COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ON THE RISE IN PAKISTAN

Pakistan’s commercial real estate stock is fast becoming a booming part of the property market as reported by Lamudi.pk. The property portal reported a 78 percent increase in the total number of commercial property searches, conducted on the platform since January 2015.

The majority of these searches were reported from Karachi, followed by Lahore and then Islamabad. This indicates the rising interest of investors in commercial properties. Moreover, the recent launch of Pakistan’s first real estate investment trust (REIT), on the Dolmen City Mall, played a fundamental role in boosting interest of investors in the commercial property asset class.

Saad Arshed, Country Director of Lamudi Pakistan said: “Pakistan’s commercial property sector holds a bright future. With western-style retailing, such as shopping malls becoming more popular and REITs being launched on these shopping malls, commercial property stock has a long way to go.

Apart from these shopping malls, Lamudi has also registered an increase in demand for office spaces, especially virtual offices. Moreover, with the security situation improving in Pakistan, which contributes to increased investor confidence, especially that of international retailers, the commercial property market has plenty of room to expand and grow.”

Commercial areas in Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi have attracted the most funding from investors for new projects. However, smaller cities such as Gujranwala and Faisalabad are no far behind and have new commercial projects springing up such as the Saremco Center, Model City etc.

Lamudi continuously strives to improve user experience. Keeping in view, the increase in demand of commercial properties, it launched the “New Developments” section, which features both residential and commercial projects and makes it easier for users to find their dream commercial property online.

Pak Qatar Family Takaful signs Takaful Distribution Agreement with KASB Modaraba

Pak Qatar Family Takaful Limited and KASB Modaraba have entered into a Takaful distribution agreement. The signing ceremony was held at Pak-Qatar Family Takaful Head Office in the presence of senior officials from both business partners including Nasir Ali Syed (CEO), Muhammad Menhas (Deputy CEO and Country Sales Head) and Kamran Rashid (Head of BancaTakaful and ADC) from Pak-Qatar Family Takaful Ltd. Whereas KASB Modaraba was represented by Rashid K. Siddiqui (Chief Executive Officer), Mahmood Ali Shah Bukhari (Chief Operating Officer) and Liaquat Mahmood Shah (GM Operations).

Muhammad Menhas, Deputy CEO and Country Sales Head (PQFTL) on the occasion said, “This relationship will act as a benchmark of quality and service in the coming days for BancaTakaful industry. We are proud to with a prestigious Islamic Financial Institution like KASB Modaraba. The business venture will benefit both parties in terms of revenue and cross-selling of products whereby they will be using their resources and Marketing channels for the promotion of takaful products.

Mahmood Ali Shah Bukhari and Rashid K. Siddiqui while speaking at the ceremony said, “We feel there is a genuine need amongst our customers for Life Takaful products and we believe this association with Pak-Qatar Family Takaful Ltd. will add tremendous value to KASB Modaraba in future.”

KASB Modaraba is a multipurpose, perpetual and multi dimensional Modaraba company -  an Islamic Financial Institution extending financial facilities to its customers in accordance with Shariah principles. Over the years, KASB Modaraba has operated with a strong Code of Business Ethics, showing robust growth and performance.

Samsung Electronics Shows How to Bring the Internet of Things to Life at IFA 2015

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today demonstrated how it is taking the Internet of Things (IoT) from vision to reality, using its IFA 2015 press conference in Berlin to showcase a range of new connected devices and IoT services. Samsung’s latest contributions to the rapidly growing IoT ecosystem are deeply rooted in the company’s core philosophy for IoT: openness, cross-industry collaboration and – most importantly - a human-centric approach.

“For Samsung, IFA 2015 is all about the Internet of Things. We are certain that IoT will revolutionize the world of consumer electronics, and this is our opportunity to update you on how far we have come in just a year,” said Dr W.P. Hong, Chief Marketing Officer for Samsung Electronics. “Every year, Samsung sells more than 300 million products to European consumers. Today, our products are used by 85 million Europeans - at home, and increasingly at work. No organization is better placed to ensure that the latest industrial revolution is driven not by technology, but by people’s expectations. Our vision is of an IoT that’s ‘In Sync With Life’, that’s an IoT for you.”

To get a sneak peek of the infinite possibilities of IoT, visit Samsung’s IoT zone at the center of Samsung’s stand in the CityCube at Messe Berlin, which was created in collaboration with renowned architect Feruccio Laviani.

Samsung SmartThings Hub, with ‘Smart Home Monitor’ Solution

Samsung SmartThings launched a new line-up of more powerful and easier to use IoT devices, and is taking them global.

