Ring introduces its first-ever 4K cameras, with AI features, and modern design

With 1.4x magnification, advanced stabilisation, and optimised macro controls, the FE 100mm F2.8 macro GM OSS delivers stunning detail

(Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2 October 2025) – Saudi Arabia will see the release of Sony’s FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS (SEL100M28GM), the first medium telephoto macro lens in the G Master™️ series, compatible with α™️ (Alpha™️) E-mount cameras, featuring 1.4x magnification, advanced stabilisation, and intuitive handling.

Beyond Life Size 

The FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS achieves a maximum magnification of 1.4x, making it easy to capture flowers, small objects, and other close-up subjects in vivid detail, revealing subtle textures and features that are difficult to take by the naked eye.

Compatible with an optional teleconverter  (sold separately), the lens offers up to 2.8x magnification . This enables impressive close-up shots while keeping a comfortable working distance. It is ideal for subjects that are hard to approach or for avoiding unwanted reflections.

“Saudi Arabia is home to one of the region’s fastest-growing communities of creators and photography professionals, where visual storytelling is not just a passion but a cultural force,” said Hassan Obaidan, Chief Operations and Technology Products Officer at Modern Electronics Company, Sony Middle East and Africa. “The launch of the FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS in the Kingdom marks an important milestone in that journey. This lens combines technical precision with artistic versatility, giving photographers and filmmakers the ability to capture extraordinary detail, experiment with new perspectives, and elevate their craft in ways that reflect the Kingdom’s creative ambition.”

State-of-the-art Hardware Design

The optical design effectively positions elements including two XA (extreme aspherical) lenses and two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements to achieve high-resolution performance from the center to the periphery of the image, reducing chromatic and other aberrations.

To allow precise and intuitive focus adjustments for a variety of macro photography scenes, the lens offers three focus-dedicated features: a "Full-time DMF switch" enables instant MF (manual focus) by rotating the focus ring, even in AF (autofocus) mode; the "Focus Mode switch" allows instant switching between AF and MF; the "Sliding Focus Ring" enables FULL MF mode, linked to the distance and magnification scales. 

The four unique XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors that enable high-speed, high-precision and quiet lens drive, make autofocus (AF) performance up to approximately 1.9 times faster  than previous models.

A dedicated aperture ring offers quick, direct control over aperture settings.

Exquisite Image Quality

The 11-blade circular aperture produces beautiful, ball bokeh, while carefully controlled spherical aberration ensures an ideal balance of resolution and background blur – creating the signature creamy bokeh of the G Master line.

The unique "Nano AR Coating II" applies a uniform thin film to the entire lens surface, resulting in clear image quality that suppresses flare and ghosting even in backlit conditions.

An integrated optical image stabilisation system, designed for macro photography, accurately compensates for shift shake (up/down/left/right), angular shake, and front/back shake, ensuring steady handheld shots.

Availability

The FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS will be available from November across all Sony World stores in Saudi Arabia and on the Sony World website in the KSA.

For more details, visit: https://sonyworld.sa/en-sa/

For a product video, click here.

Ring introduces its first-ever 4K cameras, with AI features, and modern design 

Ring's new technology powers neighborhood safety with ultra-clear video 

  For 15 years, Ring has focused on perfecting video clarity and reliability to help customers keep an eye on what matters most. Continuing this commitment, Ring is introducing its newest 2K and 4K cameras and doorbells, marking the next step in its mission to build technology that brings customers peace of mind. 

Retinal Vision: Sharp visuals in 2K and 4K  

With Ring’s first-ever 4K lineup, Ring is setting a new standard for clarity and intelligence. Powered by advanced automated tuning technology, these devices capture critical details with lifelike precision—videos that look closer to what your eyes naturally see. This breakthrough marks Ring’s next leap in imaging technology, now available across several new 2K and 4K devices. 

Retinal Vision doesn’t just capture video; it optimizes every step of the imaging process with advanced AI tuning. It’s not just about sharper video – it’s about unlocking a new level of intelligence, where every feature becomes more effective because the foundation is crisper and closer to reality. 

Spotlight Cam Pro and Floodlight Cam Pro  

Secure and illuminate key outdoor spaces with Spotlight Cam Pro and Floodlight Cam Pro, both featuring Retinal 4K and up to 10x Enhanced Zoom to catch details event at a distance and Low-Light Site, to get a full color view, even when the lights are off. Spotlight Cam Pro features 600 lumen spotlights to illuminate smaller outdoor areas such as side gardens, alleys or patios, whilst Floodlight Cam Pro features 2000 lumen spotlights, to protect larger outdoor areas like the driveway, back garden or property boundary.  

