#Amazon

Echo

Amazon working on large wall Echo, sound bar and new auto device

The tech giant is working on the initiatives at its Lab126 division, which created hit products like the original Echo and the Alexa voice assistant

Amazon seeks used long-range cargo jets able to fly from China

The company is seeking 10 Airbus A330-300 aircraft, as well as crews to fly them

Noon.com to raise $2bn from backers including Saudi’s PIF

The investments from the Public Investment Fund and others will be used to upgrade infrastructure and help speed up deliveries

Amazon to create 1,500 new jobs in UAE to support growing network

The company plans to create career opportunities across the technology, analytics, and supply chain spaces, among others

Game-changers: Top 10 tech executives across MENA

As organisations across the MENA region march ahead with technology-centric transformations, we profile 10 senior executives from global technology firms with a substantial presence in the region, and who play an influential role in the regional tech industry

B2B

What the region’s B2B businesses can learn from B2C models

Involving your customer in your product-development cycle is a strong start

Bitcoin drops after posting biggest weekly gain in three months

The declines put Bitcoin back in the top end of a $30,000 to $40,000 trading range

enterprises

Why constant change must be the new normal for enterprises

While the new breed of business that has emerged from the pandemic recognises its ability to be more agile, it must not take its eye off the issues at hand

Bitcoin surges amid short covering, speculation over Amazon plan

Bitcoin remains some $27,000 off its mid-April high of almost $65,000

Jeff Bezos pull off Blue Origin’s first spaceflight with people

The mission caps a landmark month for space-tourism ventures

Amazon to add 11 new buildings to its Saudi fulfillment, delivery network

Investment to create over 1,500 additional jobs across Saudi Arabia

Here’s how MENA organisations can tip the gender scale to accelerate progress

Businesses must focus on better hiring policies, promote equitable progress and provide leadership support

Jeff Bezos to step down as CEO of Amazon

He will hand day-to-day control to Andy Jassy, his longtime head of Amazon Web Services

Amazon to let employees work from home through June 2021

The Seattle-based company had previously said workers could stay home until early 2021

social media

Social space: A roundup of all the GCC social media news in September

Fadi Khater, founder and managing partner of digital marketing agency Netizency, provides an overview of social media trends in the region

Mark Power Podean

Amazon-focused marketing agency Podean launches in the Middle East

The regional office is located in Dubai, with Paul Hart appointed as managing director for the MENA region

Amazon receives FAA approval for drone delivery trials in US

Approval comes as Amazon’s business surges due to Covid-19

Saudi Aramco loses status as most valuable publicly listed company to Apple as Amazon closes in

Amazon riding an e-commerce and cloud computing wave as people shelter-in-place due to Covid-19

Amazon’s ‘Everything for you sale’ to begin on July 21

Prime members will get exclusive 12-hour early access to deals from 12pm on July 20

Amazon Saudi Arabia

Amazon Saudi Arabia officially launched to replace Souq.com

The Amazon Prime service is not yet available in the kingdom

facial-recognition-faces

Amazon suspends use of facial recognition technology by US law enforcement for a year

Amazon said that the reason was to give the US Congress time to develop stronger regulations to govern the use of the technology

IBM to no longer develop facial recognition technology

“We believe now is the time to begin a national dialogue on whether and how facial recognition technology should be employed by domestic law enforcement agencies”

Elon Musk rallies for ‘break up’ of Bezos’ Amazon

The call came after Amazon decided to ban a book about the effects of coronavirus from the platform

Amazon reveals best-selling products in the UAE on Prime Day

Prime members in the UAE purchased more than 21,000 litres of bottled water and over 8,500 kg of powder detergent