Amazon Announces Launch of Amazon Music for Mexico, Bringing Tens of Millions of Songs for Ad-Free and On-Demand Streaming to Customers

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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.
Starting today, eligible customers who are not already Prime members can try Prime Music with a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime. For even more music, eligible customers can also sign up for a free, three-month trial of Amazon Music Unlimited for a limited time before choosing from three plan options. Customers can sign up for the Amazon Music Unlimited Individual Plan at MXN$99/month, or MXN$990/year for Prime members only; the Family Plan, which allows up to six members of a household to share a subscription for just MXN$149/month, or MXN$1,490/year for Prime members only; or the exclusive Single Device Plan, offering full access to Amazon Music Unlimited at MXN$39/month on one Echo device. Visit amazon.com.mx/music to learn more about the variety of features and price plans available on Amazon Music in Mexico. About Amazon Music Amazon Music reimagines music listening by enabling customers to unlock millions of songs and thousands of curated playlists and stations with their voice. Amazon Music provides unlimited access to new releases and classic hits across iOS and Android mobile devices, Fire tablets and the Fire TV Stick Basic Edition, PC, Mac, Echo, and more. With Amazon Music, Prime members have access to ad-free listening of more than two million songs at no additional cost to their membership. Listeners can also enjoy the premium subscription service, Amazon Music Unlimited, which provides access to over 50 million songs and the latest new releases. Engaging with music has never been more natural, simple, and fun. For more information, visit amazon.com.mx/music or download the Amazon Music app. About Amazon Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews. Source: Amazon.com, Inc.

Visa Collaborates with Billtrust to Help Launch Business Payments Network and Redefine Digital B2B Payments

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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
“Today, suppliers have to balance their own payment preferences with the preferences of their customers’ accounts payable departments – and those two preferences don’t always sync up,” said Flint Lane, CEO of Billtrust. “BPN is designed to close the loop on the electronic payment cycle in a more transparent and secure way to more closely replicate the way consumers today pay and get paid, quickly, simply and seamlessly. Creating this type of customer experience in the B2B space is extremely important to us and the industry.” “With estimates showing the U.S. B2B payments market in the range of $24 trillion annually2, streamlining efficiencies by adopting innovations such as virtual card payments and other digital payment types can lead to billions of dollars saved,” said Roger Williams, SVP of Commercial Card at Commerce Bank. “Our corporate customers are looking for a solution that can intelligently handle their evolving B2B payments needs and preferences, while reducing costs and risks associated with paper-based processes. We are excited that Visa and Billtrust are working together to address these industry wide challenges.” “There is a great deal of momentum now building around the digitalization of corporate financial processes to improve cash cycle control and performance, leading to reduced cost and risk, along with gaining more strategic insight using captured transaction data as an analytic base,” said Steve Murphy, research director, Mercator Advisory Group. “This often starts with paper replacement through electronic information exchange, ultimately leading to an environment where buyers and suppliers can make, receive and settle payments in a streamlined and transparent manner. It is often easier said than done. This collaboration between Visa and Billtrust, using a digital platform and business network approach, is great way for companies to accelerate their financial process modernization via a supplier-centric approach.” In 2017, Visa and Billtrust announced a strategic relationship intended to support growth in B2B payments through the integration of Billtrust’s Virtual Card Capture and Visa’s Straight Through Processing solution. Billtrust’s BPN will further the multipronged strategy Visa and Billtrust are pursuing to reduce friction and streamline payment processes and reconciliation for financial institutions, corporate buyers and B2B suppliers. For further information about BPN, please visit paywithbpn.com and stop by Visa’s booth 1517 and Billtrust’s booth 1602 at AFP in Chicago, November 4-7, 2018. 1. Source: 2016 AFP Electronic Payments Survey. 2. Source: Visa Commercial Consumption Expenditure Index, 2015. About Visa Inc. Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) is the world’s leader in digital payments. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, reliable and secure payment network – enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. Our advanced global processing network, VisaNet, provides secure and reliable payments around the world, and is capable of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second. The company’s relentless focus on innovation is a catalyst for the rapid growth of connected commerce on any device, and a driving force behind the dream of a cashless future for everyone, everywhere. As the world moves from analog to digital, Visa is applying our brand, products, people, network and scale to reshape the future of commerce. For more information, visit AboutVisa,https://usa.visa.com/visa-everywhere/blog.htmland @VisaNews. About Billtrust Billtrust accelerates cash flow by automating credit decisioning and monitoring, invoice delivery, payment capture, cash application, and collections. Billtrust customers improve operational efficiency across the credit-to-cash spectrum via a flexible and integrated cloud-based solution set. Finance executives and A/R specialists love and recommend Billtrust for the remarkable cost savings, ease-of-use, process efficiency, and improved customer satisfaction rates. For more information, visit, www.Billtrust.com.