Wired Video Doorbell Pro and Outdoor Camera Pro  

Ring’s most advanced wired video doorbell and outdoor camera come loaded with better image clarity and security features, with Retinal 4K and up to 10x enhanced zoom, Low-Light Sight and Adaptive Night Vision giving you a clearer picture, even in total darkness and 3D motion detection.  

With 10x zoom and enhanced low-light performance, Retinal 4K devices reveal details, even in the most challenging conditions. Retinal 4K technology doesn’t just capture what’s there – it brings it to life, providing a clear view that empowers users to experience their surroundings in a way that was previously impossible. It’s like seeing it with your very own eyes. 

Wired Video Doorbell Plus and Indoor Camera Plus 

Building upon years of innovation, Wired Video Doorbell Plus and Indoor Camera Plus offer crisp, true to life video with Retinal 2K, Low-Light Sight & Adaptive Night Vision to get a vibrant color view in low light, and a clearer picture even in darkness, up to 4x Enhanced Zoom. 

Availability 

‘Outdoor Camera Pro will be available for customers in UAE and KSA later this year, with all other new Ring products arriving in early 2026’

 Amazon introduces its most powerful Echo devices yet, featuring re-engineered sound, advanced processing, enhanced sensor technology, and a stunning new design 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• Four new Echo devices—Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, Echo Show 8, and Echo Show 11 seamlessly blend form and function 

• Echo Dot Max and Echo Studio deliver exceptional sound  

• Custom silicon and Omnisense fusion platform enable smarter, more personalized, and proactive Alexa experiences, including next-generation Alexa+ capabilities powered by gen-AI once available in UAE and KSA.  

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - 30 Sept 2025: Today, Amazon introduces its most advanced Echo devices ever built. The all-new Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, Echo Show 8, and Echo Show 11 deliver more processing power, premium audio, feature an all-new look and feel that ensures the customer’s enjoyment, and are ready to unlock new gen-AI experiences once through Alexa+ available in UAE and KSA,  

Smart speakers that deliver premium sound 

Echo Dot Max 

The first-ever Echo Dot Max features nearly 3x the bass compared to Echo Dot (5th gen) with room-filling sounds that automatically adapts to the space it’s in. For the first time, Echo Dot has been engineered from the ground up with two speakers. Echo Dot Max features a sophisticated two-way speaker system with a high-excursion woofer optimized for deep bass and a custom tweeter for crisp high notes. Amazon also re-architected the sound system. The new design eliminates the separate speaker module, integrating the speaker directly into the device housing to maximize the air space for fuller bass. The result is a compact speaker that packs a huge punch relative to its size, making it the best Echo Dot ever built.  

Echo Studio 

Amazon designed Echo Studio to fit elegantly into any room. It’s 40% smaller than the original and is the best sound customers can get in a smart speaker at this size. The new Echo Studio combines a powerful high-excursion woofer that delivers deep, immersive bass and three optimally placed full-range drivers to create immersive sound that fills the room. Plus, it supports spatial audio and Dolby Atmos—some of the most advanced audio technologies available—for a true surround sound experience.  

In addition to premium audio, this new smart speaker features a new modern spherical design and premium material. The fabric has been knit in 3D to maintain the ultimate acoustic transparency. And, Amazon has added an engaging visual understanding model to the familiar light ring.  

Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11- Smart displays with stunning new design 

The displays on the Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 combine in-cell touch and negative liquid crystal design to deliver an amazing viewing experience, and ambient visuals that adapt to the environment. This approach allows Amazon to reduce layers of lamination and maximize the viewing angle. The picture quality is exceptional with improved clarity in both bright and dimly lit rooms. These all-new high-density, high-definition displays pack in over a million pixels and are complemented by a 13MP camera for crystal-clear video calls. Amazon also maximized the viewable screen area, where even more of the content that matters to our customers most comes to surface. 

The new Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11 feature an all-new audio architecture. Both devices include new front-facing stereo speakers and a custom woofer for room-filling spatial audio that make them our best-sounding smart displays available when they launch. The full-range drivers are strategically placed under the floating displays, and are meticulously designed to fire audio frontwards to deliver incredibly clear sound directly toward the customer.  

