Alfardan Automobiles showcased the future of mobility with an exciting display of all-electric BMW

Alfardan Automobiles, the official importer of BMW Group in Qatar, showcased BMW's expanding lineup of all-electric vehicles (EVs), including the all-new BMW iX1 and BMW i4, through an engaging event with customers. The event also emphasized the brand's exciting innovations in electrification, digitalization, and commitment to a more sustainable future.

The event took place at the futuristic BMW Retail.Next showroom of Alfardan Automobiles located at the coveted Lusail Boulevard in Doha, where guests were able to explore new models from the BMW all-electric lineup and learn more about these dynamic models.

On display at the Retail.Next showroom was a showcase of BMW's growing range of EV models, including the new BMW iX1 and i4 – which make their mark with a monolithic design language and exceptional functionality to create a trailblazing drive – as well as the BMW iX and BMW i7.

Prominent among the models on display at the BMW Retail.Next showroom was the latest addition to BMW's growing EV lineup – the fully-electric BMW iX1 that can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds and boasts a driving range of up to 434 km. Supreme safety is standard in the all-new iX1, with innovative driving technologies and features such as Driving Assistant Professional providing intelligent support on the move and automatically maintaining lane speed and distance to reduce the risk of accidents.

Also on display was the new BMW i4, the first-ever purely electric BMW Gran Coupé that guarantees plenty of driving pleasure with a range of up to 600 km. With a maximum output of up to 390 kW/530 hp, the BMW i4 promises fascinating dynamics and sprints from 0-100 km/h in just 4 seconds.

The new range of BMW's all-electric vehicles is a proud flag bearer of the Group's technological advancements and bolsters the brand's offering in the luxury segment. It makes EVs more powerful, connected, and convenient. Such improvements include the Multi-Contract Plug & Charge, and MAX RANGE functions now available for all BMW i7 and BMW iX model variants, offering customers more ways to enjoy supreme long-distance comfort combined with trailblazing innovations and emission-free driving pleasure.

#AlfardanAutomobiles #BMW

OMEGA Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer 2023

Three new watches to time the world

The watch made to track every time zone on the planet continues to gain momentum across the globe. In the last few years, OMEGA’s Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer has grown steadily in popularity, to become a go-to timepiece for international travelers and passionate collectors.

Now, OMEGA is expanding the Worldtimer collection to include three new models: a titanium edition with a dial made entirely by laser ablation - and two striking options in stainless steel.

In addition to scratch-resistant ceramic bezels, all three watches have something very special in common: the unique Worldtimer display. At the centre of the dial, OMEGA has produced a vision of Earth, viewed from above the North Pole, by laser-ablating continents and colours on a grade 5 titanium surface. Although impossible to see with the naked eye, this entire watch-scape is domed, to mimic the curvature of the Earth. Circling the topographic map is a 24-hour indication under hesalite glass, divided into night and day sections.

OMEGA’s home city of BIENNE Switzerland is among the many global destinations circling around each dial and its outer ring. All place names, with the exception of the British capital are coloured yellow gold. LONDON is in red to highlight Greenwich Mean Time, now more formally known as Universal Time Coordinated (UTC).

For OMEGA President and CEO, Mr. Raynald Aeschlimann, the new watches are both innovative and inspiring. “At OMEGA, we take pride in our pioneering spirit and these watches are like a call to action. Go for it! Step out into the world! The dials are works of art, which prompt a sense of awe and adventure. What’s more, there is top-level technology working behind those amazing displays. They’re beautiful, fun to wear and operate and true collectables.”

The Titanium Worldtimer

Bold and sporty, the 43 mm Worldtimer in lightweight and corrosion resistant titanium is the ultimate statement piece. On this model, OMEGA has produced the entire black and grey dial, including its colours, with laser. There are no transferred elements, apart from the word LONDON and even here the red varnish has been applied by hand. To complement the matte dial, OMEGA has opted for a brushed black ceramic bezel, and blackened hands and indexes, filled with white Super-LumiNova which emits a blue glow in the dark. Completing the look is an integrated strap in black structured rubber with grey stitching, additional decorative link in brushed grade 2 titanium, and grade 2 titanium clasp.

