Toshiba opens flagship store
Toshiba, in partnership Al-Futtaim Electronics, has opened its first flagship store in the Middle East at Dubai Festival City. This dedicated Toshiba retail environment highlights selections from the Toshiba product portfolio including televisions, laptops, projectors, DVD players, PC options and peripherals. Customers are encouraged to be “hands on” with the latest Toshiba technology at this specialized outlet.
“The store provides a solid platform for Toshiba in supporting our marketing initiatives. It enables us to engage and interact with our valued customers in a bespoke environment,” said Yasuyoshi Matsunaga, president, Toshiba Gulf. “The store will also serve as the venue for future Toshiba events and product launches.”
iRobots fight on
The US Army has placed an order totaling $16.8 million with iRobot Corp. for 125 of the company’s advanced PackBot 510 series under an existing $200 million Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. This is the sixth order under the IDIQ contract with the current total contract value now standing at approximately $22 million.
The US Army is already using 2,400 PackBot robots and the new 510 series has advanced robotic capabilities. The PackBot 510 with Explosive Ordnance Device (EOD) Kit has advanced vision and surveillance capabilities. It easily adapts to different Improvised Explosive Device (IED) missions including check points, inspections and route clearance. The robot provides soldiers with a tool to identify and dispose of IEDs, roadside bombs and other unexploded ordnance while keeping them at safe distances. Additionally, the PackBot 510 provides improved lift and manipulation capabilities, greater speed, military-standard batteries, a hardened laptop with game-style hand controller and a variety of other upgrades. These enhancements provide greater mission effectiveness and separate soldiers from many of the dangers found on the battlefield.
Watch a prototype of iRobt’s warrior robot performing a simulated casualty extraction from the battlefield at www.youtube.com/user/irobotitube.
Hotels plug-in for profitability
Hotels failing to keep up with the latest online technology and charging guests to use the Internet are placing themselves at a competitive disadvantage especially in the economic downturn, a leading industry expert has warned.
“The now critical importance of online technology has been underlined with a global survey — which included the United Arab Emirates — showing that plugged-in hotels are likely to get more guests checking in,” said Maggie Moore, exhibition director of The Hotel Show. “This is proving particularly true in the technology-savvy UAE.”
The Reuters Synovate survey of 6,300 people across 10 countries looked at how people choose their hotels and what features are important. Nearly a third said the number one way they assess a hotel is via its website, followed by asking friends or colleagues. Nearly half said they do some research and comparisons, mainly online, before making their choice.
“The survey showed a whopping 47 percent of travelers now make sure a hotel caters to their technology needs before they book,” said Moore. “It is clearly no longer recommended for hotels to make wireless Internet an added cost feature. Business and leisure travelers expect to be connected at all times, just as they are in their offices and homes. The importance of hotels having a well considered online presence also cannot be overemphasized in today’s changing market. The survey found that globally 19 percent of people researched online every hotel in an area to make an informed choice. However, that rose to a staggering 39 percent of respondents in the UAE. In addition, 10 percent of people in the UAE also visited online blogs for travelers’ insights on a property.”
The survey showed that seven out of ten people said they would stay in a less expensive hotel given the current economy and that high-tech facilities are now the top criteria travelers look for when choosing a hotel.