News

Gen Z Spearheading Payment Innovation In The Middle East

According to new data, Gen Z’s adoption of new payment technology is driving widespread growth across the MENA region.

Published

2 years ago

February 24, 2023

gen z spearheading payment innovation in the middle east

As Gen Z begins to make its presence felt in economies worldwide, the technological proficiency of the demographic is driving innovation in the digital space. In the Middle East — and the UAE especially — research shows a sharp drop in cash purchases as digital payments and their associated technology become commonplace.

According to data from Amazon Payment Services, a digital payment revolution is taking place in the UAE, with contactless and app-based transactions rising at a compound annual growth rate of 18.3% between 2021 to 2023.

“About 61% of Gen Z in the UAE have digital wallets, which indicates that they are adopting new ways of payments and technology. On the other hand, millennials have access to disposable income. Many of them are entrepreneurs and are not only users of digital payments from a consumer perspective but also a business perspective. This combination is the unbeatable match in the region,” says Peter George, Managing Director of Amazon Payment Services.

Also Read: Best Video Streaming Services In The Middle East

According to George, travel, hospitality, and airlines have seen the most significant changes in payment preferences. By 2023, however, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt’s digital payment sectors are expected to double in size across the board. High rates of internet use, a fintech boom, and a comparatively young population are driving the digital payment sector, eventually leading to a trickle-down effect allowing small businesses to flourish.

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.

Published

2 days ago

December 4, 2024

Nour Nasir

samsung smart glasses teased for january software reveal imminent

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.