CARFIRST EXPANDS ITS OPERATIONS TO MULTAN

Member of the National Assembly, Makhdoom Zain Qureshi, and Raja Murad Khan’s, CEO of CarFirst inaugurated the launch of CarFirst operations in Multan. Mr. Zain Qureshi and Mr. Murad Khan talked about the importance of creating sustainable jobs in Multan. The CEO of CarFirst shared the company’s vision, services, and products with the members of the Multan press.

 

Makhdoom Zain Qureshi, Member of the National Assembly said: “The biggest challenge facing the used car industry in Multan was reliable sources and quick payment, CarFirst directly solves these problems eliminating any elements of fraud with their instant inspection and payment system. The contemporary world requires digitalization and innovative solutions to our problems, for all these reasons and more we welcome CarFirst to Multan and pray for their prosperity.”

 

While speaking to the members of the Multan press, Raja Murad Khan, CEO and Co-Founder CarFirst , said “ CarFirst, has a progressive vision of growth and expansion throughout Pakistan, with Sialkot, Gujranwala, and Gujrat on the cards. We have come to Multan, in response to the overwhelming demand for CarFirst’s trusted services. The people in Multan will be able to have their cars inspected, priced, and sold under one roof all within an hour CarFirst is geared towards simplifying the lives of our customers and continuously driving Pakistan's used car industry forward through innovation, and playing our role as Pakistan’s most trusted used car trading platform. We are proud to be the drivers of change by bringing forth transparency, regulation, instant payment, secure transfers, and hassle-free trading for Multan.”

The press conference was held at CarFirst’s regional office in Multan, where Mr. Zain Qureshi and Mr. Raja Murad Khan shared CarFirst’s expansion plans, paving the way for other Tech companies to follow. CEO of CarFirst, Raja Murad Khan, expressed that there is a need for developing

seamless infrastructure solutions that are fundamental in enabling Tech companies to counteract issues that affect work productivity such as disruption in electricity, data network services,and internet connectivity.

The presser was attended by CarFirst’s national leadership team, their official hygiene partner for public events, LifeBuoy, and members of the Multan press club.

CarFirst is Pakistan's most trusted used car trading platform that revolutionized the way used cars

are traded in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, and Hyderabad. CarFirst has solved the problems of the used car market by bringing in regulation, transparency, instant payment, secure transfers, and hassle-free trading. The fastest way to sell a car has now arrived in Multan, with potential sellers now able to sell their car in 45 minutes.

The 64MP quad camera is here, Huawei’s new HUAWEI Y9a features the Y Series’ best camera yet

Huawei recently launched an all new HUAWEI Y9a smartphone for the mid-range market and it comes with a range of unamicable new features. The HUAWEI Y9a design has clearly adopted its sleek design from Huawei’s Mate 30 Series, as the rear camera on the back cover sports a Halo Ring design which makes it instantly recognizable. With a large 4200mAh (typical value) battery capacity alongside 40W HUAWEI SuperCharge technology, you are guaranteed a long-lasting battery life and a quick and easy charging experience so you’re free to take photos and enjoy video entertainment all day long.

 

HUAWEI Y9a’s quad camera configuration is surprisingly comprehensive. Adaptable to any number of high resolution, ultra-wide angle, macro, portrait mode, and night-time scenarios, HUAWEI Y9a has you covered whenever and wherever you want to bring out your camera. Picture this: you want to take a selfie but the lighting is just not right? Whether it’s a city nightscape, your delicate macaroon dessert, or simply a big group photo with your friends, capturing every kind of subject is made possible with HUAWEI Y9a. HUAWEI Y9a’s powerful photography capabilities and AI algorithms help you take beautiful photos that are ready to share in no time.  

 

HUAWEI Y9a is equipped with a 64MP super high resolution main camera which currently boasts the highest pixel count in the entire HUAWEI Y series line up. It can achieve a photo resolution of a whopping 9248 x 6936, nearly double that of an 8K TV (7680 x 4320). One of the great things about having a high pixel count is that the picture can be continuously enlarged and details still come out in crisp definition, giving you the maximum freedom to edit, enhance and more. In fact, the camera can directly produce poster-quality images, which requires activating HUAWEI Y9a’s HIGH-RES mode in the camera menu.

 

HUAWEI Y9a is also great at getting those dynamic shots. We often like to capture moments of our pets bounding around, street scenes with our friends, even just a fleeting moment from a car window, or flowers and windmills in the breeze. But it’s easy for the photo to end up blurry and ruin your shot. HUAWEI Y9a uses AI algorithms to intelligently predict the subject and state of the shot to automatically adjust shutter priority or delay to improve how the photo is captured. This feature results in a clear, defined images and definitely gives HUAWEI Y9a the upper hand compared to rival smartphones. within the same price point.

 

 

Ultra-wide angle and macro lenses gives you room to experiment

In addition to the 64MP main camera, HUAWEI Y9a features an 8MP Ultra Wide Angle lens, 2MP Macro lens and 2MP Depth lens, allowing you to experiment more with your photography in different surroundings.

 

 

HUAWEI Y9a’s Ultra-Wide Angle lens reaches a field span of 120 degrees and also supports wide angle video recording too. The broad field of vision produces a more impactful photo effect. At the same time, its AI algorithms correct the distortion that normally crops up on the edges of wide angle photos - another great perk of the HUAWEI Y9a. Perfect for urban landscapes, natural scenery and large gatherings, HUAWEI Y9a even comes in handy for vertical photos to elongate your figure.

 

If you want to capture and share up-close, detailed subjects such as plants and flowers, small packaging text on grocery items or even your collection of toys, ornaments or figurines – HUAWEI Y9a does the job perfectly with its Macro lens. With a focusing distance of 4cm, your phone can be positioned right up as close as possible to the subject, allowing you to take all kinds of close-up photos with ease. Don’t forget to try out the Depth lens either. With an f1/8 aperture, HUAWEI Y9a can produce photos with a background blurring effect, ideal for portraiture. If you want to change up your profile picture, try getting your headshot with HUAWEI Y9a!

