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Oracle Is Planning To Build Two New Cloud Regions In Morocco
The data centers will be situated in Casablanca and Settat, bringing the global tech company’s number of MENA facilities to eight.
Oracle is planning to open two new data centers in Morocco, which are expected to boost one of North Africa’s fastest-growing IT ecosystems and add to the influx of investments in the MENA technology scene.
The facilities are to be built in the capital, Casablanca, and the southern city of Settat. They will support digital transformation in Morocco and across North Africa while bringing the number of Oracle’s global cloud regions to 72. The company will offer dedicated, public, hybrid, and multi-cloud services to both enterprises and start-ups, as well as universities and government agencies.
“As one of the largest economies in Africa […] Morocco offers unique growth opportunities for businesses that are aiming to accelerate their expansion by deploying the latest digital technologies,” explained Richard Smith, executive vice president for technology in Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Oracle.
The rate of adoption for cloud services in the Middle East continues to grow, driven by a technology-savvy young consumer base and a rapidly evolving digital landscape. The technology sector in Morocco is one of Africa’s fastest-growing and is now a vital component of its economy.
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Overall, Morocco’s economy continued to strengthen last year, with real gross domestic growth expected to reach around 3.5% in the medium term.
“Oracle’s strategic investment marks a significant milestone in North Africa’s digital transformation journey,” noted Jyoti Lalchandani, regional managing director for the Middle East, Turkey, Africa, and India at market intelligence firm IDC.
Including the latest news about Morocco, Oracle’s MENA cloud regions have now increased to eight. In South Africa, the company has data centers in Johannesburg, and another is planned for Kenya. Meanwhile, the Middle East has centers in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Jeddah, with two additional facilities planned for the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and the high-tech city of Neom.
News
Samsung Smart Glasses Teased For January, Software Reveal Imminent
According to Korean sources, the new wearable will launch alongside the Galaxy S25, with the accompanying software platform unveiled this December.
Samsung appears poised to introduce its highly anticipated smart glasses in January 2025, alongside the launch of the Galaxy S25. According to sources in Korea, the company will first reveal the accompanying software platform later this month.
As per a report from Yonhap News, Samsung’s unveiling strategy for the smart glasses echoes its approach with the Galaxy Ring earlier this year. The January showcase won’t constitute a full product launch but will likely feature teaser visuals at the Galaxy S25 event. A more detailed rollout could follow in subsequent months.
Just in: Samsung is set to unveil a prototype of its augmented reality (AR) glasses, currently in development, during the Galaxy S25 Unpacked event early next year, likely in the form of videos or images.
Additionally, prior to revealing the prototype, Samsung plans to introduce…
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The Galaxy Ring, for example, debuted in January via a short presentation during Samsung’s Unpacked event. The full product unveiling came later at MWC in February, and the final release followed in July. Samsung seems to be adopting a similar phased approach with its smart glasses, which are expected to hit the market in the third quarter of 2025.
A Collaborative Software Effort
Samsung’s partnership with Google has played a key role in developing the smart glasses’ software. This collaboration was first announced in February 2023, with the device set to run on an Android-based platform. In July, the companies reiterated their plans to deliver an extended reality (XR) platform by the end of the year. The software specifics for the XR device are expected to be unveiled before the end of December.
Reports suggest that the smart glasses will resemble Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses in functionality. They won’t include a display but will weigh approximately 50 grams, emphasizing a lightweight, user-friendly design.
Feature Set And Compatibility
The glasses are rumored to integrate Google’s Gemini technology, alongside features like gesture recognition and potential payment capabilities. Samsung aims to create a seamless user experience by integrating the glasses with its broader Galaxy ecosystem, starting with the Galaxy S25, slated for release on January 22.