分类： technology

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has unveiled a significant upgrade to the Nol Pay app, introducing a suite of new features designed to enhance user convenience and efficiency. The updated app now allows users to renew expiring cards, extend the validity of travel passes, and manage family members’ Nol cards with ease. Proactive notifications remind users to top up low balances, while instant top-ups and real-time balance enquiries ensure seamless transactions. Additionally, users can schedule automatic top-ups for family cards at predefined intervals and purchase travel passes instantly. The app also supports digitized Nol cards on Samsung and Huawei devices, enabling payments across public transport and retail outlets with a simple tap—without opening the app. This upgrade is part of RTA’s broader initiative to integrate Account Based Ticketing (ABT) technology, aligning the app’s interface with the unified digital ecosystem of RTA. By the end of 2024, over 33,000 digital cards had been sold, marking a 460% increase from the previous year, while app downloads surged to 1.5 million, reflecting a 150% year-on-year growth.

Dubai Police has etched its name in the annals of technological innovation by setting a new Guinness World Record for the fastest drone ever developed. The unmanned aerial vehicle, crafted at the Dubai Police Unmanned Aerial Systems Center, achieved a staggering top speed of 580 kilometers per hour. This remarkable feat was accomplished in collaboration with South African developers Luke Bell and Mike Bell, who previously held the record with their Peregreen 2 drone, which peaked at 510 km/h in June 2024. The newly unveiled Peregreen 3, a battery-powered remote-controlled quadcopter, now officially holds the title for the ‘fastest ground speed by a battery-powered RC quadcopter.’ The record-breaking flights were conducted at Al Qudra in Dubai, where the drone completed two runs in opposite directions to neutralize any wind advantage. Dubai Police emphasized that this achievement underscores their commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to bolster security, enhance rapid response capabilities, and ensure operational readiness. The milestone aligns with Dubai’s broader vision of fostering innovation and integrating smart systems into public safety frameworks.

Samsung, the South Korean tech giant, is embroiled in a global controversy as users and cybersecurity experts raise alarms over pre-installed bloatware on its devices. The software in question, AppCloud, initially reported in Samsung Galaxy A and M series phones in West Asia and North Africa, has now been found in devices across Europe and South Asia. Users claim the app is unremovable without root access, the highest level of system control, raising significant privacy and ethical concerns.

AppCloud, linked to the Israeli firm ironSource, has been accused of secretly harvesting user data and lacking a transparent privacy policy. IronSource, now owned by American company Unity, has a notorious history of creating invasive programs that bypass user permissions and security checks. Despite being disabled, AppCloud persists on devices, reappears after updates, and can covertly install additional software.

Digital rights organization SMEX has highlighted these issues, noting that Samsung’s terms of service fail to address AppCloud or ironSource explicitly. In May, SMEX sent an open letter to Samsung, but the company has yet to respond. The issue has gained traction online, with users sharing screenshots of AppCloud’s extensive permissions, including full network access and the ability to download files without notification.

Cybersecurity experts warn that while AppCloud’s behavior doesn’t confirm it as classic spyware, its aggressive data collection and unremovable nature blur the line between ad-tech and surveillance. As the controversy grows, Samsung faces mounting pressure to address these privacy concerns and provide users with greater control over their devices.

Tenable (NASDAQ: TENB), a leading exposure management company, has been recognized as a Leader in the inaugural 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Exposure Assessment Platforms. The company achieved the highest position for Ability to Execute and was placed furthest to the right for Completeness of Vision. This recognition underscores Tenable’s leadership in the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape. Additionally, Tenable was named a Leader in both the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Exposure Management 2025 Vendor Assessment and The Forrester Wave: Unified Vulnerability Management, Q3 2025. Tenable’s mission is to help organizations understand and mitigate risk by providing a comprehensive view of vulnerabilities across modern attack surfaces, including AI, cloud, IT, identity, third-party systems, web applications, and operational technology (OT). The Tenable One Exposure Management Platform offers organizations actionable insights to identify and address exposures swiftly. Mark Thurmond, co-CEO of Tenable, emphasized the significance of this recognition, stating, ‘Being named a Leader in the first Gartner Magic Quadrant for Exposure Assessment Platforms validates our proactive approach to cybersecurity. We’ve moved beyond reactive measures to help customers stay ahead of threats.’ Tenable’s platform integrates risk-based analytics and over 300 ecosystem integrations, trusted by more than 44,000 organizations globally. The company’s focus on Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM), a framework introduced by Gartner, has positioned it as a pioneer in the shift from vulnerability management to exposure management. Thurmond added, ‘In an era where AI is weaponized, detection and response alone are insufficient. Exposure management provides a preemptive, holistic view of the attack surface, and Tenable One is uniquely equipped to deliver this.’