 

High sensitivity night shots for great selfies too

Without sufficient light, smartphones can end up taking photos that are almost pitch black. Huawei’s accumulated expertise in night photography can be seen on the HUAWEI Y9a. The main camera uses a 1/1.7-inch sensor (f/1.8 aperture) which ensures enough light intake to shoot in low light conditions or even at night. AI algorithms are then used to reduce noise captured from multiple frames and enhance the brightness and clarity of the image. HUAWEI Y9a also supports a high sensitivity of up to ISO 51200. With the Night Scene Mode enabled, HUAWEI Y9a can deliver even in such darkness where your eyes can’t see your hands. For this reason, HUAWEI Y9a really stands out from its similarly priced competition in terms of night-time photography.

 

The younger crowd who enjoy a vibrant night life love to capture fun moments with selfies. But sometimes dimmer settings or multiple light sources like streetlights can impact the clarity of photos. HUAWEI Y9a’s front camera supports AI Beauty and Circular Flash features to illuminate your selfies without you having to adjust all those camera settings, making sharing your selfies on social media easier than ever before.

Even with so many features, are you still unconvinced? Well, the new HUAWEI Y9a is also equipped with a 6.63-inch high resolution screen, using an improved pop-up lens to achieve a completely uninterrupted display experience. It also has a long-lasting battery life and 40W HUAWEI Supercharge so that the fun of gaming, TikTok, and catching up on your favourite TV dramas is never interrupted. This stellar device retails for PKR 43,999/- in three amazing colours – Midnight Black, Sakura Pink and Space Silver.

HUAWEI Y9a - the Midrange King Goes on Sale across Pakistan Today

With a sleek design, powerful performance, smooth app experience, reliable quality and good value for money – HUAWEI Y9a is now available to purchase at PKR 43,999/-

The HUAWEI Y series continues to exceed expectations of young consumers all over Pakistan. It is touted as a worthy digital companion that flouts the norms of a thriving technology market. HUAWEI Y9a is a revolutionary smartphone that is now available for purchase - online and in stores, all over Pakistan. With its powerful performance and fascinating camera, this device promises great value for money, attracting an overwhelming response from consumers nationwide. Featuring many flagship specs like a 40W HUAWEI SuperCharge, 64MP Quad AI Camera, 6.63" HUAWEI Ultra FullView Display, 8GB RAM and 128GB storage - all amid an eye catching design, it is surely the perfect choice for consumers of every age.

Huawei’s goal is to bring the latest and greatest technologies for everyone to enjoy.  With insights into the latest trends, Huawei has launched Y9a to meet the younger generations’ needs for a smartphone prioritising design and entertainment.

Through constant improvements being made to camera capabilities, Huawei always brings new surprises to users when it comes to innovative breakthroughs. The HUAWEI Y9a continues this tradition in terms of smartphone photography by including a high-resolution main camera, Super Night Mode and more to make up the all-scenario quad camera. Housing a 64MP Quad Camera with hi-resolution technology, within its Halo Ring Design, it enables you to capture key moments with exceptionally vivid clarity and beauty. The camera set-up is also enriched with 120° Wide Angle Photo-lens, AI beautification and EIS anti-shake technology, to take social media-worthy photos.

Super narrow bezels facilitate an unobstructed, immersive viewing experience. Every inch on HUAWEI Y9a’s 6.63" Ultra FullView Display is used to deliver an immersive viewing experience. The new Huawei smartphone completely eliminates the notch area with a 16MP pop-up camera – a design that is well-regarded as the best implementation of the front camera so far. Its enhanced auto selfie pop-up camera is another novel solution, while the 6.63” HUAWEI Ultra FullView Display enables you to enjoy your stunning selfies and videos without any distractions.

The latest EMUI 10.1 promises unmatched ease and seamless experiences while users can indulge in a wide range of mobile apps, as the HUAWEI Y9a is pre-installed with HUAWEI AppGallery – Huawei’s official app marketplace. With Petal Search, Huawei brings more than 1.8 million apps straight to your phone. The users can simply browse and download all the apps they need, alongwith the most advanced and globally famous apps. This device is revolutionizing the way people connect and access the latest info-tainment, all across the globe.

This solution offering a vast range of applications that can truly empower the consumers, especially the users in Pakistan. Some of these notable apps are: Standard Chartered, Habib Bank, Jazz Cash, Askari Bank, Telenor, Bank Al-Falah, Meezan Bank, Pakistan Railways, Daraz.com, ARY News, GeoTV, Hum TV, Zameen.com, Pak-Wheels, Citizens Portal Pakistan, PTA DIRBS, English Dictionary, PTV Sports and other leading apps for Social-Media, Quranic knowledge, technology-updates, traveling, Music and so much more.

The Y9a also shows unmatched performance while multi-tasking, browsing or watching videos for long periods, while the 4200mAh (typical value) large battery provides extended support. Its 40W HUAWEI SuperCharge technology provides 70% charge-up with only a 30-minutes charging session, so the users enjoy uninterrupted performance.

This amazing device is attractively priced at PKR 43,999/- and is available in three futuristic colors that exude mystery like; Midnight Black, Space Silver and Sakura Pink.

For more information, please visit: https://consumer.huawei.com/

ACCA to train teachers for the ‘New Normal’

ACCA is organising a free of cost teacher training workshop to support country’s educators to be better prepared to teach more effectively in a post-pandemic ‘New Normal’ as they return to in-person teaching in a highly transformed world.

 

Themed 'Getting ready to teach in the ‘New Normal’ – Mastering the post-pandemic pedagogy', the workshop will include exclusive insights into how teachers can prepare themselves for a blended future of education, learn new skills and tools to enhance learning experience of the students, devise comprehensive assessment techniques, and disseminate learning and advice that prepares students for the future workplace.

 

In a statement, ACCA’s Marketing Communications Manager, Rashid Khan said,

 

“The pandemic is a wake-up call of monumental proportions to educators around the world, who must radically rethink a strategy of constantly evolving according to the needs and ever-changing behaviours of learners and keep imagining the ‘next normal’.”

 

“As part of ACCA's commitment to promoting future-thinking and supporting our partners with shaping a sustainable, inclusive future for all, we continue to hold capacity building sessions to help organisations with their future-readiness and resilience against the uncertainties of future.”

 

Featuring contributions from internationally renowned trainers joining from the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan, the workshop is particularly designed for individuals involved in the profession of teaching, curriculum design, and career counselling.

