VAR Magazine

www.VARonline.com

June 2023 | Issue 246

SONY INTRODUCES THE LATEST ADDITION, THE HXC-FZ90, TO ITS STREAMLINED 4K LIVE PRODUCTION LINEUP

S

ony Middle East and Africa announced exciting news regarding their live production system camera. This new offering is specifically designed to cater to the needs of broadcasters and event production companies in the region, providing them with an affordable yet high-quality solution for their 4K-ready production requirements. By offering a budget-friendly option without compromising on quality, Sony intends to empower broadcasters and event production companies to deliver exceptional content in stunning 4K resolution.

“There has been a significant rise in the number of 4K compatible devices available in the Middle Eastern and African markets.

The increase in customer demand for the ability to fully immerse oneself in the incredible space of 4K video is what is driving this expansion. Moreover, businesses are now actively looking for adaptive solutions to transition between production formats, such as 4K, HD, and HDR. Despite their current emphasis on creating the majority of their projects in HD, they understand how crucial it is to prepare their business for the future. They strive to promptly fulfill requests that include 4K or HDR components, displaying their capacity to change to meet fluctuating consumer expectations”, Continue on P-4

APPLE INTRODUCES VISION PRO: A NEW ERA OF DIGITAL INTERACTION

A

pple has introduced Apple Vision Pro, an innovative spatial computer that seamlessly merges digital content with the physical world, while enabling users to remain engaged and connected with others. It will be launched in the year 2024.

Vision Pro offers a limitless canvas for apps, surpassing the boundaries of conventional displays. It introduces a fully three-dimensional user interface that can be controlled using natural and intuitive inputs such as the user’s eyes, hands, and voice. Powered by visionOS, the world’s first spatial operating system, Vision Pro enables users to interact with digital content in a manner that feels physically present in their environment. Have a look at what’s new that the headset has to offer:

ENTERTAINMENT Vision Pro has the ability to convert any room into a personal theater, providing individuals with the opportunity to enlarge Continue on P-6

Electronics | Mobile | Computer | Printer | Home Appliances | Accessories | Cameras

EDITORIAL Dear Reader,

W

elcome to the 246th edition of VAR Magazine, a pioneering publication that has consistently excelled in the industry since its inception in 2005. We are delighted to present this edition, crafted to showcase the latest news and gadgets that have taken the tech industry by storm.

The dynamic evolution of the industry has significantly narrowed the gap between the privileged and the less fortunate, resulting in an extensive array of products now available to a diverse audience. Within the pages of this edition, you will discover the offerings of renowned brands.

In this issue, we have featured the much-anticipated Apple Vision Pro, a revolutionary mixed reality headset slated for release in 2024. This groundbreaking gadget promises to usher in a monumental shift, profoundly impacting the way we experience the world. Talking about the AR, VR and MR, HTC has also unveiled their VIVE XR Elite Business Edition, tailored to empower organizations by seamlessly integrating immersive extended reality into their daily workflows.

Forging a symbiotic relationship between the corporate realm and the thriving tech industry, New York University Abu Dhabi has recently announced its strategic partnership with Dell Technologies. This collaboration aims to transform and cultivate an expedited environment, enabling students to delve into scientific research projects and bridge significant knowledge gaps.

Such initiatives exemplify the seamless fusion of academia and

2 | June 2023

technology.

Sony is also set to revolutionize the realm of advertising and visual displays with their highly anticipated lineup of 4K HDR professional BRAVIA displays, designed specifically for commercial environments. These state-of-the-art displays promise to captivate audiences and elevate the advertising landscape to unprecedented heights.

As we embrace the approaching holiday season, a time synonymous with travel and heartfelt gift-giving, we understand the pursuit of finding the perfect presents for loved ones and acquiring affordable gadgets to enhance one’s travel experience.

To cater to these desires, this edition includes a comprehensive feature by EROS Electronics, showcasing an extensive range of must-have items for travelers. HMD Global presents an impressive collection of smartphones that strike the ideal balance between functionality and affordability, making them ideal gifts for the special individuals in your life.

With its captivating content, this edition is poised to be a captivating page-turner, providing you with the latest market news and a wide array of options that cater to your smartphone and gadget needs.

Happy Reading!

Vivek Sharma Founder

www.VARonline.com

NEWS } SONY

Continue From P-1

SONY INTRODUCES HXC-FZ90, TO ITS STREAMLINED 4K LIVE PRODUCTION LINEUP One notable feature of the HXC-FZ90 is its support for HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) and S-Log3, which are essential components of Sony’s SR Live workflow. This capability enables organizations to embrace the world of high dynamic range (HDR) in both HD and 4K formats. With the HXC-FZ90, production teams have the flexibility to incorporate HDR technology into their content creation when desired, whether it’s in HD HDR or 4K HDR.

