As the busiest days of the travel calendar approach, travellers can ‘fly better’ with Emirates as well as enjoy a stress-free experience even before boarding their flight during the festive period with Home Check-in. With convenience in mind, customers in Dubai booking their travel across any class with Emirates can now take advantage of Home Check-in for just AED 250 for up to seven pieces of luggage. The rate of AED 25 will be charged for every additional piece of luggage.
Customers can book the service on emirates.com 12-48 hours before departure. Home Check-in agents will come to a customer’s home, hotel or office anywhere in Dubai to complete the security check, conduct check-in formalities and issue boarding passes, weigh their luggage, and tag and transport the bags to be delivered straight to their flight. This will leave customers travelling during the busy December period free to make their way to the airport at their convenience, skipping the check-in desks so they can go straight to Passport Control. The Home Check-in offer is part of an extensive range of luggage handling services already available for Emirates flights in Dubai, which include concierge services that handle customer luggage at the airport stationed at departures and arrivals, preferred rates for pre-paid excess baggage, as well as a bag wrapping service at departures. Emirates also offers Home Delivery service in arrival at Dubai where luggage is retrieved, cleared at customs and delivered to customers for a hassle free travel experience. In addition a luggage storage facility for customers who wish to leave their bags at the airport well before departure is available.First of the new metro trains arrive in Dubai
HE Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced that the first of the new Dubai metro trains had arrived in Dubai. The train had been transported to the Metro Depot at Rashidiya. The manufacturer will continue supplying the remaining trains in batches, and the last one is expected to arrive by the end of October 2019. “RTA will carry the test-run of the first train destined for Route 2020 on the Red Line of the Dubai Metro. It will start with the static tests of all operating systems of the train. In the following stage, RTA will embark on dynamic tests, which involve testing the performance of systems while in motion, such as motors, brakes and control systems,” noted Al Tayer. 50 trains will be supplied; 15 to serve Expo 2020 and 35 to enhance the service level of the Dubai metro. Several improvements were introduced to the interior design of the new metro carriages to make more room for riders and increase the intake of carriages. Changes include dedicating the last carriage for women and children and leaving part of the first carriage for the gold class. Other carriages will be of silver class. Seat distribution will be transversal in the gold class, and longitudinal in the silver class as well as women & children’s carriage. This seats’ configuration will increase the capacity of each train from 643 riders to 696 riders. “Additions enhancements include revamping the designs of handles & lighting, using cutting-edge digital signage (VBSD), and an illuminated dynamic map for the metro route & stations. They also include using LED power-saving lighting system and modifying the design of the luggage compartment to make it usable for standing commuters. Improvements also include the distribution of seats on both sides of the train and widening the gangway between carriages. The new carriages are customised to serve “People of Determination’ and the smooth boarding and alighting of riders as well. The exterior design of trains will remain unchanged to maintain the design identity of Dubai metro and its familiar colours to the public,” said Al Tayer.
Dfc marathon man reaches halfway point in challenge to run 30 marathons in 30 days
Dubai-based extreme athlete Marcus Smith took Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) into his stride, literally, by pledging to run 30 marathons in 30 days. Friday, 9 November marks day 15 of DFC and the halfway point of Smith’s herculean marathon challenge. This means he has pounded enough pavements to have completed a whopping 633 kilometers.
The mammoth task takes the DFC ambassador around four hours a day from when he sets off at 5am from his Satwa home. Smith plots his own routes, and his runs have taken him to finishing points across the city from Palm Jumeirah to Hamdan Sports Centre and Dubai Festival City to Arabian Ranches. He charts his progress daily on his blog and Instagram and has expressed delight at the number of runners who join him for stretches of his daily journey.
Smith, who launched performance company Innerfight and Paleo food provider, Smith St Paleo, is a former professional rugby player who retired from the sport in 2010. He competes in CrossFit, cycling, running, extreme endurance events and challenges. He is also a motivational speaker, fitness coach and entrepreneur.
5 Factors That Made SDC18 an Event to Remember
The Samsung Developer Conference 2018 (SDC18) is officially a wrap, and what an event it was!
Featuring over 5,000 attendees, roughly 60 technical sessions, and a total of 35 booths, the fifth edition of Samsung’s showcase of technologies designed to empower developers and creators to build the software and services of tomorrow transformed San Francisco’s Moscone West convention center into a crossroads ‘Where Now Meets Next’.
