Delivering personalized and interactive experiences is paramount, especially in the evolving landscape of digital content. While traditional video formats are effective, they often lack the flexibility needed to adapt to an audience that increasingly craves personalization and interactivity.
As brands and content creators strive to engage viewers in more meaningful ways, innovative solutions are emerging to redefine video content as we know it. One of the most groundbreaking advancements in this domain is MP5 technology, developed by Blings.
Unlike static videos, which present the same content to every viewer, MP5 technology enables real-time personalization. This allows users to experience a video tailored to their preferences, behaviours, and data inputs. This game-changing innovation combines lightweight architecture, real-time data integration, and interactivity, setting a new standard for digital engagement.
Understanding MP5 Technology
Unlike conventional video formats such as MP4, MP5 treats video as a code, enabling real-time rendering and personalization directly on the user’s device. This revolutionary approach, called “Video as a Code” (VaaC), allows videos to be as adaptable and dynamic as modern web applications.
Key Features of MP5 Technology
–Edge Computing: Videos in MP5 format are rendered directly on the user’s device rather than being pre-processed and streamed from a central server.
–HTML-Based Structure: An HTML-based framework lets MP5 videos operate similarly to web applications. Developers can seamlessly integrate real-time updates, animations, and interactive elements. Since MP5 is code-based, users can unlock HTML’s full potential.
–Real-Time Personalization: MP5 videos dynamically pull user data, ensuring that every viewing experience is unique. This means videos can adjust based on customer information, preferences, and engagement history, instantly reflecting any database changes.
– Lightweight Design: Unlike traditional video formats, MP5 files are only 60KB in size, making them incredibly fast to load and minimizing storage concerns. This efficiency is a game-changer for brands focused on high-performance digital experiences.
How MP5 Technology Works
When a user plays an MP5 video, the browser activates an SDK (Software Development Kit) that calls an empty video template or one without data. This template pulls real-time data from the user’s database to render a fully personalized video on-the-fly, generating the actual video on the end user’s device. This approach eliminates the need for multiple pre-rendered video variations, making MP5 an ideal solution for brands looking to scale personalized content efficiently.
Blings’ Utilization of MP5 for Personalized Interactive Videos
Blings has harnessed MP5 technology to create interactive and personalized video experiences. Here’s how:
1.Dynamic Personalization: By integrating with CRM systems and customer data platforms, Blings generates videos with elements unique to each viewer, such as name, purchase history, and browsing behaviour.
2.Interactive Elements: MP5 supports clickable buttons, story branching options, and chatbot integrations, transforming passive viewers into active participants. Users can also add editable forms. This feature is particularly useful for e-commerce, lead generation, and customer support videos.
3.Real-Time Data Integration: Businesses can integrate real-time metrics, sales updates, and live statistics into videos, ensuring the content remains relevant and timely.
4.Scalability and Efficiency: MP5’s lightweight nature allows brands to scale their video-marketing efforts without significant storage or bandwidth constraints, making it ideal for mass personalization campaigns.
Impact and Effectiveness of MP5 Technology
The adoption of MP5 technology has shown impressive results in boosting user engagement and conversion rates. A recent campaign using personalized MP5 videos saw a 63.4% open rate and a 19.5% click rate, significantly outperforming traditional video formats. These numbers underscore the power of MP5 in capturing audience attention and driving interaction.
The Future of Video is Here
MP5 technology is not just an innovation—it’s a shift in video content creation and delivery. By treating videos as code, Blings has unlocked possibilities where videos are no longer static but are instead adaptable, interactive, and deeply personalized.
As businesses embrace data-driven marketing, the ability to create real-time, customized video experiences will become a critical competitive advantage. For brands looking to stand out in a crowded digital space, adopting MP5 technology might just be the key to success.
Love knows no borders, and neither does cryptocurrency. As Valentine’s Day approaches, Binance, the world’s leading blockchain ecosystem and digital asset exchange, is celebrating the role of crypto in fostering seamless cross-border connections, ensuring that distance is no longer a barrier to sharing meaningful moments.
“Blockchain technology is revolutionising the way we connect, breaking down financial barriers and enabling instant, secure transactions across the globe,” says Yande Nomvete, South African Operations Manager at Binance. “Whether you’re sending a gift, planning a virtual date, or supporting loved ones abroad, cryptocurrency offers a fast, cost-effective, and inclusive solution.”
In an era where digital love stories are more common than ever, Binance’s suite of crypto payment solutions, including Binance Pay, empowers users to send digital assets effortlessly, eliminating costly transfer fees and long processing times.
How crypto makes Cross-Border gifting effortless:
* Instant transactions – No waiting periods and delays. Send love in seconds.
* Borderless access – Crypto is accessible from anywhere, making it easier to connect with loved ones.
* A growing crypto economy – More businesses are accepting crypto, allowing for unique and modern gift options.
With an increasing number of merchants and platforms integrating crypto payments, users can now purchase Valentine’s Day gifts, from digital gift cards to luxury items, using their preferred digital currency. Binance Pay facilitates these transactions with ease, allowing users to spread love without financial constraints.