Key features focused on image quality and easy operations include: • • commented Koichi Murakami, Head of Professional Division at Sony Middle East & Africa.

In today’s media landscape, event production companies, e-sports organizations, houses of worship, and educational institutions primarily produce their content in high-definition (HD). However, they are increasingly recognizing the numerous benefits that 4K production offers and are actively seeking ways to transition to this higher resolution format. Sony has responded to this industry demand with the introduction of the HXC-FZ90, a camera that simplifies the switch to 4K production while retaining a familiar design philosophy and operational approach. The HXC-FZ90 is designed to provide a seamless transition to 4K production for organizations that are ready to make the leap. Sony understands that familiarity and ease of use are crucial factors in adopting new technology, and thus, the HXCFZ90 incorporates a design philosophy that aligns with previous Sony camera models. This familiarity allows production teams to make the switch to 4K at a time that suits their organization, without the need for extensive retraining or workflow overhauls.

• • • • •

Single chip 2/3” 4K CMOS sensor with B4 mount enabling 2000 TVL resolution 4K license available on weekly or monthly basis or as a permanent feature HLG and S-Log3 built in support for SR Live workflow ARIA Function: Automatic Picture optimization according to lens characteristics Simple integration with CNA-2 web RCP Control allowing advanced monitoring Stereo mini jack connector for simple headset connection Simple camera operation from front panel of new CCU HXCU-FZ90 with functionalities such as IRIS and paint control

The versatility of the design and functionality of Sony’s HXCFZ90 camera makes it an ideal choice for a wide range of production scenarios. Its adaptability enables its utilization in various settings, including studios, events, corporate environments, and sports arenas. The camera’s design is carefully crafted to accommodate the diverse needs of different production environments. Its flexibility allows it to seamlessly integrate into studio setups, providing professional-grade image quality and precise control for capturing content in a controlled environment.

REALME GT3 UNVEILED: THE KILLER FLAGSHIP WITH PREMIUM FEATURES AND 16GB+1TB

R

ealme has just released realme GT3 in UAE - its next-generation speed flagship with the world’s fastest charging power: 240W. Accordingly, realme GT3 offers a holistic mobile experience with 16+1TB storage at a decent price.

240W: WORLD’S HIGHEST CHARGING STANDARD In terms of user experience, 240W is the ultimate answer to battery anxiety. It accelerates smartphone charging to minutes and even seconds. Using 240W charging power, it only takes 80 seconds to charge the realme GT3 to 20% capacity. It only takes 9 minutes and 30 seconds to fully charge the device’s 4600mAh battery.

FULL-FLEDGED BATTERY AND CHARGING INNOVATION As the first brand in the industry to mass produce 240W fast charging, realme has achieved a full-fledged innovation in

4 | June 2023

everything from charging safety to battery longevity and to accessory compatibility.

MAXIMIZED CHARGING SAFETY AND LONGEST WORRY-FREE BATTERY LIFE It is equipped with a 6580mm2-large VC liquid cooling system that covers 61.5% of the battery and ensures efficient heat dissipation to ensure maximum charging safety.

The realme GT3 has an 80% lifespan with 240W enabled, which is more than double the industry standard.

PULSE INTERFACE DESIGN: RE-IMAGINE SMARTPHONE INTERACTION Aside from the incredible 240W, the realme GT3 pushes smartphone design to new heights. The realme GT3 has a translucent window next to the camera module. Users will find a polished chipset deco, an NFC chipset, and the innovative Pulse Interface

www.VARonline.com

NEWS }

HISENSE IS MAKING WOW HAPPEN WITH SUPER BRAND DAYS

T

he mercury is quickly rising in the UAE, and as anybody who has

Super Brand Days not just for a day or even a week, but for an entire

spent a summer in the Middle East can attest, the period when

month this year. That means incredible bargains on everything from

we look to minimise time outside will soon be upon us. But how to

85-inch to 55-inch TVs, smart refrigerators, washing machines,

spend those long days stuck indoors? Binge-watching the latest

dishwashers, and even Hisense’s breakthrough 100-inch Laser TV–

series, cooking up a storm in the kitchen, or maybe listening to your

widely considered the next big thing in home entertainment.

favourite music and podcasts from the comfort of your sofa – what-

The promotion – entitled ‘Make WOW Happen’ – is available both

ever it is, having the best technology on the market promises to

in-store and online. In UAE major ecommerce platforms participat-

make that experience better.

ing include Amazon and Noon as well as Hisense e-Shop offering

Acknowledging this, Hisense is offering UAE-based customers

Dh350 off* when customers shop Dh3,500 worth of Hisense prod-

a chance to pick up some amazing deals throughout June on many

ucts online throughout June. Participating retailers like Carrefour,

of their award-winning electronics. The leading home entertain-

Lulu and the Hisense brand store at Dubai Hills Mall are also offer-

ment and appliances manufacturer brings back its ever-popular

ing amazing deals until June 19.

