PRODUCTS

Zebra TC53/TC58 mobile computing series

Zebra Technologies Corporation announced the new TC53/TC58 mobile computing series featuring innovative technologies that help business leaders and IT decision-makers across industries increase operational efficiency, deploy new capabilities to the front line, and reduce costs. Equipped with the latest 5G and Wi-Fi 6E wireless and sensor technologies and the largest, brightest and highest resolution screen in its class, the TC53/TC58 series enables front-line workers in retail, postal/courier and field service organizations to leverage mobile dimensioning, mobile point of sale (mPOS), and connected workforce applications that improve productivity and enhance the customer experience.

The TC53/TC58 series features Zebra Dimensioning Certified Mobile Parcel, an industryfirst solution that utilizes an integrated Time of Flight (ToF) depth sensor to capture parcel dimensions and calculate shipping charges on Zebra mobile computers with the press of a button – saving time researching prices or manually measuring packages. The TC53/TC58 mobile computers are also payment ready with tap-to-pay functionality, providing the freedom to checkout customers from just about anywhere. The versatile devices can also transform into a mobile-driven workstation or a complete fixed or hybrid POS, a two-way push-to-talk (PTT) radio, PBX handset or RFID reader for improved team collaboration and productivity.

The purpose-built TC53/TC58 series offers a new, modern design that accommodates a six-inch advanced edge-to-edge display that allows workers to see more information. Zebra’s Intellifocus technology enables users to scan items in hand, across a room or on a top shelf rack further improving worker productivity. The TC53/ TC58 series also features an integrated 16MP camera, the highest resolution in its class, with optional optical image stabilization (OIS) to capture sharp, detailed photographs to document proof of condition and delivery.

OPPO Reno7 Pro 5G

The OPPO Reno7 Pro 5G features the iconic OPPO Glow glass on its back cover with the Laser Direct Imaging (LDI) technology for the first time ever in the industry and also boosts the flagship-level 5G performance powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1200-MAX. Meanwhile, a 12GB+256GB memory, 4500mAh battery and 65W SUPERVOOCTM guarantee an extraordinary, long-lasting and smooth experience. Tying all of these together, the ColorOS 12 creates a convenient and efficient user experience on the smartphone. With features packed into a sleek and light smartphone, Reno7 Pro 5G is the portrait expert designed to help users get the most out of the 5G era.

To deliver even more powerful 5G performance, the Reno7 Pro 5G features the MediaTek Dimensity 1200MAX to support incredible smartphone experiences. Built on a 6nm process, the octa-core SoC includes an ARM Cortex-A78 core operates at up to 3GHz, delivering ultimate computing power with lower power consumption. With MediaTek’s Dimensity 5G Open Resource Architecture brands can enjoy increased flexibility to customize key 5G mobile device features to address different market segments. The open resource architecture gives smartphone brands closerto-metal access to customize features for cameras, displays, graphics, artificial intelligence (AI) processing units (APUs), sensors and connectivity sub-systems within the Dimensity 1200 chipset.

Lenovo Yoga Tab 13

Lenovo has announced the launch of its Yoga Tab 13 in the UAE, delivering a supercharged audio-visual experience in a sleek and elegant form factor. The introduction of the company’s latest premium tablet offering comes during a time in which more consumers are investing in portable devices to enhance the hybrid worlds of work, learning and play.

The Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 features a large 13-inch 2K display with 400 nits of brightness and 100 percent sRGB color gamut. The panel is also powered by Dolby Vision® HDR, which delivers ultra-vivid picture quality and detail. As a new Android tablet, the Yoga Tab 13 features Entertainment Space from Google, the new home for free and paid content services. Users can enjoy up to 12 hours of playback (1080p) and use Lenovo’s 30W quick charge to keep powered at all times of the day.