Designed exclusively for Echo Show 8 and Echo Show 11, Amazon will also be introducing an adjustable stand (sold separately) thoughtfully crafted to complement each device's design and color. The stand allows for interactions at the perfect angle, every time. 

Custom silicon for powerful, enhanced experiences 

At the core of Amazon’s new Echo devices are two custom designed silicon chips—[AZ3] and [AZ3 Pro]—and an all-new AI Accelerator designed to run AI edge models of the future. Echo Dot Max uses AZ3 to enable better conversation detection—one of the most important, yet challenging parts of building an ambient AI anyone can talk to from anywhere in the room. AZ3 powers Amazon’s best microphones yet, supporting even more natural, free-flowing interactions with Alexa, filtering out background noise and improving Alexa’s ability to detect the wake-word by nearly 50%. Echo Studio, Echo Show 8, and Echo Show 11 include the more advanced AZ3 Pro, which builds on the power of AZ3’s audio capabilities, adding support for state-of-the-art language models and vision transformers.  

Built on top of this silicon is Omnisense, Amazon’s custom sensor platform designed for ambient AI. Omnisense leverages a range of sensors and signals—the 13-megapixel camera on new Echo Show devices, audio, ultrasound, WiFi radar, accelerometer, and WiFi CSI—enabling more personalized, proactive, and helpful Alexa experiences.  

The most advanced Echo devices yet 

The next generation of Echo hardware is built for the future of AI, making them ready for Alexa+, Amazon’s assistant powered by generative AI. All four new devices feature advanced hardware capabilities to power next-generation experiences when they become available in the UAE and KSA, while delivering faster and more helpful interactions today. 

Pricing and availability 

The new lineup of Echo devices is available for customers in United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia by the end of the year (2025).

The partnership between the two companies is a testament to their shared commitment to advancing sustainable aviation fuel and accelerating the transition to a net-zero future for aviation

UAE, 30 September 2025

Smartenergy, a leading Swiss-based renewable energy investment firm, today announced the signing of a landmark strategic partnership with Q8 Aviation, the international aviation energy arm of Kuwait Petroleum International (KPI), This agreement establishes Q8 Aviation as a cornerstone long-term offtake partner for Smartenergy’s planned production of synthetic sustainable aviation fuel (eSAF), marking a pivotal step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future for the global aviation sector. Q8 Aviation will purchase electricity-based Sustainable Aviation Fuel (eSAF) from Smartenergy, marking a step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future for the global aviation sector.

Under the agreement, Q8 Aviation will secure access to a share of Smartenergy’s future eSAF output to help it meet the needs of its customers and to comply with e-SAF mandate within the REFuelEU Aviation and the UK SAF mandate,  while reinforcing its leading role in decarbonizing aviation. 

This partnership aligns with the rapidly growing need for sustainable aviation fuels as airlines and regulators push for net-zero emissions targets from aviation, one of the most carbon intensive and fastest growing form of transport. eSAF offers the greatest potential for emissions reduction when produced using green hydrogen from renewable energy and captured biogenic CO₂. eSAF is a drop in fuel that can be seamlessly integrated into existing aircraft and infrastructure, delivering >90% lifecycle greenhouse gas emission reductions compared to conventional jet fuel. The eSAF is currently in its early stages, expected to play a critical role in meeting the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive and the UK SAF mandate, both of which set ambitious decarbonization targets for aviation. By combining Smartenergy’s leadership in renewable energy and e-fuel production with Q8 Aviation’s operational reach, the partnership aims to help close the global supply gap and meet the surging demand for sustainable fuels.

“This is more than just a commercial agreement it’s a shared commitment to reshaping the future of aviation, by working alongside a partner of Q8 Aviation’s caliber and global scale, we are positioning our projects to make a measurable, lasting impact on the future of aviation fuels.” said Horst H. Mahmoudi, Chairman & CEO of SMARTENERGY Group AG.

The partnership will initially focus on Smartenergy’s two flagship eSAF projects in Portugal. Project Galileu and Project Leça which together are expected to contribute significantly toward Europe’s 2030 eSAF madante. Both facilities are being developed to comply with the RFNBO (Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin) standards under EU RED III guidelines, ensuring that the fuel meets the highest sustainability and traceability benchmarks.

Q8 Aviation’s decision to secure a long-term eSAF offtake from Smartenergy signals a strong vote of confidence in both the technology and the partnership. With its vast global footprint, Q8 Aviation is uniquely positioned to accelerate the adoption of sustainable fuels by providing the necessary scale and infrastructure to deliver eSAF to major international carriers.