“Crypto isn’t just about transactions, it’s about financial empowerment and inclusion,” adds Nomvete. “This Valentine’s Day, we celebrate how blockchain technology helps people stay connected, no matter the distance.”
For those looking to make a romantic gesture powered by crypto, Binance offers a seamless way to send and receive funds while embracing the future of finance. Whether it’s a token of love or an investment in shared financial growth, cryptocurrency is proving to be the ultimate modern-day cupid.
About Binance
Binance is the world’s leading blockchain ecosystem and cryptocurrency infrastructure provider with a comprehensive suite of financial products. Trusted by millions worldwide, Binance is committed to advancing the freedom of money through its various products, including the largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume.
Visit www.binance.com for more information.
Trade smarter, not harder. Start your crypto journey with Binance. Sign up today
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced the Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25, setting a new standard as a true AI companion with our most natural and context-aware mobile experiences ever created. Introducing multimodal AI agents, the Galaxy S25 series is the first step in Samsung’s vision to change the way users interact with their phone – and with their world. A first-of-its-kind customised Snapdragon® 8 Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy chipset delivers greater on-device processing power for Galaxy AI and superior camera range and control with Galaxy’s next-gen ProVisual Engine.
“The greatest innovations are a reflection of their users, which is why we evolved Galaxy AI to help everyone interact with their devices more naturally and effortlessly while trusting that their privacy is secured,” said TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. “Galaxy S25 series opens the door to an AI-integrated OS that fundamentally shifts how we use technology and how we live our lives.”
Our Most Intuitive and Effortless Mobile Interactions Yet
With One UI 7, the Galaxy S25 series is a true AI companion that understands the context of your needs and preferences and provides personalised AI experiences with privacy assured at every turn. It’s the starting point of a shared vision with Google to imagine Android with AI at the core, bringing together developers and partners from around the world.
AI agents with multimodal capabilities enable Galaxy S25 to interpret text, speech, images and videos for interactions that feel natural. Upgrades to Google’s Circle to Search make searching your phone screen more helpful, fast and contextual. Circle to Search now quickly recognises phone numbers, email and URLs on your screen, letting you call, email or visit a website with a single tap.
With Galaxy S25 series, you can also perform actionable searches with context-aware suggestions for next steps. Plus, Galaxy S25 makes it frictionless to switch between apps for quick follow-up actions, like sharing a GIF or saving event details.
Galaxy S25 also represents a breakthrough in natural language understanding, making everyday interactions easier. Simply ask and intuitively find a specific photo in Samsung Gallery or adjust the size of display fonts in Settings.
Just press and hold the side button to activate Gemini and perform seamless interaction across Samsung and Google apps, plus third-party apps such as Spotify. For example, find your favourite sports team’s season schedule and add it to Samsung Calendar – with a single command.
These intuitive interactions are elevated by expansions to Galaxy AI’s popular tools for communication, productivity and creativity. Galaxy S25 keeps calls organised with Call Transcript and summary. Writing Assist features such as summarising content or automatically formatting notes can be enabled where texts can be selected, without needing to switch between applications. Drawing Assist unlocks fresh ways to bring ideas to life through combinations of sketches, text or image prompts.
Hyper-personalised Experiences with Privacy Secured
In the era of AI, personalisation goes hand-in-hand with privacy. On Galaxy S25, the Personal Data Engine powers personalised AI features by safely analysing your data on-device to deliver highly tailored experiences that reflect your preferences and usage patterns. These insights enable tailored experiences such as searching for an old photo in the Gallery using natural language, or being guided through the day with Now Brief, which proactively offers suggestions accessible via Now Bar on the lock screen. All personalised data is kept private and secured by Knox Vault. Combined with enhanced on-device processing capabilities, this creates a powerful, protected AI experience that is unique to Galaxy.
Galaxy S25 also introduces post-quantum cryptography, safeguarding personal data against emerging threats that could increase as quantum computing evolves.
Because there is no privacy without holistic security, One UI 7 laid the groundwork for these innovations by introducing an extra, fortified layer of device safety designed for the age of AI and hyperconnectivity. Additional updates include added Maximum Restrictions settings, enhanced Theft Protection, and a new Knox Matrix dashboard to monitor the security status across a connected device ecosystem.
Galaxy’s Most Powerful Performance Ever
The Galaxy S25 series is powered by the Snapdragon® 8 Elite for Galaxy. With unique customisations by Galaxy, this is the most powerful processor ever on Galaxy S series, delivering a performance boost of 40% in NPU, 37% in CPU and 30% in GPU compared to previous generation. This power fuels the Galaxy S25 series’ ability to process more AI experiences on-device without compromise, including previously cloud-based AI tasks such as Generative Edit.
Samsung and Qualcomm Technologies worked together to customise the Snapdragon® 8Elite for Galaxy. The Galaxy S25 series features advanced, efficient AI image processing with ProScaler to achieve a 40% improvement in display image scaling quality, while incorporating custom technology with Samsung’s mobile Digital Natural Image engine (mDNIe) embedded within the processor using Galaxy IP to enable greater display power efficiency.