The exciting AI, IoT and mobile advancements unveiled during the two-day event—encompassing, Bixby, SmartThings, UX/UI design and more—will enable partners and developers to create seamlessly connected, intelligent experiences across software, services and devices. The resulting innovations will have the power to change the lives of consumers around the world—ultimately making connected living a reality for more people.
In case you missed it, here’s a rundown of five factors that made SDC18 unforgettable.
Keynote speakers including DJ Koh, President and CEO and Head of Samsung Electronics’ IT and Mobile Communications Division, explained how new additions such as the Bixby Developer Studio and the new and improved SmartThings Developer Workspace will strengthen the world’s most powerful technology ecosystem, and help the company foster an ecosystem of open innovation that spans every aspect of people’s lives.
The speakers also offered a first look at Samsung’s new One UI, as well as the company’s highly anticipated Infinity Flex Display. The former features an intuitive interface that makes interactions with your device more natural, and makes it easier to focus on tasks at hand. The latter features a revolutionary foldable design that lays the foundation for an entirely new kind of mobile experience.
After introducing the exciting new developer tools and resources, the speakers encouraged attendees to experience them for themselves in the exhibition zone.
The conference’s Spotlight Session was led by a presentation on Samsung’s latest gaming and AR innovations and partnerships, followed by a panel discussion on the future of gaming that featured Sarah Bond, Head of Xbox/Microsoft, as well as John Hanke, CEO of Niantic, and Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games.
Other keynote speakers headlining day two included Nobutaka “Nobu” Ide, CEO of Wacom, and Spike Jonze, director of the AI-inspired film “Her”. Mr. Ide led a captivating presentation that examined how Samsung’s S Pen is reshaping the ways in which consumers interact with their device to get things done. Mr. Jonze sat down for a fireside chat on the intersection of AI and humanity, and described why he, as an artist, believes that developers should prioritize maintaining the human element when developing AI technology.
Other sections of the booth showcased Samsung’s Smart TV services and digital appliances, and highlighted exciting ways to develop IoT, Smart TV and wearable services using the Tizen OS. Visitors to the Tizen section were offered in-depth introductions to TizenRT and the Tizen TV and Tizen .NET SDKs, including rundowns of available APIs, SDK tools and resources.
But the interactive fun didn’t stop there, as SDC18 also included exciting competitions, giveaways and challenges that made the entire experience that much more memorable.
The Bixby Developer Showcase was one such example. In the lead up to SDC18, Samsung challenged developers to come up with first-class Bixby experiences, for the most dynamic submissions. On the second day of SDC18, the competition’s finalists presented their Bixby Capsules, which demonstrate the AI technology’s incredible potential. Competitions like this demonstrate exciting ways that Samsung and developers are making Bixby better.
Each SDC also features a wide array of workshops and activities that allow attendees to get up close and personal with Samsung’s latest innovations.
This year, the interactive workshops were held within the confines of the Code Lab, located at the center of the conference hall. Covering the ins and outs of developing for Bixby, SmartThings, Samsung DeX and more, these in-depth workshops offered attendees the opportunity to hone their coding skills with the aid of Samsung’s experienced instructors. Notable examples included workshops demonstrating how to create a Bixby Capsule for a service, as well as how to build SmartThings apps with TizenRT.
Other standouts included the exhibits for Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow program, which encourages students to use STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) to develop solutions to issues affecting their communities; Project Pontis, which enables Samsung Smart TV users with physical limitations to control their TV via brain waves; and uSound, an app that helps detect the risk of hearing loss and improves quality of life through communication and education for those affected by it.
And thus concludes another successful Samsung Developer Conference. For more information on the topics and innovations that were discussed at the event, be sure to check out Samsung Newsroom’s recap of SDC18’s keynote speeches. And don’t forget to check back here for more updates on Samsung’s latest AI, IoT and developer innovations.
#1 Announcements of Exciting Developer Tools
Day one of SDC18 began with a flurry of exciting announcements revealing advancements that will enable partners and developers to unlock the power of AI in their products and services, and demonstrate the true value of connected living to their customers.
Keynote speakers including DJ Koh, President and CEO and Head of Samsung Electronics’ IT and Mobile Communications Division, explained how new additions such as the Bixby Developer Studio and the new and improved SmartThings Developer Workspace will strengthen the world’s most powerful technology ecosystem, and help the company foster an ecosystem of open innovation that spans every aspect of people’s lives.
