If the heightened costs of autonomous driving technologies in the auto world have coerced automakers to collaborate, the need for a technology-brimmed smartphone infused with functional design has brought two legacy makers together. Technology brand HONOR announces a long-term global partnership with luxury lifestyle brand Porsche Design to create “high-end smart devices and offer customers a luxury user experience in the world of electronics.” The first product from this alliance is set to be unveiled in China in January 2024. George Zhao, CEO of HONOR commented, “HONOR’s human-centric design melds with Porsche Design’s brand philosophy to create intelligent luxury products that will accelerate the mobile lifestyle of tech enthusiasts and Porsche aficionados alike. This long-term collaboration between HONOR and Porsche Design opens exciting new opportunities to bolster our growth in markets around the world.”

To all the hardcore gamers out there, here’s something you’d like to own. American brand Oakley has introduced its new Gaming Collection eyewear to help you play for longer and react faster. One of the variants is Helux. It boasts an extra-large frame made of lightweight ‘O Matter’ material, an adjustable Unobtainium nose pad and thin temples compatible with headsets. Another option is the Cognitive derivative. It features an ‘O Matter’ front with titanium chassis and temples. Grippy clear nose pads and over-mould Unobtainium ear socks enhance the comfort quotient.

The eyewear collection, including additional Frogskins, Holbrook XL and Latch styles, boasts the blue-light filtering Prizm Gaming 2.0 Technology. According to the brand, this proprietary tech reduces glare from OLED and LED displays. The entire collection is available at authorised Oakley stories and the official website.

TPAY, the leading payment provider for the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa, has partnered with Bango and Etisalat Egypt to launch Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) with Google. This move will benefit over 30 million subscribers by facilitating a more accessible experience for Android users who can now purchase digital content like apps and games via the Google Play Store using their mobile number. As Egypt's population doesn't have access to traditional payment methods like Credit and Debit cards, this DCB method with Google will allow Etisalat customers to make purchases charged to their mobile phone balances, eliminating the need for credit or debit cards. Paul Larbey, Bango CEO, said, “This is an important launch for carrier billing, providing phone users in Egypt with an easy payment opportunity in the world's biggest app store. Our partnership with TPAY brings Bango Payment technology together with TPAY’s operational expertise, enabling developers to monetize their apps more successfully.”

Renowned audio house Bang & Olufsen has launched its most powerful portable offering yet, the Beosound A5. Designed in collaboration with the Danish-Italian design duo GamFratesi, the Beosound A5 is aimed to bridge northern and southern design cultures with an immersive sound experience by drawing design inspiration from the iconic Beolit series and the traditional Panama straw hats worn on beaches. Its available in two colourways – natural aluminium with a woven paper fibre front with a light oak handle and a black anthracite aluminium version paired with a dark oak wood speaker cover and handle. The new speaker boasts an IP65 water and dustproof rating, more than 12 hours of playtime and a wireless phone charger integrated into the top panel. The tag for the most powerful portable speaker of the brand comes courtesy of a four-way driver setup with four digital amplifiers providing a combined 280 watts of power and integrating the sound technology from Bang & Olufsen's class-leading Beolab 90 and 50 hi-fi speakers.