Snapdragon® 8 Elite for Galaxy is also equipped with Vulkan Engine and improved Ray Tracing, which makes for smoother and more realistic mobile gaming.
All intense device usage and AI processing run smoothly thanks to changed heat dissipation structure with 40% larger vapor chamber and a tailored thermal interface material (TIM) that delivers extra improvement in thermal efficiency.
Unleashing Truly Pro Creation
The Galaxy S25 series delivers ultra-detailed shots at every range with high resolution sensors and ProVisual Engine, setting a new standard for mobile photography. With a new 50MP ultrawide camera sensor upgraded from the previous 12MP, Galaxy S25 Ultra provides exceptional clarity and vibrancy.
10-bit HDR recording is now applied by default, offering four times richer colour expression compared to 8-bit. Galaxy S25 can thus capture details in any lighting conditions. Plus, low-light videos have never been clearer than with Galaxy S25. Based on powerful processor, Galaxy S25 analyses movement and time to reduce noise more effectively. This integration allowsdetecting both moving and static objects with greater precision, ensuring sharper, cleaner footage in any scenario.
Galaxy S25 also introduces a range of tools once limited to specialised software, making advanced editing accessible for all.
Now anyone can be a pro at editing photos and videos. Audio Eraser simplifies the removal of unwanted noise in videos. By isolating categories of sounds – including voices, music, wind, nature, crowd and noise – you can control what to tone down or eliminate entirely.
For a DSLR-like experience on mobile, Galaxy S25 introduces depth-of-field control with Virtual Aperture, integrated into the popular Expert RAW. Galaxy S25 also elevates cinematic creativity with Galaxy Log, enabling precise colour grading options for more professional video production.
Portrait Studio has also been enhanced, allowing users to create personalised avatars with more true-to-life facial expressions. Filters introduces new analog-style filters, delivering film-like aesthetic for their photos and videos.
Durable Design Embracing a More Circular Approach
The Galaxy S25 series builds upon Galaxy’s ‘Essential Design’ grounded in ‘Simple, Impactful and Emotive’ elements. Galaxy S25 Ultra refines this essence into the slimmest, lightest and most durable Galaxy S series yet, with a rounded edge for a comfortable grip that complements the series’ aesthetic identity.
Galaxy S25 Ultra features durable titanium and the new Corning® Gorilla® Armor 2, a first-of-its-kind material that is more durable than glass. It combines Corning’s glass-ceramic with a proprietary anti-reflective surface treatment, helping to ensure advanced drop protection alongside anti-reflection surface treatment and scratch resistance.
Every external component of Galaxy S25+ and S25 now includes at least one recycled material, as their metal frame incorporates recycled armor aluminum for the first time.
In addition, while every Galaxy S25 series device uses a minimum of 50% recycled cobalt for its battery, Galaxy S25 will be the first Galaxy smartphone to feature batteries made with recycled cobalt sourced from previous Galaxy devices or the batteries discarded during the manufacturing process. Samsung goes through multiple stages with its like-minded partners, from extracting cobalt from used batteries to re-using the recycled cobalt for the batteries of Galaxy S25.
Combined with seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, the Galaxy S25 series ensures a reliable and optimised performance over a longer lifespan.
For greater peace of mind, Samsung Care+ offers comprehensive coverage for accidental damage, repairs, and replacements, ensuring peace of mind for Galaxy users. Plus, Samsung is introducing the New Galaxy Club. For users who love having the latest technology, this flexible subscription model is designed to make owning and upgrading Galaxy devices more convenient than ever. Regional details and availability will be announced at a later date.
The Galaxy S25 series will be available for order from 23 January 2025. Galaxy S25 Ultra will be available in Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Black, Titanium Whitesilver and Titanium Gray. Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+ will be available in Navy, Silver Shadow, Icyblue and Mint.
For more information about the Galaxy S25 series, please visit: Samsung Newsroom, SamsungMobilePress.com or Samsung.com.
Marketing and sales staff working for business-to-business (B2B) employers want to work from home. According to WFH Research and the Survey of Working Arrangements and Attitudes, 12.7% of full-time employees work from home now, while 28.2% have adopted a hybrid work model. And based on Buffer’s State of Remote Work report, 98% of workers want to work remotely for at least some time.
The problem is that employers are worried about productivity and other business objectives like sales leads and revenue growth during remote setup. On the other hand, employees want trust and the freedom to work in a way that improves their quality of life.
The new book “Imposters on the Zoom!” by B2B marketing agency founders John Buie and Jason Hagerman lays out simple templates, checklists, and accountability programs that most B2B leaders can implement today to relieve the tension around critical business outcomes and employee satisfaction. This way, marketing and sales employees can do remote work from anywhere, and the business can generate more leads and revenue without heavy-handed in-office policies.
