Every year we witness brands trying to create products that will help them to stand out in the crowd and, in essence, become the catalyst for change. So far, 2014 has undoubtedly been the year of the “form factor”.
Last year, TV companies hedged their bets on 3D, but sales did not reflect their high hopes. As such, it was back to the drawing board. So for 2014, they have decided to try their luck with curved displays – a development that has so far garnered mixed reviews.
The technology is certainly advancing at a rapid pace. For example, there are even TVs out there that bend at the push of a button, thus going from flat to curved and back again at your very command.
But while there are those who believe that this new form factor delivers a better, more immersive viewing experience, others are of the opinion that this is nothing but a gimmick that will cost the consumer more for little or no added value.
Regardless of the prevailing opinions, TV makers are continuing to churn out these new curved displays, and with each passing month the prices fall a little further. That said, it will be quite some time before their price points drop to the levels currently occupied by more traditional displays.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect about curved TVs is that their application is trickling down to other forms of technology, with PC monitors a case in point. This segment of the market has not had it easy in recent times, with IDC data showing that shipments continue to decline each year. As a result, vendors are doing all they can to remain relevant by coming up with new ways to reach out and appeal to the masses.
Taking their cue from the TV segment, some PC monitor vendors are looking to turn the tide by introducing curved displays of their own. LG and Dell are two of the big players to have done so, and I expect other brands to follow suit in the coming months.
For this form factor in the PC monitor segment, companies are tailoring their attention towards gamers. This makes sense, given how close users are to the screen. Imagine playing a racing game where the screen wraps around you, and even in your peripheral vision you can sense the game’s surroundings whizzing by.
And this transfer of technology does not end there. Indeed, at the forefront of this trend has been one of the hottest tech segments of 2014 – the smartwatch. Vendors have been churning out smartwatch after smartwatch since the beginning of the year in an attempt to figure out what exactly works for the customer base. And after initially going mainly with square or rectangular displays, they are now increasingly moving towards the more traditional circular watch face, with some brands also adding curved displays to their designs.
At the IFA 2014 trade show in Berlin, for example, Samsung and Asus both released rectangular smartwatches with curved displays. The technology makes perfect sense for this segment as it aids in contouring to the shape of the wrist, in essence helping to mould the device aesthetically. And the factor of aesthetics cannot be underestimated or ignored, as watches are first and foremost fashion statements.
Moving on to smartphones, a number of curved devices were unveiled last year. Samsung's Galaxy Round and LG's G Flex were two examples, with the former featuring a curve from side to side and the latter curving from top to bottom. In both cases, this new design feature did very little to add any extra value.
Undeterred, Samsung recently unveiled its highly anticipated Galaxy Note 4 line-up at IFA 2014. And while the vendor's flagship phone-tablet hybrid retains its traditional look, there has also been a new addition to the family in the form of the Galaxy Note Edge. In essence, the Galaxy Note Edge is almost identical to the Galaxy Note 4; however, it sports a slightly smaller screen with a curved display that runs down the right-hand side of the device and showcases commonly used apps, tickers, updates, shortcuts, and so forth. The device will ship to select markets later this year, but only after the Galaxy Note 4.
Although only a few uses have been showcased, Samsung has the world intrigued for what else is possible on a curved screen such as this.
One such example is taking photos on a clean canvas with the buttons and settings sitting on top of the curve and providing an uninhibited view of the shot you want to take. Or seeing notification and the stock ticker from whatever app you are in without ever having to leave.
We are only at the beginning of the journey for curved displays, but I am convinced that they are here to stay. The look and feel of curved devices certainly helps them stand out from the crowd, providing users with an X factor of sorts. And while the curves may currently be rather minimal, the rate of technological innovation will ensure that this level of modesty will not last for much longer.
Saad ElKhadem is a research analyst at IDC Middle East and Africa.
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Asia Cup 2018 final
Who: India v Bangladesh
When: Friday, 3.30pm, Dubai International Stadium
Watch: Live on OSN Cricket HD
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
England World Cup squad
Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
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'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
ENGLAND TEAM
England (15-1)
George Furbank; Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi, Owen Farrell (capt), Elliot Daly; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Courtney Lawes; Charlie Ewels, Maro Itoje; Kyle Sinckler, Jamie George, Joe Marler
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, George Kruis, Lewis Ludlam, Willi Heinz, Ollie Devoto, Jonathan Joseph
Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Yuval Noah Harari, Jonathan Cape
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
MATCH INFO
Rajasthan Royals 158-8 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 143/7 (20 ovs)
Rajasthan Royals won by 15 runs
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Rooney's club record
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Getting there
The flights
Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.
The stay
Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net
Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama
Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
Race 3
Produced: Salman Khan Films and Tips Films
Director: Remo D’Souza
Cast: Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez, Bobby Deol, Daisy Shah, Saqib Salem
Rating: 2.5 stars
Apple%20Mac%20through%20the%20years
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FULL%20FIGHT%20CARD
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Mane points for safe home colouring
- Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
- Taking hair from a dark to a light colour should involve a slow transition through warmer stages of colour
- When choosing a colour (especially a lighter tone), allow for a natural lift of warmth
- Most modern hair colours are technique-based, in that they require a confident hand and taught skills
- If you decide to be brave and go for it, seek professional advice and use a semi-permanent colour
Book%20Details
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Command%20Z
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THE BIO
Age: 33
Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill
Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.
Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?
Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