 

Paul Kirkwood, Sarah Corcoran, Fazeela Gopalani, Sajjeed Aslam, Hammad Azim and Mehwish Kareem are among the learned trainers. The training will be delivered online on 29 September between 2PM and 06:30PM.

 

The training is open for all educators in Pakistan and registrations are currently open: https://bit.ly/TeachinginNewNormal

HUAWEI Y9a - Get a World of Apps at Your Fingertips with HUAWEI AppGallery & Petal Search

This midrange powerhouse is up for pre-orders till Sunday, 20 September, 2020 offering more than 1.8 million apps to users after which it shall debut for PKR 43,999/-.

 

As the technology industry continues to create fascinating experiences for consumers around the world, one of the leading enterprises in this sector – Huawei is also innovating and revolutionizing the way people connect and access the latest info-tainment, all across the globe. With the recent launch of its latest smartphone – HUAWEI Y9a, this truly global company has once again proved its technology leadership. Users can indulge in a wide range of mobile apps, as the Y9a device is pre-installed with the HUAWEI AppGallery – Huawei’s official app marketplace, with a constantly growing list of apps, where users can simply browse and download all the apps they need. Moreover, the ‘Petal Search’ feature brings more than 1.8 million apps straight to your phone.

 

This solution offers a vast range of applications that can truly empower consumers, especially the users in Pakistan. Some of the notable apps among these are: Easypaisa, JazzCash, Standard Chartered, Habib Bank, Askari Bank, Telenor, Bank Al-Falah, Meezan Bank, Pakistan Railways, Daraz.com, ARY News, GeoTV, Hum TV, Zameen.com, Pak-Wheels, Citizens Portal Pakistan, PTA DIRBS, English Dictionary, PTV Sports and other leading apps for social networking, Quranic knowledge, technology-updates, traveling, music and much more.

 

Promising great value-for-money, along with blazing performance and a sleek Halo Ring design - the Y9a device fulfills the evolving needs of every consumer-segment. This midrange device is a masterpiece with Huawei's trendsetting flagship specs like; 64MP AI Quad-Camera, 8GB RAM and 128GB storage and a 40W HUAWEI SuperCharge.

 

The 64MP Quad-Camera enables the users to capture their most memorable moments, with vivid clarity and vibrancy in video and still pictures. Featuring a Night Mode, a 120° Wide Angle Photo-lens, AI beautification and EIS anti-shake technology, it ensures perfect photography, worthy of social media sharing. The Selfie pop-up camera on the front has an enhanced 16MP lens, while the 6.63 inch HUAWEI Ultra FullView Display, with 92% screen-to-body ratio that enables you to enjoy your visuals without distractions. HUAWEI Y9a comes with the latest EMUI 10.1 software update as standard, allowing seamless and convenient usage and delightful experiences.

 For the young customers, the HUAWEI Y9a delivers an immersive gaming experience that they have always craved for. It also shows unmatched performance while multi-tasking, browsing or watching videos for long periods, while the 4200mAh (typical value) large battery provides extended support. Its 40W HUAWEI SuperCharge technology provides a 70% charge with only 30-minutes of charging, so the users enjoy uninterrupted performance.

 

This amazing device is attractively priced at PKR 43,999/- and is available in beautiful colors like; Midnight Black, Space Silver and Sakura Pink. For more information, please visit: https://consumer.huawei.com/

Pakistani professional accountant mum wins gold in Australia

Madeeha Usman FCCA, an ACCA qualified professional accountant from Pakistan, who’s currently running a business ‘The Kalculators’ in Australia has won four awards at a recently held Ausmumpreneur awards.

 

The AusMumpreneur Awards are presented by ‘The Women’s Business School’ and were created to inspire, celebrate and provide a community for Australian entrepreneurs, like Madeeha.

 

After receiving this news, Madeeha said she was excited to win in all the four categories in the 2020 AusMumpreneur Awards in such a challenging time. She was declared winner in following four categories:

 

1.         People Choice Customer Service Award

2.         Rising Star Award

3.         Business Excellence Award, WA and SA

4.         Multicultural Business Award

 

Madeeha says: “Special thanks to AusMumpreneur for recognising and honouring women in business. Keeping our accounting firm offices open during the COVID outbreak was challenging as it posed such a high risk of bringing an infection at my home with my two little children. However, when you step into the world of business with big dreams, you have to take a leap of faith and continue to do what you are doing.”

 

Recognising the role ACCA played in her career, she adds: “Choosing ACCA was truly a life-changing decision for me. My ACCA credentials helped me greatly in reaching where I’m today - from landing my first job immediately in Australia after emigrating from Pakistan to founding my own business, my qualification has given me the international recognition and global support that’s simply amazing.”

 

Congratulating Madeeha, ACCA’s head of Pakistan, Sajjeed Aslam, said: “ACCA is extremely proud of its Pakistan students and members. Sharing their experiences, challenges and triumphs continues to inspire others towards even greater achievement. ACCA’s women in finance are true role models for the young girls in the country and their career stories prove that anyone with ability and ambition can succeed under all circumstances if they’re provided with quality education and necessary support by the professional community.”

 

The Women’s Business School co-founder Katy Garner adds: “The awards show the passion of women who want to fulfil their entrepreneurial dreams as well as be great mums. We are delighted that Madeeha Usman FCCA won this award, she has created an outstanding business and is an inspirational role model and ambassador for mums in business everywhere.”

HUAWEI Y9a Opens for Pre-orders Bringing an Amalgamation of Flagship-level Specs to the Y Series Line-up

 

The smartphone captures the best of both worlds with its aesthetics and performance, and can be pre-ordered from Monday, 14 September till Sunday, 20 September, 2020 after which the Midrange King shall retail for PKR 43,999/-.

 

A phone made for power, performance and photography - HUAWEI Y9a opens for pre-orders today in Pakistan. Offering a sleek design, powerful performance and good value for money, the HUAWEI Y9a promises to be a perfect choice for consumers of every age. The smartphone brings Huawei's trendsetting flagship specs like 40W HUAWEI SuperCharge, 64MP Quad Camera, 8GB and 128GB storage encapsulated in a design derived from the HUAWEI Mate 30 Series. HUAWEI Y9a can be pre-ordered from Monday, 14 September till Sunday, 20 September nationwide following which it shall be made available for PKR 43,999/-.

