ArabWeeks

Marriott International, Africa’s largest hotel company following its strategic acquisition of Protea Hotel Group, continues to gather momentum with a packed schedule of 30 property openings across the continent by 2020, 9 of which will open by end of 2015.

“The potential of the African market is awe inspiring and only really matched by the extraordinary people and places we encounter every day as our brands puts down roots across the continent,” Alex Kyriakidis, President and Managing Director, Marriott International Middle East and Africa said.  “Over the next few years we plan to expand our presence even further from 10 countries to 17 with a capital investment by Marriott’s real estate partners of $1.5 billion across the continent. With it, we will create jobs and support local communities because our success is only ever possible through strong bonds of friendship, trust and cooperation in the markets we inhabit.”

With a strong eye on the extended stay segment a new Residence Inn by Marriott Kampala Kololo has just been signed, bringing the total property count under the Protea Hotels and Residence Inn brands in Uganda alone to three. A raft of further openings will follow in 2015 across the continent with openings in South Africa, Nigeria and Uganda, as well as Marriott International’s first properties in Ethiopia, Ghana and Rwanda.

Marriott Executive Apartments Addis Ababa, owned by Sunshine Business plc, will be the first property under the extended stay brand to open in Africa. With 104 units, located at the financial district, close to the UN Headquarters and Addis Ababa Stadium, Marriott Executive Apartments is designed for the international traveler and executive expat seeking luxurious apartment living with hotel services.

By 2020, in Africa, Marriott International is set to go from 120 properties, 14,000 rooms across 10 markets, to 150 properties with 19,000 rooms across 17 markets. As a result, the company which currently employs 21,000 associates across Africa will see its work-force increase by 10,000. “The fundamental demand generators that drive our industry are alive and well on this continent,” continued Kyriakidis. “Marriott International’s investment into this region represents the economic realisation for the need for hotels – countries need to invest in infrastructure, accommodation and airports to create jobs to grow the economy.  In tangible terms, these planned hotels will create sustainable local jobs.

“We have achieved a great deal in a short period of time but I firmly believe this is just the start of the Marriott International story in Africa.”

Jeddah residents and visitors now have reprieve from their daily commuting woes as Uber, the international smartphone app that seamlessly connects passengers with a private driver, officially launches its lower cost option uberX in the city today. The new product promises to deliver safe, convenient, and reliable transportation services in Jeddah.

uberX has completed a five-month pilot phase with app-using riders trialing the service and providing valuable feedback and insights before today’s full launch of the service. uberX nowmakes it even easier to commute across the city during times when traffic is at a peak and whenever and wherever there are limited parking options.

Anthony Khoury –Manager, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Middle East Expansion, said: “It’s official, uberX has arrived in Jeddah! We’re proud to be able to give Jeddah’s residents and visitors another choice in transportation around the city, especially as traffic picks up again after the summer break.  We’ve been testing the service for a few months now, and the response has been incredible. The community is really loving how safe and easy it is to use the technology. We will continue to monitor the marketplace to ensure that we are offering the Jeddah community more choice and more value when it comes to their daily transportation needs, as well as doing our part in contributing to the smooth flow of business and economic growth in the city and indeed the Kingdom.”

uberX is one of Uber’s products that connects riders with licensed drivers by partnering with the existing supply of transportation providers in Jeddah. Any person who needs a ride should simply download the free Uber app at uber.com/app onto their smartphone (iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry) or sign up atuber.com/goto request a private-hire car at an affordable price. The process is very simple and is completed in a matter of minutes. When a passenger requests a car, the driver name and license plate number shows up as well his location on the map. Riders can share their estimated time of arrival and route with family as well, all through the technology built into the app. All payments are done via the riders’ credit cards, making the experience even more seamless.

In addition to providing more choice for consumers, Uber also aims to help transportation providers grow their business by making drivers’ time more efficient.

Uber is already present in over 200 cities in 45 countries, including Riyadh and Jeddah in the Kingdom.

