Bang & Olufsen introduces the Beolab 8, a speaker characterized by its elegance and compact design. The Beolab 8 is known for its versatility, capable of standing out on its own or seamlessly fitting into any setup. It performs admirably regardless of its placement, whether as the centrepiece of a home sound system or as a solitary point of sound.

This speaker can function as part of a system, contributing to an immersive home cinema experience when paired with the latest high-end Bang & Olufsen speakers or even heritage speakers dating back to 1984. For those seeking a high-fidelity music experience, stereo pairing two Beolab 8 speakers creates a powerful and precise stereo sound.

In addition to its role in a system, the Beolab 8 can also be used as a stand-alone speaker. Despite its compact size, it delivers impressive depth and intense bass, enhancing the overall audio experience. “Our goal is to create powerful and immersive listening experiences for our customers. Beolab 8 provides exactly this. It is a scalable speaker that is all about flexibility, performance, and innovation,” says Michael Henriksson, Vice President of Product Marketing at Bang & Olufsen.

“Drawing inspiration from the high-end Beolab range, our aim for Beolab 8 was to distil the acoustic essence of these impressive speakers into a compact offering that maintains the directivity and sound beam control for optimal sound reproduction in any environment. Bringing immersive experiences for every moment,” he added.

Beolab 8 boasts a design that exudes beauty from every perspective, regardless of its placement. The seamless one-piece aluminium body represents a fusion of a sphere and cylinder, forming a solid shape that reflects the impeccable craftsmanship of Bang & Olufsen’s renowned Factory 5. Available with either Danish-manufactured wooden lamellas or a fabric front, Beolab 8 adheres to the distinctive design language seen in other Bang & Olufsen products, such as Beolab and Beosound lines, including Beosound Theatre, Beolab 28, and Beolab 50.

Between the outer aluminium shell and the inner core, the interplay of light and shadow contributes to a visually lightweight appearance. Aligned with Scandinavian design principles, where form complements function, the speaker’s shape serves both as an aesthetic object and an enhancer of its acoustic capabilities. The glass interface atop the speaker forms a seamless curve that guides the user’s finger effortlessly across the surface.

Featuring four slender and sculptural stand options, each crafted with Bang & Olufsen’s expertise in aluminium manufacturing, the table stand creates a floating illusion, while the discreet ceiling bracket and floor stand are polished to perfection. Tuned by Bang & Olufsen tonmeisters, the three-driver setup of Beolab 8, including a 16mm tweeter, 3” midrange, and a 5.25” woofer, ensures an exceptional audio experience. Building on the heritage of the iconic Beolab 17 speaker, the tonmeisters carefully selected drivers that maintain the same performance and sound quality, allowing listeners to enjoy the renowned Beolab speaker sound.

Embedded with Bang & Olufsen’s Mozart platform, Beolab 8, as a standalone device, effortlessly connects through WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. Equipped with Powerlink, which is both wireless and wired and integrated into the speaker, Beolab 8 functions as a true system speaker, establishing a connection with Bang & Olufsen TVs and sound systems spanning over 30 years.

Designed for enduring appeal, Beolab 8 incorporates quality materials that age gracefully, offer continuous customization options, and allow for easy upgrades over time. Its long-term serviceability and replaceable streaming module ensure adaptability to the latest technology standards. The speaker is crafted in accordance with Cradle-to-Cradle principles, a design philosophy focused on proactively creating products for a circular future. Beolab 8 is currently in the process of obtaining Cradle-to-Cradle certification.

EVLAB, the multi-brand electric vehicle start-up, has made adopting a sustainable lifestyle easier for drivers in the UAE with the launch of the EVLAB App, an all-in-one mobility app to rent, lease and host their EVs in the UAE with phase 2 to include buy and sell electric vehicles (EVs) available in the Middle East. EVLAB’s new one-stop marketplace app addresses a growing desire among consumers in the Middle East to make a switch to sustainable mobility solutions. Electric vehicle sales have seen rapid growth in the region, with an increase of 72 per cent during 2020 alone.