 

Housing a 64MP Quad Camera which packs-in Huawei’s market-leading smartphone camera technology, the Halo Ring Design makes sure you stand out in more ways than one. Not only does the design itself turn heads, but it ensures you capture key moments anytime, anywhere with outstanding clarity and beauty. Featuring a 64MP High-Resolution Camera, Night Mode, a 120° Wide Angle Photo lens, AI beautification and EIS anti-shake technology, you can be sure of perfectly social media-worthy photos. The enhanced 16MP auto selfie pop-up camera is a novel solution which allows you to enjoy the 6.63” HUAWEI Ultra FullView Display without distractions, as well as producing stunning selfies every time.

Young consumers demand a smartphone that excels at mobile gaming, and the HUAWEI Y9a certainly delivers on that front. Super narrow bezels and the enhanced auto selfie pop-up camera facilitate an unobstructed, immersive viewing experience, allowing you to enjoy a 6.63” HUAWEI Ultra FullView Display whether you are gaming, browsing or watching videos. This stylish and immersive design with 92% screen-to-body ratio is perfect for gamers, ensuring you can play without obstruction.

Mobile gamers need to have the confidence they can play for long periods without worrying about battery life. This is another area where the HUAWEI Y9a excels thanks to its 4200mAh (typical value) large battery. HUAWEI Y9a features the industry-leading 40W HUAWEI SuperCharge technology. Using this solution, users can charge the device up by nearly 70% in a 30-minute charging session.

The smartphone category has evolved in recent years, and consumers now quite rightly expect flagship-level performance for an affordable price. Pushing the limits of what consumers can expect at its price point, the HUAWEI Y9a packs in 8GB RAM + 128GB ROM for massive internal storage and background multi-tasking. This means you can play, browse and watch for hours at a time, experiencing an easy and smooth multitasking performance.

HUAWEI Y9a comes with the latest EMUI 10.1 software update as standard, allowing users to enjoy seamless, intelligent experiences that let them stay connected with consummate ease.

To indulge users with a wide range of mobile apps, the HUAWEI Y9a is pre-installed with HUAWEI AppGallery – Huawei’s official app marketplace with a constantly growing list of apps, where users can simply browse and download the apps they need. And with Petal Search, Huawei brings more than a million apps straight to your phone.

The HUAWEI Y9a is available in Midnight Black, Space Silver and Sakura Pink, while it can be pre-booked from Monday, 14 September till Sunday, 20 September, 2020. For more information, please visit: https://consumer.huawei.com/

Press release: PSDF represents Pakistan as skills expert at the GSG Global Impact Summit 2020

CEO Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF), Jawad Khan, spoke at the GSG Global Impact Summit 2020 in the session on ‘Upskilling the Unemployed’ to discuss the importance of impact investment in training and an outcome-based approach to re-skilling and up-skilling programmes targeting the vulnerable and unemployed.

The GSG Summit attracts changemakers from across the world, to work on a just and impact-led recovery that benefits all people and the planet. This year’s virtual summit focused on how to place impact at the heart of COVID-19 response and recovery and bring forward solutions that can help rally and re-build. The 3 day summit, spanning 9th to 11th September, brought forward influential speakers from 32 countries across the world, from the public and private sector, such as Achim Steiner, The Administrator of the UNDP, Emmanuel Faber, CEO at Danone, Jessica Alba, founder at The Honest Company and Ibukun Awosika, Chair at the First Bank of Nigeria.

The 2^nd day of the Summit included the session on ‘Upskilling the Unemployed’ which looked at the adverse economic impact of Covid-19, and ideated on impact investment and outcome-based vehicles that could be promising to achieve scale and maximum social outcomes.

At the session, CEO PSDF, Jawad Khan joined as one of the prime speakers on global labour market trends and the challenges and opportunities brought forward by the Covid-19 pandemic, and focused on how ‘pay for success’ financing and schemes can help ensure a rapid and fair recovery. He further expanded on PSDF’s involvement in leading a number of cross-sector partnerships in the skilling space, such as the National Accelerator on closing the skills gap (Parwaaz), that identifies high-growth sectors and declining and emerging job roles, to skill, re-skill and upskill the current and future workforce.

Other speakers at the session included Annie Plancher, Vice President of Staff and Strategy at Social Finance US, Maha Keramane, Head of Microfinance and Social Entrepreneurship from BNP Paribas, and Dr. Swapan Bala, Professor at University of Dhaka.

Huawei Announces New Developer Technologies Capable of Smarter All-Scenario Experiences

Huawei Developer Conference 2020 (Together) was held today at Songshan Lake. In the keynote speech, Huawei announced major upcoming updates for HarmonyOS 2.0, EMUI 11, HMS (Huawei Mobile Services), HUAWEI HiLink, and HUAWEI Research. These improvements will empower global developers and ecosystem partners to provide enhanced and innovative user experiences for users. At the event, Huawei also unveiled six new products that will contribute to Huawei’s all-scenario experience – HUAWEI MateBook X, HUAWEI MateBook 14, HUAWEI WATCH GT 2 Pro, HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro, HUAWEI WATCH FIT and HUAWEI FreeLace Pro.

During the three days, Huawei will bring together developers from around the world through various exciting activities, including Lakeside Talks, Tech. Sessions, Tech. Hour, Codelabs and more. The itinerary will provide opportunities for developers to network, collaborate, and explore ways to bring smart all-scenario experiences to every user.

“Huawei’s breakthrough in ecosystem development is a result of the strong support from global developers and partners. Huawei will fully open core technologies as well as software and hardware capabilities to developers, collaborating with them to drive further innovation of an all-scenario smart ecosystem,” said Richard Yu, Executive Director and CEO of Huawei Consumer Business Group. “Stars shine through even the darkest night. Each of our developers is a star. Together they form a brilliant array. That will light the way. ”

HarmonyOS 2.0: Officially Open Source with Mobile HarmonyOS Beta Available to Developers by Year End

Huawei announced its all-scenario experience operating system, HarmonyOS, back in 2019. Since then, a robust line-up of devices has been developed for the system, facilitating quick device discovery, instant connection, hardware collaboration, and resource sharing between multiple smart devices. HarmonyOS 2.0 is announced today, bringing a comprehensive upgrade to its existing distributed capabilities, including software bus, data management, and security. Huawei also introduced an adaptive UX framework that allows developers to quickly reach tens of millions of new devices and users.