The speakers also offered a first look at Samsung’s new One UI, as well as the company’s highly anticipated Infinity Flex Display. The former features an intuitive interface that makes interactions with your device more natural, and makes it easier to focus on tasks at hand. The latter features a revolutionary foldable design that lays the foundation for an entirely new kind of mobile experience.
After introducing the exciting new developer tools and resources, the speakers encouraged attendees to experience them for themselves in the exhibition zone.
#2 Expert Insights
Day two of SDC18 kicked off with a bang as Samsung employees and leading lights of the worlds of gaming, film and mobile technology discussed technologies that could dictate the future of their respective fields.
(From left) Sarah Bond, Head of Xbox/Microsoft; Thomas Ko, VP at Samsung Electronics; Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games; John Hanke, CEO of Niantic.
(Clockwise from top left) Marc Mathieu, Chief Marketing Officer of Samsung Electronics America; Dag Kittlaus, CEO of Viv Labs; Sally Jeong, VP at Samsung Electronics; Nobutaka “Nobu” Ide, CEO of Wacom.
#3 A Firsthand Look at Samsung’s Latest Innovations
Samsung packed the conference center with a wide range of exhibits that offered attendees all they needed to know about innovations including SmartThings and Bixby, as well as Samsung’s mobile services, Smart TVs, Tizen, and more. The interactive exhibits allowed attendees to experience the company’s latest mobile, display and home technologies, and spotlighted innovative ways that partners have utilized them to build dynamic solutions. Featured technologies in the mobile section included devices such as Samsung DeX and the Galaxy Watch, as well as apps and services such as Samsung Pay and Samsung Health.
Other sections of the booth showcased Samsung’s Smart TV services and digital appliances, and highlighted exciting ways to develop IoT, Smart TV and wearable services using the Tizen OS. Visitors to the Tizen section were offered in-depth introductions to TizenRT and the Tizen TV and Tizen .NET SDKs, including rundowns of available APIs, SDK tools and resources.
#4 Fun and Interactive Activities
Each SDC features a full slate of engaging sessions that demonstrate innovative ways for developers to build apps and services utilizing Samsung’s latest technologies. This year’s sessions slate placed Bixby, SmartThings and Samsung’s new foldable UX center stage. Samsung and industry experts answered participants’ every question through fun and informative lectures, panels and discussions.
But the interactive fun didn’t stop there, as SDC18 also included exciting competitions, giveaways and challenges that made the entire experience that much more memorable.
The Bixby Developer Showcase was one such example. In the lead up to SDC18, Samsung challenged developers to come up with first-class Bixby experiences, for the most dynamic submissions. On the second day of SDC18, the competition’s finalists presented their Bixby Capsules, which demonstrate the AI technology’s incredible potential. Competitions like this demonstrate exciting ways that Samsung and developers are making Bixby better.
Each SDC also features a wide array of workshops and activities that allow attendees to get up close and personal with Samsung’s latest innovations.
This year, the interactive workshops were held within the confines of the Code Lab, located at the center of the conference hall. Covering the ins and outs of developing for Bixby, SmartThings, Samsung DeX and more, these in-depth workshops offered attendees the opportunity to hone their coding skills with the aid of Samsung’s experienced instructors. Notable examples included workshops demonstrating how to create a Bixby Capsule for a service, as well as how to build SmartThings apps with TizenRT.
#5 A Peek at Life-changing Projects
Some of the most inspiring exhibits included at this year’s event spotlighted Samsung initiatives that are affecting change in communities that many attendees call home. The exhibits demonstrated interesting ways that Samsung technologies are being used to create life-changing solutions. One of the most attention-grabbing examples was the booth for Rehago, an innovative training system (created through Samsung Germany’s “Life’s a Pitch” startup competition) that helps hemiplegic stroke patients during recovery.
Other standouts included the exhibits for Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow program, which encourages students to use STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) to develop solutions to issues affecting their communities; Project Pontis, which enables Samsung Smart TV users with physical limitations to control their TV via brain waves; and uSound, an app that helps detect the risk of hearing loss and improves quality of life through communication and education for those affected by it.