System with a C-shaped RGB lighting ring inside.

Taking inspiration from gaming handsets, realme GT3’s Pulse Interface Design displays different light effects depending on the phone’s status.

The users can be always alerted when the phone is 20% charged as it will display a red breathing light effect and when it is charged to 21%-100%, it will display a purple breathing light effect; and when it is fully charged, the purple light will always be on. When there are incoming calls, the light flashes quickly.

While receiving notifications, the lighting system will display a white color; for a 10-second countdown before taking photos, the phone will display a blue, white, and orange color beaming.

144HZ ULTRA AMOLED DISPLAY The GT3 has a 6.7-inch 144Hz 1.5K flat AMOLED screen with 2160Hz ultra-high frequency PWM dimming, up to 1400 nits’ impressive brightness, and a 2.31mm ultra-narrow chin.

This gives the users the chance to experience ultra-smooth video, web browsing, and social media as the device is provided 7 levels of smart refresh rate for different usage situations to extend battery endurance.

www.VARonline.com

June 2023 | 5

NEWS } APPLE

Continue From P-1

APPLE INTRODUCES VISION PRO: A NEW ERA OF DIGITAL INTERACTION their movies, shows, and games to the ideal size. By utilizing Spatial Audio, users can immerse themselves in the action and feel like an integral part of the experience.

Additionally, with a pixel density surpassing that of a 4K TV for each eye, stunning content can be enjoyed from various locations, whether it be during a lengthy flight or relaxing on the couch at home.

3D FEATURE Vision Pro represents Apple’s inaugural foray into the realm of 3D cameras. Users have the ability to capture captivating spatial photos and videos, allowing them to relive precious moments in a whole new way through the immersive Spatial Audio feature. The existing collection of photos and videos is elevated to an extraordinary level of visual appeal and depth. Furthermore, panoramas wrap around the viewer, creating an immersive experience that transports them back to the exact location where the content was originally captured.

Dial allows users to make precise adjustments to achieve the perfect fit for their head shape and size.

FACETIME

Power

Vision Pro simplifies collaboration and connectivity regardless of one’s location.

During FaceTime video calls, the tiles displaying participants are rendered at lifesize proportions, seamlessly adjusting to accommodate additional individuals joining the conversation. Furthermore, within the FaceTime interface, users have the ability to utilize apps that enable real-time collaboration with colleagues, facilitating simultaneous work on shared documents.

For power, Vision Pro is equipped with an external battery that supports up to 2 hours of usage. When connected to a power source, the device can be used throughout the entire day without interruption.

Sound

The enclosure of Vision Pro consists of a singular piece of three-dimensionally formed laminated glass that seamlessly merges with an aluminum alloy frame, curving around the user’s face for a stylish and ergonomic design.

Sound is delivered through speakers positioned near the user’s ears, providing immersive Spatial Audio while maintaining awareness of the surroundings. Dual-driver audio pods positioned next to each ear deliver personalized sound while allowing ambient sounds to be heard. The Ambient Spatial Audio feature creates a realistic sound experience that feels like it is emanating from the surrounding environment.

Additionally, Vision Pro employs audio raytracing technology to analyze the acoustic properties of the user’s room and adapt the sound accordingly.

Light Seal

EyeSight

The Light Seal component of Vision Pro is designed to flex gently, conforming to the user’s face to provide a precise fit while effectively blocking out stray light.

The EyeSight feature of Vision Pro incorporates an outward display that reveals the user’s eyes, indicating when they are using apps or fully immersed in the device. An advanced eye tracking system consisting of LEDs and infrared cameras projects invisible light patterns onto each eye, enabling precise input without the need for handheld controllers. Users can accurately

Specifications: Enclosure

Head Band To ensure comfort and a secure fit, Vision Pro features a Head Band that offers cushioning, breathability, and stretch. The Fit

6 | June 2023

select elements on the screen simply by looking at them.