With the latest update, HarmonyOS will officially be open-source and developers will be able to gain access to emulators, SDK packages, and IDE tools. The open source project, which is donated to Open Atom Foundation, will be launched in stages with a mobile HarmonyOS beta release planned firstly for Chinese developers at the end of 2020. Richard Yu announced the roadmap for HarmonyOS in his keynote speech. “Starting on 10 September, HarmonyOS is open to 128KB-128MB IoT devices, such as smart TVs, wearables, cars and more. In April 2021, we will open it to 128MB-4GB devices and in October 2021, HarmonyOS will be opened for devices above 4GB,” he said.

Based on the distributed technology in HarmonyOS, the newly released EMUI 11 enables interaction beyond smartphones. The new operating system allows devices interact with HarmonyOS-based IoT devices, bringing a unique all-scenario experience to users, including using the camera of a bigger-screen device for video calling. The process is powered by the touchless connection between smartphones and HarmonyOS-based home devices, enabling screen projection and more.

Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) Ecosystem: Breaking Ground as The World’s Third Largest Mobile App Ecosystem

With the support of more 1.8 million registered developers worldwide, AppGallery and the HMS ecosystem has continued to show progress this year. AppGallery currently has over 96,000 apps integrated with HMS Core and more than 490 million global active users. In addition, it also achieved a record 261 billion app downloads and distributions between January and August 2020.

In a single year, HMS Core 5.0’s open capabilities have increased from 14 Kits to 56 Kits, while the number of APIs has jumped from 885 to 12,981 covering seven major areas, helping developers achieve innovation and simplify the development process.

For instance, the CG Kit in the Graphics field improves graphics, image quality and experience, as well as improving game screen rendering efficiency. Location kit in the App Services category meets the positioning requirements, providing centimetre to millimetre accuracy location tracking depending on the scenario.

Huawei is committed to fully opening its core software and hardware capabilities. It has opened up core software services, such as browsing, search, map, payment, advertising kits, to accelerate innovation in app development. Huawei has also open up hardware capabilities such as its world-class camera capabilities, AR map capabilities, communication and transmission tools, as well as its leading privacy and security protection capabilities. Through these, Huawei seeks to empower developers to create a new generation of well-loved innovative apps across different categories.

Huawei also has extensive support to assist developers explore business opportunities in China and other global markets, by providing relevant consulting service, localization and integration, marketing and campaign services.

Going forward, Huawei continues to expand developer services. Huawei is building three global ecosystem cooperation labs in Russia, Poland, and Germany to serve global developers and provide enablement, testing, and certification services. Five global developer service centres will also be established in Romania, Malaysia, Egypt, Mexico, and Russia, providing local services and platforms to help developers better grow and innovate.

HUAWEI HiLink: Enabling Billions of IoT Devices to Connect, Manage and Exchange

As the standardised language of IoT Devices, HiLink breaks down barriers between IoT devices from different brands and manufacturers, providing a unified platform where devices can connect easily, and interact seamlessly.

This year, upgrades to HUAWEI HiLink will be made in five key areas: connection, interaction, operation, solution provider, and authentication. The goal is to make billions of IoT devices connect easily, more convenient to manage and control, and interact seamlessly to enable an all-scenario hardware ecosystem. At present, there are 50 million active users contributing more than 1 billion all-scenario device interaction requests every day, with a cumulative 400 million downloads of the Smart Life App

Automobile is also a key tenet of the IoT industry. The HiCar platform will continue to empower automobile industry. HiCar is currently collaborating with over 150 car models with more planned so that more car owners will enjoy the new smart travel experience in the near future.

Huawei is committed to the growth of the IoT hardware ecosystem. By providing more devices with access to HiLink platform, it strives to make IoT development easier and more efficient, enabling Huawei to simultaneously support partners in establishing industry leadership in the IoT sector.

HUAWEI Research: The innovative research platform

HUAWEI Research, which focuses on front-end research, opens two key platform capabilities HUAWEI Research Kit and HUAWEI Research Cloud. These capabilities facilitate efficient innovative research processes, accelerate technological breakthroughs, incubate apps innovations as well as quickly achieve result transformation. As a result, scientific research institutions, innovation institutions, industry organisations, medical institutions and other industry partners are empowered, allowing industries from all sectors to prosper.

In the Active Health Field, Huawei assisted in heart health research by ensuring that health research data collected is accurate and diverse. In the Travel Safety Field, mobile and wearable devices intelligently collaborate with automobiles to bring new safe-driving technologies such as the collision avoidance system and driver fatigue care. In the Home Life Field, Huawei harness multi-device wireless sensing capabilities to provide features, such as fall detection, non-inductive breathing monitoring and spatial positioning.

Huawei will continue to drive its software and hardware ecosystem moving forward. It is committed to opening up core technologies and capabilities further and empowering global developers and partners to create new possibilities together.

Accountancy can help thousands reskill post Covid-19

·         Accountancy pinpointed as a fast-track route to professional success among youngsters 

·         200,000 jobs in accountancy and finance available worldwide, as reskilling identified as short-term priority for individuals and firms

·         Delay in university and college admissions mean thousands of students are still weighing-up options

Accountancy is a global game changer for many thousands finding themselves at a career crossroads.

200,000 jobs are available on the ACCA Careers site every month as college leavers plan their next steps and career progressors continue their paths to future success. Job seekers and students are also urged to make use of ACCA Careers’ employability tools to aid them in their search.

ACCA Careers offers a free CV review and a career management session offering advice on career paths, along with virtual interview guidance and job-hunting tips. ACCA members and students are also invited to attend virtual career fairs attended by some of ACCA’s top employers such as PwC, Deloitte, EY and KPMG.

This support comes at a critical time for the Pakistan economy where jobseekers and students face significant challenges owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Nigel Bicknell, head of ACCA Careers, underlined the important role accountants play during times of crises. He said: ‘Accountants are very much at the coalface helping businesses tackle what are hugely significant and worrying times owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘The ACCA Qualification is the future-ready career, which provides stability and flexibility. The qualification focuses on skills of the future, providing all round business acumen. When times are hard, employers are zeroing in on skills. That’s where ACCA can come into play. Our focus is on lifelong care for students – progression and evolution as an accountant is continuous.’