In line with the goals of COP28, EVLAB is committed to reducing CO2 emissions and fostering sustainable mobility in the Middle East, striving to play a pivotal role in catalyzing positive transformation. The new platform supports the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategic initiative, which is a national drive to achieve net-zero emissions and make the Emirates the first nation in the MENA region to do so. The app also complements other sustainability initiatives in the country, including the Dubai Green Mobility Strategy 2030, which has resulted in the installation of more than 1,000 public charging stations across the UAE.

The EVLAB App allows eco-conscious drivers to browse a unique collection of electric vehicle brands available in the Middle East and take advantage of EVLAB’s expertise to understand the benefits of electric vehicles and make a seamless transition to sustainable transportation. Drivers can consider short-term rentals, leasing or hosting their electric vehicles through a seamless and hassle-free user journey.

The booking process is straightforward with easy navigation using the rent, lease, host and chat tabs on the homepage. Users can filter options based on brand preferences and features, such as performance and range, to save time and effort in finding an electric vehicle that suits their requirements and budget. All the listed cars and their hosts are vetted to guarantee authenticity and quality of service by the owners. In phase 2, electric vehicle owners can also conveniently sell their vehicles on the platform with guidance from EVLAB’s experts at every step of the way.

“With the accelerated pace of climate change, the adoption and transition to e-mobility is inevitable. At EVLAB, our ongoing goal is to consistently reduce emissions, and we are proud to say that we have successfully saved a cumulative total of 76,174 kilograms of CO2 to date and will further reduce with the EVLAB app. The all-in-one EVLAB App complements our EVLAB website with a broader range of functionality and services to make the eco-mobility journey easier for drivers in the region. The app allows users to rent, lease and host their electric vehicles seamlessly in a safe and trusted marketplace. As battery technology is rapidly evolving, the range of electric vehicles today will become obsolete in two to three years, so this model of renting and leasing becomes more attractive than buying. Consumers will have the additional ease of choosing their preferred electric vehicle based on their budget and lifestyle by selecting from a variety of options, including performance, acceleration, range, and charging times,” said Kevin Chalhoub, CEO and Founder of EVLAB.

Snap Inc. is actively contributing to the growth of the creator economy in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region through the introduction of new programs and features aimed at fostering sustainable businesses and audience engagement. Content creators on Snapchat, both established and emerging, are experiencing growth within the platform’s creator ecosystem. In the first quarter of 2023, Snapchat’s user-generated content platform, Spotlight, witnessed a notable 200% year-over-year increase in content viewing time, attracting over 350 million monthly active users.

Snapchat says this success is attributed to its provision of innovative content and revenue-sharing opportunities, transforming the platform into a profitable venture for creators of various levels. The monthly addressable reach of the MENA region on Snapchat continues to expand, with global daily active users increasing by 12% year-over-year to reach 406 million in the third quarter of 2023.

Julie Bogaert, Head of EMEA Talent Partnerships at Snap Inc., emphasises Snapchat’s commitment to supporting creators at every stage of their careers. The platform offers a range of programs and tools across Stories, Spotlight, and Discover, providing creators with the means to turn content creation into a full-time career. Creators value Snapchat for its unique reach, relevance, and revenue-generating capabilities.

Snapchat has introduced new monetisation programs, including the Stories revenue share program for creators with substantial followings and engagement metrics. This program seamlessly integrates ads within creators’ Stories, offering a consistent revenue source. Additionally, Snapchat encourages aspiring creators through the Spotlight reward program, providing increased rewards for top-performing content.

Recognising the importance of amplifying creators’ reach while maintaining authenticity, Snapchat now allows Snapchatters to post Public Stories, expanding their audience while preserving genuine connections. Public Stories provide insights into content performance and Story Replies, enhancing creator-audience engagement.

The expansion of creator content is evident across the platform, with features like Snap Map showcasing Stories and Spotlight Snaps. Creators can now tag locations in Spotlight Snaps, increasing exposure. The ability for Snapchatters to save favourite Stories to profiles enables them to explore new creators and engage more deeply with their preferred content.

Snapchat continues to roll out new tools for creators, providing more control over video replies with Spotlight Replies, the ability to react to and re-share Spotlight Snaps with Remix, and additional features such as adding Linktree to Public Profiles and incorporating sounds into Lenses. Overall, Snapchat remains a dynamic platform that empowers creators to express themselves and build thriving communities.