What to expect when you request a ride:

The President and CEO of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Boo-Keun Yoon, delivered the opening keynote speech at IFA 2014, calling on the consumer electronics industry to agree on open industry standards so that the ‘Home of the Future’ can meet the demands of people and adapt to their unique needs and lifestyles.

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“It’s about human-based innovation. It’s about technology that isn’t overwhelming and works discretely behind the scenes to adjust to consumers’ needs at the right time”, he said. “I don’t want Samsung to be remembered as a technology company,” Mr. Yoon added. “I want us to be remembered for providing unique experiences, because true innovation today is centered on people and their dynamic needs and lifestyles.”

As part of Samsung’s vision for “bringing the future home,” Mr. Yoon said the ‘Home of the Future’ will adapt to people’s needs through three key attributes, ultimately becoming a home that cares for people:

• Show Me: It will make complex data visible and useful so people can make better choices.
• Know Me: It will learn people’s needs and recognize lifestyle patterns.
• Tell Me: It will proactively adjust to their needs and provide suggestions without being asked.

Samsung showed a future home concept video that combined currently existing technologies with the future’s, further illustrating just how near the future home is.

A Billion Homes of the Future

Mr. Yoon further noted that each future home will be tailored to the different needs of those who live there. In this way, there will not be one Home of the Future, but a billion Homes of the Future that are tailored to the unique passions and needs of people.

Taking the Leading Role

Samsung is one of the companies best equipped to turn this vision into a reality. As the leader in consumer electronics – from mobile devices and TVs to home appliances and healthcare – Samsung will use the research and creativity of its six Lifestyle Research Labs, six Product Innovation Teams and six Design Centers around the world, as well as strategic collaborations with industry partners, to bring the Home of the Future.

Open Collaboration

Samsung recently announced its acquisition of SmartThings, a leading open platform for the next-generation smart home experience. In just over two years, SmartThings has built an active ecosystem that supports more than 1,000 devices and 8,000 apps created from its community of device makers, inventors, and developers.

“We are thrilled to work together with Samsung,” said Alex Hawkinson, CEO of SmartThings. “With the scale of resources and support from Samsung, we’ll be able to expand our platform to even more partners and devices. We’ve come so far, in such a short time, and are really excited for what’s ahead.”

The Future is Not Far

In concluding his keynote, Mr. Yoon added that the future home is not far away – and that the change ahead will be dramatic for many fields.

“The opportunities ahead are enormous,” Mr. Yoon said. “The ‘Home of the Future’ will not just boost the tech industry, but will create more jobs and a ripple effect across society – from energy efficiency to safety, and independence for our increasingly aging population. By collaborating with industry partners, Samsung is well positioned to lead and drive this transformation.”

Huawei has launched its latest Ascend Mate7 smartphone at IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin) 2014 with plans to offer the flagship device in the KSA by October. The smartphone is the latest addition to Huawei’s growing device range as the company showcases its high ambitions as the number three-smartphone vendor in the world.

“Today marks the arrival of our fastest and most compelling big-screen smartphone experience for consumers. It’s a symbol of our relentless commitment to ‘Make it Possible’ for people everywhere to enjoy our premium quality products,” said Ashraf Fawakherji, Vice President of Huawei Device Middle East. “Huawei Ascend Mate7 actually leads the big-screen pack with smarter performance, impressive power efficiency, and outstanding convenience with its superior single-touch fingerprint technology.”

The Ascend Mate 7 features a big 6-inch screen with FHD display for enhanced entertainment viewing, a slimmer 7.9mm body for increased comfort, a more powerful octa-core chipset for superior performance, and a longer-lasting 4100 mAh battery. With new single-touch fingerprint technology and EMUI 3.0, Ascend Mate7 dials up the mobile experience to make it easier for users to live life to the fullest. The Ascend Mate7 will be available in three distinct chic colors, moonlight silver, obsidian black and amber gold.