Why Leaders Are Worried About B2B Marketing and Sales Teams Working Remotely
A Harvard Business Review study found that 23% of managers believed remote workers were less reliable and had lower accountability levels than their in-office counterparts. And they do not hide it well, as data from Blind Workplace Insights says 61% of employees felt their managers doubted their productivity while working remotely.
The same Harvard Business Review study found that 40% of managers had difficulty assessing the work quality of remote employees. Another study by MIT Sloan found that 36% of executives were concerned that remote work could hinder creative processes and teamwork.
“B2B employers might or might not be right to feel this way,” Buie mentions. “I had the same worries early in my career. But in time, I found a lot of those worries were more closely related to a lack of systems in my business. This lack created accountability and made it easy for my staff, my leadership team, and everybody in the organization to stay on the same page about critical outcomes like sales leads, business revenue, and marketing activities that kept those north stars centered for us.”
A System for Trust, Accountability, and Successful B2B Lead Generation
According to data from FlexJobs, 57% of workers would look for a new job if their current company did not allow remote work.
Buie says, “Rather than resisting what most marketing and sales employees want, leaders should look for ways to adapt and set clear boundaries or expectations around out-of-officework.”
Hagerman says that most of the growth in sales leads they generate for their customers comes from consistently and comprehensively applying the B2B content marketing services discussed in “Imposters on the Zoom!”
“Most sales leads don’t come to manufacturers or distributors through off-the-cuff strokes of genius around the office,” he says. “They come from following clear steps that put consistent, compelling messaging in front of prospects at the right times, in the right places, and bringing them down the sales funnel in greater numbers every month. This system can also be accomplished in this work-from-home economy by implementing systems that outline exactly what needs to be done, by whom, and when.”
The book, “Imposters on the Zoon!” documents and explains every step in the template Buie and Hagerman use to generate sales leads with remote and in-office teams. Businesses can use the book as their standard operating procedure (SOP) so team members working remotely know exactly what is expected of them, and leaders can easily evaluate their performance based on their SOP.
“B2B leaders need to see marketing and sales teams deploying tactics that generate leads and revenue,” Buie says. “As long as processes for accountability are in place, that can beaccomplished by a team working in the next room or on the next continent.”
B2B Marketing Assets That Drive Revenue Regardless of Office Settings
According to data from McKinsey, prospects consume three to seven pieces of content before engaging with a sales rep.
Buie states, “With a repeatable system full of checkpoints where leaders can easily see what’s been done and what has to be done, B2B marketing and sales teams can produce quality content at scale that nourishes prospects’ needs for information.”
“These contents can be merchandized across the business’ digital footprint just by following the steps in our book. By doing that, the business does three things: it attracts new leads that never would have found the business before; it encourages prospects who are familiar with the business but haven’t directly worked with them to identify themselves and engage as a sales lead; and it gets existing customers to spend budget more often with the business. So the remote team’s work by following the template results in more leads and more revenue.”
Buie explains these new leads are important as 20-40% of a B2B’s annual revenue should come from new customers. He mentions, “An actionable step most businesses can take today is to look at that revenue ratio. If it doesn’t align with the 20-40%, look for a new lead generation approach and implement it as quickly as possible.”
The shift toward remote work and hybrid work models presents challenges and opportunities for B2B lead generation. The book “Imposters on the Zoom!“ by John Buie and Jason
Hagerman offers a practical framework for addressing these challenges by providing clear systems and templates that enhance trust and accountability. With these strategies, B2B companies can effectively generate leads and drive revenue, regardless of whether their teams do remote work or in the office.
Olga Petean, founder of Rhodium Compliance & Accounting LLC, won a 2024 Global Recognition Award. The award recognizes Petean’s exceptional leadership, service, and international impact in the accounting industry. She has changed complex financial operations for companies worldwide.
A Legacy of Success: 100+ Projects and Counting
Petean has built an unprecedented track record of success, completing over 100 high-stakes projects that have redefined financial compliance and reporting standards. Her expertise spans crucial areas, including generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) compliance, software capitalization under ASC 350-40, and complex international accounting frameworks.
“From Dec 2017 until today, I have helped over 100+ individual Companies achieve monthly GAAP compliant accounting records and financial reports,” Petean states. “They passed external audits performed by Big 4 and Big 20 firms and succeeded in accounting due diligence in equity raises and M&A transactions valued at $25mil+.”
Mastering Global Financial Challenges
Petean’s expertise in managing multinational corporations distinguishes her in the industry. She skillfully handles cross-border financial operations, including complex transfer pricing agreements and multi-currency transactions. Her work in international division coordination includes implementing advanced revenue recognition standards and lease accounting compliance measures. Notably, she excels in coordinating intercompany transactions among over 20 related parties, ensuring clarity and compliance.
“I have worked with companies with multiple international divisions, foreign currencies, foreign languages, and complex transfer pricing agreements,” Petean explains. “My approach focuses on creating sustainable systems that ensure long-term compliance while maintaining operational efficiency.”