Design The design of Vision Pro is built upon the foundation of macOS, iOS, and iPadOS, powered by visionOS to deliver powerful spatial experiences. Users can interact with the device using their eyes, hands, and voice, making interactions feel intuitive and enchanting. Elements can be selected by looking at them and tapping fingers together, while a virtual keyboard and dictation provide options for typing.

Display The custom micro OLED display system in Vision Pro boasts an impressive 23 million pixels, resulting in stunning resolution and vibrant colors. A specially designed three-element lens creates a sense of an all-encompassing display. High-resolution cameras capture and transmit over one billion pixels per second to the displays, ensuring clear visibility of the user’s surroundings. The system also enables precise head and hand tracking as well as real-time 3D mapping, while accurately interpreting hand gestures from a wide range of positions.

Spatial computing opens the doors to novel gaming experiences, with titles that offer varying levels of immersion, immersing gamers into entirely new worlds.

Additionally, users can enjoy over 100 Apple Arcade games on a screen of any desired size, enhanced by immersive audio and support for popular game controllers.

www.VARonline.com

NEWS }

4TH GEN INTEL XEON OUTPERFORMS COMPETITION ON REAL-WORLD WORKLOADS

W

ith the launch of 4th Gen Intel Xeon Scalable processors in January 2023, Intel delivered significant advancements in performance with industry-leading Intel accelerator engines and improved performance per watt across key workloads like AI, data analytics, high performance computing (HPC) and others. The industry has taken notice: 4th Gen Xeon has seen a rapid ramp, global customer adoption and leadership performance on a myriad of critical workloads for a broad range of business use cases.

Today, after weeks of rigorous and comprehensive head-to-head testing against the most comparable competitive processors, Intel is sharing compelling results that go far beyond simple industry benchmarks.

“We said it at launch, and we now have the concrete data to prove it true, 4th Gen Xeon is leading the industry in powering the workloads that matter most to customers,” said Lisa Spelman, corporate vice president and general manager of Intel Xeon Products. “Like every credible news story, data-driven proof points help dispel misconceptions and demonstrate Xeon’s continued value and leadership over the competition.”

IN MAINSTREAM COMPUTE, FASTER TIME TO INSIGHTS AND ACCESS TO DATA The most commonly deployed solutions in the market are delivered on mid-range core counts, a segment where per-core performance, power and throughput are critical key performance indicators. Knowing this, Intel compared a 32-core 4th Gen Xeon against the competition’s best mainstream 32-core part.

General-purpose benchmarks like SPEC CPU are important, but don’t tell the whole

8 | June 2023

performance story for customers whose workload needs continue to evolve. The reality is that on workloads that matter most to customers, such as database, networking and storage, Xeon easily beats the competition by offering greater CPU performance, higher performance per watt and lower overall total cost of ownership (TCO).

Furthermore, customers see important sustainability benefits in the form of reduced server numbers, fleet power usage and CO2 emissions.

Extensions (Intel AMX).

More cores aren’t always the answer to achieve optimal performance. Intel AMX allows 4th Gen Xeon to scale at an incredible rate, beyond what’s possible with core counts alone. This leading Intel AI engine is built into each Xeon core, something the competition does not have and its customers cannot benefit from.

INCREASED AI EFFICIENCY IMPROVES CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, DRIVES REVENUE GROWTH

When testing industry-specific HPC workloads, Intel pitted its 56-core Intel Xeon CPU Max Series processor featuring Intel AVX-512 against the competition’s top-bin 96-core offering. By combining the best of compute with high memory bandwidth and Intel HPC engines, Xeon Max CPUs drive a 40% performance advantage over the competition in many real-world HPC workloads, such as earth systems modeling, energy and manufacturing.

Xeon is architected for AI, and Intel’s investment in software enables and optimizes AI across all major frameworks, libraries and model types. Intel’s testing demonstrates its continued CPU leadership on AI workloads leveraging its advanced hardware acceleration technology, Intel Advanced Matrix

HPC Leadership Delivers Better Performance for Modeling, Forecasting, Predictive Simulations

www.VARonline.com

NEWS }

D-LINK IS TAIWAN’S FIRST NETWORKING BRAND TO ACQUIRE THE ETSI EN 303 645 CERTIFICATION

D

-Link Corporation announced that its AQUILA PRO AI M30 AX3000 dual-band Wi-Fi 6 router has acquired the ETSI EN 303 645 cybersecurity certification in May with the assistance of Auray Technology, making D-Link the first networking brand in Taiwan to obtain this certificate issued by the Nemko Group.

ETSI EN 303 645 is the European standard for cybersecurity requirements in IoT devices. It focuses on ensuring the privacy, integrity, and overall security of IoT devices, protecting them against potential vulnerabilities and threats.

