000-plus contributors prefer some features of Waze over Google Maps, and vice versa.
This new feature enhances Google Maps’ functionality by leveraging Waze’s real-time incident reporting, providing users with more comprehensive and up-to-date information on their routes.
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Yango Maps Launches Live Public Bus and Marine Transport Tracking in Dubai
Yango Maps, the popular navigation app, has introduced a significant upgrade for Dubai users. The app now offers real-time tracking of public buses and marine transport, providing a more efficient and convenient commuting experience.
Thanks to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)’s open data policy, Yango Maps can now display accurate and up-to-date locations of public transportation vehicles. By switching to the “Transport” tab, users can easily view the real-time movement of buses and ferries on the map.
The app also allows users to search for specific bus numbers and view their routes, stops, and estimated arrival times. This feature is particularly useful during peak hours or in extreme weather conditions, as it helps users plan their journeys efficiently and avoid unnecessary waiting.
Yango Maps continues to evolve with innovative features that aim to simplify urban navigation. By incorporating real-time public transport data, the app empowers users to make informed decisions and optimize their daily commutes.