Managing Scale with Precision
Petean excels in managing large-scale financial operations, particularly in high-volume transaction environments. She has successfully handled millions of direct-to-consumer transactions precisely and implemented systems for multi-year financial record maintenance. By developing advanced automated solutions for complex data management, she has created scalable compliance frameworks that set industry standards.
“I have dealt with the volume of several million transactions on a single project, especially in the cases of direct-to-consumer sales, and some projects covered a timespan of more than five years of accounting records,” Petean reveals. “Success at this scale demands not just attention to detail, but also the creation of robust, scalable systems that can maintain accuracy across millions of data points.”
Building Strong Teams
Petean’s leadership philosophy extends beyond technical excellence to encompass comprehensive team development and organizational transformation. Her innovative team-building approach has changed how accounting departments operate within larger organizations. She has created high-performance teams that consistently exceed client expectations by establishing sophisticated communication protocols and building cross-departmental collaboration.
“These projects required collaboration with many different departments, Petean elaborates. “The key to lasting success lies in creating integrated systems where accounting teams can access critical information independently while maintaining seamless collaboration with other departments.“
Expertise Across Multiple Industries
Petean brings unique insights from numerous industries that few accountants possess. Her wide-ranging knowledge helps her solve diverse accounting challenges. Her versatile experience also helps her adapt quickly to different business models and industry-specific requirements.
“I have experience in nearly every industry, which further proves my accomplishments,” Petean states. “Most individuals work for a maximum of 10 employers in their life-long career. I have completed projects equivalent to 10+ lifetimes.” She applies best practices from various sectors to each new project.
Top Industry Honors
The Los Angeles Business Journal has named Petean to their “Leaders of Influence: Thriving in Their 40s” list, and Marquis Who’s Who has added her to their biographical registry. These recognitions highlight her outstanding contributions to the accounting profession.
Clients consistently praise Petean’s work. On her company website, Rhodium Compliance & Accounting, CEOs and controllers highlight her expertise and dedication. They describe how she turns complex financial situations into manageable, compliant systems. Her client testimonials demonstrate her tangible impact on businesses’ financial operations.
Advancing Professional Knowledge
Through her dedication to professional growth, Petean continues to expand her knowledge base, take on new challenges in accounting and finance, and stay ahead of industry developments and emerging financial trends.
“I will help more companies that need my growing knowledge and experience in my remaining professional career years,” Petean affirms. “The accounting field constantly evolves, and I remain committed to learning and applying new methods.“
Global Excellence in Accounting
A 2024 Global Recognition Award recognizes Petean’s substantial contributions to accounting. She demonstrates high achievement through her technical expertise, leadership skills, and dedication to service. Her work will influence future accounting professionals, and her career will set a standard for excellence.
Petean demonstrates what dedication and expertise can accomplish. The accounting community is interested in her future achievements. Through her commitment to excellence, she continues to raise standards in the accounting profession.
In a groundbreaking development for the financial technology industry, Dmytro Konoval, visionary leader and entrepreneur, today announced the global expansion of BlackBunny, a fintech platform poised to redefine how individuals interact with modern financial tools. Drawing from his extensive experience in traditional industries like gold mining, Konoval has established BlackBunny as a trailblazer in merging user-friendly technology with advanced financial innovation.
A Visionary Leader Bridging Industries
With a career spanning gold mining and fintech innovation, Dmytro Konoval brings a distinctiveedge to BlackBunny . His expertise in resource management and operational efficiency has paved the way for the platform’s core mission: to make sophisticated financial tools accessible to all, while fostering a community-driven ecosystem.
“At BlackBunny, we’re not just building a platform; we’re creating an ecosystem that empowers users with the tools and education they need to thrive in the financial world,” said Konoval. “Our mission is to simplify complex systems, enhance user trust, and ensure financial literacy for everyone.”
BlackBunny: Transforming Financial Management
BlackBunny offers a suite of cutting-edge features aimed at reshaping financial technology:
– Real-Time Portfolio Tracking: Empowering users with instant insights and market analysis.
– Advanced Transaction Tools: Enhanced control through features like limit and stop-loss orders.
– Curated Investment Opportunities: AI-driven suggestions tailored to market trends.
– Seamless User Experience: A streamlined interface for hassle-free transactions.
– Secure Scalability: Integration capabilities designed for cross-platform functionality.
These innovations are designed not just for convenience but for fostering user confidence and independence in managing their financial assets.
Social Responsibility at the Core
Beyond its technological prowess, BlackBunny is committed to social impact. The platform dedicates a portion of its revenue to financial education initiatives, including plans to launch global training centers. These programs aim to equip users with foundational and advanced skills, enabling them to navigate complex financial systems effectively.
“The cornerstone of BlackBunny’s philosophy is empowerment through education,” Konoval emphasized. “We believe that financial literacy is the gateway to economic independence.”
Investor Confidence and Future Growth
The innovative approach of BlackBunny has attracted significant interest from global investment funds, underscoring its potential to lead the fintech sector. With new funding, the platform plans to enhance its offerings and scale its operations globally.
Looking ahead, BlackBunny is preparing to introduce additional features and complementary projects aimed at enriching the user experience and further solidifying its position as a leader in financial technology.
