The Consumer Electronics Show 2020, one of the world's biggest technology trade fairs, will see global leaders in consumer electronics unveil ground-breaking innovation over the next four days.
The National takes a look at the major trends being featured at the annual extravaganza in Las Vegas this year.
AI-powered vehicles
Sony unveiled a prototype of an autonomous vehicle. The car integrates imaging and sensing technologies for safer and reliable autonomous driving experience.
"It's not an exaggeration to say that mobile has been the mega-trend of the last decade … the next mega-trend will be mobility," said the Japanese tech manufacturer's president and chief executive, Kenichiro Yoshida.
Sony's car has more than 30 sensors to detect people and objects inside and outside, and provides a 360-degree view for safer driving.
5G moving beyond smartphones
China's hardware manufacturer Lenovo launched one of the world's first 5G personal computers – Yoga 5G. Powered by a Qualcomm processor, it delivers high-speed network connectivity, up to 10 times faster than 4G.
Lenovo's competitor, HP, also unveiled a 5G-enabled convertible laptop that will be available to consumers later in the summer, according to the company.
"Qualcomm continues to lead in LTE [4G] connected PCs, allowing users to have blazing fast connectivity while on the go, and we are thrilled to drive 5G-connected PCs in collaboration with HP," said Alex Katouzian, senior vice president and general manager of Qualcomm's mobile business.
Smart living
South Korean company LG showcased AI innovations to transform daily living for consumers. The company's ThinQ Home experience begins with a "smart door" that verifies visitors with facial recognition and vein authentication.
There are smart sensors fitted to detect the presence of people in a room and adjust the temperature and airflow of air conditioning . While exiting, a door display will provide information on weather and traffic conditions.
110cm TV for TikTok and Instagram
Samsung – the leader in visual display market for 13 consecutive years – has come up with a new 4K TV designed for millennials, Sero. It can switch from the default landscape mode to a portrait angle by rotating its 109.2-centimetre screen. By linking Samsung smartphones with Sero, users can view Instagram stories, TikTok videos and Snapchat content on a bigger screen.
"It's not only social network platforms that are supporting vertical videos but companies in Australia and China are producing TV content in vertical orientation as well," Abbas Ali, managing editor of TechRadar Middle East, told The National.
The company also announced its soon to launch QLED 8K television line-up that has higher resolution, more realistic audio and interactive experiences designed to usher in a new era of over-the-air transmission broadcasting.
Alexa is coming to your car
Amazon is entering the car market in 2020. Its voice assistant, Alexa, will be available in vehicles manufactured by Rivian and Lamborghini, the car makers announced separately on Monday.
Earlier, the e-commerce giant had said it would offer Alexa in General Motors and Volkswagen vehicles from this year. The company will also roll out Echo Auto – which lets users talk to Alexa and control music – into markets outside of the US this year.
“We’ve seen so many examples of how Alexa can make life easier and more convenient for customers, and now we’re focused on bringing Alexa to places beyond the home – starting with the car,” Amazon wrote in a blog post.
Streaming war heats up
The CES event is going to be a battleground for new streaming services. Companies such as Quibi and NBC Universal are scheduled to announce their content offering, following the recent launch of Disney's streaming service.
Both Quibi and NBC Universal's Peacock service will be launched in April.
There is an intense competition when it comes to pricing, which will play a crucial role in consumers’ subscription decisions. Earlier, Quibi said its service would start from only $5 (Dh18.3) a month.
AT&T's HBO Max, which is aiming for a May launch, will also present at CES.
A pocket-sized flying photographer
US company AirSelfie will introduce its handy aerial drone that makes the process of taking selfies easy and seamless.
The AI-powered drone allows users to take stunning aerial photo and video selfies. Supported by both iOS and Android operating systems, AirSelfie can also work without a smartphone connection.
Joe Root's Test record
Tests: 53; Innings: 98; Not outs: 11; Runs: 4,594; Best score: 254; Average: 52.80; 100s: 11; 50s: 27
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tips for taking the metro
- set out well ahead of time
- make sure you have at least Dh15 on you Nol card, as there could be big queues for top-up machines
- enter the right cabin. The train may be too busy to move between carriages once you're on
- don't carry too much luggage and tuck it under a seat to make room for fellow passengers
Results
5pm: Wadi Nagab – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Al Falaq, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ahmed Al Shemaili (trainer)
5.30pm: Wadi Sidr – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Fakhama, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
6.30pm: Wadi Shees – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mutaqadim, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-1 – Listed (PA) Dh230,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Bahar Muscat, Antonio Fresu, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Wadi Tayyibah – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Poster Paint, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
MATCH INFO
Europa League final
Who: Marseille v Atletico Madrid
Where: Parc OL, Lyon, France
When: Wednesday, 10.45pm kick off (UAE)
TV: BeIN Sports
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m, Winner SS Lamea, Saif Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer).
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,400m, Winner AF Makerah, Sean Kirrane, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m, Winner Maaly Al Reef, Brett Doyle, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh90,000 1,600m, Winner AF Momtaz, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m, Winner Morjanah Al Reef, Brett Doyle, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 2,200m, Winner Mudarrab, Jim Crowley, Erwan Charpy
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test Thursday-Monday at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Saudi Cup race day
Schedule in UAE time
5pm: Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Motors Cup (Turf), 5.35pm: 1351 Cup (T), 6.10pm: Longines Turf Handicap (T), 6.45pm: Obaiya Arabian Classic for Purebred Arabians (Dirt), 7.30pm: Jockey Club Handicap (D), 8.10pm: Samba Saudi Derby (D), 8.50pm: Saudia Sprint (D), 9.40pm: Saudi Cup (D)
THE BIO
Ambition: To create awareness among young about people with disabilities and make the world a more inclusive place
Job Title: Human resources administrator, Expo 2020 Dubai
First jobs: Co-ordinator with Magrudy Enterprises; HR coordinator at Jumeirah Group
Entrepreneur: Started his own graphic design business
Favourite singer: Avril Lavigne
Favourite travel destination: Germany and Saudi Arabia
Family: Six sisters
Where to apply
Applicants should send their completed applications - CV, covering letter, sample(s) of your work, letter of recommendation - to Nick March, Assistant Editor in Chief at The National and UAE programme administrator for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism, by 5pm on April 30, 2020.
Please send applications to nmarch@thenational.ae and please mark the subject line as “Rosalynn Carter Fellowship for Mental Health Journalism (UAE programme application)”.
The local advisory board will consider all applications and will interview a short list of candidates in Abu Dhabi in June 2020. Successful candidates will be informed before July 30, 2020.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, last-16 second leg
Paris Saint-Germain (1) v Borussia Dortmund (2)
Kick-off: Midnight, Thursday, March 12
Stadium: Parc des Princes
Live: On beIN Sports HD
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