Two in steel

Globetrotters wishing to keep it classic have two style options in stainless steel. One with matching stainless-steel bracelet and butterfly clasp, another with integrated green rubber strap with grey stitching, additional decorative link in polished steel, and polished-brushed fold over clasp.

Each 43 mm stainless steel model has a sun-brushed PVD dial in green, encircled by a polished-brushed green ceramic bezel. Adding shine to the dial are hands and indexes in 18K Moonshine™ Gold.

Powering the Worldtimer

The driving force behind each new Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer is the Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8938, which has met the highest standards of precision demanded by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS). Each timepiece is also assured at depth, with a water-resistance of 15 bar (150 m / 500 ft).

#OMEGA

Fifty One East & Sony Middle East and Africa announce the newest

Ultra Wide-Angle Zoom Vlogging Camera, the ZV-1 II

The Integrated Lens and Compact Camera in the vlog camera ZV-Series Opens the Door for a Wider Audience of Content Creators

Fifty One East, Qatar’s favorite department store, and Sony Middle East and Africa, the leading consumer electronics brand, announced today the all-new second generation camera to the ZV-1 in the vlog camera ZV series, the ZV-1 II, which includes highly requested and popular market-leading features. With a wider angle than ZV-1, the ZV-1 II helps vloggers make more engaging storytelling with attractive photogenic image quality.

The new Sony Vlog Camera, the ZV-1 II, will be available in Qatar starting from June 12, 2023, at Fnac in Lagoona Mall, Doha Festival City and Place Vendôme, Modern Home in Al Maha Center on Salwa Road, Virgin Megastore in Doha Festival City, Landmark, Mall of Qatar, Villaggio Mall and Place Vendôme and other major retail outlets.

With the 1.0-type Exmor RS™ image sensor (approximately 20.1 effective megapixels), BIONZ X™ image processing engine, and ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* 18-50mm F1.8-4[i]lens, the ZV-1 II allows for creators of many skill levels to enjoy sophisticated capabilities. From the 18-50mm[ii] wide angle lens which can frame everything from group selfies to narrow interiors or dynamic recordings of everyday scenes to the Multiple Face Recognition[iii], which recognises multiple faces and automatically adjusts to keep all faces sharp and clear when taking selfie shots that include two or three people, the ZV-1 II is the advanced vlogging camera packed into a travel-size.

“The ZV-1 II is an exciting chapter for content creators and will be the go-to camera for many, including vloggers, social media influencers and short form video creators in the Middle East and Africa region. With the newest vlog camera in the ZV series, we have taken requests from various users and included features that matter most to vloggers,” says Sajeer Shamsu, Head of Digital Imaging at Sony Middle East and Africa. “We are striving to take feedback from our community to continue to expand and elevate our ZV series and the ZV-1 II does just that.”

Comprehensive Features for Vloggers & Video Content Creators

The ZV-1 II has a number of new and popular features that will empower creators to capture better content.

· Ultra-wide angle and Zoom - 18mm2 wide angle of view makes it easy to capture attractive photogenic image with the entire scene – especially when shooting selfies at arm’s length. The 18-50mm optical zoom and the Clear Image Zoom smoothly enlarges images while minimising loss of image quality to create a variety in videos by changing the angle of view.

· 1.0 type sensor with Bokeh Switch which gives beautiful bokeh by defocusing the background with a single touch.

· Intelligent 3-capsule microphone - In Auto mode, the camera recognises human faces or objects and automatically[iv]switches the direction of the built-in microphone ([Front] or [All Directions]). In Manual mode, you can select [Front] for selfies, [Rear] when shooting with narration or [All Directions]. The supplied windscreen ensures a clear recording of the speaker when outdoors. Easy to use cableless attachment to Multi Interface Shoe[v] and a 3.5 mm microphone jack makes it easy to connect external microphones.

· Cinematic Vlog Setting function responds to the demands to easily take ambient images using a vlog camera. It enables impressive imagery at a touch. Simply tap the on-screen function icon and the camera will automatically set a CinemaScope size (2.35:1)[vi] and a frame rate of 24 fps[vii], the same as for a cinema movie. Then finish off the work with the on-screen buttons to select from five LOOKs and four MOODs.

