Gadgets
Samsung Launches Galaxy XCover7 and Galaxy Tab Active5
Samsung has announced the new Galaxy XCover7 and Galaxy Tab Active5, an enterprise-ready smartphone and tablet geared to handle rigorous challenges, including field and frontline work that demands versatility, optimization and security. Both devices will deliver enhanced mobility with 5G connectivity, upgraded mobile processor performance and increased memory. Additionally, the XCover7 comes with a new powerful rear camera and expanded display size and resolution, while the Tab Active5 includes both replaceable batteries and No Battery Mode, providing users the ability to work in a variety of settings.
According to an IDC Marketscape Worldwide Rugged Mobile Devices 2023 Vendor Assessment report, 2022 saw over one-third (38%) of U.S. enterprise organizations deploy ruggedized mobile devices, with another 38% of these organizations reporting that they plan to purchase more mobile devices through 2023. As ruggedized mobile devices are reliable, high-performing and durable, they can meet the needs of a range of enterprise industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, retail and government. As such, growth in the ruggedized device market shows no sign of abating.
“Samsung understands that businesses today face unprecedented challenges and opportunities, and they need devices that can keep up with their dynamic needs,” said Jerry Park, EVP and Head of Global Mobile B2B Team, MX Business at Samsung Electronics. “That’s why we created the Galaxy XCover7 and Galaxy Tab Active5, the ultimate ruggedized devices for the frontline. These devices are not only powerful and versatile but also durable and secure, making them the perfect partners for workers who need to stay connected, productive and safe in any situation.”
Designed to endure challenging working conditions, Galaxy XCover7 and Galaxy Tab Active5 enable workers to use their smartphones and tablets without worry. Both devices – along with the Tab Active5’s bundled S Pen – are IP68-rated for water and dust resistance, ensuring a level of durability fit for extreme work environments such as construction sites or retail warehouses. Built to the MIL-STD-810H military standard, the Galaxy XCover7 is designed to be shock-resistant to drops of up to 1.5m, while the Galaxy Tab Active5 can withstand a 1.8m drop when using the bundled protective case.
The Galaxy XCover7 and Galaxy Tab Active5 feature Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ and Corning Gorilla Glass 5, respectively, enhancing durability and scratch resistance. The device displays also allow for adjustments to touch sensitivity, making them easy to use for workers wearing gloves. They have also been extensively tested for use with sanitisers. With these specifications, Samsung Galaxy’s ruggedized devices are built to withstand severe weather or similar hazards, making them ideal for a wide variety of frontline workers.
In today’s increasingly digital world, enterprises need workers to stay connected and online. Galaxy XCover7 has been upgraded to provide fast and reliable 5G, along with Wi-Fi 5, while the Galaxy Tab Active5 offers 5G and Wi-Fi 6. This cutting-edge connectivity allows workers to collaborate more efficiently and effectively. In addition to smooth connectivity, Galaxy XCover7 and Galaxy Tab Active5’s premium displays make for easy, convenient use. The XCover7’s 6.6-inch display provides more surface area alongside increased resolution compared to previous generations. The Tab Active5’s 8.0-inch display offers greater visibility in outdoor conditions, thanks to increased display brightness, and a smoother viewing experience with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Both devices are engineered to offer powerful enterprise support while maintaining a slim, lightweight frame for use in the workplace or on the go.
Samsung Galaxy’s ruggedized devices ensure work continuity, providing workers with the support and connectivity they need, even in the most challenging work conditions. For long days in the field or on the factory floor, workers using both the Galaxy XCover7 and Tab Active5 can leverage fast charging to mitigate wasted time between charges and enable enhanced productivity. Both devices also come equipped with replaceable batteries, minimizing downtime in and out of the workplace.
The Galaxy Tab Active5 can run without a battery in No Battery Mode. This lets workers use the device non-stop at kiosks or in vehicles, preserving battery health in hot environments. The Galaxy XCover7 and Tab Active5 also have POGO charging interfaces, which simplify the charging process by enabling workplaces with POGO docks to charge multiple devices at once.
Samsung’s ruggedized devices are also designed to maximize productivity and make fieldwork streamlined and efficient. Increased speaker volume limits confusion on job sites by ensuring accurate hearing. Programmable keys enable shortcuts and improved productivity, and quick barcode scanning via Knox Capture streamlines operations for warehouse work or mobile points of sale (mPOS). Workers can unleash the full power of their smartphone or tablet with enhanced PC connectivity, too. The devices effortlessly handle quick content sharing, simultaneous displays and overall continuity of work between mobile and PC through Link to Windows, or emulate a desktop interface for jobs that take workers out of the field and into the office.
As businesses continue to operate in a fast-paced environment favouring efficiency, Samsung Galaxy’s ruggedized lineup lets workers get more done in less time, helping to meet growing consumer demands through increasing productivity and workplace operations. Galaxy XCover7 and Galaxy Tab Active5 are also compatible with a range of third-party accessories, from various functional cases to charging cradles, USB-Type C PTTs and more – enabling full integration into any workplace operation.
