Home Integrator
Samsung Reimagines Home Automation With AI-Powered Smartthings Ecosystem
Samsung Gulf Electronics continues to enhance its breakthrough SmartThings platform, taking connected living to new heights. The latest innovations in the SmartThings ecosystem introduce advanced AI-driven features that promise to revolutionize home management, energy efficiency, and family care.
These advances align with increasing traction for home automation in the UAE residential market. Research shows that the UAE smart home market is set to grow at an annual rate of 10% from 2024 to 2028, with household penetration projected to rise from 16% to 23% during the same period, signaling strong adoption of this technology.
Shafi Alam, Head of Direct-to-Consumer Business & Corporate Marketing at Samsung Gulf Electronics, said, “Samsung’s latest advancements in the SmartThings ecosystem mark a significant leap forward in smart home technology. By harnessing the power of AI, we’re not just automating homes; we’re creating intelligent living spaces that adapt to users’ needs, save energy and enhance family well-being. This holistic approach to connected living aligns with the UAE’s vision for a smarter, more sustainable future.”
At the heart of these upgrades is the innovative Smart Energy Saving feature, which automatically activates energy-saving modes when they’re most effective without compromising comfort through leveraging AI. Meanwhile, with the Save Energy While Away function, SmartThings can detect when residents are out and send notifications prompting users to adjust connected devices to minimize unnecessary energy consumption. These features not only minimize energy spend but also contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.
Family care takes center stage with new scenarios designed to enhance home safety and comfort. The Safe and Comfortable Welcome feature prepares the home for arrival by adjusting lighting and temperature and even starting appliances like air purifiers. Working parents can also prepare their homes for their children’s return from school, with the ability to prioritize their safety by keeping a watchful eye on them through SmartThings. For pet owners, the Keep Your Pet Safe and Healthy scenario offers peace of mind by monitoring pets’ activities, with the ability to communicate with and feed their furry friends remotely.
Security remains paramount in this connected ecosystem. Samsung’s Knox platform has been fortified to provide defense-grade protection across all layers of the SmartThings network, ensuring that as homes become smarter, they also become more secure against cyber threats.
The updated SmartThings platform also lays the groundwork for broader smart city initiatives. As individual homes become more intelligent and efficient, they contribute valuable data that can be used to optimize urban services, from energy distribution to traffic management. This will contribute to government ambitions to make UAE cities the smartest in the world, as Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue to rise in global smart city indexes.
Home Integrator
RICHMIND BREAKS GROUND ON OYSTRA AT AL MARJAN ISLAND, RAS AL KHAIMAH
Richmind, a premium developer specialising in ultra-niche real estate projects and a flagship business vertical of Richmind Holding, has officially broken ground on Oystra, a landmark residential project on Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA), Oystra represents a defining moment in the emirate’s emergence as the UAE’s next world-class coastal investment destination and sets an unprecedented benchmark for luxury waterfront living.
With Phase 1 fully sold out, the groundbreaking marks a significant milestone and signals the formal launch of Phase 2, now officially on sale. The sellout of Phase 1, driven by strong global and regional demand, underscores growing investor confidence in high-growth beachfront markets like Ras Al Khaimah and affirms Oystra’s position as one of the most sought-after developments on Al Marjan Island. Construction remains firmly on track for the 2029 handover.
Oystra brings together an exceptional, world-renowned team of partners to deliver a project conceived as a legacy development from day one. Zaha Hadid Architects leads the visionary design, introducing a sculptural, fluid architectural form never before seen on Al Marjan Island, while Dewan Architects + Engineers translates this ambition into technical reality through innovations such as the 40-metre curved steel truss that preserves ZHA’s purity of form. HBA delivers hospitality-grade interiors, and Cracknell creates a landscape that becomes an experiential extension of the architecture, deeply connected to the seafront environment. Together, these partners ensure Oystra is executed not as a conventional development, but as a landmark that will define the future of waterfront living in the emirate.
“Al Marjan Island has always been envisioned as a premier waterfront destination, and the groundbreaking of Oystra marks an exciting milestone in the island’s continued growth. Richmind’s commitment to design excellence and world-class partnerships, reinforces the international appeal of Ras Al Khaimah and elevates the lifestyle offering for residents and investors alike,” says Arch. Abdulla Al Abdouli, Group CEO, Marjan.
Located just steps from the UAE’s first integrated resort, Wynn Al Marjan Island, Oystra will offer 850 one to four-bedroom luxury seafront residences, each oriented to maximize views of the Arabian Gulf. The development will feature curated wellness facilities, a world-class beach club and spa, and a signature dining destination elevated at the project’s peak, encircled by Ras Al Khaimah’s first and only 360° infinity pool, offering some of the most dramatic views on Al Marjan Island.
Mohammad Rafiee, CEO of Richmind Holding, said: “Oystra is more than a development, it is a milestone in Ras Al Khaimah’s rise as a global coastal investment destination. The rapid sellout of Phase 1 reflects growing international interest in the emirate, as buyers increasingly seek premium, design-led beachfront properties with strong long-term value potential. This groundbreaking is not just the start of construction, it is an affirmation of our long-term commitment to supporting the emirate’s evolution and delivering a project that embodies rarity, architectural excellence, and enduring value for our clients and investors.”