· Creative Look which supports 10 preset looks[viii]to suit your creative preferences and pro-level imaging features.

· Face Priority AE and Soft Skin Effect automatically and immediately detects faces and adjusts the exposure to optimise facial brightness, no matter the lighting. Soft skin effect smooths skin and facial features when filming.

· Fast Hybrid AF System - Even in high-definition 4K where precise focusing is required, the camera will keep the images sharp with the same Fast Hybrid AF system seen in α series cameras. The camera is equipped with AF Transition Speed to select the focusing speed during video recording, and AF Subject Shift Sensitivity to control the focus in line with the subject's movement and environment. In addition, the Real-time Eye AF can accurately keep focus on human or animals for both stills and movies.

· Product Showcase Setting - which delivers convenient shooting of product review videos with smooth focus transitions from your face to the item you are highlighting.

· S&Q shoot mode[ix] which allows a selection up to 5x slow or up to 60x quick motion to add impact to everyday scenes. The combination of shooting and recording frame rates can now be set on a single screen.

· ISO sensitivity spanning from 125 to 12800– allows the camera to record sharp images with less noise, even in low lighting.

· Active Mode electronic image stabilisation - content can be captured while walking or in motion and is especially useful for handheld shooting[x]. Useful for handheld Movie and Slow & Quick motion shooting.

· Built in ND filter – to reduce exposure by three stops and allow for beautiful background bokeh even in the brightest situation.

Compact and Lightweight for Easy Portability, Operability, Connectivity

The ZV-1 II is perfect for on the go; its compact and lightweight design can be easily carried in a pocket or small bag, even with its optical wide zoom lens. The ZV-1 II supports different filming styles with the vari-angle screen suitable for selfies, easy to hold body grip (or with an optional GP-VPT2BT grip), user-friendly key and control layout[xi] and the recording indicator on the front face of the body. The monitor display has been redesigned with a bold, clearly visible red frame that makes it obvious when recording is in progress. Power charge easily via a USB Type-C® connector.

For easy high-quality live streaming, simply connect the ZV-1 II to a PC or smartphone[xii] with a commercially available USB cable (not included) to use it as a webcam. Make your video more attractive in online meetings and live streaming by using Creative Look to improve the skin’s appearance and adjust the hue. Faces will appear clearer and brighter (Face Priority AE) and the eyes will be kept in focus (Real-time Eye AF).

Environmentally Friendly and Accessible Design

In addition to Sony’s commitment to a sustainable future with global initiatives like Road to Zero and the 2030 renewable energy goal, the ZV-1 II has been specifically developed with sustainability in mind. Recycled materials, including SORPLASTM[xiii], are actively used for the camera body, reducing environmental impact without sacrificing functionality. Sony's unique recycled paper "Original Blend Material", which does not use plastic and is easy to recycle, is used for individual packaging. Using materials such as bamboo, sugar cane fibre, and recycled paper collected from the market, it is both environmentally friendly and high quality.

The ZV-1 II includes accessibility features that facilitate operation in several ways, including screen reader functionality for people with visual impairments. Accessibility features allow anyone to enjoy shooting and playback. When the screen reader function[xiv] is activated, text on the menu screens is read aloud. The screen reader function can be activated by turning the [Screen Reader] function in the [Setup] tab ON. Screen reader volume can be adjusted via the [Sound Options] settings. In addition to the above, the ZV-1 II includes a number of functions that assist in achieving pinpoint focus on a variety of subjects. The Real-time Eye AF can automatically recognise and focus on [Human] or [Animal], or the Real-time Tracking function. Focus Magnification, and Peaking functions make it easier to focus manually, and features like Touch Focus, Touch Tracking, and Touch Shutter let the user focus, track, and shoot simply by touching the subject on the monitor screen. ZV-1 II accessibility features (items listed in the specifications): Screen Reader, Touch AE, Focus Magnifier, Peaking Display, Real-time Eye AF, Real-time Tracking, Touch Focus, Touch Tracking, Touch Shutter, Vari-angle LCD screen and Custom function.

Product videos of the new ZV-1 II can be viewed here:

· Promotion and Products Video - https://youtu.be/z3ZDZF0Fy20

#FiftyOneEast

#SonyMiddleEast