Gadgets
Samsung Intros Family Hub and SmartThings Energy for Next-Gen Connected Living

Samsung Gulf Electronics unveiled the groundbreaking features of the Family Hub Refrigerator, marking a new era in connected and sustainable living, during an exclusive event at Akira Back in Dubai. The refrigerator is equipped with cutting-edge technology, designed to enhance connectivity and entertainment for families right in their kitchens. With AI features that automate meal planning and other daily tasks to deliver a more personalised experience, the Family Hub refrigerator is the industry’s smartest fridge and the future of connected homes. Through the SmartThings App, the Family Hub seamlessly links various smart devices, allowing users to turn the linked devices on/off, adjust settings, coordinate activities, and limit power usage. Moreover, users can listen to music, watch TV, and easily share pictures, videos and handwritten notes among family members right from the fridge’s screen.
DooHee Lee, President of Samsung Gulf Electronics, said, “At Samsung, we believe that connected home technology can transform lives and make them more convenient, connected, and sustainable. With the Family Hub refrigerator, we are transforming the kitchen into a shared, connected experience that goes beyond preparing meals into the new epicentre for the smart home. We have also worked with partners to bring even more experiences directly on the appliance, including online shopping, food recipes, home security and more.”
The Family Hub refrigerator, equipped with 22 apps, revolutionises smart living, offering users a comprehensive home view. The SmartThings Video widget facilitates easy front door monitoring and access to multiple security cameras for a seamless household overview. Enhanced by AI image recognition, the View Inside internal camera lets users check fridge contents on key shelves via their smartphone or home screen. It streamlines shopping by displaying items without opening the door. Users can tag expiration dates, create lists, and set reminders.

Chef Giovanni Ledon at the launch of SmartThings Energy
The Samsung Food app simplifies cooking with over 10,000 recipes across 32 cuisines, leveraging Food AI technology. The Smart Recipes feature provides a personalised weekly meal planner based on user preferences and fridge contents. Transforming the kitchen atmosphere, the Family Hub refrigerator functions as a virtual jukebox with a 25W speaker. Doubling as a multimedia hub, it mirrors content from Samsung Smart TVs and phones onto its touchscreen. With connectivity for up to 6 screens, users can sync calendars, prepare briefs, stay informed, and effortlessly share media and notes, creating entertaining and connected kitchen experiences.
Samsung also demonstrated how its innovations enable a sustainable, connected future as the world gathers in Dubai for the COP28 climate conference. At the event, Samsung highlighted how its SmartThings Energy platform facilitates a transformative approach to energy conservation, highlighting its potential to bring positive changes to UAE homes by significantly reducing costs and improving quality of life.
SmartThings Energy is a new tool within the SmartThings app that allows consumers to take control of their energy consumption with monitoring, target-setting, and notifications of their Samsung appliances and HVAC systems. The ‘AI Energy Mode’ within the app employs artificial intelligence to optimise energy usage in Samsung products, enabling up to 70% in energy savings.
Advanced algorithms in SmartThings Energy can weigh laundry loads, set defrost cycles, estimate electricity bills, and detect open refrigerator doors or room temperature changes, empowering users to cut costs and reduce consumption. SmartThings Energy is the first platform of its kind to earn ENERGY STAR certification for a Smart Home Energy Management System from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“As discussions continue at COP28, Samsung is proud of our contributions to a more sustainable future for the region. We’re committed to developing eco-conscious products that help our customers conserve energy and build a more sustainable future for their families. From the ENERGY STAR ratings in many of our products to home appliances globally recognised for meeting the most rigorous energy-efficiency standards, we strive to deliver technologies that consumers can confidently use to save energy and reduce their carbon footprint. We are empowering our customers with smart home solutions that are not only innovative but also responsible towards the environment by enabling them to monitor and control their home’s energy consumption and receive tips on how to save energy and money,” President Lee added.
Samsung works with smart home and IoT device manufacturing partners like Aqara and technology integrators such as iSmartHome to craft the ultimate connected home that is safe, personalised and sustainable. The company demonstrated how the Phillips Hue smart lighting, ABB remote-controlled curtains and intelligent AC systems connect with Samsung SmartThings to elevate users’ lifestyles. The entire ecosystem is managed through a simplified interface on the Smart Hub, the new epicentre for the smart home.
SmartThings aligns with the increased interest in smart homes among UAE residents and, more broadly, with the UAE’s vision for Smart Cities. By connecting various devices and appliances throughout the house, Samsung demonstrates how users can create a smart, sustainable lifestyle tailored to their needs. The Smart Home market in the UAE is poised to achieve a robust yearly growth rate of 11.13%, projecting a market volume of $113.8 million by 2028. Today, Samsung has 2.3 million registered SmartThings users in the UAE alone. The trends reflect a surge in the demand for smart home technology, propelled by the nation’s emphasis on innovation and luxury living. Through SmartThings, Samsung enables new experiences, healthier living, better entertainment, and more sustainable lifestyles.