CFO Strategies Forum MENA, organised by Naseba in Dubai | Economist Dubai

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CFO Strategies Forum MENA, organised by Naseba in Dubai | Economist Dubai

Portal and Portal+ Shipping Now

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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
  • 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.
Visit portal.facebook.com for more information or to purchase a Portal or Portal+ today.

Etihad Airways today launched a brand new video in its Model Diary series at the China International Import Expo

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Etihad Airways today launched a brand new video in its Model Diary series at the China International Import Expo
Etihad Airways today launched a brand new video in its Model Diary series at the China International Import Expo, profiling iconic Chinese fashion model Xiaowen Ju during her recent trip to Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates. Based in New York City, the world-renowned model developed the new video as part of Etihad Airways’ ongoing ‘Runway to Runway’ series, which supports and showcases the global fashion industry.

 • New video launch features Chinese model Xiaowen Ju as part of Etihad Airways’ ‘Runway to Runway’ campaign

Marking her first-ever trip to Abu Dhabi, Xiaowen introduces viewers to key sights throughout the city, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, which is the largest art museum in the region and has successfully bridged the gap between Eastern and Western arts since its opening in November 2017.

Another instantly recognisable tourist attraction featured in the video is the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, voted the world’s second most iconic building for two consecutive years in a TripAdvisor survey.

During her tour of Abu Dhabi, Xiaowen Ju went on to visit Saadiyat Beach Club, a premium tourist destination set in the island’s conservation zone, home to a stunning array of wildlife and natural beauty. She also took part in an Etihad Aviation Training session using the airline’s state-of-the-art facilities.

Linda Celestino, Etihad Airways Vice President of Guest Experiences and Delivery, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Xiaowen Ju, whose creativity and enthusiasm has been an inspiration to us all. We are proud to have facilitated her first trip to Abu Dhabi and, through our destination management division Hala, had the privilege of introducing her to Abu Dhabi’s most iconic destinations and tourism sites – from pristine beaches to enthralling cultural and culinary experiences. We hope Xiaowen has enjoyed her time in Abu Dhabi as much as we have enjoyed hosting her.”

Etihad Airways’ participation at the China International Import Expo comes amid significant growth in travel and tourism from the Chinese market, with 2017 seeing a 60 per cent increase in visitors to Abu Dhabi on the previous year.

The Xiaowen Model Diary video represents the first major piece of content in Mandarin, purpose-made for Etihad Airways’ social media channels across Weibo, YouKu, WeChat and Tencent.

To watch the video: https://youtu.be/QNR3nQ6uuJc

Michael O’Neill to Retire as Chairman of Citi’s Board of Directors Director John C. Dugan Selected as Next Chairman

