News

Dubai Startup Belong Is A Social Platform With A Twist

The company has ambitious plans for growth and has already begun scaling operations in US cities.

Published

1 year ago

November 28, 2023

Nour Nasir

Belong

Startup Belong is an online social platform catering to the needs of fitness, food, travel, arts, sports, and wellness enthusiasts. The app also allows users to connect in person to attend events together.

Founders Michael Askew and Matthew Gaziano have first-hand experience of struggling to connect with the right people after living in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, for seven years and later moving to Dubai.

“When we moved to Dubai, we were excited because the place is amazing. We expected to have a packed, endless social calendar, but when we got here, we realized we’d got to make friends first,” says Gaziano. “How do you get out, find like-minded people, and do all these fantastic things? How do you approach people? It’s not easy to go over and speak to someone in public and start talking about yourself,” he added.

The pair were inspired to design an app where “online meets offline”, helping people to break the ice and form lasting relationships out in the real world.

After launching the app in 2019, the social platform now has a user base of 350,000 and a presence in Dubai, New York, and San Francisco.

Also Read: Top 10 Best Freelance Platforms In The Middle East

Belong works by allowing users to select their interests. After that, they start posting and discussing what they have in common. The company has already secured $3.5 million in crowdfunded investments and plans to raise more funds in 2024 to crack the wider US and MENA markets.

“The UAE is a fantastic place to launch your business,” explains Gaziano. “It’s such a melting pot of cultures and nationalities, and you can really put your startup to the test here”.

The United Arab Emirates aims to become home to 20 startups valued at over $1 billion by 2031 in a bid to become a regional center for innovation and entrepreneurship. Last year, the country launched its Entrepreneurial Nation initiative to help entrepreneurs set up operations in the Emirates and support them when expanding their businesses, exporting products, and tapping into online sales.

The UAE’s digital economy is expected to reach a value of $140 billion by 2031, rising dramatically from its current $38 billion, according to a report by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy.

News

Samsung To Roll Out One UI 7 Starting April 7

The update will introduce AI-driven tools and Google integration, along with a fresh design and enhanced personalization options.

Published

3 days ago

March 20, 2025

Nour Nasir

Samsung

Samsung has confirmed that One UI 7 will officially begin rolling out on April 7, bringing a fresh design and enhanced personalization options. This update is tailored for a more intuitive user experience, powered by AI-driven improvements. Initially, One UI 7 will be available in the U.S. on the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy Z Fold6, and Z Flip6 starting April 10. The rollout will gradually expand to more Galaxy smartphones and tablets in the following weeks.

Refined Design And More Customization

With One UI 7, Samsung is introducing a cleaner, more cohesive look aimed at making customization easier and more intuitive. The home screen, widgets, and lock screen have been redesigned to streamline navigation and personalization.

One standout feature is Now Bar, which provides real-time updates directly on the lock screen. Whether checking workout progress during a run or seeing what’s playing on Galaxy Buds, users can access key information with just a swipe — no need to unlock the phone.

AI-Powered Enhancements For A Smoother Experience

Samsung has integrated AI into One UI 7 to make everyday interactions more seamless and efficient. Galaxy AI helps users complete tasks with minimal app switching, while AI Select suggests relevant actions based on selected content. For instance, users can swipe the Edge Panel and tap the AI Select icon while watching a video to instantly create a GIF.

Writing Assist — a favorite tool for Galaxy users — will now offer automatic text summarization and formatting. Meanwhile, Drawing Assist provides a creative boost by generating visuals from text prompts, images, or sketches. Another highlight, Audio Eraser, allows users to fine-tune video sound by isolating and adjusting different audio elements.

Also Read: Google’s Alphabet To Acquire Cybersecurity Firm Wiz For $32 Billion

Finally, Samsung has added greater integration with Google Gemini. Users can simply activate Gemini and ask, “Find Italian restaurants with outdoor seating that are pet friendly” to get instant recommendations. Natural language search also makes adjusting settings easier — users can now tap the mic icon in Settings and say, My eyes feel tired, to receive suggestions like dimming the screen or enabling Eye Comfort Shield.

Device Compatibility And Rollout Schedule

The One UI 7 update will begin rolling out on April 7, with more devices receiving it in the weeks that follow. Compatible models include the Galaxy S24 series, Galaxy S24 FE, Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Z Fold5, Z Flip5, and the Galaxy Tab S10 and Tab S9 series.