Smart Performance

Boasting octa-core architecture, Ascend Mate7 has an intelligent Huawei Kirin 925 processor made up of four large A15 1.8 GHz and four small A7 1.3 GHz chipsets, which are activated depending on the power needs of a specific app or function so the smartphone can be smarter with power management. Ascend Mate7 saves up to 50% of the battery by automatically using smaller A7 cores to power standard apps that consumer use at least 80% of the time, and kicking in the larger A15 during high-performance use such as gaming. Running on a high density 4100 mAh mAh Li-Polymer battery offers more than 2 days of non-stop normal use. With Huawei’s proprietary power-saving technology, Ascend Mate7 provides three power saving modes – normal, smart, and ultra power saving.

Located on the back of the handset and measuring 9.16mm x 9.16mm, the unlock reader supports up to five sets of different fingerprint records which can be allocated to normal and guest modes, so a user can switch modes to enhance protection when securing private folders, applications, or payment information.

Style and Substance

At only 7.9mm slim and weighing 185g, it has an ergonomically curved back for easier operation with just one hand and an ultra-narrow 2.9mm bezel. With a 6-inch FHD in-cell LTPS display that consumes less power and JDI Nega-NEO technology for an impressive 1500:1 high contrast ratio, Ascend Mate7 delivers incredibly sharp images. It has a 13MP rear-facing camera to capture better party photos in low lighting with Sony’s 4th generation BSI sensor and f/2.0 aperture. In addition, the 5MP front-facing camera adopts the industry-leading 5P non-spherical lens for higher definition and less image distortion.

Today, Nissan launched its All-New X-Trail in the Middle East. The new compact SUV is available at all Nissan dealerships across the region from today.

Muscular, modern and packed with technology, the new Nissan X-Trail originally made its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Building upon Nissan’s respected 4×4 heritage and benefiting from the company’s crossover leadership the new X-Trail re-defines the compact SUV segment.

At the same time as enhancing its predecessor’s ‘go-anywhere’ credibility, new X-Trail takes inspiration from Nissan’s market-leading crossovers – Qashqai, Juke and Murano – to create the ultimate, all weather, highly capable, modern family vehicle.

Speaking at the occasion, Samir Cherfan, Managing Director at Nissan Middle East, said: “The New X-Trail is just as tough and accomplished as the previous generation model, but adds crossover style and efficiency, exciting design, innovative technology and exceptional comfort to set a new benchmark in the fiercely competitive C-SUV market”.

As a high-volume global growth product, built on the new jointly-developed Nissan/Renault Common Module Family (CMF) platform architecture, the 2015 X-Trail is projected to be available in 190 countries around the world with ambition to sell over 500,000 units per year.

Samir Cherfan added: “In the Middle East the new Nissan X-Trail will replace both the previous model and the Nissan Qashqai. Together the Qashqai and the previous X-Trail model sold around 4,500 units last year. In our region, we expect that the new X-Trail will resonate well with our consumers and with an estimate sales target of 10,000 units per year”.

“We are very excited with the introduction of the All-New X-Trail which redefines the category in premiumness, comfort and technology” said Katib Belkhodja, Brand Manager for SUV & Cross-Over at Nissan Middle East. “We are confident that the New X-Trail is equipped to replicate the same success story than Patrol in its category.”

New X-Trail in detail

Technology

New X-Trail will be one of the most advanced cars on the road. Fully connected, the X-Trail is equipped with the latest generation NissanConnect in-car navigation, information and entertainment system. Drivers will also benefit from a comprehensive suite of assistance features that make up the X-Trail’s Nissan Safety Shield system.

New NissanConnect is one of the foremost examples of Nissan’s engineering innovation. In its latest form, NissanConnect has evolved to offer Smartphone connectivity, to keep owners connected to the outside world wherever their journey takes them. With access to a projected range of apps covering music, social networking and 7-inch colour touch screen, the new NissanConnect is the perfect fit for new X-Trail.

The system includes Bluetooth audio streaming and mobile phone integration as well as Aux-in and USB slots.

In addition to mobile phone integration, the system also includes Bluetooth audio streaming. The driver also benefits from one of the most advanced meter displays developed. Featuring a 5 inch TFT colour display incorporating several graphic displays accessible on rotation, offering advice and warnings covering such things as; average and actual speeds, navigation turn-by-turn instructions, audio content, eco driving advice and torque distribution settings in 4WD mode.