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Michael O’Neill to Retire as Chairman of Citi’s Board of Directors Director John C. Dugan Selected as Next Chairman
Citi’s Board of Directors today announced that Chairman Michael O’Neill will retire on January 1, 2019 and the Board has selected John C. Dugan to succeed Mr. O’Neill as Chairman on that date. Mr. O’Neill joined the Board in 2009 and has served as Citi’s Chairman since April 2012. Mr. Dugan joined the Board in October 2017. Chairman O’Neill said, “While it is hard to overstate the progress Citi has made since I joined the Board in 2009, the true value of Citi’s restructuring and enhanced focus is only just beginning to emerge. I’m confident John will do an exceptional job in advising management and leading our outstanding Board. With more than thirty years of banking experience – as a trusted counselor, regulator, policymaker, and director – John brings to the table a unique array of skills that will complement CEO Mike Corbat’s background and expertise. The Board has seen this firsthand over the last three years during John’s service to Citi, first as Board counsel and most recently as a Director. He has developed a deep understanding of Citi and has constructively engaged on a broad range of business and regulatory matters, which led the Board to this decision. “Under Mike Corbat’s leadership, and through his partnership with John and the Board, I’m confident Citi will continue to improve its returns and realize further benefits from its investments and much improved execution,” Chairman O’Neill concluded. Mr. Dugan said, “Citi has made tremendous progress in recent years, both in terms of executing its strategy and generating sustainable growth. I am confident in Mike Corbat and his team’s ability to continue to improve returns for its shareholders while maintaining Citi’s commitment to safety and soundness. I look forward to working closely with Mike and his team to ensure Citi succeeds in this highly dynamic time for the banking industry.” Citi CEO Michael Corbat said, “Citi has undergone significant structural and cultural changes in recent years to become an indisputably strong and stable institution. Chairman O’Neill’s leadership and counsel were invaluable throughout that transformation. Mike’s tenure as Chairman reflects the results of his unrelenting focus on improving shareholder returns, ethics and culture, strong governance, and enhancing both the expertise and the diversity of our Board. “Citi is deeply committed to maintaining strong corporate governance standards, and Citi and our shareholders have been well served by having an independent chairman. Over the last several years, I have enjoyed working with John, whose deep knowledge of the banking industry has served us well, and I am looking forward to working with him in the years to come,” Mr. Corbat concluded. Before his current service as a Citi Director, Mr. Dugan was a partner for nearly seven years at Covington & Burling LLP, where he had previously advised on financial institution regulatory matters from 1993 to 2005. In his most recent role, he chaired Covington’s Financial Institutions Group, where he counseled a broad range of financial services firms and provided independent advice to boards of directors, including Citi’s Board, which he advised from 2015 until he retired from Covington in September 2017. From 2005 to 2010, Mr. Dugan served as Comptroller of the Currency, heading the agency that supervised over 1,500 national banks and federal branches of foreign banks, which together held nearly two-thirds of the assets of the U.S. commercial banking system. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Mr. Dugan previously served at the U.S. Department of the Treasury from 1989 to 1993, where he was appointed Assistant Secretary for Domestic Finance and had extensive responsibility for policy initiatives involving banks and financial institutions. From 1985 to 1989, Mr. Dugan was Counsel and Minority General Counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. He received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1977 and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1981. Following Mr. O’Neill’s retirement, the Citi Board will consist of 16 directors.

SDC18 Keynotes Reveal a Roadmap Toward a ‘Connected Living’ Future

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SDC18 Keynotes Reveal a Roadmap Toward a ‘Connected Living’ Future
The Samsung Developer Conference (SDC18) has officially begun, and San Francisco’s Moscone West convention center is buzzing with excitement about Samsung’s latest AI, IoT and mobile innovations. Over the course of the conference’s jam-packed keynote event, Samsung and tech industry leaders revealed exciting enhancements to Bixby, SmartThings, UI/UX design and more, that will foster unified experiences across devices, software and services. By offering developers the tools they need to enrich our lives with more intelligent experiences, the advancements introduced at SDC18 will help make connected living a reality for more people. In case you missed it, check out the highlights of the keynote event below.

Anticipation builds as SDC18 attendees await the beginning of the conference’s keynote event.

DJ Koh, Samsung Electronics’ President and CEO and of Head of IT and Mobile Communications Division, kicked off the conference by discussing how Samsung’s leadership in AI, IoT, and groundbreaking technologies like 5G has helped bring about “a new era of discovery and invention. A time not just of connected thinking, but of connected living.”

Eui-Suk Chung, Samsung’s EVP and Head of Software and Artificial Intelligence, shed some light on Samsung’s intelligence strategy, and how Bixby’s evolution into a scalable intelligence platform will empower people to do more with their devices. He also described how Samsung is expanding Bixby by incorporating support for more devices and languages, and opening the platform up to third-party services. In addition, Mr. Chung announced the launch of the Bixby Marketplace, which will offer partners and developers a new way to market their services to millions of Samsung device users. As he explained, “This is your opportunity. The largest device ecosystem in the world, at your fingertips, ready for your best ideas.”

Dag Kittlaus, CEO of Viv Labs, announced the release of the Bixby Developer Studio, the most comprehensive and powerful intelligent assistant toolset ever made, and introduced Samsung’s new Dynamic Program Generation technology.

Next, Mr. Kittlaus welcomed the CTO of Viv Labs, Adam Cheyer, to the stage for a demonstration of the Bixby Developer Studio. Before walking attendees through the ins and outs of the Studio’s developer tools, Mr. Cheyer described why he finds this announcement particularly exciting: “What we are introducing today, for the first time, promotes a new developer paradigm where an AI and a human developer work together collaboratively, each doing what they do best.”

Samsung’s VP of Engineering, Dr. Jaeyeon Jung, described how the company is enriching SmartThings with new partnerships and devices, such as SmartThings Wifi and the SmartThings Button, to make staying connected at home simple. As she explained, “This consistent and seamless SmartThings experience across multiple devices takes home automation to the next level.”