Thousands of students across Pakistan have recently graduated with matriculation, intermediate and O/A-Level and are currently struggling to plan their future career choices due to restrictions on international travel and delay in local college and university admissions.

Sajjeed Aslam, head of ACCA Pakistan said: ‘ACCA recognises that the university route is still popular but believes in diverse opportunities for young people to enter the accountancy profession. Professional qualifications carry greater employer trust and recognition and professionals holding designations such as FCCA and ACCA are regarded more work-ready.’

ACCA member Farah Iqbal, planning and performance manager at BP PLC said: ‘The ACCA Qualification has opened doors for me. It’s an exciting industry that’s no longer about number crunching but the path to a truly global career, with the flexibility and opportunity to specialise and work in any industry. In the future I hope to further apply my skills to focus on sustainability and environment.’

With the working world facing an uncertain future due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many people, irrespective of age, should consider retraining or upskilling to change career paths.

Research from ACCA and PwC Finance Insights – Reimagined, highlights organisations focusing on the short-term reskilling of the population rather than the longer-term return on investment.

Sajjeed Aslam concluded ‘The turbulence of this Covid-19 pandemic has made many people carefully consider their future career paths. Alongside this, businesses are also reappraising the way ahead, and the they will need forward-thinking finance professionals that can solve the challenges of the future. The ACCA Qualification moves with the times, continually evolving it so it’s relevant for tomorrow’s world. And we’re reimagining accountancy for the digital age, so that the roles of the future are more interesting, more meaningful and more valuable than ever.’

The King of Midrange Smartphones HUAWEI Y9a is Just around the Corner

Everyone is looking for a smartphone that can offer super-fast charging, all-scenario AI quad camera, large storage, all at price point that doesn’t break their pockets. Well, Huawei is bringing the HUAWEI Y9a to Pakistan that has all these specifications making it an ideal midrange smartphone to have. While the pre-order starts from September 14, here are five reasons to get a HUAWEI Y9a:

1. 64MP all-scenario quad camera with wide-angle, macro lens and more

HUAWEI Y9a inherits Huawei’s photography advantages, bringing high resolution, AI Selfie, EIS for video recording, night photography with high sensitivity (ISO) and more to its smartphone camera game. HUAWEI Y9a’s quad camera is made up of a 64MP main camera, an 8MP Ultra Wide Angle Lens, 2MP Depth Lens and a 2MP Macro Lens to capture 64MP high definition, ultra-wide angle, large aperture and close-up shots. Its 120° Ultra Wide Angle lens allows you to capture panoramic views or group photos, while the macro lens helps you to take photos at a close range of 4cm to capture microscopic details, such as bees sitting on flowers. On top of this, HUAWEI Y9a uses a 1/1.7-inch large sensor to increase brightness of those night shots and, together with Night mode, the camera’s low-light shooting work perfectly for those who like experimenting with photography late at night or in darker environments.

As well as its flexibility in capturing moments anytime and anywhere, HUAWEI Y9a’s EMUI 10.1 comes with a Collage feature which puts 2-9 photos together for you in a beautiful template. This means you don’t have to download another app to arrange the images yourself and therefore makes sharing photos on Instagram or other social media platforms a breeze.

2. Say goodbye to power banks with 40W SuperCharge and generous battery capacity

Smartphones are now more powerful than ever, so the need for battery power to accommodate these functions is crucial. Battery life and fast charging have become one of the common burdens for users, especially if we forget to charge our phones or a long day out has resulted in dangerously low battery levels. Huawei has solved this problem with its HUAWEI SuperCharge tech taken from its flagship model. Offering this in the HUAWEI Y9a means that more users can enjoy the convenience of super-fast charging.

So, how fast really is the HUAWEI SuperCharge? HUAWEI Y9a’s 40W HUAWEI SuperCharge for example, charges to nearly 70% in 30 minutes meaning your smartphone can be fully powered in next to no time. In addition to this, HUAWEI Y9a is equipped with 4200mAh (typical value) battery capacity. Test results show that HUAWEI Y9a can support continuous listening to music for around 100 hours, or watching videos or gaming for around 9 hours. All you need to know is that you will never again need to worry about your smartphone running out of battery when you’re watching TikTok videos, listening to songs, chatting with friends or using WhatsApp - HUAWEI Y9a has got you covered.

3. Ultimate FullView Display for you to catch up with the latest TV episodes

Perfect for high quality gaming and entertainment, HUAWEI Y9a is housed with a 6.63-inch display (FHD+ 2400 x 1080 resolution) that can display 1.67 million colours, to bring clear and vivid content to life. What’s more, HUAWEI Y9a eliminates the notch area with an upgraded pop-up camera to achieve a massive screen-to-body ratio of 92.02%.

HUAWEI Y9a also has an eBook mode and a TUV Rheinland certified Eye Comfort mode which is great for users who are more into their literature.

In terms of storage, HUAWEI Y9a comes with a standard 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. Calculated at 140M per episode, HUAWEI Y9a can store up to 900 HD episodes and also supports an additional expansion of 256GB with an NM SD Card.

4. Unique, premium flagship design with personality

HUAWEI Y9a’s design is certainly eye-catching due to its adoption of the Halo Ring design from the flagship HUAWEI Mate 30 Series. HUAWEI Y9a also features a side mounted 2-in-1 fingerprint power button so that you can unlock your phone in a quick and convenient way. Stylish and instantly recognisable, the smartphone comes in three colours of Space Silver, Sakura Pink and Midnight Black for you to choose the best way to express yourself.

5. Smart EMUI 10.1 and massive app storage

HUAWEI Y9a is equipped with EMUI 10.1 to provide an enhanced all-scenario experience with features such as kernel scheduling optimisations, so that your phone can be used smoothly at all times.

The built-in AppGallery provides a plethora of apps, you can easily download your favourite games or social media apps onto HUAWEI Y9a including WhatsApp, TikTok and more.

The new HUAWEI Y9a shall go on pre-order from September 14, 2020 and then users can enjoy super-fast charging, 64MP high resolution quad camera and more. HUAWEI Y9a truly steps up the game when it comes to fulfilling the entertainment and photography needs of smartphone users today so, with these five reasons in mind, why not get yourself HUAWEI Y9a now?