As construction progresses toward the 2029 handover, Oystra continues to embody Richmind’s mission to deliver artful, design-driven residential experiences that elevate the UAE’s coastal landscape, create lasting financial value, and cultivate trusted, long-term partnerships with residents and investors.
Richmind Holding currently operates across the UK, Germany, China and UAE, and are poised for additional international growth in the year ahead.
Home Integrator
MILLION DOLLAR LISTING UAE RETURNS WITH ‘NO BLING. ALL REAL.’ SEASON 2
STARZPLAY, the leading subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service in the MENA region, and co-producer Image Nation Abu Dhabi, are bringing back one of its most talked-about reality franchises with the highly anticipated premiere of Million Dollar Listing UAE Season 2. Sponsored by Aldar and DAMAC, the new season launches today, 10 December 2025, with a fresh mix of rivalries, high-stakes dealmaking, and deeply personal stories set against the backdrop of Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s competitive real estate market.
Returning cast members include veteran realtor and Executive Producer Ben Bandari, along with Riad Gohar and Rami Wahood, each bringing their signature style and competitive edge back to the screen. Joining them are two new wild cards, Sarah Serhan and Mai Khaled, whose arrival disrupts the balance and raises the stakes for everyone involved. While the multimillion-dirham listings set the stage, the heart of the show lies in the tensions, alliances, and ambitions that push these dealmakers to their limits.
The STARZPLAY Original is based on the Emmy® nominated Million Dollar Listing format from Bravo and was the first version of the franchise outside of the United States. The format is licensed internationally by NBCUniversal Formats, a division of Universal Studio Group.
Season 2 dives deeper into what drives the region’s most ambitious agents. With 12 episodes in total, audiences will witness how personal challenges and big opportunities shape the journeys of five agents navigating one of the world’s most dynamic property landscapes. The series is produced by Navigation Films, the production company who also worked across other UAE based reality series including The Real Housewives of Dubai, which is also licensed by NBCUniversal Formats.
Inspired by global fan favourites, Million Dollar Listing New York and Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, the UAE edition offers its own distinctive perspective shaped by the local market. True to its tagline, ‘No Bling. All Real,’ Season 2 leans into authenticity, proving that in this market, personality is as influential as property.
Episodes of Million Dollar Listing UAE Season 2 will begin streaming exclusively on STARZPLAY starting 10 December 2025, with two new episodes released weekly. Viewers can revisit Season 1 on the platform as well.
Home Integrator
RAK’S FASTEST-SELLING PROJECT MONDRIAN AL MARJAN BEACH RESIDENCES SELLS 200+ UNITS IN 2 HOURS MARKING AED 704M IN SALES
ELEVATE, the visionary lifestyle real estate brand, has officially shattered market records in Ras Al Khaimah. Following a spectacular launch event at Atlantis The Royal on 26th November, the Mondrian Al Marjan Island Beach Residences became the emirate’s fastest-selling project, recording AED 704 million in sales within just two hours.
The overwhelming response saw more than 200 units snapped up by investors and homeowners almost immediately, validating the project’s status as the most anticipated branded residence in the Northern Emirates. Capitalizing on this extraordinary momentum, ELEVATE has announced that the final 100 units will be released soon.
The project, valued at AED 1.8 billion, is developed in partnership with Ennismore, the world’s fastest-growing lifestyle hospitality company. Designed by global leaders Gensler and Bergman Design House, the development creates a new benchmark for branded beachfront living, blending bold architecture with sensory storytelling, a combination that has resonated deeply with global investors.
Zeeshaan Shah, Founder & Chairman of ELEVATE, commented on the record-breaking success, “The incredible demand we witnessed, selling over AED 700 million in just two hours, is a powerful validation of our vision for Mondrian Al Marjan Island Beach Residences. We didn’t just launch a building; we introduced a new standard of lifestyle that resonates deeply with global investors. This rapid absorption proves that Ras Al Khaimah is no longer just an emerging market; it is a prime destination for luxury real estate, and ELEVATE is proud to be leading this transformation.”
The Next Chapter of Luxury The newly released inventory will offer a mix of the project’s most sought-after layouts. Buyers moving quickly on this next phase will have the opportunity to secure homes within the development’s three signature distinct tiers:
- The Residences: Chic 1–3 bedroom apartments.
- The Front Row Collection: Exclusive beachfront townhouses with direct beach access.
- The Sky Collection: Breathtaking duplex and triplex sky villas with private pools.
Residents will enjoy proximity to the upcoming Wynn Al Marjan Island and access to over 60,000 sq. ft. of curated amenities, including the Mondrian Sky Club, the region’s first Fi’lia Beach, and Accor Platinum Status benefits worldwide.
With construction moving ahead and completion scheduled for Q4 2028, the Mondrian Al Marjan Island Beach Residences continues to set the pace for luxury real estate in Ras Al Khaimah.
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