Alex Hawkinson, the founder and CEO of SmartThings, said that for the Internet of Things to succeed, IoT devices must to be extremely user-friendly, while also giving consumers the ability to customize and seamlessly access tools that offer peace of mind when they’re away from home. The new Samsung SmartThings Hub, sensors and updated mobile app, launch in the United States today, in the United Kingdom next week, and will roll out across Europe in 2016.

The new Samsung SmartThings Hub has a more powerful processor that enables video monitoring, and includes a battery backup that lasts up to 10 hours in case of a power outage. Balancing privacy with security, the video monitoring capability allows people to access a livestream at any time, yet only records video when an unexpected event, such as motion by the front door, is detected.

SmartThings is also introducing a new solution called ‘Smart Home Monitor’ which provides unified access and control against intrusion, smoke and fire, leaks and floods, and other common household issues by delivering real-time notifications and video clips from multiple cameras via the SmartThings app.

Personalized Well-Being with Samsung SleepSense

A good night’s sleep is one of the most important factors for a healthy life, and Samsung SleepSense helps consumers to better understand and manage their sleep. The sensor is a flat disk, and simply by placing it under a bed’s mattress, it provides contactless monitoring of a person’s heart and respiratory rate including movements during sleep.

The SleepSense is a connected device that helps create the best environment for falling and staying asleep. It connects to Samsung appliances as well as third party IoT devices; for example, when the user falls asleep, the application will automatically turn off the television, and adjust the heating or air conditioning for a perfect sleep environment.

Based on SleepSense’s daily sleep scores and reports, which can be seen on the user’s smartphone, the application provides expert advice and recommendations, taking into account each individual’s metabolism – the result of a collaboration with Dr. Christos Mantzoros from Harvard Medical School. SleepSense delivers an accuracy of up to 97% in the comfort of your own home.

Expanding the UHD Ecosystem with Key Content and Partners

Samsung is committed to expanding the UHD ecosystem by partnering with companies including Amazon, Netflix, Wuaki, Chili, Strefa VoD, Videoland, and Videoload, as well as regional broadcast partners across Europe, including Canal Plus, British Telecom (BT) and HD+, who are all vital for creating and delivering UHD content to a global consumer base.

Through these partnerships with global leaders in the UHD space, Samsung is bringing commercial UHD broadcasting to market, so users can enjoy their favorite shows and programs in the premium picture quality they desire.

Samsung also has partnered with Gamefly to launch Gamefly Streaming – a subscription service that brings the world’s favorite games into peoples’ living rooms – without the need for consoles, cables or discs. Gamefly works by streaming popular titles over the Internet, with games including Batman: Arkham Origins, Lego Batman 3, GRID 2 and HITMAN Absolution – all available directly on Samsung Smart TVs.

Elevating the Viewing Experience

Samsung’s No. 1 commitment is to provide users with TVs that produce the ultimate viewing experience. Samsung’s SUHD TVs are capable of displaying High Dynamic Range (HDR) picture quality, which showcases greater contrast, brighter colors, intricate shadow detail and distinct highlights. Overall, the picture appears more vivid and authentic than ever before.

Owners of Samsung TVs can celebrate that their TVs are the first on the market that support the new HDMI 2.0a specification, which enables the transmission of HDR metadata across external HDR-compatible sources. The software update provides SUHD TV owners with the most lifelike picture quality available today. This firmware update is set to broaden the spectrum of HDR content available for consumers, as well as set an entirely new standard for the TV and entertainment industry at large.

Furthermore, customers can enjoy this superior picture quality on Samsung’s range of curved televisions, which provide a true-to-life viewing experience paired with sleek design that fits seamlessly in their homes. Customers can choose from 28 amazing Curved SUHD TVs – ranging in size from 48-inch to 105-inch.

To further provide consumers with more options to consume their favorite UHD content, Samsung is introducing the new Ultra HD Blu-ray Player which supports UHD Blu-ray disc playback. The player, which is capable of providing four times the resolution and 64 times higher color expression compared to standard Blu-ray, is capable of upscaling content to provide UHD resolution for any disc. Additionally the 4K streaming services are available. The Ultra HD Blu-ray Player features a sleek, curved design—matching perfectly with Samsung Curved SUHD TVs.

Samsung AddWash – a Washing Machine that’s Clever and Connected

Samsung WW8500 AddWash is the world’s first washing machine that allows consumers to add laundry at any point of the wash cycle, thanks to its innovative ‘Add Door’. A simple press of the pause button stops the spinning drum, and makes it possible to add laundry to the wash, whether it’s a uniform that needs to be ready for soccer practicetomorrow or a sweater or even a jeans that did not make it to the laundry pile. AddWash also provides a new level of care for delicate hand-wash only fabrics because they can now be added right at the start of the rinse cycle.