“We are thrilled to be the first networking brand in Taiwan to acquire the ETSI EN 303 645 product certification for the AQUILA PRO AI M30 Wi-Fi 6

www.VARonline.com

Mesh Router,” said Victor Kuo, chairman of D-Link Corporation. “This achievement demonstrates our ongoing commitment to provide secure and reliable networking solutions. We believe that cybersecurity is paramount in today’s interconnected world, and this certification validates our efforts in ensuring the highest level of protection for our customers’ IoT devices.”

As a global leader in designing and developing networking and connectivity products, D-Link has long been committed to networking equipment and services, with a strong emphasis on cybersecurity. In anticipation of the upcoming implementation of consumer IoT network security requirements by the EU in recent

years, D-Link initiated a project in 2022 to address these requirements. In addition to optimizing product development specifications for cybersecurity, D-Link has actively empowered its product researchers, with nearly 100 colleagues completing ETSI EN 303 645-related training last year alone. Now, through the collaboration between Nemko Taiwan and its partner lab, Auray, D-Link has become the first networking company in Taiwan to obtain the International EU Standards ETSI EN 303 645 certification. This certification enables its products to meet consumer specifications aligned with international network security standards, thereby providing D-Link with a significant competitive advantage.

June 2023 | 9

NEWS }

BEST TRAVEL GADGETS GUIDE BY EROS ELECTRONICS

E

ros, is bringing you an exciting range of travel must-haves for

doesn’t mean you have to leave all your electronic gadgets back

your upcoming journeys. With conveniently lo-cated outlets

at home. Whether you’re planning a big family vacation abroad,

throughout Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, Eros is the go-to elec-

exploring the world solo or simply travelling for work, these

tronics destination for countless citizens offering unbeatable prices.

are Eros’s favourite tra-vel tech recommendations (which also

As the travel season approaches, it’s time to plan your esca-

happen to be on sale to make navigating your next adventure a

pades and disconnect from your daily routine. How-ever, that

Apple Airpods Max MGYH3ZE-A Space Grey 0121

little easier.

Anker Universal Travel Adapter With 4 USB Black No matter what country you plan on travelling to, this adapter is the only thing you will be needing.

Featuring 4 USB ports and universal pins to fit all the electrical sockets, this adapter is ultra-powerful and super compact.

These beasts of headphones are the perfect travel companion. Listen to songs and podcasts, attend meetings if you work remotely as it features noise cancelling, edit music or videos, and so much more.

Apple MagSafe Battery Pack A must-have accessory for all iPhone users.

Its compact and intuitive design makes on-the-go charging easy.

Anker 537 Power BankPowerCore 24K for Laptop Black 67.5 W

Anker PowerCore 10000 Redux -Black

This portable charger delivers high-speed charging simultaneously for 2 power-hungry devices including a lap-top with a whopping 24000 mAh battery.

10 | June 2023

Anker comes to the rescue again! Having your phone die on you while you’re exploring a new place is never ideal, especially if you want to snap a photo or access Maps. This portable charger will be there to give you enough juice to stay connected.

www.VARonline.com

www.VARonline.com

June 2023 | 11

NEWS }

SERVICENOW INTRODUCES NEW GENERATIVE AI SOLUTION, NOW ASSIST FOR VIRTUAL AGENT mize their ROI: ‘return on intelligence.’ This is all about thoughtful, high-trust co-innovation as we find the balance between machine speed and human judgment. Enhanced by our strategic partnerships with NVIDIA and Microsoft, we are engineering smarter, fully automated workflows. We help our customers innovate completely new business models on ServiceNow as the intelligent platform for end-to-end digital transformation.”

Bill McDermott Chairman and CEO, ServiceNow

CONVERSATIONAL EXPERIENCES WITH GENERATIVE AI ServiceNow is making the world work better for everyone, announced its newest generative AI solution, Now Assist for Virtual Agent, designed to create truly conversational experiences for more intelligent self-service. Now Assist for Virtual Agent builds on ServiceNow’s strategy to embed generative AI across the Now Platform so customers can easily harness intelligence at scale and simplify and optimize digital workflows, as announced recently at ServiceNow’s signature Knowledge event.

“ServiceNow is leading the intelligence era. Years of AI investment have put us at the center of an undeniable movement,” said ServiceNow Chairman and CEO Bill McDermott. “We’re building generative AI into our platform so customers can maxi-

NOW ASSIST FOR VIRTUAL AGENTS Now Assist for Virtual Agent uses generative AI to deliver more direct, relevant, and conversational responses to questions—and to connect exchanges to digital workflows across the Now Platform.