And thus concludes another successful Samsung Developer Conference. For more information on the topics and innovations that were discussed at the event, be sure to check out Samsung Newsroom’s recap of SDC18’s keynote speeches. And don’t forget to check back here for more updates on Samsung’s latest AI, IoT and developer innovations. Emirates gears up for its largest presence ever at Bahrain International Airshow
Emirates is set for its largest participation yet at the 2018 edition of the Bahrain International Airshow (BIA) taking place from 14-16 November. This is the first time the airline will showcase its 100th A380, which is emblazoned with the HH Sheikh Zayed decal as a tribute to the late founding father of the UAE.
The aircraft on display will allow both trade visitors and the general public to explore all the features on this latest generation double-decker, including Emirates’ refreshed OnBoard Lounge. The Emirates Flight Training Academy, which was inaugurated one year ago at the Dubai Airshow, will also participate at this year’s Bahrain Airshow with an Embraer Phenom 100EV jet on display, one of the Academy’s twin-engine training aircraft. The Emirates Flight Training Academy is a state-of-the-art facility that was developed by Emirates to meet the global aviation industry’s requirement for skilled commercial pilots. The Academy provides advanced learning technologies and training aircraft that provide opportunities for training cadets to develop and sharpen their flying knowledge and skills. Adel Al Redha, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for Emirates said: “The Bahrain International Airshow is an important event for the aviation and aerospace community, both regionally and on an international level. The Emirates A380 and Phenom 100EV being showcased during the Airshow demonstrate our commitment to the Kingdom of Bahrain and highlight Emirates’ contribution to the growth and development of aviation in the region.” Anticipated to be popular with aviation enthusiasts as well as the general public visiting the Bahrain International Airshow, the Emirates A380 will feature 14 luxurious First Class suites, 76 flatbed seats in Business Class and 429 spacious seats in Economy Class, as well a refreshed Emirates’ OnBoard Lounge. Since the new OnBoard Lounge went into service in August 2017, it has wowed customers with more seating options, mood lighting, modern finishes, and other technological features. Emirates is the largest operator of the A380, flying this popular aircraft to 50 destinations around the world. Recently, the airline launched new scheduled A380 services to Hamburg and Osaka. The airline currently has 105 A380s in service and has a further 57 on order. Emirates has been flying to Bahrain since 2000 and serves the Kingdom with four daily flights, and has deployed its iconic A380 to the Kingdom on a number of occasions.Royal Central Hotel The Palm Lays Out a Feast of Flavours with Daily Theme Nights
A wealth of gastronomic delights awaits diners at the newly-opened Royal Central Hotel The Palm. Whatever your taste or style, there is a restaurant, developed by Dynamic Operator, to suit any occasion and palate, creating a true culinary voyage.
All that remains is the selection of venue – La Maison, the all-day-dining International cuisine restaurant with al fresco sea view seating option and weekly themed nights; Ya Bahr offering outstanding Lebanese Seafood in beautiful coastal-themed surroundings as well as a splendid shisha terrace overlooking the Arabian Gulf; Choi specialising in contemporary Japanese cuisine with scenic rooftop lounge offering uninterrupted views of Atlantis The Palm; and Hush Beach – a Hawaiian Themed Beach Bar with mesmerizing palm views.
No matter what you crave an unforgettable dining experience is guaranteed with exciting promotions and fabulous live entertainment every day of the week. Here’s what is on offer:
MEXICAN NIGHT
At La Maison Restaurant
A sumptuous buffet of authentic Mexican favourites designed to spice up your taste buds. From sizzling fajitas to the best of Latin-American dishes!
Every Sunday I 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Live Entertainment
AED 120* inclusive of soft drinks
AED 220* inclusive of alcoholic house beverages
Kids below 5 years dine free and those between 5 and 12 years enjoy 50% discount
*Prices are excluding 10% service charge, 7% Municipality fees & 5% VAT
ASIAN NIGHT
At La Maison Restaurant
Indulge in a wide selection of rich Asian delicacies from China, Singapore, Myanmar, Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and India. The lavish buffet reflects the colourful diversity of local flavours and cultures from the region.
Every Monday I 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Live Entertainment
AED 120* inclusive of soft drinks
AED 220* inclusive of alcoholic house beverages
Kids below 5 years dine free and those between 5 and 12 years enjoy 50% discount
*Prices are excluding 10% service charge, 7% Municipality fees & 5% VAT
BRITISH NIGHT
At La Maison Restaurant
Enjoy a sumptuous buffet of traditional English delights from grilled short ribs, roasts, steaks, kidney pie and fish & chips basket to name just a few temptations, along with live cooking stations. Round off the dinner with a variety of delectable desserts.
