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Space42 Unveils “Thuraya One” Satellite Smartphone
The Android 14 device will offer uninterrupted communication in remote areas without additional hardware.
Thuraya, the satellite communications division of Space42, has revealed its new Thuraya One smartphone — an Android 14 device with integrated satellite capabilities. Announced at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, the phone is designed to keep users connected even in areas beyond traditional cellular coverage. Utilizing 5G and 4G, combined with Thuraya’s satellite infrastructure (including the newly launched Thuraya 4 satellite) the device offers reliable and secure connectivity in practically any environment.
Space42 is currently showcasing the Thuraya One at its stand during MWC in Barcelona, running from March 3-6, 2025. As one of the largest global connectivity events, MWC serves as the perfect stage for the big reveal of this next-generation smartphone that allows travelers and professionals to stay connected without having to carry extra satellite communication gear.
As well as satellite connectivity, the Thuraya One has dual-SIM slots, allowing users to switch between networks effortlessly. The phone supports SIM cards from over 370 Thuraya Roaming Partners worldwide, and customers can use a single number for both cellular and satellite communication.
Ali Al Hashemi, CEO of Yahsat Space Services, Space42, stated, “Staying connected is no longer a convenience, it is a necessity. Thuraya One delivers seamless, secure, and reliable connectivity anywhere, pushing what is possible in mobile communication. With this advanced capability, we are accelerating our position as a Non-Terrestrial Networks operator and executing our Direct-to-Device strategy to bring uninterrupted connectivity to billions of people and devices worldwide”.
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The Thuraya One doesn’t just offer reliable connectivity; it also packs high-end hardware. Featuring a 6.67” AMOLED display for vivid visuals, a Qualcomm Octa-core Kryo processor for smooth performance, and a robust triple-camera system with a 50MP main lens, the smartphone is built to handle a variety of needs. Its IP67 rating ensures durability against dust and water, while a fast-charging battery provides up to 26 hours of talk time on 5G—making it ideal for field professionals and adventurers alike.
Thuraya One is now available through Thuraya’s extensive network of over 140 service partners and distributors worldwide.
News
Nano Banana 2 Arrives In MENA For Google Gemini Users
Google brings its latest image model to Gemini and Search, adding 4K output and tighter text control for regional users.
Google has opened access to Nano Banana 2 across the Middle East and North Africa, pushing its newest image model into everyday tools rather than keeping it inside the exclusive (and expensive) Pro tier.
The rollout spans the Google Gemini desktop and mobile apps, and extends to Google Search through Lens and AI Mode. Developers can also test it in preview via AI Studio and the Gemini API.
Nano Banana 2 runs on Gemini Flash, Google’s fast inference layer. The focus is speed, but also control. Users can export visuals from 512px up to 4K, adjusting aspect ratios for everything from vertical social posts to widescreen displays.
The model maintains character likeness across up to five figures and preserves fidelity for as many as 14 objects within a single workflow. This enables visual continuity across scenes, iterations, or edits — supporting projects like short films, storyboards, and multi-scene narratives. Text rendering has also been improved, delivering legible typography in mockups and greeting cards, with built-in translation and localization directly within images.
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Under the hood, the system taps Gemini’s broader knowledge base and pulls in real-time information and imagery from web search to render specific subjects more accurately. Lighting and fine detail have been upgraded, without slowing output.
By embedding the model inside Gemini and Search, Google is normalizing advanced image generation for a mass audience. In MENA, where startups and marketing teams are leaning heavily on AI to scale content across languages and borders, that shift lands at a practical moment.
The move also folds creative tooling deeper into search itself, so that image generation is no longer a separate workflow. It now sits right next to the query box.
Nano Banana 2 Arrives In MENA For Google Gemini Users
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