“Now Assist for Virtual Agent is a powerful organic complement to the generative AI capabilities ServiceNow has already started to roll out,” said CJ Desai, president and chief operating officer at ServiceNow. “By embedding generative AI into the Now Platform, we are empowering our customers to radically improve productivity and realize the true potential of enterprise-grade AI.”

SERVICES PROVIDED BY NOW ASSIST FOR VIRTUAL AGENT With Now Assist for Virtual Agent, customers will also be able to: · Easily configure intelligent conversational experiences powered by generative AI from Virtual Agent in a low-code, dragand-drop environment with Virtual Agent

Designer · Embed direct access to general purpose large language models (LLMs), such as Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service LLM or OpenAI API, allowing end-users to safely supplement general answers as needed without having to scour through multiple knowledge base articles to find the right information. · Receive direct responses to user questions in real-time conversations, with information formatted to best suit the answer (i.e., text, links, images, videos, relevant portions of knowledge base articles) · Achieve a more personalized, relevant, and contextual self-service experience from Virtual Agent

SERVICENOW GENERATIVE AI CONTROLLER Now Assist for Virtual Agent is powered by the recently announced ServiceNow Generative AI Controller, which serves as the foundation for all generative AI functionality on the Now Platform. The Controller allows organizations to easily connect ServiceNow instances to both Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service LLM and OpenAI API and features built-in actions for faster intelligent workflow automation.

“We are seeing extraordinarily rapid growth in organizations exploring potential use cases for generative AI in the enterprise,” said Neil Ward-Dutton, vice president, AI, Automation and Analytics Europe, IDC.

SCALING THE POWER OF GENERATIVE AI ACROSS THE NOW PLATFORM ServiceNow has been investing in AI for years, embedding it into the Now Platform to simplify and optimize digital workflows right out-of-the-box. Other recently announced generative AI innovations from ServiceNow include a partnership with NVIDIA to develop custom LLMs for workflow automation, and additional features that apply generative AI to use cases across IT departments, customer service teams, employees, and developers. Additionally, ServiceNow announced the availability of the open-access, open-science, open-governance 15 billion parameter StarCoder LLM for code, enabling responsible innovation at scale with more transparent and accessible generative AI.

12 | June 2023

www.VARonline.com

www.VARonline.com

June 2023 | 13

NEWS }

VIVE XR ELITE BUSINESS EDITION ARRIVES, WITH NEW VIVE BUSINESS + SUPPORT

A

s the XR industry is expected to be worth $345.9 billion USD by 2030, HTC VIVE today announces that its powerful and versatile VIVE XR Elite headset is now available with VIVE Business+. This extensive range of enterprise-grade support and services helps organisations bring immersive XR into their workflows quickly and easily.

Among other cases, VIVE has seen partners use XR to reinvent training in the medical field, ARuVR and UCL Hospitals’ award-winning work saw: •

• •

•

VR-based training had a 100% reduction in the risk of contamination versus live surgeries, protecting patients and safeguarding the outcomes of surgery Increased training capacity Asynchronous training – with users able to experience fully immersive 3D scenarios even outside of class sessions Time and money saved on travel, and zero carbon emissions

BUILT FOR BUSINESS VIVE XR Elite Business Edition combines the lightweight and convertible XR headset with HTC VIVE’s comprehensive Business Warranty and Services to enhance immersive experiences across an organisation. As part of its ongoing commitment to deliver best in class XR hardware and support to businesses, HTC VIVE has added more enterprise-grade support and services to VIVE XR Elite, with VIVE Business+, it’s new web-based application for managing XR devices at scale.

14 | June 2023

IN THE FIELD VIVE has partners already building next-generation business tools and experiences with VIVE XR Elite, who are seeing outstanding results.

“Arthur’s innovative virtual office solutions, paired with the transformative HTC VIVE XR Elite headset, redefine how enterprises collaborate and thrive in the digital age, by enabling them to break free from the limitations of physical boundaries and embrace the boundless possibilities of the future of work. Together, we empower teams to seamlessly navigate immersive, fully customizable virtual environments, fostering unparalleled productivity, creativity, and connection,” Christoph Fleischmann, Founder and CEO of Arthur.

NEXT-GENERATION HARDWARE The full colour Mixed Reality (MR) passthrough capabilities of VIVE XR Elite unlock a whole new dimension for developers to use, and is especially powerful in scenarios where users can interact with virtual objects in a real-world space – perfect for collaboration, training, productivity, and much more. VIVE XR Elite MR makes everything from planning to product design more life-like and accurate, by bringing 1:1 models into a physical space for realistic interaction.

