VAR News
Local Content Creators Celebrated at NVIDIA Studio Nights 2
NVIDIA, in partnership with Microsoft, announced the winners of the second edition of its creative design competition, NVIDIA Studio Nights. The regional event, held at twofour54 in Abu Dhabi, highlighted talented content creators who leverage the power of the NVIDIA Studio platform and RTX GPUs and offered them the opportunity to network with other designers and artists. This year, the competition saw winners across five distinct categories – 3D, Videography, Photography, NVIDIA Canvas Art and CGI.
The winners were Nadeem Ashraf for 3D, Mohannad Nasr for Videography, Aziza Kashash for Photography, Joseph John for NVIDIA Canvas Art, and Mosab Sharef for CGI. They each received a Microsoft Laptop Studio 2 powered with NVIDIA RTX GPUs, as well as a Surface Slim Pen 2 which allows for a seamless transition from a canvas for drawing and designing to a versatile touchscreen laptop.
“NVIDIA’s RTX GPU were especially helpful when rendering my video, particularly the encoders and AI capabilities,” said Mohannad Nasr. “Tasks like removing objects with rotoscope and rendering with the RTX card are much faster. With the NVIDIA GPU, you can shoot in 4k, 8k, or even 12k and you don’t have to worry about rendering. When it came to Photoshop, the Firefly feature powered by AI was amazing, as I could remove unwanted details or add new elements to my photographs within seconds.”
“I have an NVIDIA RTX laptop and it is so important for us as designers that our GPUs are fast when we render. Even though I have an older version, the 2060, it is still really efficient. What we suffer from the most is opening multiple applications at the same time and the laptop slowing down. Thanks to NVIDIA, although I had multiple apps running, it still remained fast and my workflow was very smooth,” said Aziza Kashash.
Commenting on his win, Joseph John said, “I used NVIDIA Canvas, an AI tool that generates images based on brushstrokes. There’s a palette of more than 10 materials and different scenarios and variations. It’s all run through the hardware and not through the cloud, and you need to have a very powerful hardware component which NVIDIA provides. The beauty of creative processes is knowing when to stop because creativity is endless. For the details on my frame to be generated from mere brushstrokes is quite impressive.”
John added, “I’ve got one of the Founder’s Edition graphics cards – I’ve been an NVIDIA loyalist for a very long time.”
Attendees got to experience the latest RTX-powered laptops, including the Microsoft Laptop Studio 2 and Surface Slim Pen 2, as well as try several AI-powered apps from NVIDIA, such as Canvas, Omniverse, and Broadcast.
Chantelle Tavid, Head of Marketing at NVIDIA MENAT said, “The remarkable creativity showcased in the entries was truly incredible, underscoring how these creators absolutely harnessed the power of the NVIDIA Studio Platform and RTX GPUs. We look forward to more events where the local content creator community and artists can get together to collaborate, create and celebrate how far technology has come.”
VAR
HUAWEI MatePad 12 X Hits Stores: Creativity & Productivity in One with NearLink Keyboard and M-Pencil Pro
Huawei today announced the retail availability of the HUAWEI MatePad 12 X, a tablet engineered to usher in a new era of productivity and creativity. Combining a cutting-edge ultra-clear PaperMatte Display, the all-new HUAWEI M-Pencil Pro stylus, and a suite of powerful applications, the MatePad 12 X redefines the professional tablet experience. It seamlessly integrates the power of a PC, the versatility of a creative studio, and the comfort of paper into a single, elegant device.
The HUAWEI MatePad 12 X price starts from 1,999 AED and available on Huawei’s online platforms as well as retailers.
The HUAWEI MatePad 12 X is designed to meet the rigorous demands of today’s professionals, students, and creators. With next-generation hardware and Huawei’s most refined software ecosystem, it delivers an unparalleled experience for work, study, and artistic expression.

The ultra-clear PaperMatte Display pioneers a new era of anti-glare screen technology. Using high-precision nanoscale etching technology to create a screen that reduces sparkle by 50% compared to the previous generation. This new PaperMatte Display is remarkably clear, comfortable, and offers a paper-like experience, significantly enhancing the digital reading and creative processes while minimising eye strain during extended use.