Partnership enables faster SME payments and scalable digital lending infrastructure in Egypt

Dubai, UAE – 29 September, 2025: CIFC, the non-bank financial institution (NBFI) subsidiary of CIB , has announced a strategic partnership with Fundbot, the fintech solution to launch a fully digital factoring and embedded lending platform in Egypt. This initiative  highlights CIFC’s commitment to supporting the country’s corporate clients and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by accelerating access to working capital and enabling faster, more efficient payments.

This collaboration reinforces CIFC’s position at the forefront of financial innovation in Egypt. By leveraging Fundbot’s comprehensive Lending Management System a – digitized workflow from the onboarding and credit decisioning to disbursement and collection - CIFC is ensuring its clients gain timely access to financing solutions that fuel growth and stability.

Mr. Ahmed Elkholy, CEO at CIFC said “We are proud to partner with Fundbot to bring cutting-edge digital factoring solutions to Egypt. This collaboration reinforces CIFC’s commitment to creating innovative financial tools  within the NBFI sector;  that aim to improve access to working capital and supply chain financing schemes across all economic sectors, streamline operations, and drive growth across the Egyptian economy.” 

As CIFC leads the initiative, Fundbot expressed pride in being selected as the technology partner for this milestone project. Karl Abou Zeid, CEO at Fundbot added “We are honored to collaborate with CIFC to introduce such a transformative solution to the Egyptian market. Our platform is designed to empower institutions like CIFC to scale their operations efficiently and deliver meaningful impact to their clients. 

With this launch, CIFC continues to build on its track record of delivering innovative financial services tailored to the needs of Egyptian businesses, positioning itself as a trusted partner for growth across all sectors.

• Banke International Properties ranked 33rd Best Workplace in Asia by Great Place to Work

• The UAE ranks #1 globally in hiring optimism for Q3 2025

Dubai, UAE – 28 September 2025 – As the UAE continues to rank #1 globally in hiring optimism in 2025, Banke International Properties has been recognized once again by Great Place to Work®️, earning multiple accolades that highlight its commitment to building a supportive and inclusive workplace. The company, which has been GPTW Certified for three consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2025), was ranked 8th Best Workplace in the UAE 2025, 14th Best Workplace in Real Estate GCC 2025, and 33rd Best Workplace in Asia 2025.

With more than 600 employees from over 30 nationalities, Banke reflects Dubai’s diverse, multicultural fabric. These recognitions underscore the company’s ongoing efforts to foster an environment where people feel motivated, supported, and given opportunities to grow.

As the UAE continues to lead the region in workplace transformation and talent attraction, the focus on people-first cultures has never been more important. In the first half of 2025, the non-oil sector recorded a strong 5.1% GDP growth alongside a steady PMI score of 53.5, signaling robust private sector confidence and sustained job creation . The momentum is clear in the labor market as well: the UAE ranks #1 globally in hiring optimism for Q3 2025, with a Net Employment Outlook (NEO) of +48%, nearly double the global average of +24% . Overall employment grew 4.5% year-on-year as of September 2025, fueled by economic diversification, digital transformation, and the region’s landmark mega-projects, all of which are reshaping expectations of what the modern workplace should deliver.

Porush Jhunjhunwala, founder and CEO of Banke International Properties, said:  “Banke’s story has always been one of ambition and growth. From our beginnings in Dubai to now operating across multiple markets, our success is built on two things: our people and our purpose. These recognitions from Great Place to Work®️ are not just about employee satisfaction; they are proof that a strong culture drives performance, loyalty, and expansion. As we continue to grow across the UAE, GCC, and internationally, culture remains the backbone of our strategy. A company can’t scale sustainably without investing in the people who carry its vision forward, and that’s exactly what makes Banke different

Aditi Jhunjhunwala, Head of Operations of Banke International Properties, added: “What makes this recognition so meaningful is that it comes directly from our team. Their feedback has shaped everything we’ve built at Banke, from Banke Academy’s learning and leadership programs to wellness initiatives, cultural celebrations, and recognition platforms. We’re proud that many of our earliest employees are still with us today, growing alongside the company, and equally proud that women now lead across departments. For me, that’s the real measure of success: creating an environment where people feel supported, valued, and inspired to build long-term careers.”

As the UAE strengthens its position as a global hub for talent and innovation, the importance of workplace culture is only growing. Banke’s journey shows how listening to employees and investing in their development can shape not just a stronger company but also a stronger community.