Through immersive learning, Coca-Cola Bepensa experienced a 100% reduction in employee risk exposure compared to in-situ equipment and machinery process understanding.

www.VARonline.com

NEWS }

HMD GLOBAL, THE HOME OF NOKIA PHONES PRESENTS A WIDE RANGE OF SMART DEVICES NOKIA G60 5G The Nokia G60 5G makes premium experiences more accessible with sustainably crafted 100% recycled plastic back and 60% recycled plastic frame. It also comes with the ‘3-3-3’ promise – three years of Android OS upgrades, three years of monthly security updates, and an extended threeyear warranty at no extra cost. Complete with a 6.58” FHD+ 120Hz display for super-smooth scrolling and a 50MP AI triple camera, the Nokia G60 5G is available in Pure Black or Ice Grey with 6/128 GB memory and storage configurations.

H

MD Global, the home of Nokia phones,

design with a toughened glass finish and

has a range of the latest devices that

elegant, straight sidewalls. Nokia C32 comes

let you juggle a busy life, whether you’re

in Charcoal, Autumn Green, and Beach Pink,

taking video calls from home, streaming

and is available in 4/64 GB and 4/128 GB

your favourite TV shows, using the second

memory and storage configurations.

screen feature to make it an expansion of PC display, or keeping the kids entertained

NOKIA T10 TABLET

on Google Kids Space.

The Nokia T10 tablet is durable inside and

The best part is that these devices won’t

out. It offers the latest Android 12 software,

break the bank. They also offer unbeaten

two years of guaranteed Android upgrades,

durability and battery life, are made with

and three years of monthly security up-

more recycled materials and come with the

dates. It also comes with Google Entertain-

latest software and security updates. Here

ment Space and Google Kids Space to make

are our top picks for the season:

life easy whether the kids are enjoying

NOKIA G22

tablet time, or you’re searching for your next favourite show. It is available in Dark

If you’re looking for a smartphone that

Blue or Cyan (green-blue shade). The Nokia

delivers both form and function, look no

T10 is available in 3/32GB & 4/64GB.

further than the Nokia G22. This G-series smartphone comes with a 100% recycled plastic back, OZO Playback that delivers enhanced bass and clearer sound, plus 2 years of AndroidTM OS upgrades, three years of monthly security updates2 and extended three-year warranty, at no extra cost. It is the first Nokia smartphone purposefully designed with repairability at its core. The Nokia G22 comes in Meteor Grey and Lagoon Blue and is available in 4/128GB memory and storage configurations.

NOKIA C32 Arriving with the latest Android 13 right out of the box, Nokia C32 delivers personalisation with advanced imaging at an affordable price point. It offers a 50MP camera and stellar imaging algorithms in a refined

www.VARonline.com

June 2023 | 15

NEWS }

SONY ANNOUNCES A COMPLETE LINEUP OF 4K HDR PROFESSIONAL BRAVIA DISPLAYS

S

ony Middle East and Africa is adding 14 professional BRAVIA 4K HDR displays to its expansive portfolio with the launch of the BZ50L, BZ40L, BZ35L and BZ30L series, which are optimized for commercial environments where reliability, picture quality, and broad compatibility are required. With options covering high-end, mid-range and standard needs, and sizes from 43 inches to 98 inches, the new lineup offers an extensive array of displays to address virtually every demand, while incorporating Pro BRAVIA users’ favorite features such as unparalleled image quality, a wider viewing angle, thoughtful professional features and a smart System on a Chip (SoC) platform.

“The GCC region has witnessed a remarkable growth in the hospitality, retail, and medical sectors and to cater to the continued increased demand for new technologies we have expanded our lineup and added new features like high haze, anti-reflection, non-glare portfolio which supports installations in bright environments with high ambient light levels. With this development in our professional BRAVIA display offerings, we are mindfully seeking to satisfy the evolving preferences and requirements of our customers, while prioritizing sustainability,” said Jobin Joejoe, Deputy Managing Director, Sony Middle East and Africa.

The latest professional BRAVIA display series consists of the following models.

The flagship BZ50L with Sony XR processing and unrivaled picture quality boasts 780 nits

16 | June 2023

of brightness in a larger sized display: • FW-98BZ50L (98 inch) Additional highlights of the 98 inch BZ50L include a roughly 22% reduction in weight and 28% slimmer bezel width when compared to Sony’s professional BRAVIA BZ40J series. To help make the large model more portable and installation-friendly, ergonomic horizontal handles are incorporated into the bottom of the display, while vertical handles are featured on the top.