Shaping the Future of Fintech
Under the leadership of Dmytro Konoval, BlackBunny is not just a platform; it is a movement towards a more inclusive, innovative, and user-centered financial future. By combining state-of-the- art technology with a commitment to community and education, BlackBunny is setting a new standard for fintech excellence.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. has announced that its newest products and services have been recognised by the prestigious CES® 2025 Innovation Awards, including four “Best of Innovation” winners, from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®. These recognitions come two months ahead of CES® 2025 — the world’s largest and most influential technology event — and they highlight Samsung’s relentless commitment to pushing boundaries in consumer technology. With pioneering advancements in AI, sustainable design and inclusive user experiences, Samsung continues to set the standard for the entire industry.
The CES Innovation Awards programme is an annual competition that honours outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology, recognising top innovations across multiple categories and distinguishing the highest-rated in each field. For Samsung, these awards also underscore the company’s broader vision for AI-enabled connectivity, customisation, and convenience across its ecosystem of powerful smart devices — from smartphones and tablets, to home appliances, TVs, wearables, software, services, and more — as well as semiconductor solutions which are unlocking limitless possibilities for the future.
In particular, the Samsung Visual Display Business earned 16 innovation awards with three Best of Innovation winners. This includes honours for several Samsung screens, such as the latest flagship OLED TV. Plus, Samsung received recognition for outstanding AI features designed to make your day simpler, more dynamic and more connected than ever before. The Digital Appliances (DA) Business was also recognised for its home-centred innovation, winning multiple awards for products that elevate the user experience by comprehensively boosting convenience.
Attendees of CES® 2025 in Las Vegas from Jan. 7-10 will be able to see Samsung’s full line-up of AI-powered smart products, which have been reimagined to shape a more sustainable and accessible world, bridging the best of tech and lifestyle.
Galaxy Buds3 Pro Takes Home Best of Innovation Award for Headphones & Personal Audio
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro was named the Best of Innovation winner in Headphones & Personal Audio for its premium sound, adaptive noise control, and sleek appearance. As a whole, the Galaxy Buds3 series was designed to deliver premium audio experiences with a new computational approach while still ensuring a comfortable fit, and it incorporates Galaxy AI, allowing users to listen to lectures or speeches translated directly through their Galaxy Buds removing language and communication barriers — all without the need for a screen.
Highlighted CES 2025 Innovation Award Honourees
Galaxy AI for Imaging – Samsung is integrating AI across all its connected technologies, starting with Galaxy AI on mobile devices to deliver real and innovative benefits to users such as powerful mobile editing and creativity tools. For example, ProVisual Engine, a comprehensive suite of AI-powered tools, transforms the way users capture and edit content, allowing them to instantly and effortlessly refine a photo with automatic recommendations like Edit Suggestion or Generative Edit. These capabilities showcase Samsung’s focus on creating inclusive and meaningful experiences for people.
Galaxy Z Fold6 for Gaming & eSports – The Galaxy Z Fold6, the slimmest, lightest, and most durable Galaxy Z series foldable ever, is optimised for portability while bringing powerful performance thanks to the most advanced Snapdragon mobile processor and an upgraded cooling system. It also offers a range of Galaxy AI-powered features and tools for communication, and creativity that maximise the benefits of the large screen and significantly enhance productivity.
Galaxy Tab S10 Series for Computer Hardware & Components – This is Samsung’s first tablet series to be purposefully built for AI. The premium hardware includes 14.6-inch and 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays — the ideal canvas for the intuitive S Pen bundled with both models. Performance upgrades for the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra include an 18% increase for the CPU, a 28% increase for the GPU, and a 14% increase for the NPU compared to the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. This improved processing power enables faster and more responsive AI features. These features are now easily accessible with written prompts using the new Galaxy AI Key 1 on compatible Book Cover Keyboards 2 , which can be customised to open the user’s AI assistant of choice.
Galaxy Watch7 for Fashion Tech – The Galaxy Watch7 is designed to boost everyday wellness by offering personalised workouts and preventative health monitoring features. Additionally, Galaxy Watch7 allows users to express their style with an array of stylish watch bands and various watch face options.
10.7Gbps LPDDR5X DRAM for Mobile Devices, Accessories & Apps – Samsung has developed the industry’s first 12nm-class LPDDR5X DRAM supporting the industry’s fastest speed of up to 10.7 gigabits-per-second (Gbps). With its high performance and industry’s smallest chip size, the LPDDR5X is optimised for next-generation on-device AI applications.
Exynos W1000 for Fashion Tech – Designed for smartwatches and wearables, the Exynos W1000 processor runs demanding applications smoothly and delivers vivid 3D graphics with its dedicated GPU. It enhances user experience with faster app loading and an always-on display that uses minimal battery power.
All Lenses on Prism (ALoP) for Imaging – Samsung’s All Lenses on Prism (ALoP) is a next-generation telephoto camera solution that places lenses directly on the prism, enhancing brightness and reducing noise. This innovative design also reduces the camera bump, allowing for a sleeker, more aesthetic design.
