Bucket Tech: HUAWEI New Device Launch

Launched this last week, in Dubai under the theme "Fashion Next," Huawei unveiled a range of new products including the HUAWEI Pura 80 Series and the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5. Further, it was officially announced that XMAGE will return to the Grand Palais in Paris this year, where it will host the "The World, You and Me" XMAGE Awards Ceremony and Annual Exhibition at Paris Photo 2025. The event was a true showcase of Huawei's technological expertise and a testament to its brand philosophy: enriching lives by seamlessly blending innovative technology with human-centric design.

HUAWEI Pura 80 Series is Defining the Future of Mobile Imaging

As the imaging flagship of the HUAWEI Pura Series, the HUAWEI Pura 80 lineup immediately captured the spotlight with its pioneering aesthetics and definitive imaging capabilities.

The HUAWEI Pura 80 Pro and Ultra versions are equipped with a 1-inch Ultra Lighting HDR camera. Paired with the pixel-level colour calibration of the Ultra Chroma Camera, it delivers exceptional clarity with remarkably accurate colour reproduction. Notably, the HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra introduces the industry-first Switchable Dual Telephoto Camera, combining a large sensor with a dual telephoto lens for unprecedented versatility in capturing stunningly clear shots at any distance. Additionally, the HUAWEI Pura 80 Series harmonises eastern and western aesthetics, melding the elegant hues inspired by monochrome glaze with superior craftsmanship to form a signature glazed texture design.

HUAWEI MatePad 11.5

The HUAWEI MatePad 11.5 is designed for both ambitious learners and professionals stepping into the workforce. The new MatePad 11.5 delivers a generational step forward in user experience with its stunning and expansive 11.5-inch HUAWEI FullView Display, boasting 2.5K resolution and the acclaimed PaperMatte Display with natural light-like technology for eye comfort. The ultra-thin 6.1 mm frame houses a robust 10,100 mAh battery ensuring it blends portability with endurance. Additionally, the HUAWEI M-Pencil (3rd generation) introduces magnetic wireless charging. The tablet comes with the upgraded HUAWEI Notes and the GoPaint app, empowering users to excel in their work, study, creativity, and play - like never before.

XMAGE Awards 2025 Announced

At the event, Huawei formally announced the 2025 iteration of the widely acclaimed XMAGE Awards, for which global submissions opened on June 11. These annual awards, now in their 8th consecutive year, has become one of the world's largest and most influential photography competitions providing a platform for Huawei mobile users worldwide to showcase their talent. This year’s competition features eight categories: So Far So Close, Colour & Shade, Good Night, Faces, A Heartwarming World, Experimental Lab, Storyboard, and Action.

A new competition format, XMAGE 100, has also been introduced along with a more diverse and distinguished judging panel. Submissions will be evaluated across multiple categories, including photographic technique, emotional resonance, social relevance, and artistic merit, aiming to bring the creative visions of everyday users to a global audience.

In 2025, Huawei is returning to the Grand Palais to host the "The World, You and Me" XMAGE Awards 2025 Ceremony and Annual Exhibition at the 2025 Paris Photo fair. With the culmination of the awards ending at the the Grand Palais, Huawei will once again bring home its focus on art while celebrating the photography artform in what is widely known as the centre of the world’s art scene.

Bucket Tech: Huawei's MEA Summit

The HDC.Together HUAWEI MEA Ecosystem Summit, held in Dubai, showcased a seamless fusion of collaboration and innovation. The first day of the exclusive event was hosted on the 27th of November at the illustrious Dubai Opera, and brought together Huawei Ecosystem partners from China and across the Middle East and Africa.

Building bridges for future growth

Organised in partnership with Dubai Economy and Tourism (DET) and the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), the focus of the summit was on fostering innovation, economic growth, and developments in technology and tourism.

When converging technology and opportunity, HDC.Together acts as the bridge connecting the MEA region and China, fostering innovation, partnerships, and business exchange across markets, paving the way for growth and a better future.

Throughout the summit, speakers emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts within Huawei’s Ecosystem for advancing technology and innovation. Eng. Maryam Al Balooshi, Vice Chair and UAE representative of the Committee of Aviation Environment Protection (CAEP)- ICAO, emphasised that, “In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, Huawei’s ecosystem stands as a testament to transformative collaboration, enriching experiences by building bridges for a better future.”