The high brightness, non-glare BZ40L series with X1 processing achieves 700 nits at a high 47% haze with anti-reflection (except for the FW-85BZ40L, which achieves 650 nits at 58% haze), without loss of contrast:

• FW-85BZ40L (85 inch) • FW-75BZ40L (75 inch) • FW-65BZ40L (65 inch) • FW-55BZ40L (55 inch) The enhanced BZ35L series features increased storage and 550 nits of robust brightness and an X1 Processor: • FW-75BZ35L (75 inch) • FW-65BZ35L (65 inch) • FW-55BZ35L (55 inch) All 14 models incorporate sustainability elements – from the use of SORPLASTM recycled plastic and less ink usage on the cartons to an optional stand for less waste and ECO Dashboard for a better understanding of power consumption based on settings configuration. Additional common features include 24/7 operation, one step setting of pre-sets for easy configuration and customization, mirroring capabilities, Pro Mode technology for simplifying operations, a uniform bezel design, flexible installation for portrait and tilt mounting, as well as support for multi-display installation to enable tiling and a side logo for blend-in design purposes. The BZ50L, BZ40L and BZ35L series include an increased internal storage of 32GB for more flexibility and ease of use.

All models feature a new center alignment rail kit for easy mounting, while the 98 inch options come standard with center aligned VESA patterns. The portfolio also incorporates a common chassis design for easily choosing suitable brightness models without requiring installation re-design.

www.VARonline.com

www.VARonline.com

June 2023 | 17

NEWS }

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY ABU DHABI SELECTS DELL TECHNOLOGIES’ SERVERS

N

ew York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) has selected Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL) to transform and build an advanced computing environment to fast-track research projects and drive measurable scientific results.

NYUAD chose Dell PowerEdge Servers powered by AMD EPYC processors which enable faster adoption for HPC customers, due to high core counts in CPUs (up to 64 cores per socket), high memory capacity, and fast IO capabilities. This is further accelerated by NVIDIA A100 Tensor Core GPUs and connected with high-performance NVIDIA Quantum InfiniBand networking, Dell Networking, and Dell Professional Services.

With Dell PowerEdge Servers, NYUAD will be able to adopt AI and HPC initiatives to

Walid Yehia General Manager - UAE, Dell Technologies

access raw data, improve the accuracy of predictions and generate faster and smarter research outcomes with the high performance of AMD EPYC processors, NVIDIA A100 GPUs and NVIDIA Quantum InfiniBand. The purpose-built architecture offers a leap in performance to achieve unmatched scientific computing, AI, and cloud data centers operations at lower cost and complexity.

“Dell Technologies has been empowering universities and research institutes globally to drive major inventions with its scalable, flexible solutions. As the UAE works towards building a future-ready generation, we are pleased to support NYUAD in contributing to this vision with our high-performance computing solutions.” - Walid Yehia, General Manager UAE, Dell Technologies

CANON MIDDLE EAST SHORTLISTED FOR YPP PARTNER OF THE YEAR AWARD young leaders who are driving positive change across any area of sustainability and use their examples to encourage others.

In 2023, Canon and the Global Good Awards again collaborated to launch the YPP Partner of the Year Award. The award is designed to recognise the incredible contributions made by organisations to support and empower young people to achieve sustainable change on issues that matter to them.

Following a review of entries by a panel of judges including Steve Kenzie, Executive Director UN Global Compact Network UK, and Hassan Raja, former Canon Young People Programme participant and now Digital Comms Officer for the Mayor of London, Everyday Refugees Foundation, was

E

shortlisted as a finalist in the Canon YPP veryday Refugees Foundation has been

around the world, that are blazing the trail

Partner of the Year category at the Global

shortlisted for the YPP Partner of the

for purpose-driven sustainability and ethi-

Good Award.

Year Award at the Global Good Awards 2023

cal leadership. They recognise leaders who

in recognition of its youth advocacy work

are achieving practical, real-world impact

other GGA award winners at the virtual

with the Canon Young People Programme in

that is both scalable and replicable.

awards ceremony on 12th July and will be

the Middle East.

Founded in 2015 the Global Good Awards

In 2020, inspired by Canon EMEA’s Young

The winner will be showcased alongside

included in a GGA Winners’ event on 12th

People Programme, Canon and the Glob-

October, which will bring the 2023 finalists

reward businesses, NGOs, charities and

al Good Awards launch the Canon Young

together from all backgrounds to discuss

social enterprises of all shapes and sizes

Champion of the Year category to recognise

how we make positive change.

18 | June 2023

www.VARonline.com

www.VARonline.com

June 2023 | 19