AddWash is also a connected washing machine that works with both Android and iOS devices, enabling consumers to remotely monitor and operate the machine as well as receive a range of notifications straight to their smartphone. The new WW8500 Add Wash helps consumers get faster and better laundry results thanks to its SuperSpeed cycle, which can wash a normal load in less than an hour. It also features SuperSpray, which uses a jet of water to rinse detergent more effectively. The improved ecobubble™ function creates thicker bubbles that intensely penetrate fabrics 40 times faster than the usual mix of water and soap, delivering exceptional washing results even in cold water.

Collaborations with BMW and Volkswagen

Samsung sees cars as an important part of the emerging IoT ecosystem, and is working with several leading car makers to innovate in the automotive space.

Samsung SmartThings will soon integrate with BMW cars by displaying notifications from the SmartThings Hub directly on the dashboard. In turn, the SmartThings app makes it possible to check the technical status of your BMW, and even lock and unlock it remotely.

Samsung also announced details of its partnership with Volkswagen, which will offer drivers a seamlessly connected car experience, through Car Mode for Galaxy, an app that adds value to the driving experience powered by MirrorLink^TM, an industry-leading standard for car connectivity.Car Mode for Galaxy, controlled by both touch and voice powered by S-Voice, lets you take calls easily and safely, listen to your favorite playlist, or get directions to your destination ; it even reads you incoming text messages out loud. Users can enjoy all the features through Car Mode for Galaxy mobile app even in a car without mirroring functionality.

The Volkswagen partnership also integrates the Volkswagen Car-Net e-Remote app. The app connects the new Samsung Gear S2 with a range of Volkswagen vehicles, enabling seamless interaction right from your wrist. Whether locating where you parked your car, turning on the air conditioning before you return to your car on a hot day, or managing the battery levels of your electric Volkswagen car, Samsung and Volkswagen take the link between automobiles and wearables to a new level.

“At the heart of all Samsung’s IoT innovations,” said Dr W.P. Hong, “is our long-standing approach of researching and observing people’s daily lives, and looking beyond the obvious to find innovative ways of enriching them, by turning everyday moments into enjoyable experiences. This philosophy will not change as we lead the way to a smarter, more connected, and more human future for us all.”

Samsung at IFA 2015

Samsung will be exhibiting at IFA 2015 from September 4-9, 2015, based in the CityCube at Messe Berlin.

Samsung Electronics will display CEA 4K Ultra HD logos on all 2015 UHD TVs

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., announced that all of the 2015 UHD TV models, encompassing Series 9 to Series 6 models, qualify for, and will display, the 4K Ultra HD logos developed by the U.S. Consumer Electronics Association (CEA).

The CEA logos are only eligible to be used on UHD TVs that satisfy the highest level of picture quality defined by CEA. This definition distinguishes true 4K UHD TV models from other models employing a kind of RGBW pixel structure.

Samsung will continue to work to raise awareness of the benefits of UHD TV including the CEA definition. Samsung’s UHD TV products are also currently compliant with the UHD TV definition established by Digital Europe (DE), recognized in Europe as the official definition for true UHD products. Consumers worldwide should look for these logos on packaging at retail to determine quality of the UHD TV models.

“We are always striving to give consumers the most breathtaking and immersive viewing experience possible, so we are very pleased that both Digital Europe (DE) and the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) have now acknowledged the premium picture quality of Samsung UHD TVs,” said Young Lak Jung, Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “These UHD TV definitions are important, because they help to reduce confusion for consumers searching the market for a new, cutting edge 4K UHD TV. We will continue to work with our key partners, such as the CEA and DE, to ensure clear performance and purchase standards are available, as the demand for UHD TVs continues to grow.”

The UHD definitions established by CEA require that pixels, the smallest unit constituting a display, must be capable of producing the full range of colors. Certain TVs, which employ RGBW pixel configurations, do not meet the CEA requirements for UHD TVs due to the limitations on pixel colors. The white sub-pixels that are mixed among the red, green, and blue sub-pixels in RGBW panels restrict and limit the color palate a TV is capable of showing, while diluting the overall picture quality by affecting clarity, brightness and sharpness.

Additional requirements for UHD TVs based on CEA’s definitions include: over 8M active pixels, with at least 3,840 horizontally and at least 2,160 vertically; at least one HDMI input supporting 3,840 x 2,160 native content at 24p, 30p and 60p frames per second; a minimum color bit depth of 8 bits; etc.

The CEA has members more than 2,000 companies from the consumer technology industry throughout the U.S. The CEA also sponsors the world’s largest consumer electronics trade show, International CES, which hosted more than 170,000 attendees and 3,631 exhibitors in 2015.

Huawei P8 Max, A Revolutionary Smart phone with Enhanced Thermal Design

The brilliance of manufacturing smartphones has reached an absolute new level with the launch of Huawei P8 Max. This smart phone has been created with an enhanced Thermal, full metal design. The revolutionary features this mega smart phone are exceptional and  exhibit Huawei’s technological expertise.

