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Emirates Airline To Launch Its Own NFT Collection
As the first step on its journey to the virtual realm, the main purpose of the NFT collection is to increase the digital appeal of Emirates Airline.
Emirates Airline has announced its intention to take its customers into the virtual realm by offering its own NFT collection.
NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, have exploded in popularity since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the most successful collections selling for millions of dollars.
By providing immutable proof of ownership, NFTs have transformed the digital art scene, and they’re expected to form a crucial part of the metaverse, a network of 3D virtual worlds that some of the world’s largest tech companies are trying to create.
“Emirates has always embraced advanced technologies to improve our business processes, enhance our customer offering, and enrich our employees’ skills and experiences,” said Emirates CEO HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
As the first step on its journey to the virtual realm, the main purpose of the NFT collection is to increase the digital appeal of Emirates Airline. The collection includes virtual replicas of collectibles, so its utility is limited. It can, however, generate profit for those who purchase it if it becomes popular.
“We are excited about the opportunities in the digital space of the future and are committing a significant investment in financial and resourcing terms, to develop products and services using advanced technologies that will deliver on revenue, brand experience, and business efficiencies,” added Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
Also Read: A Beginner’s Guide To Getting Started With NFTs
In addition to the NFT collection, Emirates Airline is also repurposing its Emirates Pavillion at the Dubai Expo 2020 site to create a center for innovation, where it wants to work on various future-focused projects related to NFTs, the metaverse, and Web3.
Other airlines have used NFTs for similar purposes as well. For example, Air Europa has recently released the first NFT flight ticket series in collaboration with the blockchain firm TravelX, fusing travel with technology and art.
If these and other applications of NFT technology gain traction, we can expect other companies in the travel industry and beyond to experiment with the technology as well.
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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