Takeaways

• You can now remix public photos on Instagram — choose from new Remix layouts or add your clip to the end of an existing video for more storytelling options, like providing commentary on someone’s content.
• We’re also making it easier to create reels using Templates with preloaded audio and clip placeholders, and a new Dual camera feature to record content and your reaction at the same time.
• In the coming weeks, new video posts will be shared as reels.

Today, we’re announcing new features to Instagram that make it more fun and easy to collaborate, create and share reels.

More Ways to Collaborate With Enhanced Remix Features

We’re expanding our tools for Remix to help enhance the way you tell stories on Instagram when collaborating with your favorite creators and friends, including:

• Remix for photos: Photos are core to the Instagram experience. In the coming weeks, you will be able to remix public photos. This gives you limitless inspiration to create your own unique reel. 
• Expanded Remix layouts: Choose between a green screen, horizontal or vertical split-screen, or picture-in-picture reaction view to add your own video commentary to existing reels.
• Add your clip: Have a hot take? Rather than having your remix appear at the same time as the original reel, you can now add your clip after the original so it plays sequentially.

Easily Create Reels With Templates and Dual

We want everyone to be able to easily express their creative ideas, so we’re adding more features that allow you to capture, edit and share them — right from your phone.

• Templates: Need a little inspo? Templates allow you to easily create reels by preloading audio and clip placeholders, so you can simply add your own photos or video clips. You can find template ideas by tapping the camera icon on the Reels tab.
• Dual: Record content and your reaction at the same time. You can record using your phone’s front and back cameras simultaneously to share another perspective using the Dual feature in the Instagram camera.

New Video Posts on Instagram Will Be Shared as Reels

Since reels offer a more immersive and entertaining way to watch and create videos on Instagram, we’re bringing these creative tools and the full-screen experience to your video posts, too. In the coming weeks, new video posts shorter than 15 minutes will be shared as reels. Videos posted prior to this change will remain as videos and won’t become reels.

• Discovery: If you have a public account, your new videos – now reels – may be eligible to be recommended and seen by more people on Instagram. This currently applies to reels that are under 90 seconds long. If your account is private, your reels will still only be shown to your followers.
• Profile: We’ll also consolidate the video and Reels tab on your profile, so there will be one home for all of your videos.

We’re always working on ways to improve your Instagram experience. We’ll continue to build features that make it easier and more fun to create and share reels on Instagram.

More likely than not, your recent purchase in Amazon’s store was from one of our nearly 2 million selling partners—the vast majority of which are small and medium-sized businesses. Amazon’s mission of helping customers find the best prices and widest selection on hundreds of millions of items every day is only possible through the success of our selling partners and our helping them provide a trustworthy shopping experience.

We continue to invest in powerful tools, services, and support that enable our community of selling partners to build successful businesses. We are constantly talking to sellers to help us innovate on their behalf and continue to improve the selling experience in Amazon’s store. This includes helping our selling partners adhere to our policies and ensure a great customer experience. For many years, we have continued to invest in—and improve on—assisting our sellers through clearer communications, faster response times, clearer indication of policy violations, and more.

Our latest innovation—the new and improved Account Health Rating—helps sellers adhere to our policies and maintain great account health. We will begin to roll out the new version of the Account Health Rating in August to sellers in our U.S. and Canada stores, and to sellers in our other worldwide stores in 2023. The new Account Health Rating is an easy-to-understand metric that gives sellers an overall state of their account health, including if the numerical value makes their account “Healthy,” “At-Risk,” or “Unhealthy.”

Debuting in 2000, the X-Trail went on to become a bestselling SUV and is widely viewed as an iconic Nissan. Over the years, Nissan has continued to evolve the X-Trail. The latest incarnation features leading-edge technologies, powerful performance and a level of equipment that only a genuine SUV offers.

The fourth-generation X-Trail maintains the “tough gear” concept from the first-generation model with an even greater focus on quality. The second-generation e-POWER electric powertrain system and e-4ORCE electric-drive all-wheel control technology raise the bar for its class. As an authentic SUV that combines tradition and innovation, the all-new X-Trail provides excitement in a wide range of scenarios, ranging from daily use to exciting outdoor adventures.