And in a first for Samsung’s ruggedized devices, Galaxy XCover7 and Galaxy Tab Active5 come with support for Samsung Knox Vault. As part of Samsung Galaxy’s commitment to expanding powerful security protections beyond flagship devices, enterprise customers now have even greater choice in the devices they can safely use for their business needs. Knox Vault helps protect the most critical data on these devices, including lock screen information like PIN codes, passwords and patterns.
It constructs a secure execution environment that is physically isolated from the system’s main processor and memory and is effective from the moment a user registers their lock screen – thus users can enjoy the security they need without hassle. Knox Vault can help protect users’ security keys which encrypt their data stored in the device, helping to ensure safety – even if the device is lost or stolen. A hardware-based and tamper-resistant solution, Samsung Knox Vault was created to safeguard a user’s data against not only software-based hacking but also hardware attacks using high-end professional tools. The new Galaxy XCover7 and Galaxy Tab Active5 will be available starting this month.
Gadgets
HUAWEI Launches WATCH GT 5 Series, WATCH D2, WATCH Ultimate Green, MatePad Pro 12.2-inch and MatePad 12 X
HUAWEI has launched a series of new gadgets at its Innovative Product Launch event in Barcelona, Spain. The company introduced a range of highly anticipated products, highlighting its ‘Fashion Forward’ approach to wearables. The new wearables lineup includes the HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series, HUAWEI WATCH D2, and the HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate Green. Additionally, Huawei unveiled the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2-inch and HUAWEI MatePad 12 X—brand-new tablets offering advanced technologies for enhanced productivity and seamless connectivity. To provide a worry-free experience, Huawei is offering the HUAWEI Care+ Service, which can be purchased alongside the new devices.
HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2”: Brighter, Lighter, and Ready to Replace Your Laptop
Alex Huang, Chief Marketing Officer of Huawei Consumer BG, emphasised the brand’s global impact and commitment to innovation. “We aim to bring innovative products that offer consumers a unique blend of fashion and creativity,” said Alex. “By inspiring our users, Huawei strives to create a more connected and heartwarming world where technology enhances daily living and brings people closer together.”
HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series
The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series elevates smartwatch fashion with sharp, geometric designs and premium materials. Boasting IP69K certification for water and corrosion resistance, the series is built for durability. It’s available in two editions—HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Pro and HUAWEI WATCH GT 5—with three sizes and 12 colourways. The 46mm version features an iconic octagonal dial, a 1.43-inch AMOLED display, and durable materials like sapphire glass and titanium. The sleeker 42mm version offers a nano-ceramic build with gold accents and a 1.32-inch AMOLED screen. The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series provides the sleek 41mm and a larger 46mm options. Unlike the Pros, these are constructed with durable stainless steel.
The HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series introduces a major leap in health and fitness tracking with the debut of the HUAWEI TruSense System. It now leads the industry in tracking vital signs such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and respiratory rate. The new Emotional Wellbeing Assistant allows the watch to infer the user’s emotional state. The battery life remains impressive, boasting up to 14 days on the 46mm model and 7 days on the 41mm version. The watch is compatible with Android and iOS smartphones.
HUAWEI WATCH GT 5 Series will be available in UAE on September 26thwith pre-orders starting on September 19th price from 899 AED from Huawei’s online platforms as well as certified retailers.
HUAWEI WATCH D2
The HUAWEI WATCH D2 is the successor to the HUAWEI WATCH D, which brought blood pressure monitoring to the wrist. The new watch introduces Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM), offering 24-hour blood pressure tracking throughout a full sleep-wake cycle. For individuals with hypertension, the watch helps identify their blood pressure circadian rhythms and detect abnormal nighttime blood pressure decline rates. For those without hypertension, the watch can help assess their risk.
The HUAWEI WATCH D2 also offers comprehensive health monitoring capabilities, including heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen, stress, skin temperature, ECG, vascular elasticity, pulse wave arrhythmia, and sleep apnea detection. With a single tap, users can measure nine body indicators and generate a Health Glance report to identify potential health risks. In terms of design, the HUAWEI WATCH D2 features a glossy mirror bezel and a rotating crown that exudes a premium feel.
HUAWEI WATCH D2 will be available in UAE on October 14th at AED 1599 from Huawei’s online platforms as well as certified retailers. Subscribe now and get an early bird voucher worth AED 150.
HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate Green Edition
HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate introduces the new Advanced Golf Course Features and the enhanced Expedition Mode, along with a new green edition. The new green edition brings an exclusive dual-colour nano-tech ceramic bezel, crafted through a highly complex manufacturing process. As Huawei’s ultimate luxury smartwatch, the HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate boasts a Zirconium-based liquid metal body and a high-strength sapphire glass cover, ensuring maximum durability and wear resistance. Additionally, it offers a 100-meter diving mode with audio functions.
HUAWEI WATCH Ultimate will be available in UAE on October 14th at AED 2999 from Huawei’s online platforms as well as certified retailers. Subscribe now and get an early bird voucher worth AED 300.
HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2
The new HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2” features an innovative Tandem OLED PaperMatte screen capable of reaching an astounding 2000 nits of brightness. It delivers stunning HDR visuals, ensuring lifelike colours even in bright sunlight. This display incorporates cutting-edge anti-sparkle and nanoscale anti-glare etching technologies, alongside magnetron nano optical layers to reduce light interference and glare offering a paper-like viewing. The all-new HUAWEI Glide Keyboard offers integrated stylus storage and charging, with a magnetic hinge for easy mode switching. Built with anti-stain materials, it resists coffee spills, oil, and lipstick smudges.
The GoPaint app on the new tablet introduces Splatter and Fluid brushes, delivering pro-level tools for digital painting. The MatePad Pro 12.2” comes in a stunning Golden Silk rear cover that redefines artistry in gadget design. HUAWEI MatePad Pro 12.2” will be available in UAE on October 3rd with pre-orders starting on September 26th at AED 2999 from Huawei’s online platforms as well as certified retailers.
HUAWEI MatePad 12 X
The HUAWEI MatePad 12 X is an elegant-looking tablet Available in three beautiful pastel colours—Greenery, Sakura Pink, and White. They all have a unique metallic white lustre, adding a refined aesthetic touch. Designed for young professionals, its 12-inch PaperMatte Display simulates the texture of paper using nano-level etching making it the most suitable screen for paperless creation. Paired with the HUAWEI M-Pencil, it delivers a writing experience that feels natural, improving precision by 47% compared with traditional tablets.
The HUAWEI MatePad 12 X also comes with Huawei Notes, a professional note-taking app designed by Huawei for seamless, paperless creation, making it the perfect tool for creativity and productivity. HUAWEI HUAWEI MatePad 12 X will be available in UAE on October 3rd with pre-orders starting on September 26th at AED 1699 from Huawei’s online platforms as well as certified retailers.
Artificial Intelligence
Acer Expands Copilot+ PC Line with New Swift AI and Swift Go 14 AI Laptops
Acer has launched its latest Swift laptops, powered by the new Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2). The Swift 14 AI and Swift 16 AI Copilot+ PCs offer exceptional AI performance, sleek designs, and a suite of AI-powered features. Equipped with Intel Core Ultra processors, these laptops deliver up to 48 trillion operations per second (TOPS) of NPU AI performance. This enables them to accelerate generative AI tasks and creations with ease. The laptops also feature advanced security features, including biometric security and hardware-level protection, to safeguard user data.
The Swift 14 AI and Swift 16 AI boast premium aluminium chassis and stunning OLED displays with 90 Hz refresh rates and HDR TrueBlack 500 certification. The laptops also offer exceptional battery life, thanks to efficient power management and the new Intel Core Ultra processors. Acer’s suite of AI features includes Copilot+, which provides intelligent assistance for various tasks. The laptops also feature AcerSense, which allows users to control system settings and access AI features with a single click. Additionally, Acer Assist offers AI-powered document search and troubleshooting, while Acer PurifiedView and PurifiedVoice enhance video conferencing experiences.
The Swift 14 AI and Swift 16 AI are Copilot+ PCs, offering a new era of productivity and efficiency. With Copilot, users can access AI-powered tools like Cocreator for image generation and Live Captions for real-time speech translation. The Acer Swift Go 14 AI, powered by a Snapdragon X Plus 8-core processor, offers exceptional performance and long battery life. It is designed for everyday users who seek a powerful and accessible AI-powered laptop.
Acer’s new Swift laptops offer a combination of powerful AI performance, sleek designs, and innovative features. Whether you’re a creative professional, a student, or a business user, these laptops have something to offer.
Earbuds
Sony’s WH-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM5 Now Available in Smoky Pink Variant
Sony has announced a new colour addition to their 1000X noise-cancelling headphones. Released in collaboration with K-Pop girl group LE SSERAFIM, the WH-1000XM5 and WF-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphones are now available in Smoky Pink. Both the WH-1000XM5 headphones and WF-1000XM5 earbuds offer noise-cancelling features and great audio quality. The WF-1000XM5 currently comes in black and platinum silver, while the WH-1000XM5 comes in black, platinum silver and midnight blue.
The Smoky Pink colour is soft and sophisticated, with a powdery matte texture that boosts your style. This colour fits perfectly with LE SSERAFIM’s aesthetic and their newly unveiled partnership with Sony’s For The Music campaign.
The record-breaking K-pop giants are known for their fearless attitude, chic fashion sensibilities, and empowering songs, which have resulted in multiple entries on the Billboard Hot 100 and 200 charts. With 20M+ combined followers on social platforms and a diehard global fanbase, there’s no question that LE SSERAFIM is a mainstay in the genre and one of the most exciting acts to watch in 2024 and beyond.
LE SSERAFIM also stars in Sony’s campaign for the WH-1000XM5 headphones and WF-1000XM5 earbuds, featuring their new song “CRAZY” from their same-titled fourth mini album, which was released on August 30th. “The connection we have with our fans is everything, and we can’t wait for them to be able to experience our music with Sony’s awesome Smoky Pink 1000X headphones and earbuds,” said LE SSERAFIM.
The Smoky Pink WH-1000XM5 headphones and WF-1000XM5 earbuds will be available in the Middle East and Africa from October 2024.