Companies

Microsoft takes on Facebook by dispatching metaverse in Teams

Published

5 years ago

November 4, 2021

Spread the love

Clients will actually want to show up as animated cartoons in gatherings and visit virtual work areas.

Microsoft has ventured out towards bringing the metaverse to office life, in the most recent sign that probably the greatest tech organizations see the mixing of the advanced and actual universes as one of the main recent fads in registering. The US programming goliath said that in the primary portion of the following year, clients of its Teams coordinated effort programming would have the option to show up as symbols — or vivified kid’s shows — in video gatherings. Telecommuters can likewise utilize their symbols to visit virtual work areas, which would ultimately incorporate copies of their managers’ workplaces. Microsoft’s first moves to mix the virtual and actual universes are unobtrusive contrasted with the sweeping vision that Facebook spread out last week when it changed its corporate name to Meta to mirror its new spotlight on the metaverse. In any case, Microsoft’s arrangement depends on hidden innovation, known as Mesh, that it disclosed recently to deal with undeniably more perplexing virtual cooperations on various sorts of equipment, from PCs to computer generated reality headsets. Additionally, Microsoft leaders said they considered the reception of individual symbols to be the initial phase in a movement that would see laborers become progressively OK with new types of virtual cooperation that may appear to be strange to them now. “With 250m individuals all throughout the planet utilizing Teams, the presentation of symbols will be the main genuine metaverse component to appear to be genuine,” said Jared Spataro, the head of Teams.

Groups has turned into the product through which numerous specialists speak with partners and access Microsoft’s more extensive arrangement of efficiency devices. The organization said it would coordinate its other efficiency programming into its new virtual encounters — permitting laborers to do things like view PowerPoint introductions in the metaverse. Spataro said a large part of the inspiration for the presentation of new kinds of computerized cooperation came from the difficulties organizations are looking with cross breed working, as certain representatives return to the workplace after the pandemic while others decide to work from a distance. Microsoft said that its examination showed that utilizing individual symbols passed on a feeling of “presence” that made gatherings seriously captivating, while at the same time liberating laborers from having to continually show up before a camera. Laborers who had been in a gathering where another person showed up as a symbol were additionally more open to utilizing the actual innovation, the organization said. Showing up as a symbol “appears to be straightforward, it seems like only one stage, however that is the sort of step I think individuals are prepared to make”, Spataro said. “Possibly it’s even sort of happy to start with.” The organization said it would utilize AI to cause a symbol’s lips to seem to mouth the words being expressed, and to add looks and hand signals. The gradualist way to deal with acquainting laborers with the metaverse appears differently in relation to the previous Facebook’s more progressive vision for the eventual fate of office gatherings. The web-based media organization as of late showed a full augmented simulation office experience, with individuals wearing VR goggles to sit in a virtual room close by symbols of different laborers. Differentiating Microsoft’s utilization of symbols to bouncing directly to full augmented experience gatherings, Spataro said: “It’s not as out of sight like, how about we meet in a 3D space where we don’t have a clue what to do.”

Announcements

MIRAL Joins 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 as official experience partner

Published

1 day ago

October 7, 2026

Sudhashree Dash

Spread the love

Yas Island will become the official experiences partner of the Abu Dhabi T10 for its 2026 edition, under a new partnership between Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub (ADCSH) and Miral.

Under the agreement, all six Abu Dhabi T10 franchises will be based on Yas Island during the tournament, while a number of events linked to the competition will also be held across the destination.

The partnership will include the tournament’s Trophy Launch, Opening Party and Closing Party, with Yas Island’s attractions and venues forming part of the wider Abu Dhabi T10 experience for players, teams, partners and fans.

“We are thrilled to welcome Yas Island as the Official Experiences Partner of the 2026 Abu Dhabi T10,” said Matthew Boucher, CEO of Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub and Abu Dhabi T10.

“The island is an unbelievable destination which will provide an exceptional setting for our teams, our players and for many of the tournament experiences.”

Leon Marsh, Miral’s director of events, said the partnership reflected a shared aim of creating experiences for “fans, teams and families alike”.

“Yas Island is the ideal setting for the key moments and flagship events taking place during this year’s Abu Dhabi T10,” he said.

The 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 Draft, held at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, saw 108 players selected by six franchises: Arabian Aces, Emirates Eagles, Royal Desert Champions, UAE Bulls, United Tigers and Yas Lions.

The tournament will take place at Zayed Cricket Stadium from 7 to 20 November, bringing together international players for the 10-over competition.

The partnership is also intended to promote Abu Dhabi as a destination combining international sport, leisure and entertainment, with Yas Island providing the base for the teams throughout the tournament.

Announcements

Abu Dhabi T10 teams up with Dot Republic Media to strengthen global digital presence

Published

3 weeks ago

September 16, 2026

Staff Reporter

Spread the love

Abu Dhabi T10 has announced a strategic content partnership with DRM (Dot Republic Media), the world’s number one cricket digital network and one of YouTube’s largest multi-channel networks, with more than 600 channels and 190 million combined subscribers.

Across its sports ecosystem built on partnerships with leading cricket federations and broadcasters worldwide, DRM reaches over 20 million subscribers and delivered more than 10 billion impressions and 2 billion views in 2025 alone.