Every Tuesday I 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Live Entertainment
AED 120* inclusive of soft drinks
AED 220* inclusive of alcoholic house beverages
Kids below 5 years dine free and those between 5 and 12 years enjoy 50% discount
*Prices are excluding 10% service charge, 7% Municipality fees & 5% VAT
SEAFOOD NIGHT
At La Maison Restaurant
Dive into the deep sea with a lavish Seafood Buffet featuring an exquisite selection of freshly prepared signature seafood specialties accompanied with a variety of salads, soups and desserts.
Every Wednesday I 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Live Entertainment
AED 120* inclusive of soft drinks
AED 220* inclusive of alcoholic house beverages
Kids below 5 years dine free and those between 5 and 12 years enjoy 50% discount
*Prices are excluding 10% service charge, 7% Municipality fees & 5% VAT
ITALIAN NIGHT
At La Maison Restaurant
Join us for traditional Italian delights including a wide selection of appetizers, main courses, live cooking stations and desserts in a beautiful Italian setting.
Every Thursday I 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Live Entertainment
AED 120* inclusive of soft drinks
AED 220* inclusive of alcoholic house beverages
Kids below 5 years dine free and those between 5 and 12 years enjoy 50% discount
*Prices are excluding 10% service charge, 7% Municipality fees & 5% VAT
ARABIAN NIGHT
At La Maison Restaurant
Savor an extravagant Arabian themed buffet featuring a variety of authentic Arabic delicacies including cold and hot mezzeh, grills, main dishes and desserts.
Every Friday I 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Live Entertainment with Belly Dancer
AED 120* inclusive of soft drinks
AED 220* inclusive of alcoholic house beverages
Kids below 5 years dine free and those between 5 and 12 years enjoy 50% discount
*Prices are excluding 10% service charge, 7% Municipality fees & 5% VAT
INTERNATIONAL NIGHT
At La Maison Restaurant
A sumptuous international buffet featuring the world on a plate with an array of traditional and contemporary dishes to suit every palate. Experience a rendezvous of the senses and a celebration of the finest flavors as we take you on a culinary journey around the globe.
Every Saturday I 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Live Entertainment
AED 120* inclusive of soft drinks
AED 220* inclusive of alcoholic house beverages
Kids below 5 years dine free and those between 5 and 12 years enjoy 50% discount
*Prices are excluding 10% service charge, 7% Municipality fees & 5% VAT
For reservations: Call +971 4 873 9300
or email Fb.rc@central-hotels.com
Follow us on
@RoyalCentralAE
@YaBahrUAE
@LaMaison
@ChoiUAE
#RoyalCentralAE #CentralHotels #StayFresh #YaBahr #LaMaison #Choi
About Central Hotels
Central Hotels has very quickly established itself as a reputed hotel management group in the UAE with its flagship property First Central Hotel Suites located in Barsha Heights (TECOM) near Sheikh Zayed Road. Building up on this amazing success, the brand is now poised to expand its footprint targeting the UAE as the primary market for growth in addition to other lucrative destinations in the Middle East. The group has recently added to its portfolio spectacular new 5-star hotels such as Canal Central Business Bay and Royal Central The Palm followed by Central House Citywalk focused on millennials, Beach Central The Palm, Diamond Central – Business Bay, and Island Central in Dubai.
For more information visit www.central-hotels.com
For Media Contact:
Hina Bakht
Managing Director
EVOPS Marketing & PR
M: +971 50 6975146 | T: +971 4 566 7355
Hina.bakht@evops-pr.com
www.evops-pr.com
Amazon Announces Launch of Amazon Music for Mexico, Bringing Tens of Millions of Songs for Ad-Free and On-Demand Streaming to Customers
Amazon Mexico announced today the launch of Amazon Music, Amazon’s music streaming service offering customers a variety of ways to listen to and discover music, from chart-topping releases by today’s top artists including Natalia Lafourcade, Ariana Grande, Reik, Calvin Harris, J Balvin, and Shakira, as well as an immense selection of locally-curated playlists and stations, both completely ad-free and on-demand, and specially curated for music listeners in Mexico. With Amazon Music, streaming music is easier and more fun than ever before, with the added ability for listeners to use their voice to request music through using innovative voice features, powered by Amazon Alexa as it arrives for customers this month. Learn more at amazon.com.mx/music.
