PRODUCTS

Logitech webcam and headphones

Logitech unveiled two new product series, Brio 500 webcams and Zone Vibe headphones, designed to meet the evolving needs of hybrid workers.

Brio 500 Webcams

Created for those who want enterprise-grade audio and video quality, personalisation, and more engaging experiences on video calls, Brio 500 series (Brio 500 and Brio 505) is a new class of webcams that solve the most common video conferencing challenges. Brio 500 series introduces the Show Mode feature that makes it easy to share sketches or other physical objects on the desk. With an innovative mounting system and built-in sensor that allows users to tilt the camera down to focus on objects, Brio automatically flips the image to render the correct orientation into video calls.

Stylish design and fashionable colors–graphite, off-white, and rose–give individuals the freedom to customise their workstation to suit their personality and taste. RightSight technology (enabled through Logi Tune) automatically frames the user, even when moving around, while built-in innovations like RightLight 4 automatically correct substandard lighting.

Zone Vibe Headphones

Logitech’s new Zone Vibe series are the first wireless headphones in the market to combine business-grade performance with comfort, style, and affordability. Also available in graphite, off-white and rose colors, they are designed to be comfortable for all-day collaboration with colleagues and connecting with family. These lightweight over-the-ear headphones weigh just 6.5 ounces and feature soft-to-the-touch knitted fabric and memory foam.

D-Link Air Bridge

D-Link Corporation unveiled its much-anticipated DWA-F18 VR Air Bridge; a wireless dongle designed specifically for Meta Quest 2 in an exclusive partnership with Meta. The DWA-F18 VR Air Bridge provides high-performance wireless links between Meta Quest 2 and PCs/laptops, eliminating cable clutter to provide enhanced and safer VR gaming experiences.

The DWA-F18 VR Air Bridge is embedded with D-Link’s advanced Wi-Fi 6 firmware and Meta’s proprietary VR algorithms to bring low-latency wireless connectivity and improved Wi-Fi efficiency. Furthermore, the DWA-F18 features a compact design with simple installation and WPA3 Wi-Fi protection to let gamers experience safer, unrestricted, and fully immersive VR adventures in the Metaverse.

Oppo’s Reno8 Z 5G OPPO Glow. This means users get to enjoy a fingerprint resistant smooth matte finish back with a glittery appearance, guaranteed to be a head turning visual effect.

Thanks to AI-enhanced imaging features like AI Portrait Retouching and Bokeh Flare Portrait, the new Reno8 Z 5G is designed to offer users unlimited styles for their portraits all at an entry-level affordable price point.

AI Portrait Retouching is optimized to intelligently retouch the skin tone and makeup without any artificial or excessive brightening. This feature is updated based on OPPO’s special survey feedback from thousands of overseas users regarding their skin tone and beauty preferences. The Reno8 Z 5G can now deliver natural and vivid selfies with high resolution and high saturation.

Bokeh Flare Portrait is for those who want to get DSLRgrade portrait images. It enhances the brightness of the subject while automatically blurring the background and boosting the bokeh light spots.

All of the superior features are backed by a powerful 64MP AI Triple Camera, ideal for the best in day and night photography. The Reno8 Z 5G is also equipped with other impressive features like Selfie HDR, AI Palettes, AI Colour Portrait, Ultra-Clear 108MP Image, Flash Snapshot and more, to increase the overall imaging quality.

For those who want to stand out with an eye-catching device, the Reno8 Z 5G is the first OPPO smartphone to adopt a 0.5 mm anti-glare glass back cover with Integrated

CANON INSTANT PHOTO PRINTERS

Canon has launched two new compact photo printers – Canon SELPHY CP1500 and Canon Zoemini 2.

Compact and speedy, the Canon SELPHY CP1500 lets users print high quality photos, from postcard and square formats to mini stickers, that will last up to 100 years [i]. It has been designed with family life in mind – making it easy to create invitations and Thank You notes for weddings, family reunions or other milestone celebrations, or to simply print snapshots from daily life and family vacations without having to rush to the nearest photo kiosk. At any one time, an unlimited number of smartphones can be connected to the SELPHY CP1500, a perfect companion for entertaining guests at parties and events.