Magnus Ekenheim, SmartThings’ VP of Engineering, elaborated on Samsung’s efforts to make IoT less fragmented and less complicated, “to help developers create new IoT devices and services, and bring them to market faster.” He also announced a slew of new developer resources, including Works with SmartThings and the redesigned SmartThings Developer Workspace, which enable partners and developers to deliver world-class IoT experiences to their customers.

Dr. Jung returned to the stage to discuss ways that developers can utilize the latest addition to the Samsung ecosystem, Galaxy Home, to “bring the Intelligence of Things to life” for consumers. She explained how Galaxy Home’s combination of premium sound and Bixby and SmartThings support enables it to serve as a gateway for controlling smart devices, and emphasized the incredible opportunity that this powerful combo offers developers. “Any idea can become part of the Galaxy Home” she said.

Over the course of his jam-packed presentation, Pedro Freitas, Samsung’s Director of Smart TV Service Business, announced the launches of Samsung’s Voice Media Control API, which enables TV partners to leverage Bixby to offer consumers more control over their favorite content, as well as the new TV Plus Channel Management System (TV Plus CMS), an update to the TV Plus service that launched in 2016. He also revealed that Samsung will be opening up Ambient Mode to developers very soon; outlined how Samsung Smart TVs’ SmartThings Dashboard feature allows users to easily monitor and control their connected devices and appliances; and discussed optimizing IoT devices with Tizen RT.

Samsung’s Senior Designer of UX Design, Jee Won Lee, walked the crowd through a very special demonstration of the company’s new One UI, which features a simple yet compelling design that makes interactions with your mobile device more natural, and makes it easier to focus on tasks at hand. She followed that up with the announcement that the One UI will be available to developers in select markets beginning in November via Samsung’s official beta testing program.

Anticipation builds as Samsung’s Director of Product Marketing, Hassan Anjum, recounts some of the groundbreaking innovations that have led to Samsung’s latest breakthrough in mobile screen technology.

Justin Denison, Samsung’s SVP of Mobile Product Marketing, introduced Samsung’s vision for the next generation of mobile displays: the Infinity Flex Display. Its foldable design offers users the best of both worlds: a compact smartphone that unfolds to reveal a large, immersive display for multitasking and viewing content.

Glen Murphy, Director and Head of Android UX at Google, discussed his company’s deep partnership with Samsung before announcing that Android is officially adding support for the Infinity Flex Display’s foldable form factor.

After the event, SDC18 attendees get a closer look at Samsung’s newest developer tools and technologies.

Emirates gives travellers a taste of home this Thanksgiving

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Emirates gives travellers a taste of home this Thanksgiving

Emirates is firing up its ovens for Thanksgiving celebrations on board and on the ground. The airline will offer customers special holiday menus across all classes on flights between Dubai and the US and in the respective airport lounges.

The Thanksgiving menu will be available to customers travelling between Dubai and the US from November 22 to 25. First and Business Class passengers can choose from appetisers including: a smoked duck salad, served with poached fig, pickled beetroot, green beans, plum chutney and hazelnuts; a creamy cauliflower soup; a pumpkin soup with toasted pumpkins seeds and chives; or a smoked ocean trout with crème fraîche, cocktail onions and caper berries. Customers in First and Business Class can enjoy a Thanksgiving Roasted Turkey served with chestnut stuffing, cranberry jus lié, mashed potatoes or pumpkin mash. For dessert, passengers can choose a pumpkin tart with whipped cream, caramel fudge, chocolate quenelle and pistachios. On routes with the Emirates A380 aircraft, customers will also get a taste of Thanksgiving in the iconic onboard lounge with limited edition pumpkin cupcakes. Travellers in Economy Class to the US will also be able to indulge in a tasty, roasted turkey served with cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and roasted pumpkin in maple syrup prepared by Emirates’ award-winning chefs. Emirates leaves no stone unturned with its wide beverage selection on board to complement the celebrations. Customers can look forward to some of the finest wines and champagnes served in the skies, to enjoy with their Thanksgiving meals. In addition, Emirates has a refreshed spirits offering across all classes with a range of premium brands. Spirits on board are served on a complimentary basis across all classes and routes and include a range of whiskeys, cognacs, gins, vodka and flavoured liqueurs amongst others. The spirits offering includes a mix of niche, hand-crafted brands as well as popular and well-loved spirits such as Hennessy cognacs, including the exclusive Hennessy Paradis in First Class, which pairs well with Emirates’ pumpkin tart. Thanksgiving celebrations kick off in Emirates’ airport lounges in the US this week. From November 8 – 22, Emirates lounges in New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), San Francisco (SFO) and Los Angeles (LAX) will serve authentic Thanksgiving meals from turkey dishes to delicious mini pumpkin pies. Customers travelling out of any of the seven lounges in Dubai on Thanksgiving Day, 22nd November, will also be treated to the special menu. Thanksgiving is the latest of Emirates’ global celebrations offering customers seasonal menus in addition to its regionally inspired cuisine. Each year, the airline serves special menus for festivities around the world including Diwali, Lunar New Year, Oktoberfest, and Eid.