“With today’s launch in Mexico, we’re bringing our customers an incredible selection of music including hand-curated global and local content created for music lovers in Mexico,” stated Federico Pedersen, Head of Music for Mexico. “Soon millions of songs will be paired with a brand-new way of listening to music through voice on Alexa, delivering a host of brand-new ways to ask for music. We can’t wait for customers to begin their listening experience with Amazon Music.”
With Amazon Music now available for customers in Mexico, music listeners will be able to choose from a variety of options for music streaming featuring a dynamic selection of hand-curated playlists and personalized stations covering top international, and regional genres. For the ultimate selection in music streaming, listeners can subscribe to the Amazon Music premium tier, Amazon Music Unlimited, and have access to more than 50 million songs and thousands of playlists and stations at a variety of subscription tiers. Amazon Music Unlimited includes a wide selection of popular and emerging artists from the region, and thousands of hand-curated playlists and stations including “Mexicanísimo,” a hand-curated playlist presenting Regional Mexicana acts; “Hecho en México,” which offers a mix of modern and classic songs by Vicente Fernández, José Alfredo Jiménez and more; “#LoQueSuena,” a playlist updated weekly with new music trending in Mexico; and “Fuego Latino,” one of the most popular global playlists on Amazon Music, highlighting today’s hottest songs in Latin music.
With Prime Music, every new and existing Amazon Prime member will automatically be able to listen to more than two million songs and hundreds of hand-curated playlists and stations for up to 40 hours of monthly playback, at no additional cost to their Prime membership. With Prime Music, listeners will now have access to choose from a variety of hand-curated playlists including “Corazón Partido,” with songs by Mon Laferte and Sin Bandera, to “Reggaetón y ya,” including hit tracks by Maluma, Nicky Jam and Daddy Yankee, and classic grupera acts on “Y Que Toque La Banda.”
On Amazon Music, searching for the perfect song by scrolling through a visual interface is no longer required, as music listeners will soon be able to discover new favorites and easily return to popular playlists, albums and more with the launch of Amazon Alexa this month. Customers in Mexico will join the tens of millions of Amazon Music listeners in more than 40 countries around the world who have the ability to use natural language commands to listen to music, including simply asking Alexa to play the latest single or album from their favorite artist, or to easily find playlists and stations based on a variety of moods and genres, anywhere they go. Amazon Music is available in the Amazon Music app for iOS and Android, on Mac, PC, Fire TV Stick Basic Edition and any Web Browser, and on the recently announced Amazon Echo family of devices when they begin to ship this month in Mexico.
Alexa will soon be available in the Amazon Music app in iOS and Android, making it easy for customers to just ask for music in a variety of ways on the go, including:
- Home from work and want to unwind? Try asking for music by mood, including, “Alexa, play relaxing music.”
- Looking for the latest album by a certain artist? Ask, “Alexa, play the latest album by Camilla Cabello,” and Alexa will play Camilla.
- Hear a song on the radio that you want to play again? Request, “Alexa, play ‘Circo Soledad’ by Arjona.”
- Looking for music from a specific genre and era? Ask, “Alexa, play rock music from the 70s” or, “Alexa, play pop music from the 2000s.”
- In the mood for a curated playlist? Ask, “Alexa, play a Cumbia playlist” or, “Alexa, play a Reggaetón playlist.”
- Not sure what you want to play? Just say, “Alexa, play music” to hear a station based on your personal listening habits.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181107005637/en/
Source: Amazon.com, Inc.Visa Collaborates with Billtrust to Help Launch Business Payments Network and Redefine Digital B2B Payments
Billtrust today announced that they are collaborating on Billtrust’s Business Payments Network (BPN), which is designed to streamline the delivery of electronic B2B payments to suppliers. As a unique supplier-driven B2B payments network, BPN provides a transparent registry of suppliers who accept digital payments, giving buyers and financial institutions the necessary access to automate what has historically been a complex process. BPN makes it easier than ever to harness the increased efficiencies, greater security and lower costs associated with processing digital payments, without needing to make significant changes to existing infrastructure.