With quad JBL speakers, including the two built into the Yoga Tab 13’s innovative soundbar, users can enjoy a captivating listening experience. The audio journey is made more immersive still thanks to Lenovo Premium Audio tuning and Dolby Atmos, alongside a lower audio chamber with up to 450Hz bass performance for cinematic sound that can actually be felt.

The Yoga Tab 13 is supported by the performance efficiency of an octa-core processor, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 Mobile Platform. This processing power helps to deliver powerful graphics and 8GB LPDDR5 of memory – making the Yoga Tab 13 capable of downloading and running high performance gaming titles in high-resolution, high speed, and low-latency.

SHAPING THE FUTURE

SUNIL PAUL, MD OF FINESSSE, ON THE IMPACT OF METAVERSE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

The Oxford dictionary categorises Metaverse as a ‘slang’ term, and today it has quickly become part of everyday conversation. Found only in science fiction until a few years ago, virtual representation of reality is now very much real and here to stay and will shape a new world.

“A maximalist, interconnected set of experiences straight out of sci-fi – a world known as the metaverse” – with those words, Mark Zuckerberg changed the course of his $550 billion conglomerate of social media companies and gave it a new direction in June last year. “Our overarching goal across all of these initiatives is to help bring the metaverse to life,” he added then.

When a company like Facebook – with 2.9 billion users just on one platform – puts most of its eggs in one basket and even changes its name to ‘Meta’, it is bound to catalyse the process that promises to be an integral part of human existence in the very near future.

From simply enhancing the experience of gamers and retail customers to cutting-edge applications in medicine and engineering, metaverse will eventually influence all part of our lives. If everything goes as per plan, sectors like education are going to be completely democratised and transformed forever. Any child, having internet access in the remotest part of the world, will be able to join virtual schools without having to wait for the bricks-and-mortar version.

A recent Gartner estimate revealed that 25 percent of the population will spend at least one hour a day in the metaverse by the year 2026 and that 30 percent of organisations will have products to showcase in it. A SkyQuest Technology report expected the metaverse market to grow at a staggering rate of 37.1 and reach a value of USD758 billion by 2027.

Put simply, the metaverse will dissolve geographical boundaries and open up economies like never before. A shopper sitting in a remote African country will be able to shop and converse alongside a person based in Dubai in a Tokyo showroom. The shopper can ‘touch and feel’ the products and try it on before making the decision to purchase.

Still an unchartered space, Metaverse is a clean canvas waiting for its artists, and the UAE is determined to have a first-mover advantage as the government and businesses embrace this future.

Emirates announced last month that it is about to launch NFTs and metaverse experiences for its customers and employees. The airline will also repurpose its Expo 2020 pavilion into a centre for innovation for such future-focused projects.

Real estate companies have adopted the concept with remarkable alacrity. Damac Group is investing $100 million to build its own digital cities, while Union Square House is set to launch its first metaverse mansions in the UAE.

The government services are not far behind. The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) has developed a new metaverse platform, allowing people to access medical care and receive health-related support virtually.

Earlier this month, Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), the new virtual assets regulator in Dubai, launched a MetaHQ in ‘The Sandbox’ (a decentralised NFT gaming metaverse that enables non-tech savvy users to create, sell, use, and monetise their own virtual reality NFTs), thus becoming the ‘world’s first regulator to make its debut in the space.

The UAE is even using virtual reality technology in helping train security officials in the metaverse. Abu Dhabibased International Security Alliance used various virtual crisis simulations in training exercises, which provided greater flexibility than in-person training.

Experts have predicted several challenges for metaverse, including issues on governance, cybersecurity and privacy. More immediately, there are concerns about hardware, internet infrastructure and even a slowdown in adoption timeline because of the microprocessor shortage. Now is the time for tech providers to strike while the iron is hot and invest in resources that will help them have a competitive advantage.

Whether the metaverse turns out to be a utopian or dystopian version of our world, remains a matter of debate. But there is no doubt that it will become a big part of human life soon.