In Lisbon’s downtown, where cobblestone streets lead to historic Portuguese architecture, stands MeraPrime Gold. This boutique design hotel, located on RuaÁurea, is the brainchild of Umar Abdul Shakoor Sorathia’s efforts to revitalize Lisbon’s boutique hotel industry through luxurious services and a respect for cultural heritage.
MeraPrime Gold is a 38-room sanctuary that embraces the city’s rich history while nonetheless offering modern luxury amenities. With its prime location just steps from Commerce Square, guests can immerse themselves in Lisbon’s cultural treasures.
Redefining Boutique Hospitality
Portugal’s boutique hotel market has seen significant changes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. Consumer preferences have pivoted toward more personalized, experience-driven accommodations, propelled by a surge ininternational visitors seeking authentic and unique stays.
On a wider scale, Portugal’s hotel sector has witnessed remarkable growth, with RevPAR in 2023 increasing by 14% from previous years. The country’s room stock is shifting dramatically toward the luxury segment, with over 11,000 rooms under construction or planning across the nation. The MeraPrime Gold Hotel, under the guidance of Sorathia Investments, seeks to meet this rising demand wholeheartedly.
Even the hotel’s design philosophy mirrors the city’s dual nature—its exterior pays homage to traditional Portuguese architecture while its interior showcases the latest modern aesthetics. Soundproofed windows create an oasis of tranquility, and select rooms offer breathtaking views of the Tagus River.
The Guest Experience
Guests at MeraPrime Gold find themselves perfectly positioned to explore Lisbon’s most treasured landmarks. The hotel sits mere steps from the iconic Santa Justa Elevator, a neo-Gothic architectural marvel offering panoramic city views.
Within a five-minute walk, visitors can explore the bustling Rossio Square, wander through the historic Chiado district’s boutiques, or venture into the labyrinthine streets of Alfama, Lisbon’s oldest neighborhood. The nearby Baixa-Chiado Metro
Station connects guests to more attractions, including the majestic São Jorge Castle and the waterfront Belém district, home to the UNESCO-listed Jerónimos Monastery and the iconic Tower of Belém.
Umar Sorathia, CEO of Sorathia Investments, explains his vision: “We wanted to craft a place where luxury is not just what you see, but something you feel. It’s about creating memories and experiences that stick with our guests long after they leave.”
Sorathia’s Midas Touch
Beyond its design or amenities, MeraPrime Gold’s success can be credited to its founder’s strategic foresight. Portugal’s hotel market has seen a significant increase in luxury offerings, with thousands of rooms in various stages of development.However, MeraPrime Gold has managed to establish a name by focusing on the boutique market’s demand for authenticity and exclusivity.
The hotel’s unique features, such as free walking tours, early check-in, and late check-out options, seek to meet the needs of modern travellers who crave flexibility and local experiences.
“My personal belief is that a good hotel feels like a home away from home, where you can truly relax and explore the city at their own pace,” says Sorathia. While many hotels attempt to capture Portuguese charm, MeraPrime Gold weaves it into every aspect of the guest experience. From the traditional Portuguese tiles adorning select spaces to the Halal-certified menu that respects local and international tastes, the hotel demonstrates a deep understanding of cultural fusion.
Investing in the S&P 500 presents a significant opportunity for individuals aiming to build wealth through exposure to a broad spectrum of leading U.S. companies. However, the sheer volume of data and the dynamic nature of the market can make it challenging for individual investors to navigate effectively. This in turn requires multiple platforms and manual processes that lack continuity and integration, which can introduce biases and additional costs. Recognizing these challenges, FINQ has developed Stocks DIY for S&P 500—an innovative, AI-driven platform designed to empower investors by providing direct, data-backed information and strategies. This approach lets users make manual investing decisions based on what FINQ’s AI platform decides to sell or buy.
Simplifying S&P 500 Investments with Stocks DIY
FINQ’s STOCKS-AI technology provides a daily, comprehensive ranking of the S&P 500 stocks, excluding those with incomplete data. This continuous analysis ensures investors have up-to-date information to make informed investment choices. One of the ways investors are empowered to make these decisions is by getting a front-row seat to the moves FINQ makes within its own portfolio. This is how FINQFIRST, one of FINQ’s model portfolios for long strategy, has performed compared to the S&P 500 from December 12, 2022, to November 11,2024. This portfolio consistently holds the top-ranked 10 stocks as identified by FINQ’s AI-driven ranking system.
Tailored Standardized Model Portfolios for Diverse Strategies
FINQ manages three distinct model portfolios, each leveraging real-time STOCKS-AI rankings:
– FINQFIRST (Long Strategy): This portfolio includes the top 10 highest-ranked stocks,designed to beat the S&P 500 with the top 10 ranked stocks, automatically updated for optimal long-term performance.
– FINQLAST (Short Strategy): Focused on short-selling, this portfolio is designed to outperform short-selling products with the 10 lowest-ranked stocks for short strategies.
