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Amazon Web Services Launches In The United Arab Emirates
Amazon has expanded its reach into the UAE with the Middle Eastern branch of its AWS offering.
Amazon Web Services promotes itself as the “world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform”. Now, the service is set to enter the Middle Eastern region, using local data centers and creating approximately 6,000 jobs in the process. The operation will require an entire construction and infrastructure supply chain, from maintenance and engineering to telecoms and more, bringing a planned $5 billion investment to the region’s economy.
“AWS is committed to helping customers in the UAE deploy the most advanced cloud technologies and achieve the highest levels of security, availability, and resiliency […] we are making it possible for even more customers to harness the power of the cloud to drive innovation across the UAE, while also investing in the local economy through job creation, training for highly sought-after technology skills, and education resources to further advance the UAE’s strategic priorities,” says Prasad Kalyanaraman, vice president of Infrastructure Services at AWS.
With the Middle Eastern arm of its operation in full swing, Amazon Web Services will be available in 87 zones worldwide, covering 27 geographic regions. The AWS UAE region will comprise three separate zones, joining with Bahrain (launched in 2019). It will enable residents to store data securely while achieving lower latency across the country.
When it comes to uptake within the wider economy, the service is already thriving, with tens of thousands of customers already using AWS across the Middle East and North Africa, including heavyweights such as Al Ghurair Investment, the Dubai Islamic Bank, Alef and GEMS Education, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, and more.
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“The opening of the AWS Middle East (UAE) Region is a significant milestone for Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a whole, reflecting our efforts to generate opportunities for all […] It strengthens Abu Dhabi’s commitment to positioning itself as a leading digital economy by leveraging cutting-edge technology to support business growth,” says His Excellency Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.
As smart infrastructure and transformative technology continue to shape Abu Dhabi’s future, the public and private sectors continue to thrive, so there’s little doubt that more prestigious companies will follow in Amazon’s footsteps and expand into the region.
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…
— Jukanlosreve (@Jukanlosreve) December 3, 2024
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.
Samsung Smart Glasses Teased For January, Software Reveal Imminent
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