Thanksgiving Feast at the Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai

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Thanksgiving Feast at the Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai

It is time once again to gather family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. Indulge in the ultimate Thanksgiving dining experience with your loved ones at the Loumi restaurant in the Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai on 22nd November from7pm to 11.30pm. Savour a sumptuous buffet of traditional favourites and international specialties with live turkey carving station and wide selection of delectable desserts.

Mr. Simon Moore, General Manager of Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai, said, “As always we have a memorable culinary experience awaiting guests. Our chefs have crafted an elaborate family feast with a variety of flavours to celebrate the occasion.”

Special Thanksgiving Dinner

  • Day & Date: Thursday, 22nd November 2018
  • Time: From 7pm to 11.30pm
  • Venue: Loumi Restaurant
  • Prices:

–       AED 175 per adult with soft drink package –       AED 195 per adult with 10 house beverages –       AED 99 per child between 5 to 12 years old, below 5 years dine for free. 

For bookings please call 04 702 8888 or email: dining.mahd@millenniumhotels.com

For hotel marketing contact: Sheryl Aquiatan Assistant Marketing Manager Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai Mob: 00971 56 506 0983 Tel: 00971 4 702 8888 sheryl.aquiatan@millenniumhotels.com

For media contact: Hina Bakht Managing Director EVOPS Marketing & PR Mob: 00971 50 6975146 Tel: 00971 4 566 7355 Hina.bakht@evops-pr.com www.evops-pr.com 

Millennium Hotels and Resorts, Middle East and Africa Millennium Hotels and Resorts is a dynamic, global hotel company, which owns, asset manages and operates over 130 hotels worldwide. With almost 40,000 rooms and a portfolio of brands; including Biltmore, Grand Millennium, Millennium, Millennium Place, M Hotel, Copthorne, Kingsgate, Millennium Executive Apartments and Studio M, that serve different market segments, representing quality and value in every class.

Currently operating 35 hotels in the Middle East and Africa, the Group has an extensive expansion strategy in place, with 40 hotels in the pipeline. Each property in the region is unique, catering to the varying tastes and needs of the international business and leisure traveller but with a consistent promise to provide a first class service and a rewarding experience for guests. Millennium Hotels and Resorts is committed to differentiating itself by embracing the true spirit of diverse traditions, with a sincere respect to historical heritage and local culture.

With the motto “More than Meets the Eye”, Millennium & Copthorne is committed to a customer-centric philosophy and complete guest satisfaction.

For more information, please visit www.millenniumhotels.com

Get the ‘X Factor’ for Your Home with A/W 2018 Collection from 2XL Furniture & Home Décor

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Get the ‘X Factor’ for Your Home with A/W 2018 Collection from 2XL Furniture & Home Décor

The festive season is around the corner and it is time to dress your home incorporating the latest interior design trends. 2XL Furniture & Home Décor has just unveiled its spectacular autumn-winter living room collection. Individuality, ingenuity and creativity are the hallmarks of this gorgeous line designed to make every celebration special.

Amit Yadav, Head of Marketing at 2XL, said, “Vintage style of furniture in retro tones is definitely in. There is a strong focus on self-expressive colours such as burgundy and blue. When it comes to the soft sofas, armchairs, and ottomans, we are seeing a trend for rich and luxurious expressions in velvet. Therefore, our designers this season have composed unique ambiances combining luxurious sofas with exquisite glass and metal accessories.  In keeping with the mood, the distinctive lustre of gold is everywhere”.

 A/W 2018 Top Colours

Tobby 3-Seat Sofa: AED 5,538 Tobby Armchair: AED 1,778

 Be Bold with Blue A timeless classic, navy blue is set to be huge this autumn winter in interior design. The sophisticated dark blue tone is perfect for both a traditional design style and for those looking to achieve a modern look. The blue and white combination used here by designers at 2XL Furniture & Home Decor introduces warmth to the room without dominating it. Working with a limited monochrome palette punctuated by contrasting accessories they have created a striking design scheme.