Additionally, His Excellency Ali Khalifa bin Thalith, Secretary-General of HIPA, shared some profound insights. “Through the lens of innovation, HUAWEI Themes has not just adorned our digital spaces but has become a platform to globalise the beauty of art and photography, making creativity universally accessible to users with an impressive download of over 1,000,000 on the official HUAWEI Themes store,” he said.

Acclaimed Emirati artist Mahmood Al Abadi shared the story of his successful journey with calligraphy and arts, as well as his collaboration with HUAWEI Themes, and how it elevated his digital experience. He expressed his excitement about the vast array of customisable themes and their seamless integration with HUAWEI smartphones, foldable phones, tablets and smartwatches.

Strategising for the year ahead

The event outlined a comprehensive 2024 action plan with 24 strategic partners joining the conversation, formalising commitments to innovation and growth across regions including the Emirates, Arabian Oud, Jahez and Viu, all who expressed their commitment to these shared goals.

The summit featured dynamic discussion panels and round tables, engaging industry experts to provide insights into industry trends, and further explored the collaborative potential of HUAWEI AppGallery and Petal Ads.

Unveiling Prospects with AppGallery

With a focus on fostering new growth opportunities in gaming, HUAWEI AppGallery is taking advantage of Huawei’s rapid expansion across the MEA region and China. The summit also served as a platform for facilitating partnerships and collaboration between local and global players, fostering an environment of innovation and mutual growth. Participants were treated to working presentations and demos, sharing insights, case studies and success stories from top regional and global gaming partners, offering a overview of the latest market trends. Industry leaders joined the MEA Game Business Trends panel, unpacking esports, Government support, the payment landscape and the importance of localisation. The summit set the stage for AppGallery to stake its claim as a driving force in the gaming industry, uniting key players for a future of unprecedented success and collaboration.

Global perspective

Emirates provided an insightful account of its journey with Huawei Ecosystem, highlighting their successful collaboration and providing valuable benchmarks for the broader travel industry, emphasising the power of strategic partnerships within the evolving technological landscape. This year, Emirates App successfully released a version designed for Huawei’s smartwatches that allows users to use QR codes as boarding passes.

Petal Ads and regional insights

 Additionally, Middle East Communications Network (MCN) provided a comprehensive analysis of global and regional advertising trends tailored for regional advertisers. This included an in-depth overview of the current global advertising landscape, emerging trends, consumer behaviour patterns, and effective strategies. The presentation highlighted Petal Ads’ advanced capabilities in delivering enriched user experiences, setting the stage for a new era in the advertising market.

The summit delivered the perfect platform for HMS to introduce new solutions and innovations, underscoring a commitment to connect with customers, enable brand growth, and embrace future challenges. Ultimately, the annual HDC.Together HUAWEI MEA Ecosystem Summit highlighted Huawei’s unwavering dedication to fostering collaboration, innovation, and a connected future, showcasing knowledge sharing and cutting-edge solutions within Huawei’s thriving ecosystem, while uniting partners from China and MEA.

Monday Choon: Tiësto - 10:35 (feat. Tate McRae)

 

Multi-award winning DJ Tiesto has always been ahead of the game when it comes to innovating himself, from being one of the first DJ's to gain residency in Vegas, to teaming up with brands to produce songs for them. The Dutch legend has now teamed up with the latest luxury resort to open on Dubai's Palm Jumeirah, Atlantis The Royal. The single "10:35" which includes the vocals form Canadian singer/ songwriter Tate McRae, the track is inspired by and encapsulates the essence and energy of Atlantis The Royal which is the latest icon of the Dubai skyline and is said to be the most luxurious resort in the world. Tate, who spent time growing up in the Middle East proved to be the perfect partner for the track,  the idea for the track which was filmed on location at the resort, is where day turns to night and that experience shifts, hence "10:35". The owners of the resort as well as the artists are extremely happy with the outcome of the track and it serves to be the perfect advertisement for the place, after watching the video I'm also itching to visit!