FVC, a prominent provider of unified communications, audio-visual solutions, and cybersecurity across the Middle East and Africa, has entered into a strategic partnership with X2O Media, a global leader in visual communication and immersive hybrid collaboration technologies. This collaboration is set to transform the landscape of hybrid communication and learning across the MEA region by combining FVC’s extensive regional expertise and distribution network with X2O Media’s innovative X2O oneroom platform and unified visual communication solutions. The partnership will enable enterprises, educational institutions, and public-sector organizations to deploy immersive hybrid learning and meeting environments, enhance workforce collaboration through dynamic messaging and digital signage, and leverage FVC’s robust regional presence for seamless deployment and support. Rob Brinklow, Director of Sales for EMEA & APAC at X2O Media, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating that FVC’s market reach and commitment to high-quality service make it the ideal partner to bring X2O oneroom to the region. Parag, Managing Director of FVC, expressed enthusiasm about introducing X2O Media’s cutting-edge technologies to regional clients, highlighting the partnership’s potential to deliver tailored, future-ready solutions that address real business challenges. The alliance will accelerate the adoption of X2O Media’s technologies across various sectors, including corporate, education, life sciences, and government, offering clients advanced visual communication platforms that integrate immersive hybrid environments with real-time collaboration and centralized content delivery.

China’s first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the CNS Sichuan, has successfully concluded its maiden sea trial, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s naval advancements. The vessel, which is the largest and most advanced of its kind in China, returned to the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding yard in Shanghai on Sunday afternoon after a three-day voyage. During the trial, engineers meticulously tested and verified the ship’s electric, propulsion, and other critical systems, achieving the desired results. Further tests are planned as part of the ship’s construction blueprint. The Sichuan, with a hull code of 51, displaces over 40,000 metric tons and is equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system, making it the first Chinese amphibious assault ship capable of deploying fixed-wing drones. This technology, previously seen only on the CNS Fujian aircraft carrier, underscores China’s growing prowess in naval innovation. Once commissioned, the Sichuan will support a range of operations, including amphibious landings, airstrikes, and airborne missions. The PLA Navy currently operates four Type 075 amphibious assault ships, each with a full displacement of nearly 40,000 tons, built at the same Shanghai shipyard.

At the 27th General Conference of the International Council of Museums in Dubai, officials and scholars emphasized the pivotal role of museums as custodians of civilization. The event, the largest global gathering of museum professionals, highlighted the importance of integrating new technologies and engaging younger generations to protect cultural heritage and foster mutual understanding among civilizations. Hala Badri, Director-General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority and chairwoman of the conference’s organizing committee, underscored the shared commitment to leveraging digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), and virtual interaction to create inclusive and impactful cultural experiences. Harith Al Battashi, an expert from the National Museum of Oman, stressed that attracting and nurturing young talent is central to museums’ missions. He praised the Chinese video game *Black Myth: Wukong* as a groundbreaking example of how cultural heritage can be promoted globally through youth-centric mediums. The game, which integrates Chinese folklore, has sparked international interest and bridged the gap between tradition and modern youth culture. At the conference, Zhejiang University’s Department of Cultural Heritage showcased the International Alliance of Teaching Museology in Universities, an initiative aimed at advancing global museum education and professional training. The alliance, comprising nearly 20 members from East Asia, Europe, and North America, seeks to foster collaboration with Middle Eastern universities to develop a more open museology education system. Chinese companies like Bangda Group also demonstrated their innovative solutions for cultural relic preservation, including earthquake-resistant storage facilities with real-time environmental monitoring. Omar Al Kaabi, an official from Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, announced the upcoming opening of the Zayed National Museum, which will utilize VR and AI technologies to showcase the UAE’s rich cultural history. He expressed openness to adopting Chinese technologies for heritage protection and promotion.