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Razer Reveals New Products, Including Leviathan V2 Pro Soundbar
The gaming PC company has announced a raft of new hardware, including a head cushion with haptic feedback and near-field 7.1 surround sound.
The 2023 CES event has already seen plenty of amazing product unveils, and now Razer has added to the excitement with a brand new lineup for the coming year. The gaming-focused company has just introduced a range of new laptops, as well as the much-anticipated Leviathan V2 Pro soundbar. The company says that the new audio device boasts an infrared camera that can detect where a user is seated, before adjusting the audio using real-time 3D beamforming technology.
The Leviathan V2 Pro uses two modes for the 3D audio — THX Spatial Audio Virtual Headset and THX Spatial Audio Virtual Speakers. Razer claims the technology will deliver “crisp, clear treble and deep, punchy bass” using multiple drivers and an included subwoofer. If you’re in the market for an audio upgrade, the new Leviathan V2 Pro should hit the shelves by the end of the month, priced at around $400.
Next up in the Razer lineup is a new webcam called the Kiyo Pro Ultra, featuring the largest sensor ever used in a device of its type (a Sony 1/1.2″ STARVIS 2, for those interested). Razer says the new device will achieve DSLR levels of optical quality, along with fantastic low-light performance and a host of features, including auto tracking and background blurring.
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Razer also used CES 2023 to reveal Project Carol, a head cushion with “near-field 7.1 surround sound and HyperSense haptic feedback”. Razer explained that the cushion should fit onto any gaming chair and will convert in-game audio into haptic feedback. Although still at the concept stage, the head cushion is an interesting idea and will hopefully offer a deeper level of immersion when gaming.
Last but by no means least, Razer also confirmed the release date for its new cloud gaming device, known as the Razer Edge. The Android-based handheld will utilize a Snapdragon G3x and will be available for purchase on January 26th, with prices starting at $400.
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Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.
Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
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The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.
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