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Saudi Aviation Sector Embraces Tech To Meet Vision 2030 Goals
The kingdom aims to become a global logistics hub and attract 100 million tourists by 2030.
Saudi Arabia is rapidly becoming a highly sought-after tourist destination, and in response to growing demand, the aviation industry requires year-on-year development on an increasingly large scale. As aviation is one of the most environmentally damaging sectors, mitigating harmful emissions is crucial to helping the Kingdom meet its ambitious Vision 2030 goals.
According to a recent report by the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center, developing modern, high-tech aviation technologies could enhance Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector and simultaneously meet the requirements of growing volumes of tourists.
Co-author of the report, Abdulrahman Alwosheel, noted that Saudi Arabia enjoys a “strategic geopolitical position” and is a key location that connects the Asia-Pacific region to Europe and America. Developing this logistics hub is a critical component of the Vision 2030 roadmap.
Also Read: Tech Firms Form Partnership To Boost UAE’s Space Program
The National Tourism Strategy of Saudi Arabia plans to attract 100 million visitors by 2030, which could account for up to 10% of the Kingdom’s GDP. Meeting these lofty goals will require significant infrastructure improvements, as well as large-scale investment in innovative new technology and a highly-skilled workforce.
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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.