Tag: dubai

Dubai police intend to equip detectives with Google’s wearable tech.

As part of Dubai’s plan to make its police force one of the “smartest in the world” by the year 2018, the emirate’s police department wants to provide beat officers and eventually detectives with Google Glass, enabling its law enforcement officers to run customized facial recognition software.

Facial recognition technology could help fight crime.

According to Reuters, a police spokesperson from the most populous city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), confirmed that Dubai police developed the software and would permit a link between a database of wanted people and the wearer. Essentially, as soon as the wearable device recognizes a suspect via the facial recognition technology, the wearer of the optical head-mounted display is alerted.

Colonel Khalid Naser Al Rzooqi, the director general of Dubai police, informed 7DayinDubai that “The software that we developed internally enables us to connect a database of wanted people with the glass.” He added that “Once the glass recognizes the suspect based on a face print, it will give an alert to the officer wearing it.”

The gadget featuring the software is to be introduced gradually in phases. The initial phase would focus on combating traffic violations and tracking vehicles that are suspected to have been involved in driving offenses. The second phase would involve having the technology issued to detectives.

Google Glass isn’t cheap but Dubai is willing to spare no expense when it comes to its police force.

Glass is a costly gadget that sells for $1,500 in the United States. This makes the device far out of the affordable range for the average consumer. However, Dubai is determined to equip its law enforcement with the device. In addition, more businesses are beginning to warm to the idea of using this innovative wearable, which is also beginning to be used in hospitals.

Despite many people being worried about their privacy when Google Glass is worn in public, as the concern is a Glass user could be secretly taking photos or videoing a person without their consent, if policemen were to wear it, the purpose would be to help officers collect information during an investigation.

Middle East becoming more interested in mobile payments

Demands for mobile payments are rising in the Middle East. The Middle East is emerging as one of the most favorable markets for mobile commerce, especially when it comes to the United Arab Emirates  and the affluent population of Dubai. Smartphones and tablets are becoming more common throughout the Middle East, exposing consumers to new ways to engage in the world around them. Mobile payments have begun establishing a strong foothold among a new generation of consumers with access to mobile devices.

Universal commerce may be coming in the future

First Data, a leading payment processing company, has coined the term “universal commerce.” This suggests that everyone will be able to participate in a new era of commerce through a singular platform that will be recognized by all retailers and businesses around the world. Such a platform does not have to come from a single company and does not have to be associated with one particular application. Instead, this platform is meant to provide a framework wherein consumers interested in mobile payments can use their smartphones and tablets to purchase products, or use more traditional forms of currency.

First Data finds that Middle East is enthusiastic about mobile payments

According to First Data, consumers in the Middle East are eager for a new way to participate in commerce and that the mobile space may offer the best solution. Research from a study conducted in 2011 by First Data shows that consumers throughout the Middle East are enthusiastic when it comes to online retail, showing strong signs of their support of mobile commerce. The research found that Middle Eastern consumers have a higher chance of participating in mobile payments than any other group in the world.

Mobile commerce finds strong support in Dubai

Mobile commerce has been growing in the Middle East, backed strongly by companies and organizations based in Dubai. The city boasts of one of the most financially active populations in the world, which has given many consumers in Dubai opportunity to engage in mobile commerce before the rest of the region. Those that have participated in the several mobile payments projects that have taken root in the city have praised the convenience and simplicity of mobile commerce.