The HUAWEI M-Pencil Pro, Huawei’s next-generation stylus, offers intuitive interaction and masterful precision with 16,384 pressure-sensing levels, delivering exceptional sensitivity for nuanced and dazzling strokes. A simple pinch gesture brings up an in-app radial menu for quick access to brushes and colour palettes. The stylus includes three distinct tips optimised for standard writing, detailed small-font writing, and expressive painting.

Closing the gap between tablets and desktops, the pre-installed PC-level WPS Office suite provides a familiar and powerful suite of tools. Users familiar with the desktop version can transition effortlessly, with a clean menu layout and comprehensive features that eliminate any learning curve. WPS Spreadsheets, Presentations, and Writer offer nearly identical functionality to their desktop counterparts, ensuring a consistent and uninterrupted workflow between PC and tablet.
The design of the tablet is just as impressive as the rest of it, featuring a pearlescent all-metal unibody design, weighing just 555 g and measuring a mere 5.9 mm thick. The advanced e-coating process, borrowed from the aerospace and automotive sectors, gives the chassis a pure, creamy macaron colour and a smooth finish. Natural mica powder is integrated into the coating to create a subtle, shimmering polish.
The HUAWEI MatePad 12 X blends design, performance, and creativity into a versatile package built to keep pace with both inspiration and productivity.
VAR
HONOR Launches the Unbreakable AI Smartphone HONOR X9d 5G Delivering Toughness, Power, and Innovation in One Sleek Package
Global AI device ecosystem company HONOR today unveiled the HONOR X9d 5G, a smartphone that redefines durability, endurance, and user experience. Designed for explorers, professionals, and anyone who lives without limits, the HONOR X9d 5G combines breakthrough toughness, a massive battery, and bold innovation to empower every journey.
The Fall That Made History
It’s not every day a smartphone makes gravity flinch. The HONOR X9d did exactly that, earning a Guinness World Record for the Highest Smartphone Drop and surviving a fall from 6.133 meters without a crack in sight. It wasn’t a stunt; it was a statement. For an industry that long treated durability as the enemy of design, HONOR proved both can coexist beautifully. The drop was not about spectacle but purpose, showing that true innovation is not only about performance but about persistence.

Rugged by Design
The HONOR X9d isn’t armored, it’s engineered. With a 6-layer drop-resistant structure and Ultra Bounce Anti-Drop Technology 3.0, it delivers 112% stronger protection than before, turning structure into philosophy. A shock-absorbing bracket reinforced back shell, and ultra-deep tempered glass work together like a symphony of defense, dispersing force instead of absorbing damage. Tested to withstand drops on challenging surfaces such as cobblestone, asphalt, tactile paving, and more than 10 types of stone ground, the X9d holds both the Premium Performance Certification and the SGS 5-Star Comprehensive Reliability Certification. Certified for 2.5-meter drops, IP69K water resistance, and extreme dust endurance, it doesn’t just withstand the elements, it welcomes them — a reminder that progress isn’t only about power or speed, but about building something that endures, even when gravity calls.
Tougher Than Tough with A Display Built to Last
The HONOR X9d 5G features a vibrant 6.79-inch Eye-Comfort OLED display with a sharp 2,640 × 1,200 resolution and an ultra-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Reaching a stunning 6,000 nits of HDR brightness, it remains brilliantly clear even under direct sunlight, perfect for life outdoors. With ultra-narrow 1.3mm bezels, it maximizes viewing space while keeping the design sleek and immersive. HONOR’s eye-protection and dynamic dimming technologies reduce strain during long hours of viewing, whether streaming, gaming, or scrolling. Crafted with ultra-tough glass, the display resists scratches and impacts, offering confidence in every swipe.