Pakistan’s GrocerApp secures $1mn seed funding from Jabbar Internet Group, former Amazon executive joins board

Popular online grocery delivery startup GrocerApp has raised $1 million in seed funding from investors that include former Amazon executives and entrepreneurs with a history of high-profile exits in the Middle East, the company has announced in a statement on Saturday.

The round was led by Dubai-based Jabbar Internet Group (www.jabbar.com), the venture capital firm led by founders of one of the Middle East’s largest e-commerce platform Souq.com that was acquired by Amazon in one of the largest transactions in the region in 2017. The GrocerApp investment is the first that Jabbar Internet has made in Pakistan.

Other investors in the round include Asif Keshodia, former Amazon executive for MENA region who has now joined GrocerApp as a board member, Middle East’s Nama Ventures, Nader Group, Karavan Ventures and 7Vals, along with participation from existing shareholders that include Pakistan-based Walled City Co, LeanBricks and Shehryar Ali of Treet Pakistan.

Jabbar founders Samih Toukan and Hussam Khoury had cofounded the aforementioned Souq.com, and had exited from another famous online portal Maktoob, a webmail service with Arabic support for emails, which was acquired by Yahoo in 2009. The latest in this series of high-profile exits is Jabbar Internet’s InstaShop, an online grocery delivery service in the UAE that was acquired by DeliveryHero in a $360 million deal only a few days ago.

Speaking about the recent round, GrocerApp CEO Ahmed Saeed said, ”GrocerApp is equipped with sophisticated technology, smart fulfilment centers and efficient logistics network that makes it the leading e-grocer in Pakistan. With our recent funding injection, we are going to invest more to make our supply chain more efficient, and expand into other cities.”

“Our success in this round is twofold. Asif, Hussam and Samih have shown confidence in GrocerApp and decided to back us, which reinforces our position as a promising e-commerce leader. Secondly, the tons of experience these investors bring will usher in a new era of growth for GrocerApp,” Ahmed said.

“We see great potential in Pakistan for technology businesses. To seize the opportunity, we have made our first investment in Pakistan in GrocerApp because of our confidence in the business and resilience of the cofounders. We are determined to see GrocerApp grow even further, now that the Pakistani market is ripe for a digital revolution,” said Samih Toukan of Jabbar Internet Group.

Commenting on the investment, Asif Keshodia, who also oversaw Souq’s acquisition by Amazon, said: “The size of grocery e-commerce in Pakistan is around $48 billion. It is a huge market with great potential for e-commerce companies to grow. GrocerApp has shown that promise and I am thrilled to become a part of an amazing team that is leading this company. Collectively, the investors bring weights of experience in e-commerce which is going to help the company soar to new heights. It is also going to develop the overall e-commerce market in Pakistan and I look forward to this exciting journey ahead.”

realme 6 with 90Hz display and Helio G90T processor is now offered at Rs. 41,999 only for 8GB+128GB variant

Want an affordable smartphone with a fast refresh rate display? Realme Pakistan is offering the realme 6 for only Rs. 41,999. With this price realme 6 is the most affordable 90Hz display smartphone in Pakistan. This price offers is for the model that comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB of storage.

The realme 6 has pretty high end features for the price the company is asking for. Its standout feature is the 6.5 inch 2400 x 1080p 90hz display which will feel “smoother” than traditional 60hz panels. It has a healthy 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage which is plenty.

It is powered by the Mediatek Helios G90T SoC which is a high end Mediatek CPU. Additionally, it has a huge 4300mAh battery which can be charged quite fast with the 30W flash charge.

realme 6 Display and Processor: realme 6 mobile phone features a 6.50-inch capacitive touchscreen that has a resolution of 1080x2400 pixels with a 90Hz refresh rate. The phone has a glass front with Gorilla Glass 3 protection, plastic back, and plastic frame. Besides, the smartphone is equipped with a 2.05GHz octa-core MediaTek Helio G90T processor that lets you multitask and access different apps at the same time without any interruptions and give you a smooth experience.

realme Camera Specifications: If we talk about optics, realme 6 comes with a quad-camera setup on the rear with different features like autofocus, LED flash, HDR, and panorama. There is a 64 MP primary camera with f/1.8 aperture; an 8 MP ultrawide angle lens with f/2.3 aperture, a 2 MP macro lens with f/2.4 aperture, and a 2 MP depth shooter with f/2.4 aperture.

On the front, the mobile features a 16 MP camera with f/2.0 aperture to click stunning selfies. Features on the front camera setup include HDR and panorama.

realme 6 Battery and Operating System: The smartphone from the brand runs realme UI based on Android 10. Also, it houses a decent 4300 mAh non-removable battery with a 30W flash charge support. The smartphone can be fully charged in 60 minutes.

realme 6 Connectivity Options and Sensors: Realme 6 comes with various connectivity options such as 4G, 3G, 2G, Wi-Fi 802.11, a/ac/b/g/n/n 5GHz, Mobile Hotspot, Bluetooth, GPS, FM Radio, and USB Type-C. Moreover, sensors on the smartphone include a fingerprint sensor, gyroscope, proximity sensor, compass/magnetometer, accelerometer, and ambient light sensor.

Digital and data comes to the fore during Covid-19

Strong and clear leadership are key to the transformative success of digital in the workplace, says ACCA in a report that reveals the challenges and opportunities faced by organisations during the pandemic.

Data and digital transformations have increased exponentially in the workplace over the Covid-19 pandemic, with the role of and reliance on technology becoming more significant than ever before as more organisations adopt digital products and services to survive.

This has been the result of the maturing of digital applications to a level that’s made them widely usable and hyper-relevant in the current situation.

ACCA’s report Digitisation and the Global Pandemic examines the impact of this immense change due to the pandemic, and includes case studies from business leaders working for KPMG, China; SAP Asia Pacific Japan; VISA; and Golden Arches (Guangzhou) Data Processing Service Co., Ltd, offering great insights and opportunities for organisations in Pakistan.  

The report also offers practical guidance to cope with digital transformation, using ACCA’s ‘Act, Analyse and Anticipate road to recovery’ model with a focus on digital.

ACCA recommends the first step is to act to ensure operability; then analyse the situation ahead by looking for opportunities; then finally comes transformation of the organisation by establishing a digital strategy, identifying the role of technology to support the future strategic workforce plan virtually and physically, and how its presence can be sustained in the longer term.