“As announced in Nissan Ambition 2030, Nissan aims to drive towards a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive world through our products and services,” says Ashwani Gupta, Nissan’s chief operating officer. “With this in mind, we are electrifying major models, with the X-Trail for the Japan market becoming a dedicated e-POWER model with e-4ORCE an option. The new X-Trail will play an important role in leading our electrification.”

e-POWER and VC-Turbo engine provide powerful yet quiet acceleration
The all-new X-Trail features a completely redesigned platform that reduces body weight while increasing rigidity. A high level of cabin quietness has been achieved by insulating against road and powertrain noise.

The X-Trail comes equipped with the second-generation e-POWER system, which features improved power, smoothness and quietness. The system’s gasoline engine, the world’s first mass-produced variable compression ratio engine, serves as a generator to produce electricity. Specifically tuned for the e-POWER system, the VC-Turbo engine significantly improves output even at low revs. The combination of e-POWER and the VC-Turbo engine provides a powerful driving experience and unparalleled quietness, while maintaining high fuel efficiency.

e-Pedal Step reduces the need to apply the brakes by providing deceleration when the accelerator pedal is released. The function provides increased peace of mind and smoother driving on city roads, slippery surfaces and downhill slopes.

e-4ORCE changes the view of 4WD
The 4WD X-Trail is equipped with e-4ORCE, which integrates Nissan’s electric propulsion and 4WD control technologies with its chassis-control technology for a huge leap in acceleration, cornering and braking performance. e-4ORCE raises driving performance and confidence on a wide variety of road surfaces, while providing a supremely comfortable onboard experience for all occupants.

e-4ORCE delivers:

• Intuitive driving: Instantly assessing the road surface and vehicle condition, e-4ORCE precisely controls the driving force and braking of the front and rear twin electric motors to maximize tire frictional force. This ensures smooth cornering and boosts driving confidence.
• Confidence on all kinds of road surfaces: By always ensuring optimal traction, e-4ORCE minimizes wheel slippage and enables smooth starting and driving, even in slippery conditions.
• Ride comfort for all: When decelerating, the front and rear motors control regenerative balance to stabilize the vehicle’s movement, ensuring a smooth ride for driver and passengers alike.
• Powerful, smooth output: The high-output motors respond instantly to accelerator pedal pressure, delivering powerful yet smooth acceleration that makes merging onto expressways easy.

Advanced technologies
The all-new X-Trail features a wide range of safety technologies that support driving in a variety of conditions.

• Nissan Safety Assist 360 utilizes cameras, radar and sonar to constantly monitor the vehicle’s surroundings and can take safety steps if necessary.
• An SOS call service can provide assistance in the event of an emergency.^*1
• An adaptive LED headlight system enables use of the high beam in conjunction with the low beam to illuminate surrounding areas even when there are preceding or oncoming vehicles.
• Navi-link has been added to ProPILOT, Nissan’s autonomous drive technology designed for highway use in single-lane traffic.^*2 ProPILOT with Navi-link reduces the frequency of driver operations by supporting vehicle speed changes in line with posted speed limits, as well as deceleration support for curves.
• ProPILOT Park controls the steering, accelerator, brakes, gear shift and the parking brake for precise, safe parking in a wide variety of situations.

Sturdiness and premium quality

• The all-new X-Trail’s exterior raises the bar for SUVs by combining the “tough gear” legacy of the first-generation with even higher levels of quality. The headlamps have a two-layer structure, with the position lamps and turn lamps at the top and the main lamps below. The boomerang-shaped rear combination lamps use a delicate faceted pattern that conveys exquisite workmanship.
• The interior design gives a feeling of both toughness and premium quality. The center console has a bridge structure that includes a large cup holder and storage space. The console lid also functions as an armrest. Roll-down sunshades are installed on the rear windows to enhance interior comfort.
• The lineup features 12 body colors, including five two-tone options and Cardinal Red, which is inspired by the deep crimson hues of a rose. Four seat materials are available: black fabric, premium tan Nappa leather, Nissan’s exclusively developed Tailor Fit™ and Cell-Cloth^®, a water-repellant material that’s ideal for people who enjoy outdoor activities like skiing and marine sports.

User-friendly features

• The 12.3-inch Advanced Drive Assist Display has two display modes. The 12.3-inch NissanConnect navigation system in the center display has a voice recognition function that enables operation using everyday language and Amazon Alexa^*3 for greater convenience. The large 10.8-inch head-up display allows the driver to see information while watching the road.
• The luggage space is best-in-class^*4 and its large opening makes it easy to load and unload luggage.
• The Bose Premium Sound System^*5 is tuned exclusively for the X-Trail and provides a premium sound experience.
• The 100V AC power source has a maximum output of 1500W and can be used as an emergency power source.