Get the Look: Stick to just two main colours. Create a sense of intrigue by painting the wall in a dramatic dark blue shade and team it up with abstract artwork. A cluster of white background frames gives a nod to nostalgia and makes a great wall display. If you are worried about the blue colour overwhelming the space bring in a large glass chandelier that will offset the dark tones and will turn into a spectacular centerpiece.

Hive 3-Seat Burgundy Sofa: AED 5,227 Hive Burgundy Armchair: AED 3,297

Burgundy is Beautiful These luscious burgundy sofas draped in velvet from 2XL Furniture & Home Décor are not only comfortable but fit a variety of styles and settings. Combining timeless classicism with contemporary touches, the designers at 2XL make a tasteful statement. Burgundy with beige or gold is a match made in heaven. It gives a sophisticated feel without being overwhelming.

Get the Look: Elegant yet cozy and simple with a stunning texture. These beautiful pieces make a big impact when styled with the right accessories. The pendant lights will definitely be a topic for conversation during any evening. These hanging lights are a work of art that can totally transform a room. Throw in some brass finishes and you’re bang on trend! 

Scottsdale Velvet Armchair in Green: AED 2,096

Wow with Velvet Rubbing your hand over a silky-smooth velvet fabric is always a wonderful feeling yet most people struggle to incorporate velvet in their homes. However, this season it is really big on the design scene. According to 2XL Furniture & Home Décor design team “There are many ways of bringing velvet into your home. A velvet armchair can instantly add glamour to a living space without being overbearing. Try pairing a velvet armchair against a bold colour wall or a graphic wall paper. Another way to introduce the fabric to your interior are cushions with velvet covers. The trick is to go for furniture sporting simple and sculptural shapes upholstered in velvet. The mix of different textures and materials too tones down the richness of the fabric. Always keep an eye on colours that collaborate rather than clash.”

From left to right: Medium Round Tea Can: AED 265, Flower Marble Base: AED 209 and Ball Small Gold: AED 62

Add a Sparkle Infuse glamour in your living and dining spaces with metallic accents. 2XL Furniture & Home Décor has a wide range of accessories to brighten up your rooms this season. Amit said “Gold or brass toned furniture or center tables can add personality to any interior style. At the same time a colourful interior can be toned down with natural elements like wood and metal. You can either go for statement pieces of furniture or smaller decorative items to perk up coffee tables. Both gold and copper provide a warming, sophisticated glow that can be easily incorporated into interior schemes to add an element of understated, cool luxury.”

From left to right: Chandelier Brass / Amber: AED 1,831; Tealight Holder: AED 77 and Oval Light Glass Cloche: AED 160

Light it Up Whether you are looking to create an intimate and intense mood or a relaxed and casual setting, lighting has a huge impact on aesthetics and functionality. Amit stressed, “Illumination is a crucial element in all design schemes and the secret lies in details. Balance of light in a room can be changed to create different moods. For a living room central chandelier and table lamps are a good option to provide vintage glamour and elegance. As a rule, darker rooms require more ambient lighting as dark colours absorb more light. To add glamour in a room with low ceiling, select a style that is wider than it is tall for best effect. Pendant lights suspended from the top over a centre table such as the ones in the latest collection at 2XL Furniture & Home Décor are a great way to make a statement.”

For media contact: Hina Bakht Managing Director EVOPS Marketing & PR Mob: 00971 50 6975146 Tel: 00971 4 566 7355 Hina.bakht@evops-pr.com www.evops-pr.com

About 2XL Furniture & Home Décor UAE based 2XL Furniture & Home Décor is a retailer of luxury home furnishings since 2000.

The retailer currently has 9 showrooms across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah and Al Ain. The 2XL product range includes exclusive bedroom, living and dining room furniture as well as exquisitely crafted décor items, unique gifting ideas, plush rugs and gorgeous wall art, divine bed and bath linen, eye-catching tableware, and a fun, functional kitchenware range.

The 2XL range is very classic and French-inspired. Each retail item has been carefully chosen exclusively for 2XL and denotes a lifestyle that is regal, sophisticated and of a finer taste. We have something to suit every home setting – from ornate gold-plated bedroom settings to the more subdued Parisian hues of shabby chic, quirky contemporary inspirations to more ethnic Eastern-inspired décor ideas.

For more information or to shop online please visit www.2xlme.com Connect and tag us on @2xlfurniture #2XLfurniture

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