This smart phone had been manufactured with DX19 conductive materials, wrapping a 7-layer heat dissipation layout. This layout expels heat 9 times better than steel and 3 times better than magnesium alloy. This uniquely crafted smart phone designs covers all the heat generating areas and gives the users an extra efficient performance for longer hours.

The intimidating fine design of P8 max clearly exhibits that this smart phone has been produced to create a big impression. This is the primary smart phone delivered by Huawei, which has been made with integrated magnesium alloy. This high-performance metal is the same which is used for the construction of advanced aviation.

Huawei’s Country Marketing Head, Mr. Fraz Khan has stated that, “Huawei has created this superb mega smart phone with exceptional expertise and the quality of features this gadget carries has set new standards. Our staff at R&D department has put in their ultimate efforts in creating this excellent smart phone and we are sure that like our other products it would be loved by all.”

Huawei P 8 Max is a smart phone that not only looks good, but it also sounds good. It has been equipped with a huge 0.91 CC sound chamber, 1 watt loudspeaker, and Smart PA amplifiers which ensure that every sound you play is louder, has a wider range and is more balanced for the ears.

With an innovative blend of construction and circuits, P8 MAX delivers improved antenna signal and decreased head radiation. Huawei has magnificently improved every aspect of P8 MAX and it has undoubtedly set a new standard for smart phone design.

SOLAR ENERGY FOR CELLULAR TOWERS

With the teledensity having reached a 70 percent mark in Pakistan, cellular towers are now expanding their networks to the remotest of locations. However an unreliable grid supply and presence of Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) in off-grid areas has left the telecom companies dependent on diesel generators to fill the electricity gap.

High operating costs and carbon emissions make generators an expensive option for the telecom companies. Low capacity utilization and high transportation costs of fuel to such remote locations inflate energy costs further. Renewable energy provides a feasible alternate in all locations, especially remote ones. Solar is widely being used for this purpose in developing nations such as India and Africa. OMC Power, a renewable energy venture in India, provides renewable energy for cell towers and supplies the surplus electricity to the surrounding communities. These Micropower electricity plants allow businesses and households to power their mobile phones, lights, fans, and appliances, improving the quality of life in the community and sustaining economic growth.

Such instances if replicated in Pakistan can bring cost savings and a better standard of life for the telecom companies and the communities, respectively. Inam ur Rahman, CEO Reon Energy Limited, states “By increasing the number of Solar powered cell-sites, telecom companies can hedge against the market fuel price volatility, and reduce their long term operating costs. Back up batteries help the system provide energy during the non-sunlight hours. Diesel Generators can be completely eliminated.”

To prove the viability, Reon installed a 7 KW pilot project for a telecom site and has measured the data ever since the project was setup. The results are most encouraging with generators almost not needed any more. This model is easily replicable and any excess energy can benefit neighborhood communities. Reon Energy Limited is the renewable energy division of Dawood Hercules Group- the largest provider of energy in the private sector in Pakistan. “We understand both conventional and renewable projects better than anyone in the country”, claimed Inam.

Corporate commitments have helped driven renewable energy investments in Pakistan. As solar energy costs plummet further, it shall lay down additional opportunities for remote communities to make use of solar technologies. It  is  essential  that  the  national  policies/programmes emulate  the  current  trend  to  strengthen renewable energy investments in Pakistan.

Mobilink Introduces International Roaming Offer for Hajj Pilgrims

Mobilink has announced a convenient international roaming offer for its Postpaid and Prepaid subscribers performing the holy ritual of Hajj. The offer gives hajis an opportunity to connect with their loved ones back in Pakistan by availing up to 90% discount on international roaming through Saudi Arabia’s Zain Network. To benefit from this offer, subscribers need to activate international roaming by visiting their nearest Mobilink Customer Care Centre, Franchise or simply calling 111. Mobilink Hajj Roaming offer is by default available for all customers who have roaming service activated on their number. This offer is currently available and valid till October 31st, 2015.

Speaking about the Hajj Roaming Offer, Ehtisham Rao, Director Business Services Division Mobilink said, “Mobilink understands the value of creating a strong bond with its subscriber base by continuing to offer convenient and innovative offers, which enhance service experience and make life more comfortable. This auspicious pilgrimage is nothing short of a spiritual journey for each pilgrim, and through our Hajj Roaming Offer, we have done our best to ensure this journey is shared with loved ones back home.”

Through the Hajj Roaming Offer, subscribers can receive and make calls to Pakistan and within Saudi Arabia at just PKR 0.25/sec. This offer gives Mobilink customers a chance of sharing their spiritual experience with family and friends, and is a testament to the fact that Mobilink always ensures convenience and provision of seamless services to its customers; at home and abroad.