Gadgets
Toshiba Canvio Flex: A Multi-Device Hard Drive for Storing and Sharing Special Memories

On 14 February we celebrate Valentine’s Day and Toshiba Electronics Europe GmbH proposes to surprise your partner with a practical and stylish gift: the Canvio Flex, a multi-device hard drive for storing and sharing special memories. Coinciding with the release of 2025, this portable external storage drive in 2.5-inch form factor has a new design and comes in a simple and elegant silver finish, making it a functional and beautiful gift.
Flexibility and compatibility are the distinguishing features of the Canvio Flex. Even if you and your partner use different devices (Android or iOS smartphones, Mac, PC or different tablets) – with the Canvio Flex you can use just one hard drive to save and share your special moments. The drive can connect directly to these different devices via the included USB Type-C or Type-A cable without reformatting.
This also makes the Canvio Flex a long-term companion because even if you change your devices, the Canvio Flex will continue to connect to any of them. Especially the direct connectivity to your smartphone and the ability to make backups make the Canvio Flex quite handy, as many photos and videos are nowadays taken with your mobile phone, as shown in this video.
Instead of expanding the capacity of your cloud storage service, you can take the Canvio Flex with you for quick and easy backups directly from your smartphone, desktop, laptop or tablet, wherever you are, without an internet connection, so you’ll always have all your special memories – whether they’re text files, music, photos or videos – safe and secure for quick and easy sharing. With its plug-and-play philosophy and USB3.2 Gen 1 interface, the Canvio Flex offers fast data transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps.
More information on the Canvio Flex can be accessed by visiting: https://www.toshiba-storage.com/products/canvio-flex/
– Partner Content
Gadgets
HONOR Intros PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic7 RSR