At just 177g, the new Canon Zoemini 2 weighs less than the average smartphone and is conveniently pocket-sized [ii]. Creative minds who are out and about a lot can take it with them on their adventures, printing photos from their camera rolls wherever they go. With its speedy charging capabilities via a USB-C connector, this device is fully charged in 50 minutes – 40 minutes faster than its predecessor model.

THE STATE OF DIGITALISATION

SUNIL PAUL, MD OF FINESSE, ON THE EVOLUTION OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN THE REGION.

How far the Middle East region has embraced digital transformation? Even before the pandemic, governments and enterprises were implementing digital transformation initiatives, but the pandemic accelerated that shift manifold.

For some organisations, the pandemic vindicated their investments in digital transformation. For example, Saudi

Telecom Company (STC) was able to maintain its network capacity and quality of service thanks to the investments in fiber and mobility infrastructure over previous 3-4 years.

While digitally mature companies sought to integrate their already digitised processes and systems, those behind the curve had to digitise at lighting speeds to keep operations humming amid the lockdowns and enable remote workers to collaborate, communicate and complete their projects. On the other hand, consumers moved dramatically toward online channels, preferring non-contact dealings.

A global survey of executives by McKinsey in 2020 found that

COVID-19 pushed companies over the technology tipping point. It accelerated the digitisation of their customer and supply-chain interactions and of their internal operations by three to four years.

Moreover, the share of digital or digitally enabled products in their portfolios accelerated by a whopping seven years.

As organisations across industries began to rely more heavily on digital tools, a 2021 Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) study, commissioned by Microsoft, found that cloud technology led the way, with 50 percent of organisations saying it played a critical role in their COVID-era operations.

That was followed by technologies to enable remote work (40%), artificial intelligence and machine learning (33%), and the Internet of Things (31%).

There is no doubt that the accelerated pace of digitisation helped companies in the Middle East region manage transactions remotely, deliver goods efficiently even as they were able to enhance customer acquisition, operational efficiency and risk management. The region also benefitted from the fact that it was largely free of legacy systems that were the bane of digital transformation in the advanced economies.

The pandemic also fast forwarded digital transformation within governments in the region, and in the case of UAE, past initiatives helped the country overcome the pandemic’s impact faster and return to business quicker than any other country in the world.

A paper by the Middle East Institute noted that the UAE reaped the benefits of its long-term plans such as the National Innovation Strategy, the Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, and the Blockchain Strategy 2021, all of which laid the groundwork from the country’s COVID-19 digital response.

The indications are that the massive shifts engendered by the pandemic in areas like e-commerce, e-payments and telecommuting will persist even after the the post-COVID world. As organisations switch to digital-first approach to products, services, customer and employee experiences, and operations,

Prior to the pandemic, many businesses viewed technology as a means to save money and reduce unnecessary spending. The 2020 McKinsey survey mentioned earlier found that for businesses, amid COVID-19, modernising their capabilities, gaining a competitive advantage, and creating a business culture that was focused around digital technologies all outpaced concerns about reducing costs. This reflected in higher budgets for digital transformation and resistance to innovation breaking down.

An IBM survey in the same year found that executives have also become more trusting of what technology can do during COVID-19, and the benefits long extolled by technophiles have become more broadly embraced across organisational leadership as they focus on in investments in AI, IoT, blockchain, RPA and cloud, which is opening up more opportunities for ICT vendors.

IDC said in a recent report that digital transformation spending in the region will accelerate at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.6 percent over the fiveyear period, topping $58 billion in 2025 and accounting for 40 percent of all ICT investments made that year.

However, there are challenges that one has to deal with. Although digital transformation enabled superior business performance, the EIU-Microsoft study also underlined gaps in skilling, privacy, security and compliance as organisations apply new technologies.

There is no denying that COVID-19 unleashed a digitisation momentum that companies and governments would do well to seize the moment to begin or accelerate digital transformation, There is also the reality that the pandemic hasn’t gone away fully even as that the world is grappling with crises ranging from food insecurity to political instability to economic volatility and climate changes. Adaptability and accelerated change have become the new normal, and digitisation is the best way to cope with that.