Author: dailyguardian.ae

2023 was the year the world at large was introduced to the term spatial computing. Even though Apple didn’t invent the term, its use of it while announcing the Vision Pro instead of “mixed-reality” or “augmented reality” was notable. In short, a spatial computer is a new type of device with a wearable display, the ability to sense the surrounding area, and a user interface based on the wearer’s hands, eyes, and voice instead of a traditional screen. But Apple is hardly alone in its pursuit. 2023 saw some huge releases from major players in the game, pushing this technology to…

More than Dh51 million was raised in the 114th open auction for exclusive vehicle number plates (the final auction for this year) held by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) at the Grand Hyatt Dubai Hotel on Saturday, December 30, 2023. The sale topper was plate AA30, which sold for Dh4.54 million, followed by O48, which sold for Dh2.48 million. Plate AA555 fetched Dh2.56 million, and plate T64 was sold for Dh2.4 million, while Q66666 fetched Dh1.61 million. RTA offered 90 fancy plates for bidding in this open auction comprising two, three, four and five digits of categories: AA-I-J -M-N-O…

The global oil market is poised for significant shifts in 2024, driven by a combination of Opec production cuts, a burgeoning US oil production boom, and potential market share battles, industry experts said. As crude prices experienced a tumultuous year, falling approximately 35 per cent from previous highs, industry experts are closely monitoring key factors that will shape the oil market in the coming year, Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer of Century Financial, said. In 2023, concerns about economies and oil demand amid rising interest rates pushed oil prices down to a 10 per cent decline, the first annual drop…

Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray said 2024 could be his final year before retirement after illness and injury hampered his preparation for the new season. Murray’s year will begin at the Brisbane International as he builds up for the Australian Open later in January. The 36-year-old is ranked 42nd in the world after a frustrating end to 2023, when he won just one match in his last four tournaments. Murray has previously battled back from what seemed impending retirement after undergoing hip surgery in 2018. But he conceded that he will bring down the curtain on his career if the…

Since 1975, Saturday Night Live has been an institution on NBC, and it’s closing in fast on 1,000 episodes, which should be reached before the show celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025. Hosting the show has become a rite of passage for up-and-coming stars and established actors and actresses. But only the best guest hosts have had the chance to return for multiple appearances. There’s even a Five-Timers Club for SNL hosting veterans, although only five guest hosts have had the gig 10 times or more. Since Peacock allows fans to revisit the previous seasons of SNL, we’ve decided to…

Six record-breaking firework feats, drone shows, dazzling performances: It’s all happening in the UAE as the country steps into 2024 with hope for a beautiful new year. Abu Dhabi skies will light up with 40 minutes of fireworks and a show put up by 5,000 drones, while Dubai’s Burj Khalifa will shine with its “brightest, biggest and most colourful” display yet. Ras Al Khaimah will have a record-breaking start to the new year, with a carpet of aquatic pyrotechnics, LED drones and fireworks illuminating 4.5km of shoreline stretching from Al Marjan Island to Al Hamra Village. Stay up to date…

Russia pounded the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv with missiles and drones in the hours leading into New Year’s Eve, Ukrainian officials said, hours after Moscow accused Kyiv of carrying out a deadly air assault just across the border on nearby Belgorod. In the first wave of Russia’s attacks, at least six missiles hit Kharkiv, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Sunday, injuring at least 28 people and hitting residential buildings, hotels and medical facilities. Russia’s Defence Ministry said it had attacked “decision-making centres” and military facilities in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv overnight in retaliation for Ukraine’s bombardment of the…

The US stock market’s hefty gains in 2023 could provide a lift for equities next year, if history is any guide. The S&P 500 ended the year on Friday with an annual gain of just over 24 per cent. The benchmark index also stood near its first record closing high in about two years. Market strategists who track historical trends say that such a strong annual performance for stocks has often carried over into the following year, a phenomenon they attribute to factors including momentum and solid fundamentals. “What we continue to come back to is solid gains for next…

I’ve said it once, and I’ll saw it again: 2023 wasn’t a great year for PC gaming. We saw some excellent games, but most were marred by poor ports that exhibited performance issues, bugs, and other game-breaking problems. Even at the end of the year, though, things are looking up, and I hope that trend continues into 2024. Rather than rehashing the performance issues we’ve seen on PC all year, I want to look forward. Here are the five things I want to see out of PC releases next year. GPU decompression Portal: Prelude RTX | RTX IO Off vs…

Mahzooz, a popular raffle draw, has announced a temporary pause to its draws, it said in a statement to its subscribers on Sunday. “Starting January 1, 2024, Mahzooz will temporarily pause operations in compliance with gaming regulations. This industry-wide mandate aligns with regulators’ efforts to create a well-regulated gaming environment in the UAE,” said the statement. The last weekly draw date was on December 30, 2023. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The company updated its FAQ where it revealed that “no draws will be held after December 30, 2023 until further notice…