Motorola Razr 60 Ultra – A bold return to flip phone era
Motorola is stepping up the game with its latest foldable, the Razr 60 Ultra, set for release on April 24, 2025. This modern-day flip phone brings back the nostalgia of the Razr, now featuring a 6.96-inch AMOLED main display and a 4-inch external OLED screen. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the Razr 60 Ultra offers impressive specs with up to 1TB of storage, making it a standout for those seeking a stylish and functional foldable phone.
Google Pixel 9a – Affordable AI Features
The Google Pixel 9a is now available, bringing Google's signature AI features to a budget-friendly device. While its design remains simple, the phone's integration of Gemini AI and call transcription sets it apart from other midrange options. It's a great choice for tech enthusiasts who want advanced features like Google's AI-driven photo enhancements without breaking the bank.
Nothing Phone (3a) & (3a) Pro – Design Meets Function
Nothing has unveiled its latest smartphone models, the Phone (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro, designed to bring its signature transparent design to a more affordable price range. Announced at MWC 2025, these models are built with solid camera systems and clean, stock Android experiences, making them perfect for users who love minimalist aesthetics and seamless performance.
Honor Watch 5 Ultra & Earbuds Open – The Future of Wearable Tech
Honor has introduced its Watch 5 Ultra and Earbuds Open, designed for users who demand both style and performance. These wearables include advanced features like active noise cancellation and real-time AI translation, making them the ideal choice for global travelers and busy professionals seeking a smarter, more efficient lifestyle.
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Gulf Insider
8 hours ago
- Gulf Insider
Apple Plans AI Robots, Smarter Siri And Home Devices In Bid To Regain Momentum
Apple is preparing a sweeping lineup of new hardware as part of a broader push into artificial intelligence and the smart home, according to people familiar with the plans. The centerpiece is a tabletop robot, targeted for release in 2027, that is designed to act as a lifelike virtual companion. The company is also developing a smart speaker with a display for next year, as well as home-security cameras that would anchor a new Apple-branded security system. The projects, which have not been publicly announced, are part of a strategy to reinvigorate the company's product pipeline and expand into categories dominated by rivals like Amazon, Google and Samsung, Bloomberg reports. Chief Executive Tim Cook signaled the scope of the work in an all-hands meeting this month, telling employees: 'The product pipeline – which I can't talk about – it's amazing, guys. It's amazing. Some of it you'll see soon. Some of it will come later. But there's a lot to see.' The company has struggled to maintain momentum with recent projects. The Vision Pro mixed-reality headset, promoted as Apple's next big platform, has sold below expectations, while the design of its most popular devices has remained largely unchanged for years. The company has also been criticized for lagging in the generative AI race, even as OpenAI has signaled ambitions to move into hardware with former Apple design chief Jony Ive. Robotics as the Centerpiece The tabletop robot, code-named J595, is described as an iPad-size display mounted on a motorized arm that can pivot, extend and reposition itself to follow users in a room. It will feature an entirely new version of Siri, designed to engage in conversations, recall information and insert itself into group discussions. Apple has tested giving the assistant a visual personality under the codename Bubbles, with options ranging from an animated Finder face to Memoji-like characters. FaceTime will be a central function, with the ability to track people around a room during calls. Apple has also tested letting an iPhone act as a joystick to remotely reposition the robot during videoconferences. Designers are considering a final product that resembles the 'Pixar Lamp' — a reference to the animated studio's logo — and prototypes use a 7-inch display on a swiveling base. A New Operating System for the Home Both the robot and the smart display will run a new operating system called Charismatic, built for multiuser households. The interface combines elements of the Apple TV and Apple Watch software, with a focus on widgets, voice commands and facial recognition to personalize content as users approach. The smart display, code-named J490, will be a pared-down version of the robot, launching as soon as mid-2025. It will support home controls, music playback, browsing and videoconferencing, but initially without the robot's advanced conversational Siri. Apple's home push also includes cameras, starting with a battery-powered model, code-named J450, that uses facial recognition and infrared sensors. The system could automate functions like turning off lights when a room is empty or playing music for a specific family member. The company has explored a doorbell that can unlock doors using facial recognition. Siri Overhaul and AI Ambitions Underlying these devices is a major upgrade to Siri, developed under the codename Linwood and powered by large language models. Apple is also testing a parallel project, Glenwood, that could integrate outside AI models such as Anthropic's Claude. Engineers are working on a version code-named Linwood with an entirely new brain built around large language models — the foundation of generative AI. The goal is to tap into personal data to fulfill queries, an ability that was delayed due to hiccups with the current version. That new software, known internally as LLM Siri, is planned for release as early as next spring, Bloomberg News has reported. But work is going even further: Apple is preparing a visually redesigned assistant for iPhones and iPads that will also debut as early as next year. -Bloomberg Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, told employees this month that the overhaul has produced 'a much bigger upgrade than we envisioned' and that 'there is no project people are taking more seriously.' Engineers have used systems like ChatGPT and Google Gemini during development of the tabletop robot and other AI features. The new Siri is expected to debut as early as next spring on iPhones and iPads, with a redesigned visual interface and tighter integration with personal data. Beyond the Home Apple is also working on redesigned iPhones for this year, as well as longer-term projects such as smart glasses, a foldable phone, a large foldable MacBook–iPad hybrid, and a 20th-anniversary iPhone. The new hardware push comes as the company seeks fresh growth after scrapping high-profile initiatives like its self-driving car program. If successful, the products could help counter the perception that Apple no longer innovates at its former pace — and put the company in a stronger position to compete in the next era of AI-driven consumer technology.