*Japan-market recommended retail price (including consumption tax)

*1 NissanConnect registration required

*2 ProPILOT Assist with Navi-link is an optional set together with the NissanConnect navigation system

*3 Amazon, Alexa and their respective logos are the trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates

*4 May 2022; source Nissan

*5 Bose is a registered trademark of Bose Corporation in the United States

Note: Functions can depend on model grade or be factory-installed options. For details, please see the product catalog.

For more information about our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit
nissan-global.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube.

Contact
nissan_japan_communications@mail.nissan.co.jp

World Rugby acknowledges and supports the decision taken jointly by the RFU, Scottish Rugby and the WRU for Great Britain Sevens (GB) to compete in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, beginning with the 2023 Series.

The decision, which aligns with their Olympic participation status and qualification pathway, means there will be no team relegated from the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2022, as England, Scotland and Wales are replaced by a GB team, while GB will directly replace England in the women’s Series.

Great Britain previously participated in the Series in 2021 in preparation for the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

England, Scotland and Wales will compete as individual nations in the Commonwealth Games, which take place at Coventry Stadium on 29-31 July, and Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town on 9-11 September and the respective unions and World Rugby are in discussions with regard to further playing opportunities for the England, Scotland and Wales teams.

It has also been confirmed by the World Rugby Executive Committee that Russia’s women’s sevens team have been withdrawn from the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 in line with the ongoing suspension of the Rugby Union of Russia from World Rugby membership and from participating in all international rugby competitions. As a result Brazil will maintain their status as a core team in the women’s 2023 Series.

The winners of the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series, which takes place in Chile on 12-14 August, will gain promotion to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023, as this important pathway to encourage the global growth of rugby sevens returns after a one-year break due to the pandemic.

VIEW CHALLENGER SERIES PREVIEW >>

World Rugby Chief Competitions and Performance Officer Nigel Cass said: “We pay tribute to the three unions for their positive and constructive collaboration, which will see a Great Britain Sevens team participate in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series from 2023, aligning with their Olympic participation.

“Meanwhile we look forward to welcoming England, Scotland and Wales teams to compete in the Commonwealth Games at Coventry Stadium on 29-31 July and Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town on 9-11 September.

“Building on two highly impactful Olympic Games in Rio and Tokyo, the future of rugby sevens is very bright and we are working hard on exciting plans to engage and inspire new, younger and more diverse participants and fans across the globe.”

The 14 men’s core teams confirmed for the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 are: Argentina, Australia, Canada Great Britain, Fiji, France, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, Samoa, South Africa, Spain and the USA. They will be joined by the winner of the World Rugby Challenger Series 2022, with one invitational team added at each round of the Series, with 16 teams participating at each tournament.

The 2022 finale of the men’s Series takes place in Los Angeles on 27-28 August in what promises to be a thrilling finale with four teams – South Africa, Australia, Argentina and Fiji – still in with a chance of claiming the Series title.

VIEW 2022 MEN’S SERIES FINALE PREVIEW >>

The 10 women’s teams confirmed on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 are: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Fiji, France, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, Spain and the USA. They will be joined by the winner of the World Rugby Challenger Series 2022, with one invitational team added at each round of the Series, bringing the total to 12 teams participating at each tournament.

VIEW 2023 SERIES CALENDAR >>

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 will kick off with a men’s event in Hong Kong on 4-6 November 2022, before combined men’s and women’s rounds in Dubai on 2-3 December, and Cape Town on 9-11 December.

The Series continues in 2023 with 11 men’s rounds and 7 women’s rounds in total. The women’s Series will reach it’s exciting conclusion in Toulouse, France as part of a combined event on 12-14 May, with the men’s finale coming a week later in London, England on 20-21 May.

The technology company plans to support the Majid Al Futtaim Launchpad Program by providing access to a range of digital solutions to startups, as well as other benefits, such as mentoring and go-to-market avenues.

18 July, 2022; Dubai, United Arab Emirates – As part of its ongoing commitment to support entrepreneurs, Microsoft today announced that it plans to join forces with Majid Al Futtaim to empower regional startups and SMEs through the Dubai-based retail giant’s Launchpad Program. As a partner in the Majid Al Futtaim Launchpad accelerator initiative, Microsoft intends to commit resources and expertise to startups and SMEs across the Middle East and North Africa.