Narayanan Vaidyanathan, the author of the report says: ‘Technology and digital have helped many organisations to continue to operate – those already thinking about digitisation adapted better, while those who had historically resisted it found their problems amplified. That’s why we think our roadmap is helpful, a practical guide to plan over the short, medium and long term to cope with digital change.

‘Many have had to accelerate their digital plans, and make huge changes to how an organisation actually works. Home working has become the norm, and for managers this has demanded a change in style and approach – the rise of digital has meant the need for even more leadership from the front, with a strong human touch.’

ACCA says the pandemic has also transformed how business is done, with a greater expectation that organisations will act with care and compassion.

Sam Ellis, chair of ACCA’s Global Technology Forum explains: ‘COVID-19 has, at least for now, reduced the tolerance for traditional hard-charging ways of doing business. Organisations are thinking more critically about what their digital footprint says about their values and respect for the community. But we are very much still in unchartered waters, and I know that the accountancy profession is working hard to navigate ahead, facing these challenges head-on and leading from the front.’

Narayanan Vaidyanathan concludes: ‘COVID-19 is a still-unfolding, and the future remains uncertain. But as the examples in this report show, the accountancy profession’s responding robustly, and informed by pragmatic risk management as well as an opportunistic embrace of change to make things better.’

New HUAWEI Phone Bringing Back the Iconic Mate 30 Design & Major Upgrades coming to Pakistan

Thinking back on some of HUAWEI’s iconic models over recent years, you certainly can’t overlook the classic HUAWEI Mate 30 series. Right from the outset, it captured the hearts of consumers and quickly became a highly sought-after device. Recently, a poster revealed one of Huawei’s upcoming new phones and, judging by the photos, the new model comes with a fashionable silver colourway and looks a lot like Huawei’s flagship Mate 30. In particular, there’s a sleek new rear camera embedded in the body of the phone which seems to be an exact replica of the memorable “four-eye headlight” design on the HUAWEI Mate 30. It has been made out to be a pretty big deal and looks set to trigger a new wave of buyer interest – all for the HUAWEI Y Series.

Coming with an Iconic New Design

As a young yet reliable product portfolio, the HUAWEI Y Series offers a wide range of models from entry-level to mid-range. For instance, the HUAWEI Y6p and Y7p released this year, and the Y9 line-up with higher configuration from last year, together can fulfil different users’ needs. With stylish-looking design and great user experience, HUAWEI Y Series devices have been well received by consumers worldwide, especially the younger generation.

Coming with HUAWEI SuperCharge

One of the most exciting rumours is the HUAWEI SuperCharge support, which is available on Huawei’s flagship series and made many users incredibly jealous. Even though details about the HUAWEI SuperCharge on the new Y smartphone are unknown yet, users who are looking for a mid-range phone are already excited about the care-free experience of getting a whole day long battery life with just a 30-minute charge.

Coming with Upgraded Camera

Another point gaining attention is the upgraded camera system. Both the HUAWEI Y8p and Y7p, launched in the first half of 2020, came loaded with a rear 48MP triple camera. Also, HUAWEI Y Series phones excel in night photography, outperforming competitors under the same price range. Based on these factors, the upcoming Y Series model is likely to have a main camera with a higher resolution, as well as greater camera capabilities than that a triple camera can offer.

Coming with Bigger Display

In terms of display, the new Y model will no doubt come with significant upgrades as well. After all, Huawei’s Y Series always stands out for its beautifully big display. The new Y Series device is going to have an even bigger display for more immersive gameplay and video viewing experience.

Coming with Large Storage

A larger RAM and storage is essential to support users’ diverse needs for smartphone use. Yes, you are right. A good amount of storage is another key feature the new model offers, allowing users to download and save more high quality audio and videos onto their phone than ever before. With constantly improved competitiveness and expanding portfolio, Huawei’s Y Series always can meet expectations from various audiences.

Furthermore, the price is likely to be very appealing, too! If you are considering replacing your phone, stay tuned for further announcements around the new Y Series coming in September. You can’t miss it!

realme looks back on two years of phenomenal growth with users and employees at second-anniversary celebration

realme, the world’s fastest-growing smartphone brand, recently shared the drivers behind its explosive growth and international success in an open letter written by Sky Li, realme’s Founder and CEO to employees during the company’s second-anniversary celebrations, “the realme 828 FanFest”. Held on August 28, the two-year-old company launched a social media campaign to highlight the milestones achieved thus far.

Before the celebrations, realme collected thousands of stories from loyal fans with the headline: “Dare to be_____.”  Many fans responded with anecdotes on how they resonated with the brand values and dared to surpass themselves while facing adversity and challenges. realme has selected nine stories and made them into videos to show the “Dare to be realme” spirit of realme fans.

With an eye on the international market from the outset, realme’s international marketing division has grown to more than  61 markets. realme credits its fast growth to the hyper-localization and a deep understanding of their target consumer. They also employed various internationalization strategies that brought success, included light-asset, and short channel to face the consumers directly.

As a new entrant to many global markets, realme had to build up a reputation quickly and convert customers. Li said: “We built our teams locally from the ground up. We allowed them to use the resources they had to send our message of ‘Dare to Leap’ to the youths and young professionals. We realized this was a desire that transcended cultures and was familiar to young people everywhere.” realme’s marketing strategies involve hiring local teams to support collaboration with their fans and consumers to make content that is relevant and resonant with their audience.

realme has placed itself at an exciting niche in the market, target young consumers who enjoy high-quality and trendsetting designs but are also sensitive to prices. Li said: “realme grew extremely fast because we were true to our mission: to create products with leapfrog performance and trendsetting design, and to build a smart life for young people with Internet of things. Being consistent and original showcased our brand values, which gained us trust, which is especially important for a young company like us.”

For the young users of realme, success to them is not merely about price but also about value. Keeping in line with its target audience, realme is the popularizer of 5G technology, being one of the first smartphones to incorporate 5G capability into its products, such as the realme X50 Pro 5G.

For their next challenge, realme plans to take on the AIoT market and introduce over 100 AIoT products in 2021 for its consumers. “We have proved in two years that a new brand can also have opportunities, but this is just the beginning. There are infinite possibilities in the future. The dare-to-leap spirit will accompany us to continue to move forward”, said Li in the open letter.