Power for Days
Equipped with an 8,300mAh silicon-carbon battery, the largest in its class, the HONOR X9d 5G delivers exceptional endurance, lasting up to two days of heavy use. Designed for longevity, its self-developed anti-aging algorithm ensures six years of ultra durabiliy], maintaining performance over time. Multi-point temperature monitoring safeguards efficiency across extreme conditions, from –30°C to 55°C, keeping the phone steady whether in desert heat or mountain chill.
When power runs low, Ultra Power Saving Mode keeps you connected, enabling up to 60 minutes of calls[ at just 2% battery, while 66W HONOR SuperCharge provides rapid recovery for all-day use. With 7.5W wired reverse charging, the X9d transforms into a compact power hub for your earbuds, smartwatches, and beyond.
Capture Every Moment with Clarity
The HONOR X9d 5G redefines mid-range photography with a 108MP main camera featuring a 1/1.67-inch large sensor and advanced OIS + EIS stabilization for ultra-clear, steady shots. From vibrant night skylines to spontaneous street scenes and family moments, every frame is rendered with remarkable depth and precision. A 2MP depth sensor enhances portrait bokeh, while the 16MP front camera, seamlessly embedded in the display, delivers crisp selfies and lifelike video calls.
Beyond hardware, HONOR’s AI Editor turns editing into creative storytelling. Integrated tools like AI Eraser, AI Cutout, AI Outpainting, AI Upscale, and AI Remove Reflection simplify enhancement, bringing studio-like control to every image. It’s not just about capturing the moment, but crafting it — effortlessly, intelligently, and exactly as you envision it.

The Power of Intuitive AI
The HONOR X9d isn’t just aware of what you do, it understands how you live. Its AI Call Translation breaks language barriers instantly, letting conversations flow freely across cultures. AI Summary turns hours of meetings into moments of clarity, while AI Assistant and Magic Portal 2.0 bring order to digital chaos, connecting apps, tasks, and ideas with quiet intelligence. It’s not just smart technology, its intuition made visible.
Smart Connectivity and Ecosystem
Stay connected with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, USB Type-C, and NFC for seamless mobile payments. The X9d integrates with the HONOR ecosystem, syncing effortlessly with MagicBook laptops and Earbuds X6 for instant file sharing or audio handoff. MagicOS 9.0 also lets you control HONOR smart home devices, creating a unified experience.

Design and Availability
Available in four striking colors – Reddish Brown, Forest Green, Sunrise Gold, and Midnight Black – the HONOR X9d 5G blends style with substance. The new HONOR X9d 5G, will be available for pre-order in the UAE from October 24 to 30 at a price of AED 1,299. Customers who pre-order will receive exclusive gifts worth AED 697, including 12-month free damage protection, HONOR Choice Earbuds E6i, and a mobile phone lanyard data cable. In addition, current HONOR X9a, X9b, and X9c users who upgrade to the new X9d will enjoy a complimentary 12-month extended warranty, offering them even greater peace of mind.
VAR
Lexar Professional Go Portable SSD with Hub – An Innovative and Revolutionary Solution for Creators
- One of the worlds lightest portable SSD – weighing only 13gms
- Ultra-compact for spontaneous creativity anytime, anywhere
- The portable SSD and hub with four USB Type-C ports provide ultimate flexibility for customizing your setup to suit the shoot
- Captures brilliant Apple ProRes footage and stores it with ease, on iPhone 17 series and iPhone AIR
- A cable-free plug-and-play Type-C connector means no tangled, cumbersome cables
- Blazing-fast performance up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds for seamless 4K recording, no dropped frames, and swift backups
- Ready for travel – dust and water-resistant (IP65 rated), and drop-resistant up to 1 meter
- 1TB and 2TB storage options
This revolutionary device offers the ultimate setup to shoot seamless video from a mobile phone, especially ProRes videos on the iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max and iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max.
Compact, about the size of your thumb, the Lexar Professional Go Portable SSD measures a mere 1.00” x 1.71” x 0.32” and weighs only 13 grams. Still, it packs a capacity of up to 2TB, delivering USB 3.2 Gen 2 performance 1050MB/s read speeds, 1000MB/s write speeds for shooting Apple ProRes 4K 60fps video from an iPhone 16 Pro/Pro Max or iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max and perform post-production processes right on the drive.
The flexible combination of the portable SSD and hub, which features four USB Type-C ports, along with the included adapters and cables, makes it easy to add accessories. It also comes with a male-to-female adapter, a male-to-male adapter, and a cold shoe adapter cable for maximum versatility. This setup expands your shooting capabilities for various scenarios using just one equipment set.
Not only does it offer plug-and-play convenience, but the portable SSD is also rated IP65, durably dust- and water-resistant, so you can confidently use it in various locations hassle-free.2 It is also drop-resistant up to 1 meter to handle everyday accidents and comes with a silicone case for superior protection from the outside in.
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