HONOR announced the launch of their latest ultra-premium flagship smartphone in the UAE. The PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic7 RSR marks the third collaboration between the global technology brand HONOR and the exclusive lifestyle brand Porsche Design. The new device merges premium sports car inspired design with state-of-the-art technology, again showcasing a powerful collaboration meticulously crafting a groundbreaking product. The PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic7 RSR represents a leap forward in AI-enabled smartphone technology, seamlessly integrating AI into the user experience by enhancing imaging, display, performance, and system interactions, creating a personalized smart platform that adapts and improves with use. The official unveiling took place at LEAP 2025 (Riyadh, KSA), where HONOR made a remarkable impact under the theme “LEAP into HONOR AI World” by unveiling – the PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic7 RSR, setting a new standard in the premium smartphone market in the GCC.
The PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic7 RSR seamlessly blends Porsche Design’s iconic sporty aesthetics with exceptional quality, functionality, and usability. Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, the creator of the legendary sports car 911 and founder of Porsche Design once described his design approach in the following way: “As little design as possible, as much design as necessary.” Drawing from F. A. Porsche’s philosophy of simplicity and sophistication, the PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic7 RSR incorporates the HONOR Magic7’s symmetrical camera module while integrating the latest sports car design, a celebration of superior dynamics and elegance. This fusion of innovation and heritage creates a unique appeal, with a powerful design highlighted by a distinctive central ridge reminiscent of sleek hood lines featured on many Porsche sports cars. This feature enhances both visual appeal and ergonomics, providing a comfortable and secure grip.
The phone incorporates Porsche’s signature design elements with a hexagonal camera module inspired by high-performance components. The aerodynamic aesthetics of the Taycan Turbo S are seamlessly integrated, and the symmetrical arrangement of four imaging units (3 cameras and 1 graphic element) resemble sports car headlights, protected by 3D glass echoing Porsche’s windshield curves. The PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic7 RSR replicates the smooth, refined surface of a sports car, offering a sensory feast of visual and tactile delight.
The PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic7 RSR features the new cutting-edge MagicOS 9.0. This industry-first, personalized all-scenario AI operating system is equipped with intelligent features that are thoughtfully engineered to meet the varied needs of users, spanning from everyday smartphone operation, entertainment, communication, photo editing, and professional tasks. Introducing Magic Portal, users can conveniently access essential information and services through the upgraded circle and access capability, streamlining smartphone interactions with a simple circle and tap gesture. The MagicOS 9.0 also integrates AI-powered Real-time Transcript, AI Summary, AI Minutes and AI Format features into HONOR Notes, enhancing meeting efficiency for business users. Furthermore, it provides AI Eraser and AI Cutout for an enhanced photo-editing experience. The PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic7 RSR now comes with the Google Gemini app pre-installed. This AI assistant from Google can help users enhance ideas, learn in new ways, write emails, plan events and more.
The PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic7 RSR boasts the pioneering AI HONOR Image Engine, the industry’s first on-device plus cloud large model empowered mobile imaging system. It delivers a transformative photography experience from image capture to editing. Leveraging the power of large models, the device elevates image precision across all photography needs including portraits, snapshots, or telephoto images. This device showcases a range of AI-driven photography tools, including All-scenario Harcourt Portrait, AI Enhanced Portrait, AI Super Zoom for Scenery Capture, Stage Mode, AI Motion Sensing Capture, and HD Super Burst. Users can take stunning photos through AI processing, capturing every moment with remarkable clarity and detail.
With a triple rear camera setup that includes a 50MP Super Dynamic Falcon Main Camera, a 200MP Ultra-sensitive Telephoto Camera, and a 50MP Wide Camera, the device is a perfect tool for photography enthusiasts seeking a professional-like shooting experience. Equipped with an advanced 1/1.4″ telephoto sensor and the industry’s largest f/1.88 telephoto aperture, the telephoto camera rivals the performance of professional telephoto lenses. The LiDAR Matrix Autofocus System, featuring 1200 Points LiDAR Matrix, enhances focusing accuracy, speed, and tracking range, ensuring sharp and clear shots of moving subjects. With a dual electromagnetic focus actuator, the focus capability is enhanced significantly.
The PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic7 RSR is equipped with the Natural Light HONOR AI Eye Comfort Display, which simulates natural light characteristics and is certified by TÜV Rheinland Full Care Display 4.0, TÜV Rheinland Circular Polarization, and TÜV Rheinland Flicker-Free, setting a new standard in user eye health protection. Providing ultimate protection to the device, the smartphone incorporates the HONOR Anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield and is certified with IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance withstanding everyday scratches and shocks. The device also supports rapid charging options with 100W Wired and 80W Wireless HONOR SuperCharge, by incorporating a 5850mAh Third-generation Silicon-carbon Battery that delivers reliable power even in low temperatures.
Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Mobile Platform, Qualcomm’s most powerful mobile system-on-a-chip, the device ensures smooth gaming and multitasking with stunning graphics and efficient battery usage. The HONOR Surround Subwoofer, a stereo speaker with an integrated ultra-large sound cavity and spatial audio, offers deep bass and an immersive audio experience. The PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic7 RSR features a unique user interface infused with elements inspired by sports cars. Enhancing the user experience, the smartphone includes a special premium phone case that provides enhanced durability. With its impressive features, the PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic7 RSR is an ideal companion for everyday life, blending style, performance, and durability seamlessly.
The luxury flagship device is available in two distinct Original Porsche exterior colors: the classic Agate Grey, a sporty yet elegant hue, and the brand-new color Provence, a modern purple hue that adds a touch of flamboyance to the over-all clean and functional design. The UAE consumers can now subscribe online to be among the first to experience the all-new PORSCHE DESIGN HONOR Magic7 RSR.
Accessories
Apple’s Beats Unveils Powerbeats Pro 2 with Heart-Rate Monitoring

Apple Inc.’s Beats division has unveiled the long-awaited Powerbeats Pro 2, which features noise cancellation, a heart-rate monitor, and a revamped design aimed at athletes. This new model incorporates capabilities seen in Apple’s AirPods, such as transparency mode for better external noise awareness and the H2 chip for enhanced sound quality. Additionally, it offers improved spatial audio for a 3D listening experience and comes with a smaller, wireless charging case.
The heart-rate monitor is a notable first for Apple-designed earbuds, expanding the company’s health-related features, and utilizes technology found in the Apple Watch. Despite a slow holiday season for Apple’s wearables business—with sales in the division falling nearly 2% to about $11.8 billion—the introduction of these new earbuds is anticipated to drive interest and sales.
Priced at $250, the same as the previous model, the new Powerbeats Pro 2 will be available in black, orange, purple, and a color called quicksand. This price point matches the AirPods Pro 2, although the Powerbeats may be more appealing to athletes due to their secure ear hooks.
Apple Vice President Oliver Schusser, who oversees Beats as well as the company’s sports, TV+, and music initiatives, hailed the new Powerbeats as “the most impressive product in Beats’ history.” Acquired by Apple in 2014 for $3 billion, Beats remains the company’s largest acquisition to date.
The heart-rate monitor will be compatible with fitness apps like Peloton, Nike Run Club, Ladder, and Slopes, with data integration into the Apple Health app. The earbuds will also be compatible with Android devices. Apple is reportedly working on AirPods with heart-rate monitoring, though they are still many months away from release.
In terms of battery life, the Powerbeats Pro 2 holds an advantage over AirPods, with 10 hours of usage on their own and 45 hours with the charging case, compared to six hours for AirPods alone and up to 30 hours with the case. However, AirPods continue to offer unique features, such as a new hearing aid functionality.
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