Design
The design brief behind the new X-Trail was to blend the sleek and stylish lines of a modern crossover with the robust appeal of a typical SUV. In place of the rugged, squared off lines of the previous generation, the X-Trail has a premium and dynamic appearance.

Sculptured muscular lines create a distinctive silhouette framed by elegant curves and high wheel arches. Its features include a number of Nissan signature cues such as the ‘boomerang’ rear lights, structured headlights with LED daytime running lamps and the characteristic D-pillar shape. LED headlights, for both high and low beams, are standard on high grade models while 18-inch alloy wheels also give new X-Trail an imposing look.

Inside, premium features include chrome, geometric metallic and piano black finishes making the new interior look modern and refined. The use of high quality and soft touch materials, elements like double stitching on the door panel, seats and center armrest combined with a very classy design puts the new Nissan X-Trail in a league of its own.

The spacious interior has theatre-style seating making every row higher than the row in front to increase the visibility of all passengers. The option of two extra seats to make room for seven inside is unique for the category.

Practical touches include rear side doors that open to almost 80 degrees, far wider than normal, to allow both easy access and ease the loading and unloading of a child’s safety seat. Middle row seat comfort has been improved thanks to extra knee room generated by the longer wheelbase and the new front seats having more heavily sculpted seat backs.

The middle row seats recline and slide while, where fitted, the third row folds forward to increase luggage space.

In addition, access to the luggage area has also been made as easy as possible with remote operation of the power tailgate.The result is a dynamic mix of progressive exterior styling with a spacious, functional and high quality interior.

Chassis

In keeping with the class leading standards set by the previous generation model, the new X-Trail adopts Nissan’s advanced electronic four-wheel drive system, ALL MODE 4x4i. Controlled via a rotary switch on the center console, it offers a choice between two-wheel drive, Auto mode or Lock offering permanent four-wheel drive.

In the ‘default’ Auto mode, the system constantly monitors throttle opening, engine speed and torque to anticipate wheel spin and to distribute torque between front and rear axles as needed, at speeds of up to 80 km/h.

Above that speed, the system reacts to wheelspin, again shifting drive rearwards to restore traction as required. For tricky conditions and at low speeds, ‘Lock’ gives new X-Trail permanent four-wheel drive, while drivers also have the option of a two-wheel drive only version.

Ready to exceed the expectations of compact SUV drivers, four electronic systems have been designed to make life with X-Trail more comfortable and even safer: two are world firsts and a third is currently found on the premium Infiniti Q70.

The two world firsts are Active Ride Control and Active Engine Brake. Active Ride Control monitors the road surface to detect undulations. Active Engine Brake, meanwhile, harnesses the power and controllability of the Xtronic transmission to add a degree of engine braking while cornering or when decelerating to a standstill. The benefits are greater braking control and enhanced feel with less pedal effort.

The third system, pioneered in the premium segment, is Active Trace Control. By using onboard sensors to monitor speed, steering angle, throttle opening and braking effort; Active Trace Control brakes wheels individually, as required, to reduce understeer and help the driver steer a safer path through bends: it is particularly effective on slippery, wet roads.

Finally new X-Trail benefits from Uphill Start Support and Advance Hill Descent Control.

Drivetrain
During the X-Trail’s development; refinement, environment and economy targets were to be best in-class.

This has been achieved on all counts by reducing weight wherever possible, even though new X-Trail has a larger surface area than the previous model. The tailgate, for example, is largely plastic, saving seven kilograms.

A great deal of attention has been paid to the car’s aerodynamics with carefully shaped door mirrors and even a spoiler that covers the exhaust box and rear panel.

Engineering innovation will also allow the new X-Trail to lead its class in terms of engine efficiency thanks to downsizing. By reducing power sapping friction in its drivetrains, new X-Trail provides excellent performance from the latest generation of downsized engines, providing the pace of a bigger powerplant with the economy and emissions of a smaller one.

Further details of new X-Trail engine and model line-up can be found online http://www.nissan-me.com