The Social Distancing Sweater by SimpliSafe. Courtesy SimpliSafe
The Social Distancing Sweater by SimpliSafe. Courtesy SimpliSafe
The Social Distancing Sweater by SimpliSafe. Courtesy SimpliSafe
The Social Distancing Sweater by SimpliSafe. Courtesy SimpliSafe

Now there is a Christmas jumper that helps with social distancing


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  • Arabic

This Christmas may be a little trickier than usual as we all try and navigate how to celebrate with friends and loved ones while social distancing. But luckily, there is a Christmas jumper that can help.

Created by SimpliSafe, an American security company, this festive blue and white jumper, complete with snowflake and padlock patterns, can help keep overzealous relatives at bay.

Called the "Social Distancing Sweater", it is armed with motion sensors that monitor a 1.8 metre (six feet) radius around the person wearing it. If someone strays into that zone, the sensors trigger flashing lights and an alarm embedded in the top warning the "intruder" to take a step back. Mince pies should therefore be offered only at arms length.

Delightfully tongue-in-cheek, this is of course meant to be ironic and is a prototype only, meaning that sadly, it is not available to buy. However, SimpliSafe are giving away versions of the knitwear without the tech and sensors.

Those who receive the sweater can then head to the company’s website for instructions on how to upgrade the knitwear with an alarm, lights and sensors.

As SimpliSafe creative director Wade Devers explains: “As the experts on protection, albeit home protection, we wanted to give people a playful way to protect themselves during this year’s holiday celebrations.”

By coming up with a novel solution to a very real issue, SimpliSafe is hoping to spread a little festive joy with a sweater that is decorated with padlocks, tapping into the festive ugly jumper tradition. "It's really meant to bring some lightheartedness to a time that's otherwise proven very stressful," Devers adds.

While you're here
Types of fraud

Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.

Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.

Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.

SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.

Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.

Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.

* Nada El Sawy

Our legal advisor

Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation. 

Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.

Profile of Foodics

Founders: Ahmad AlZaini and Mosab AlOthmani

Based: Riyadh

Sector: Software

Employees: 150

Amount raised: $8m through seed and Series A - Series B raise ongoing

Funders: Raed Advanced Investment Co, Al-Riyadh Al Walid Investment Co, 500 Falcons, SWM Investment, AlShoaibah SPV, Faith Capital, Technology Investments Co, Savour Holding, Future Resources, Derayah Custody Co.

Like a Fading Shadow

Antonio Muñoz Molina

Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez

Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)

Defence review at a glance

• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”

• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems

• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.

• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%

• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade

• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels

The winners

Fiction

  • ‘Amreekiya’  by Lena Mahmoud
  •  ‘As Good As True’ by Cheryl Reid

The Evelyn Shakir Non-Fiction Award

  • ‘Syrian and Lebanese Patricios in Sao Paulo’ by Oswaldo Truzzi;  translated by Ramon J Stern
  • ‘The Sound of Listening’ by Philip Metres

The George Ellenbogen Poetry Award

  • ‘Footnotes in the Order  of Disappearance’ by Fady Joudah

Children/Young Adult

  •  ‘I’ve Loved You Since Forever’ by Hoda Kotb 
The bio

Academics: Phd in strategic management in University of Wales

Number one caps: His best-seller caps are in shades of grey, blue, black and yellow

Reading: Is immersed in books on colours to understand more about the usage of different shades

Sport: Started playing polo two years ago. Helps him relax, plus he enjoys the speed and focus

Cars: Loves exotic cars and currently drives a Bentley Bentayga

Holiday: Favourite travel destinations are London and St Tropez

Company%20profile
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THE SPECS

      

 

Engine: 1.5-litre

 

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

 

Power: 110 horsepower 

 

Torque: 147Nm 

 

Price: From Dh59,700 

 

On sale: now  

 
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