Apps
Pakistani Expats in the UAE Can Now Buy Consumer Durables in the UAE and Get Them Sent to Pakistan
Astra Tech has announce its joint venture with JW Holdings, a bouquet of business lines including home appliances, electronics, automotive, glassware, packaging, agriculture, retail, e-commerce, sports and foundation, and the parent company of Ruba Digital (RD). The collaboration will innovatively integrate RD within the Botim ultra app’s e-store, allowing users in UAE to purchase a wide range of consumer durables to be delivered in Pakistan through RD’s extensive retail chain network of 150+ outlets, spanning across 130 cities.
In addition to providing a seamless, cross-border electronic shopping experience through the ultra app, Pakistani expats based in the UAE will benefit from Shariah-compliant financing options of up to 12 instalments, offering added convenience and financial ease. “This strategic partnership is a significant milestone for Astra Tech, reflecting its commitment to harnessing technology and strategic alliances to cater to diverse customer needs. It also brings RD’s extensive presence in the Pakistani market to offer reliability and trust for the ultra app users, as they deliver purchased items to friends or family in Pakistan,” the company said.
Speaking on the joint venture, Abdallah Abu Sheikh, Founder of Astra Tech and CEO of Botim, said, “Our partnership with JW Holdings marks another step in our mission to simplify people’s everyday lives through digital sovereignty. The integration of RD into the Botim e-store enables us to make advanced solutions accessible to Pakistani ex-pats in the UAE, making the process of purchasing and delivering items to friends and family based in Pakistan easy. By ensuring a seamless user experience and introducing Shariah-compliant financing options, we remain steadfast in our commitment to enhancing the lives of our users and meeting their diverse needs, while offering a range of inclusive financial services.”
Muhammad Javed Afridi, Chief Executive Officer of JW Holdings, commented, “JW Holdings Group is glad to announce the breakthrough of its new venture with esteemed International Partner Astra Tech. With unwavering focus on innovation and Customer satisfaction, JW Holdings through its retail channel RD, will revolutionize the way of shopping Consumer Durables for its consumers living in UAE.
He added, “Through their Botim app, Pakistani expats could easily connect with their loved ones living far beyond the borders but always nearer to their heart. Shopping through the Botim stores while sitting in UAE, with the deliveries bound in Pakistan for their families, will be a unique and unprecedented experience for users who could easily opt either for a cash settlement or for Shariah-Compliant instalment financing plans.”
Botim users outside of the UAE can still purchase consumer electronics from RD through the ultra app to have them delivered in Pakistan, however, Shariah-Compliant instalment financing plans are currently only available to users in the UAE.
Apps
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.
Apps
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.
Apps
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.
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