News
Snapchat Geo-filters, Instagram ‘Stories’, Samsung Note 7, Facebook ‘Selfie Mode’ and more
![snapchat-geo-filters,-linkedin-videos,-apple-music,-samsung-note-7,-instagram-stories](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/snapchat-geo-filters-linkedin-videos-apple-music-samsung-note-7-instagram-stories.png)
Snapchat introduced Geo-filters, Facebook imitated Snapchat again with “Stories” on Instagram and “Selfie mode” on Facebook. Samsung is back with its Note 7, the first smartphone to have IRIS scanner. Linkedin is finally adapting videos, Apple Music entered the Android, and finally for this week, BlackBerry’s core apps are coming to Android.
Check out this week’s top news in details:
1. Snapchat Geo-filters
Whether it’s for a house party or wedding, a coffee shop or campus-wide event, Geo-filters make it easy for Snapchatters who are there to send messages to friends.
According to Snapchat, businesses and individuals alike can purchase On-Demand Geo-filters for their event, business, or a specific location. Brand logos and trade-marks are permitted.
Geo-filters are currently available for few locations, including Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Honolulu, London, Sydney, São Paulo, Paris, and Riyadh.
Also, artists and designers are encouraged to create and submit a free Community Geo-filter for their city, university, a local landmark, or another public location. No brand logos allowed. Submit your geo-filter now
2. Instagram ‘Stories’
[vimeo 177180549 w=640 h=480]
Stories? Yes, you read it right, Instagram just imitated Snapchat “Stories” by introducing “Instagram Stories”, a new feature which lets you share all the moments and expire after 24 hours just like Snapchat, alongside with the ones you want to keep on your profile. As you share multiple photos and videos, they appear together in a slideshow format: your story.
Instagram’s new Stories is literally similar to Sanpchat Stories, both despairing after 24 hours, same privacy settings, both allowing users to start a conversation from the stories, both allowing you share old photos to your story but in different ways and both has Doodles and emojis, but Instagram drawing tools is little bit advance.
Instagram CEO said “Snapchat team deserve all the credit”.
3. Facebook is testing a new feature: ‘Selfie mode’
Facebook copying Snapchat race has no end, Facebook is testing now in Canada and Brazil a new feature called “Selfie mood” similar to Snapchat opening screen. According to Dailymail
Facebook’s spokesperson said “It’s an experimental feature and the feature was ‘inspired’ by Snapchat.”
4. Samsung unboxed Note7 and for the 1st time in history of self-phones it’s coming IRIS scanner:
Last Tuesday the south Korean giant announced in New York, the most powerful Android phone ever, maybe – with IRIS scanner to let you lock your phone and files by eyes!
The new phone is coming with 5.7 Quad HD with dual edges, Dual pixel 12MP rear camera, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB internal memory, 3500 mAh Battery and Android 6.0.1.
Note 7 is water proving and the new pen too, the pen will be able to translate any word and create GIFs.
5. Linkedin is joining the videos party
Linkedin said that we can finally upload videos — in this phase, influencers only can upload videos. They can start posting 30-second videos in the main feed that users can comment on, like, and share.
6. Apple Music is now on … Android!
After months of beta, Apple Music is now accessible for Android smartphones users.
Like iOS, Android users will be able to stream more than 30 million songs, check out on-demand curated radio stations. listen to playlists created by music experts and tune into the 24-7 Beats 1 radio station to hear music selected by DJs from around the world.
7. BlackBerry’s core apps are coming to Android:
BlackBerry’s will allow Android users download the core suite of productivity services.
Most of the phones running the “Marshmallow” variant of Android will be able to run the BlackBerry Hub+, Hub+ is a suite of applications that provides unified access to various email and social media accounts, as well as a calendar, a password manager and contacts, task, device search and note-taking features.
BlackBerry Hub+ will be available for a 30-day trial free of charge, then they will start charge $0.99 a month for the full access.
See you next Sunday
News
Saudi Fintech Lendo Signs MOU with J.P. Morgan
![Saudi Startup Lendo Joins Forces with J.P. Morgan to Enhance SME Financing](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Lendo-x-JP-Morgan-MOU.png)
Lendo, a Saudi Arabia-based Shariah-compliant crowdlending marketplace, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today with J.P. Morgan to improve access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.
The MOU was signed during 24 Fintech, a premier fintech event that brings together industry leaders, innovators, and investors in Riyadh.
J.P. Morgan and Lendo are working together on potential opportunities to support the SME sector in Saudi Arabia in growing and sustaining the remarkable demand in this market.
“This strategic collaboration with J.P. Morgan, a pioneer in the financial industry, marks a significant milestone for Lendo,” said Osama Alraee, CEO and co-founder of Lendo. “By combining our strengths, we’ll deliver cutting-edge financial solutions to SMEs, supporting their growth and contributing directly to the realization of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”
The SME financing landscape in MENA presents a substantial market opportunity as limited financial access continues to restrict the growth of the region’s businesses, with commercial banks hesitant to issue loans to SMEs at scale, resulting in a high percentage of declined financing requests annually.
