BERLIN // A laptop tablet hybrid with a light-based non-mechanical keyboard and the world’s first eye-motion tracking monitors were among the first high-profile gadgets to be unveiled here yesterday, ahead of the official opening of the IFA consumer electronics trade show tomorrow.
The keyboard of Lenovo’s new 10.1-inch Yoga Book, unveiled yesterday evening, dispenses with physical keys in favour of a keyboard projected on to a flat slate, giving haptic feedback when the virtual “keys” are pressed. Haptic is a form of interaction that involves touch.
The keyboard slate also doubles as a writing and drawing surface with the use of the included “Real Pen” stylus, with users able to write directly on to the surface or on to a piece of paper overlaid directly on it.
The Yoga Book will cost starting from €499 (Dh2,039) for the Android version, and is likely to be available in the UAE from November, according a Lenovo spokesperson.
Lenovo’s launch event came after Acer unveiled the latest updates to its gaming-centric Predator monitor range, which are the first in the world to include eye-tracking technology.
The Taiwanese company also unveiled a series of new laptops, including the Predator 21 X, a specialist 21-inch gaming laptop with the world’s first curved laptop display, as well as the latest updates to its Spin and Swift laptop range.
Samsung last night unveiled its first new product at IFA, the Samsung Gear S3, the latest update to the South Korean firm's popular smartwatch range. Samsung is also expected to unveil a series of new televisions, monitors and homeware appliances in the coming days.
Sony, LG and Huawei were set to make a series of mobile, gaming and home gaming and entertainment product announcements last night, ahead of IFA’s formal opening today.
IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin) is the largest consumer electronics and appliances trade show outside the US, and runs until September 7.
More than 1,600 companies will show off their consumer electronics and home appliances over 150,000 square metres of exhibition space this year.
While much of the attention of gadget lovers is focused on the latest advances in television, gaming and smartphone technology, the exhibition is also known for its more unusual exhibits, such as last year's smart insoles for running shoes, and the 3D printer that can print pizza and biscuits.
Apple is one of the few major technology companies not in attendance at IFA. The Californian giant recently announced its own event in San Francisco on September 7, which is likely to involve the launch of the iPhone 7 and the Apple Watch 2.
jeverington@thenational.ae
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Barings Bank
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Email sent to Uber team from chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi
From: Dara
To: Team@
Date: March 25, 2019 at 11:45pm PT
Subj: Accelerating in the Middle East
Five years ago, Uber launched in the Middle East. It was the start of an incredible journey, with millions of riders and drivers finding new ways to move and work in a dynamic region that’s become so important to Uber. Now Pakistan is one of our fastest-growing markets in the world, women are driving with Uber across Saudi Arabia, and we chose Cairo to launch our first Uber Bus product late last year.
Today we are taking the next step in this journey—well, it’s more like a leap, and a big one: in a few minutes, we’ll announce that we’ve agreed to acquire Careem. Importantly, we intend to operate Careem independently, under the leadership of co-founder and current CEO Mudassir Sheikha. I’ve gotten to know both co-founders, Mudassir and Magnus Olsson, and what they have built is truly extraordinary. They are first-class entrepreneurs who share our platform vision and, like us, have launched a wide range of products—from digital payments to food delivery—to serve consumers.
I expect many of you will ask how we arrived at this structure, meaning allowing Careem to maintain an independent brand and operate separately. After careful consideration, we decided that this framework has the advantage of letting us build new products and try new ideas across not one, but two, strong brands, with strong operators within each. Over time, by integrating parts of our networks, we can operate more efficiently, achieve even lower wait times, expand new products like high-capacity vehicles and payments, and quicken the already remarkable pace of innovation in the region.
This acquisition is subject to regulatory approval in various countries, which we don’t expect before Q1 2020. Until then, nothing changes. And since both companies will continue to largely operate separately after the acquisition, very little will change in either teams’ day-to-day operations post-close. Today’s news is a testament to the incredible business our team has worked so hard to build.
It’s a great day for the Middle East, for the region’s thriving tech sector, for Careem, and for Uber.
Uber on,
Dara
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Company name: Revibe
Started: 2022
Founders: Hamza Iraqui and Abdessamad Ben Zakour
Based: UAE
Industry: Refurbished electronics
Funds raised so far: $10m
Investors: Flat6Labs, Resonance and various others
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Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
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Full name: Pasqual Handi Kamindu Dilanka Mendis
Born: September 30, 1998
Age: 20 years and 26 days
Nationality: Sri Lankan
Major teams Sri Lanka's Under 19 team
Batting style: Left-hander
Bowling style: Right-arm off-spin and slow left-arm orthodox (that's right!)