Under this partnership, DRM will deliver year-round content for Abu Dhabi T10 across its YouTube network, keeping the T10 product in front of fans well beyond the tournament window, growing viewership and audiences in key markets, and building deeper engagement with a new generation of cricket fans.

For Abu Dhabi T10 2026, which will run November 7-20 at the UAE capital’s iconic Zayed Cricket Stadium the partnership means ‘Cricket’s Fastest Format’® is now programmed on YouTube 365 days a year, not only across the thirteen days of the tournament. A team of dedicated content experts will deliver player features, on-field highlights and re-lives drawn from archival seasons, distributed simultaneously across the network’s channels, and targeted at cricket’s largest digital markets.

It is a deliberate move from a traditional distribution model to a digital-first one. Rather than reaching supporters only through intermediaries, Abu Dhabi T10 will hold a direct line to its audience, every week of the year, on the platform where cricket’s next generation already watches the game.

Matt Boucher, CEO of the tournament’s owners Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub (ADCSH) and Abu Dhabi T10, said the expanded distribution strategy was another key piece of the wider platform now being built around the tournament.

“Global reach is fundamental to the ambition we have for Abu Dhabi T10, and our partnership with DRM gives us the digital connectivity needed to engage the next generation of cricket fans,” explained Boucher.

“Piece by piece, we are building a compelling new platform for the tournament – one that creates greater international visibility, stronger commercial opportunities, and a powerful showcase for Abu Dhabi as a global destination for sport, entertainment and investment.”

Muhammad Adnan Butt, CEO, DRM commented: “We are pleased to align with a tournament that understands where content consumption is going. Abu Dhabi T10 is an innovative format, built for the way audiences watch sport today, and that shared view is what makes this partnership work. We look forward to putting the Abu Dhabi T10 in front of our creators and our sports audience every month of the year.”

Imran Khan, CEO, Apex Sports Consulting which co-ordinated the partnership added: “We are thrilled to bring this collaboration with two partners who have done so much for the growth of the game. Digital-first is the future of the sport, and there is no better way to access that than through this platform. Apex is building this distribution model across cricket, and this is what digital-first looks like in practice.”

Announcements

Meta launches all-in-one subscription with AI tools across Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook

Published

3 weeks ago

September 15, 2026

Staff Reporter

Spread the love

Meta has launched Meta One, a subscription service bringing premium features across Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and Meta AI, with plans in the UAE starting at Dh22.99 a month.

The service is part of the technology company’s wider push into paid products, combining enhanced artificial intelligence tools, creative features and professional services for creators and businesses.

Meta said the core versions of its apps and Meta AI would remain free, while subscribers would receive higher usage limits and access to additional features.

The company said Meta One launches with more than 50 features. It follows the introduction of individual subscriptions for Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, which Meta said have attracted more than 15 million subscriptions and trials.

More AI tools and creative features

Meta One’s individual plans, Core and Premium, offer greater access to AI-powered image generation, video creation using Meta’s Muse models, image editing, Instagram’s Restyle tools and voice effects.

Meta said its AI assistant would continue to be available for everyday use without a subscription. The paid plans are aimed at users who want more intensive access to AI-powered creative tools.

Early testing found that more than half of bundle subscribers used both AI and creative-expression features, according to Meta. Instagram Restyle and voice effects were among the features most frequently cited as reasons for subscribing.

The new bundles also include features available through the company’s individual app subscriptions.

Instagram Plus has added custom fonts for direct messages and Stories, notifications for specific Story viewers and DM previews. Facebook Plus includes Messenger customisation, expanded Reels insights and super reactions across Reels and Feed posts.

WhatsApp Plus is expected to test chat and media backup storage, as well as Focus Schedules, which allow users to mute or hide chats at set times.

Business and creator plans

Meta One also includes subscription tiers aimed at creators and businesses, offering professional profile tools, AI-powered customer engagement and expanded analytics.

Business subscribers can access enhanced profiles displaying details such as websites, locations and customer reviews. Other features include a prominent follow button on Reels and automated follow invitations for users who interact with content.

Businesses will also receive expanded access to Meta Business Agent, Meta’s AI-powered tool for handling customer queries around the clock on WhatsApp.

Higher-tier plans add features such as Story scheduling, exportable analytics, deeper audience insights, collaborative account management and expanded business messaging capabilities.

Meta said it plans to introduce further benefits over time, including Edits Plus, which is expected to offer additional cloud storage for syncing projects across devices and greater access to an upcoming assistant that can analyse Instagram insights and generate content ideas.

The company also plans to extend Meta One benefits to other products, including its Edits video-editing app and AI-powered smart glasses.

Meta One UAE pricing

Meta said Meta One plans are available globally, although features, pricing and availability may vary by region, app and account.

The UAE pricing announced for the service is:

Individual app subscriptions

Instagram Plus: Dh7.99 a month
WhatsApp Plus: Dh5.99 a month
Facebook Plus: Dh7.99 a month

Meta One individual bundles

Core: Dh22.99 a month
Premium: Dh76.99 a month

Creator and business bundles

Essential: From Dh46.99 a month
Advanced: From Dh119 a month
Expert: From Dh359 a month
Max: Up to Dh1,199 a month

The company said the subscription options are designed to give users more choice, while keeping its main social media services accessible without payment.