“The MENA region has one of the most unique and inspiring homegrown entrepreneurial communities in the world. Through Majid Al Futtaim Launchpad, we aim to nurture this ecosystem, provide expertise, tools and create opportunities for SMEs and startups in strategic sectors to scale their growth plans and support the overall economic development of our Markets” said Joe Abi Akl, Chief Corporate Development Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Holding. “With Microsoft as a key partner in our Launchpad Program, we hope to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and lay the groundwork for a prosperous future, not only for the UAE, but for communities across the region.”

Announced in June, the Majid Al Futtaim Launchpad initiative is aimed at assembling partners to support startups and SMEs in strategic sectors in their growth journeys, thereby bolstering the innovation ecosystem and spurring economic development. As a strategic partner in the Launchpad scheme, Microsoft intends to provide a range of benefits for participants.

“Microsoft is proud to stand with Majid Al Futtaim in its efforts to empower start-ups and SMEs and foster economic growth,” said Naim Yazbeck, General Manager, Microsoft UAE. “Every business has the potential to be disrupted, and the fast-moving retail industry is on the frontline, serving an ever-growing number of discerning consumers. We look forward to supporting innovative enterprises on their journeys by offering technology and knowledge as they turn their ideas into reality.”

Through the Microsoft for Startups Founder’s Hub Program, the company intends to provide technology resources that allow startups to build their products. This includes access to Azure, and use of Visual Studio Enterprise and GitHub Enterprise. Other technologies planned to be provided by Microsoft for day-to-day business operations include Microsoft 365 and within this Teams, and Power Platform as well as Dynamics 365 Sales and Customer Service platforms. Eligible Launchpad participants may also have an opportunity to get go-to-market support from Microsoft through the company’s Co-Sell Program, as well as benefit from Azure Marketplace. Furthermore, Microsoft plans to offer industry mentorship and one-to-one technical consultancy sessions for B2B startups.

In its first phase, the Majid Al Futtaim Launchpad will focus on supporting 3 core growth areas, including Homegrown Brands to attract startups with a unique and fascinating story, focusing on culture and heritage, sustainability, and innovation; Health and Beauty to identify and elevate startups with innovative products and tech solutions designed to elevate the customer experience; and Proptech to target startups that offer innovative and sustainable solutions to help optimise the efficiency of construction, digitise property development, residential communities and hotels spaces, and enhance the experiences in the shopping mall.

Applications for participation in the Majid Al Futtaim Launchpad Program close on Friday 22nd of July 2022. For more information, or to apply now, please click here.

En español

For years, we’ve spoken about our focus on creating seamless omnichannel shopping experiences that save our customers time and money. We know language can be a significant barrier to a great shopping experience, so we’ve been hard at work to fix that by expanding the Spanish search capability on Walmart.com.

In the U.S., roughly 18% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, a percentage that is predicted to grow to 28% by 2060. We serve all of America, so it’s only natural we should prioritize improving Spanish search functionality.

Why now? Prior to 2020, most of our Spanish-speaking customers shopped in stores. The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant behavioral shifts in virtually every customer segment, and as cases continued to rise, in-store customers began shifting to online shopping. At the height of the pandemic, Spanish queries across the Walmart app and website increased more than five times their pre-pandemic levels. This rapid shift in behavior highlighted the need to provide these customers with a Spanish-first online shopping experience.

Last year, we launched a search translation feature on Walmart.com and in the Walmart app, enabling customers to search in Spanish for commonly purchased items. The solution, built by our Walmart Global Tech associates, uses natural language processing (NLP) to detect language, discern nuances and translate queries to deliver a seamless, intuitive experience for customers. We currently translate more than 600,000 of the most frequently searched items, and we’re adding more every day.

This month, we started offering customers the ability to opt in or out of the translated query. Here’s how it works:

• A customer searches for “leche,” Spanish for “milk.”
• The search results page serves items based on the English translation of the word, displays a message informing customers of the translation and providing a one-click opt out.
• If the user opts out of the translation, the search results return products that include the word “leche,” like “dulce de leche,” in the title or description.

This experience enables customers to search in Spanish for over 600,000 of the most commonly ordered items, making their shopping experiences faster, easier and more convenient. This year, we will further optimize the Spanish experience, including the launch of predictive search and continual personalization and contextualization, with plans to launch a full end-to-end universal Spanish experience in the future.

We have always focused on our customers, seeking to understand their needs, desires and wish lists. And we will continue innovating to meet customers where, when and how they want to shop.