Samsung teased its latest virtual world offering last month and the product may be available soon.
The world's biggest mobile phone manufacturer is preparing for its first Unpacked event this year. The first major smartphone launch of 2025 could set the tone for the wider industry.
Samsung will unveil its latest flagship device, expected to be the Galaxy S25 series, in San Jose, California. However, that could be upstaged by what has been called Project Moohan and another possible surprise that may beat Apple in one aspect.
What is Project Moohan?
The Galaxy S24 focused on artificial intelligence. Arguably the defining moment of the last Unpacked was the surprise, albeit very brief, unveiling of the Galaxy Ring.
This time, Project Moohan – first teased by Samsung on December 13 – could be the major talking point. It's the company's move into the virtual world offering a combination of virtual, augmented and mixed realities.
Samsung isn't a newcomer to the area, as it already has its Gear VR headsets. But Project Moohan is special because it's the first hardware to be developed for Google's Android XR operating system, which is being positioned to rival Apple's Vision Pro and its visionOS.
Details on Project Moohan have been minimal. However, The Verge was able to demo the headset last month, describing it as “a mix between a Meta Quest 3 and Vision Pro”.
It is unclear when Samsung began developing the hardware. It may, however, formally introduce the device – or at least tease it further – at Unpacked.
That would make sense to build interest and hype for the product. However, that doesn't mean it will be available soon. There could be more testing and any initial release would only be for testers who can give feedback. It took Apple seven months from formally introducing the Vision Pro to selling them.
Aside from operating with Vision Pro, Project Moohan could also be an opportunity for Google to make up for the failure of Google Glass and compete with Meta Platforms' Ray-Ban smart glasses.
What to expect for the Galaxy S25
Despite the interest in Project Moohan, Samsung's latest Galaxy S line-up will still be the headliner of Unpacked.
Three new smartphones are expected to be released – the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25+ and the Galaxy S25 Ultra.
However, there are no expected major upgrades. Design-wise, leaks have suggested that the S25 phones will adopt rounder corners, with everything else remaining similar to the S24 model.
Samsung will probably focus on improvements on its Galaxy AI platform, which made its debut a year ago with the S24, which we described as the dawn of the AI smartphone at the time.
The revamped One UI 7 platform is also expected to feature the Now Bar, which lets you access crucial information and actions, such as translations, in a similar way to the iPhone's Dynamic iIsland. However, it'll only be on the lock screen and is located below, unlike Dynamic Island which animates the front camera area on top.
There's also speculation that Samsung may increase the prices of the S25 devices, though such rumours have always been reported before each Unpacked.
Slimming down?
Talk of a slimmer version of the Galaxy S25 first emerged in October. The latest rumours suggest it may not even be available when Samsung announces it.
The purported Galaxy S25 Slim – also being tagged as SE, or Special Edition – is said to have a 170 170-millimetre screen and a thickness of only 6.4 millimetres; for comparison, the upcoming S25 Ultra is expected to be 8.2 millimetres thick.
Noted tech tipster Evan Blass has said that the slim version “will almost certainly not be offered through US carriers”. Phone Arena, citing a “historically trusted source”, said it'll only be available in 39 markets, including Egypt, India, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE.
The move would see Samsung beating Apple in releasing a slimmer smartphone amid rumours that Apple chief executive Tim Cook will introduce what's being called the iPhone 17 Air this year.
Samsung and Apple potentially launching slimmer versions of its devices could lead to another battle between smartphone providers, particularly if other companies follow suit.
Samsung has its work cut out: Apple ended last year with the most global smartphone market share, data from Canalys showed last week.
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
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If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
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Overview
What: The Arab Women’s Sports Tournament is a biennial multisport event exclusively for Arab women athletes.
When: From Sunday, February 2, to Wednesday, February 12.
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Disciplines: Athletics, archery, basketball, fencing, Karate, table tennis, shooting (rifle and pistol), show jumping and volleyball.
Participating countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar and UAE.
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Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
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T10 Cricket League
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
December 14- 17
6pm, Opening ceremony, followed by:
Bengal Tigers v Kerala Kings
Maratha Arabians v Pakhtoons
Tickets available online at q-tickets.com/t10
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Sudden change in behaviour or displays higher levels of stress or anxiety
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Ability to sleep well diminishes
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Changes in eating habits
Struggles to concentrate
Refuses to go to school
Behaviour changes and is aggressive towards siblings
Begins to use language they do not normally use
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Like a Fading Shadow
Antonio Muñoz Molina
Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez
Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)
The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
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Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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Results
1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix - 3:45:47
2. David Dekker (NED) Jumbo-Visma - same time
3. Michael Morkov (DEN) Deceuninck-QuickStep
4. Emils Liepins (LAT) Trek-Segafredo
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6. Tadej Pogacar (SLO UAE Team Emirates
7. Anthony Roux (FRA) Groupama-FDJ
8. Chris Harper (AUS) Jumbo-Visma - 0:00:03
9. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep
10. Fausto Masnada (ITA) Deceuninck-QuickStep