– FINQNEUTRAL (Market-Neutral Strategy): Balancing both long and short positions, designed to beat market-neutral products by combining the top 10 stocks to buy and 10 to short-sell.
Empowering Investors with Real-Time Insights
Subscribers receive full access to the comprehensive S&P 500 rankings, updated daily to reflect market shifts. Sector-specific rankings provide deeper insights into industry trends. Additionally, email notifications alert users to model portfolio changes, ensuring they remain informed about new opportunities and adjustments.
The FINQ Advantage: Transparency and Automation
FINQ’s approach is both transparent and data-driven, eliminating subjective biases. STOCKS-AI analyzes extensive datasets, including financial metrics, market trends, and sentiment, to rank S&P 500 stocks objectively. This dynamic system ensures that rankings reflect current market realities, providing a reliable framework that equips investors with data-driven insights to make their own informed decisions without relying on intuition.
Accessible to Self-directed Investors
Designed for self-directed investors, Stocks DIY can help investors to manage their own portfolios manually.
Subscription Benefits
For $50 per month, subscribers gain:
– Access to the FINQFIRST model portfolio, designed to beat the S&P 500 with the top 10ranked stocks to buy.
– Access to the FINQLAST model portfolio, focused on short-selling the 10 lowest-ranked stocks to outperform short products.
– Access to the FINQNEUTRAL model portfolio, combining the top 10 stocks to buy and 10 to short-sell for a market-neutral strategy.
– Real-time notifications for changes to the model portfolios.
– Full access to STOCKS DEPOT & FINQFULL for filtering, comparing sectors, and ranking portfolio holdings.
FINQ’s STOCKS-AI rankings and pre-defined model portfolios make investing in the stocks from the S&P 500 more accessible and efficient. The $50/month subscription provides transparent, continuous insights and automated strategies, helping users stay ahead.
Nedbank’s multibillion-rand investment into its Managed Evolution (ME) digital transformation strategy has earned it global recognition at the Euromoney 2024 Awards for Excellence. The bank has been named as Africa’s Best Digital Bank and South Africa’s Best Digital Bank for its outstanding leadership in digital innovation.
At the same awards ceremony, Nedbank’s financial inclusion strategy earned the banking brand international recognition for its intensified efforts to bridge the financial exclusion gap. The bank has been conferred 2 additional awards: The World’s Best Bank for Diversity and Inclusion and South Africa’s Best Bank for Diversity and Inclusion.
The Euromoney Awards for Excellence has been the definitive annual awards programme of the global banking industry for the past 30 years, pioneering a comprehensive awards programme that remains the industry benchmark globally. The awards represent the highest distinction to the banks and bankers who matter most in an industry where differentiation is highly sought after and exceptionally difficult to demonstrate.
Best Digital Bank
‘In 2016, Nedbank embarked on a R9 billion ME technology strategy aimed at unlocking efficiencies by embracing digital through a complete refresh of our digital platforms’ says Ciko Thomas, Group Managing Executive of Retail and Business Banking at Nedbank. ‘The strategy also aims to place our clients at the centre of the journey by providing them with a more integrated client experience over time. Over the years, the ME journey has enabled us to refactor our core banking, with a particular focus on deposits and transactional products, the completion of the payment modernisation programme, and enhancing our onboarding and servicing of clients. The project has resulted in continued double-digit growth in all digital-related metrics, as well as higher levels of cross-selling.’
Best Bank for Diversity and Inclusion
On being recognised for financial inclusion, Thomas says, ‘Nedbank’s financial inclusion strategy goes beyond mere access to bank accounts and encompasses the sustainable use of diverse financial offerings. By incorporating financial inclusion in our strategy, Nedbank empowers people to participate fully in SA’s financial system, regardless of their income level or background. Coupled with fair client market conduct, our strategy creates a win-win situation – achieving our strategy while ensuring equitable access to financial services for all.’
Some of the notable spin-offs from Nedbank’s financial inclusion strategy include expanding its financial wellness and education reach, with 11 million consumers receiving financial education in 2023. Furthermore, its Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programmes have demonstrated tremendous impact, touching both gender and sector challenges and promoting the development of both individual and business growth through initiatives such as ‘Proud of My Town’, the Youth Entrepreneurs programme, the Agripreneur programme, and its collaboration with Township Entrepreneurs Alliance (TEA) to support and promote the development of the township economy.
‘The recognition from the Euromoney Awards for Excellence affirms that our digital strategy, which aims to digitise, delight and disrupt the financial services industry through rapid innovation, is yielding positive results and adding value to the lives of our clients. This has culminated in maintaining our #1 ranking on the Net Promoter Score, which is the gold standard customer experience metric.’
‘Considering that entries submitted by banks from over 100 countries were evaluated by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence programme’s judging panel in various categories, we are humbled that our intentional efforts to promote financial inclusion and wellness, as well as to provide inclusive financial services to underserved and unserved individuals, SMMEs, and communities are recognised by the global community as market leading’, Thomas concludes.