Daily Tribune
2 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Profits, Backlogs Boost UAE Developers
TDT | Manama Emaar Properties and Aldar Properties have reported robust first-half 2025 results, reinforcing the UAE real estate sector's appeal to investors amid rising sales, record backlogs and steady dividends. Dubai's Emaar posted a 34 per cent increase in net profit to AED 10.4 billion for the period, with sales jumping 46 per cent and its backlog reaching AED 146.3bn. Abu Dhabi's Aldar saw net profit rise 24pc to AED 4.1bn, revenue surge 42pc, and backlog climb to AED 62.3bn. Both companies' shares have advanced this year, with Emaar up 15pc and Aldar up 29pc, while maintaining dividend payouts that market watchers say are competitive. The figures come against a backdrop of more than 96,000 property transactions worth AED 322bn in the UAE during the first half of 2025. Luxury momentum The luxury segment remains buoyant, exemplified by Aldar's record AED 400m sale of a mansion at Faya Al Saadiyat, the most expensive residential property ever sold in Abu Dhabi. This, alongside continued demand for off-plan properties, underscores the strength of the upper-end market. A recent eToro survey found that 52pc of UAE retail investors see real estate and construction as the most promising sectors over the next 12 months, further highlighting the sector's role as a preferred investment choice.
Daily Tribune
2 days ago
- Daily Tribune
Efficiency Push Powers Profits
TDT| Manama A sharp improvement in efficiency has helped Al Salam Bank deliver record profits for the first half of 2025, strengthening its position among Bahrain's fastest-growing lenders. The cost-to-income ratio fell from 49.9% to 45.3% in just one year, underscoring the bank's drive to get more value out of every dinar spent. Efficiency push pays off Net profits attributable to shareholders climbed 30.9% to USD 98.2 million for the six months to June 30, up from USD 75 million a year earlier. Return on equity rose to 16.9% from 15.6%, while earnings per share increased 29.0% to USD 31.8 cents. The bank credited its core banking growth and a series of optimisation initiatives for the results. The efficiency gains came alongside balance sheet growth. Total assets rose 10.8% to USD 20.76 billion, with financing assets up 8.3% to USD 10.52 billion and customer deposits growing 7.1% to USD 14.07 billion since the end of 2024. Capital strength supports growth Shareholders' equity expanded by 11.7% to USD 1.07 billion, bolstered by the record profit and a USD 450 million Additional Tier 1 capital issuance. This pushed the capital adequacy ratio to 25.2% as of June 30, compared with 24.8% last year. H.E. Shaikh Khalid bin Mustahail Al Mashani, Chairman of Al Salam Bank, said the ability to sustain growth despite volatile global markets was a defining strength, pointing to the role of strong fundamentals and disciplined risk management. Forward-looking strategy Group CEO Rafik Nayed said the efficiency drive was part of a broader plan to invest in digital innovation, expand regional capabilities through ASB Capital, and strengthen client relationships. He added that the bank would continue to focus on both banking and asset management for long-term, diversified growth. The bank's full, reviewed financial statements are available on the Bahrain Bourse and Dubai Financial Market websites.