The total SME financing gap in developing countries is estimated to be approximately $5.2 trillion, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Lendo’s debt crowdfunding platform aims to bridge the financing gap for SMEs, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to significantly expand SME lending from 4% in 2018 to 20% by 2030.
According to the latest available report from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), the total value of debt crowdfunding in Saudi Arabia surged from SAR 1.4 million in 2019 to SAR 771 million in 2022, marking a remarkable growth.
Lendo raised SAR 132 million ($35.2 million) in total funding from leading investors, including the most recent Series B led by Sanabil Investments, a wholly-owned company by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Since its inception in December 2019, Saudi fintech Lendo has processed over 5,000 financing transactions on its platform, providing over SAR 2 billion ($600 million) in financing to SMEs and generating SAR 280 million ($74 million) in returns for investors.
News
TA Telecom Introduces AnteThink: A New AI Decision Support Tool
![**TA Telecom Introduces AnteThink: A New AI Decision Support Tool for Enhanced Decision-Making**](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/antethink-ta-telecom.png)
TA Telecom, a prominent player in the Middle East’s tech sector, has unveiled AnteThink, an AI-driven tool designed to enhance decision-making processes for individuals and businesses alike.
With a history of influencing the tech landscape through various initiatives, including advanced mobile solutions, high-volume payment platforms, and ventures in e-commerce, fintech, and analytics, TA Telecom has carved a niche for itself. Serving a vast user base of 40 million and processing an impressive 15 billion transactions across its platforms, TA Telecom has cemented its position as a tech industry leader, with some of its ventures achieving the status of Y Combinator companies.
Established in 2000, TA Telecom has emerged as a prominent player in the technology sector. With over 40 million users and processing 15 billion transactions annually, TA Telecom has made a notable impact. Recognized for its contributions by the Financial Times and featured on Deloitte’s list of fastest-growing tech companies in EMEA, TA Telecom is known for its adaptability and forward-thinking approach in the ever-evolving global tech landscape.
Sameh Ibrahim, CEO of TA Telecom, highlights the potential of AnteThink: “AnteThink reflects our commitment to leverage technology for practical impact. It aims to provide clarity and confidence in decision-making, whether in the professional or personal sphere. AnteThink is a tool that can empower startup founders, executives, and individuals to make more informed choices, alleviating the stress and uncertainty often associated with critical decision-making.”
Mostafa Ashour, CEO of Y Combinator-backed startup NowPay, shared his perspective on AnteThink: “AnteThink transformed our strategic planning, allowing us to explore various scenarios and prepare for different outcomes. It has strengthened our decision-making process, helping us navigate the complexities of the business landscape.”
AnteThink embodies TA Telecom’s commitment to innovation, focusing on supporting the startup ecosystem. The tool is tailored to help leaders and executives navigate the complexities of business management and strategic development by providing a clear picture of potential outcomes.
Key Features of AnteThink include:
1. Second Order Mode: Offering a comprehensive analysis of broader impacts, fostering a strategic mindset for long-term success.
2. Optionality Mode: Enabling detailed evaluation and comparison of different choices to ensure decisions align with strategic objectives and values.
3. Inversion Mode: Focusing on identifying and mitigating potential risks, thereby strengthening risk management strategies.
![TA Telecom Introduces AnteThink: A New AI Decision Support Tool for Enhanced Decision-Making](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/antethink-screenshot-800x450.png)
Credit: Antethink
AnteThink’s advanced AI technology aims to assist decision-makers with insightful analytics, offering guidance through the decision-making process.
News
GoDaddy’s Global Markets VP Predicts Egypt’s E-commerce to Hit $9.88 Billion by 2028
![GoDaddy's Global Markets VP Predicts Egypt's E-commerce to Hit $9.88 Billion by 2028](https://adigitalboom.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Selina-Bieber-the-Senior-Director-of-Global-Markets-at-GoDaddy.webp)
Selina Bieber, the Senior Director of Global Markets at GoDaddy, has predicted a significant increase in Egypt’s e-commerce revenue. By 2028, it could reach $9.88 billion.
Godaddy is forming strategic partnerships and launching initiatives to help local entrepreneurs. These efforts align with Egypt’s digital transformation goals and its Vision 2030.
In an interview with the Arabic financial news “Amwal Al Ghad,” Bieber spoke about GoDaddy’s plans and how they match Egypt’s 2023 strategy. She highlighted the company’s aim to provide effective, easy-to-use digital tools and services. By 2024, GoDaddy wants to serve more customers in Egypt by making its digital tools more widespread.
The company is working closely with the Egyptian government, especially the Ministry of Planning. They are offering training programs to improve the digital skills of startups and existing businesses. GoDaddy’s services in Egypt include domain registration, web hosting, e-commerce solutions, and digital marketing tools.
Recent surveys support Bieber’s positive outlook for e-commerce in Egypt. They show a clear trend towards digital strategies among small businesses. Many are realizing the importance of having an online presence for their growth and success.
As GoDaddy continues its partnerships and supports government digital initiatives, its influence on Egypt’s digital landscape is growing. The company is committed to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. It aims not just for business growth but also to contribute to a sustainable and thriving digital economy in Egypt.
The 2028 projection indicates a vast potential for e-commerce, with GoDaddy playing a key role in this digital evolution.
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