“As businesses evolve, digital payments will play an increasingly important role in B2B commerce,” said Kevin Phalen, global head, Visa Business Solutions. “Collaborating with Billtrust on the Business Payments Network will allow us to improve the experience for suppliers on the receiving end of the payment, while enabling our financial institution clients to streamline the B2B payments process for their corporate customers and provide a better way for buyers and suppliers to realize the benefits that digital payments provide.”
Recent estimates show that paper checks still represent roughly 51% of U.S. B2B payment volumes1. The ubiquity of check acceptance in the U.S. has been a key reason it has remained the leading form of payment despite its many disadvantages. Buyers and suppliers have already recognized the advantages of digitizing payments, including less manual touch, improved fraud controls and enhanced reconciliation. However, the current lack of connectivity between existing B2B payment platforms remains the largest barrier to adoption. Suppliers simply don’t have the systems and processes in place to accept the increasingly complex forms of payment that buyers and their financial institutions want to send.
BPN is designed to address current industry challenges by:
- Providing a connected platform for suppliers, buyers, financial institutions, and accounts payable and accounts receivable software providers
- Publishing an online directory that contains a full view of participating suppliers and their payment acceptance preferences
- Providing financial institutions and corporate buyers with ability to deliver digital payments directly to the suppliers’ acceptance platforms
- Enabling complex financial and payment data to seamlessly come together at scale while delivering streamlined reconciliation to suppliers and buyers
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181105005152/en/
Portal and Portal+ Shipping Now
Portal and Portal+ are new video-calling devices that make it easier to stay connected with your closest friends and family, and you can buy them in the US starting today.
You can purchase Portal for $199 USD and Portal+ for $349 USD from portal.facebook.com, Amazon.com, BestBuy.com as well as Amazon Books and Best Buy stores nationwide. Just in time for the holidays, you can also get $100 USD off any two devices — this means a bundle of two Portal devices is just $298 USD.
Both models are designed to make video chats feel less like a call and more like you’re actually in the same room. Portal improves video calling with a 10-inch 1280 x 800 display. For more flexibility, you can also opt for a 15-inch 1920 x 1080 pivoting display with Portal+.
Portal and Portal+ Product Features
Privacy, Security and Data Policy
We also want to be up front about Portal’s privacy practices and data policy, which we’ve described in more detail in this post.
- Powered by AI, Portal’s Smart Camera stays with the action and automatically pans and zooms to keep everyone in view, and Smart Sound enhances the voice of whoever is talking, no matter where they move.
- Make calls to and from Messenger on your smartphone or tablet. Portal supports group calls of up to seven people at the same time.
- Make hands-free voice calls by saying “Hey Portal” and stating who you’d like to call. Portal also has Amazon Alexa built-in, so you can ask a question, set a timer, add items to your shopping list, control your smart home, and more.
- Simple tools give you control over what you’re sharing, including the “Camera and Microphone Off” button to disable the camera and microphone, camera lens cover and the ability to set up a four- to 12-digit passcode.
- Experience shared activities like listening to music together or watching some of your favorite shows. We’ve partnered with Spotify Premium, Pandora, and iHeartRadio, as well as Facebook Watch, Food Network, and Newsy — with more on the way, including CNN.
- Story Time brings bedtime stories to life using augmented reality effects to transform your face and voice into the story’s characters before your loved one’s very eyes.
- Superframe can display photos and videos, provide birthday reminders, and show you when your closest contacts are available to connect.
Privacy, Security and Data Policy
We also want to be up front about Portal’s privacy practices and data policy, which we’ve described in more detail in this post.
- Facebook does not listen to, view or keep the contents of your Portal video calls, so this information cannot be used for advertising. In addition, Portal video calls are encrypted, so your calls are secure.
- When you use Portal, we process the same kinds of information as when you use Facebook Products on your other devices. Some of this information, including the fact that you logged into your account or how often you use a feature or app, may be used to inform the ads you see across Facebook. For example, if you make lots of video calls, you might see some ads related to video calling.
- Like other voice-enabled devices, Portal’s microphone sends voice commands to Facebook after hearing, “Hey Portal.” You can delete your Portal’s voice history in your Facebook Activity Log. We don’t use Portal voice commands to target ads.
- Smart Camera and Smart Sound use AI technology that runs locally on Portal, not on Facebook servers. Portal’s camera doesn’t identify who you are.