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
Reflex Angelo Joins MERED’s Dubai Project to deliver a full Pininfarina experience

MERED, the award-winning international real estate developer, has partnered with Reflex Angelo, the global Italian luxury furniture brand, to provide Pininfarina branded furniture able to enhance the one of a kind living experience at ICONIC Residences Design by Pininfarina, the developer’s flagship project in Dubai. This collaboration marks Reflex Angelo’s debut partnership with a real estate developer in the UAE.
Apartments in ICONIC Residences will feature custom-design built-in furniture by Pininfarina. As part of collaboration with Reflex, residents will have the option to complete their homes with a Pininfarina furniture premium collection, enjoying exclusive perks and benefits that bring the full Italian experience throughout their living space. Located in Dubai Internet City, the 290-metre tower will be the tallest in the area, offering 310 luxury apartments with sea views and convenient access to hotspots like Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Marina.
Reflex Angelo and Pininfarina have been collaborating since 1997, delivering masterpieces such as the Vela Armchair and the Orizzonte collection, a modular seating system that balances form and function. This long-standing relationship ensures that the optional furniture offered at ICONIC Residences reflects the same design language as the apartments themselves, creating a cohesive look throughout the home.
Michael Belton, CEO of MERED, commented: “Our partnership with Reflex Angelo is part of our goal to deliver genuine quality and design consistency and full Pininfarina experience at ICONIC Residences. We want to ensure that residents experience a fully integrated premium home, from structure to interior. As Dubai’s elite lifestyle sets new benchmarks for global luxury, our project reflects both the city’s ambition and the expectations of a global, design-conscious audience.”
Luciano Lucatello, Chairman of Reflex Angelo added: “This project stands out in our global portfolio, not only as our first collaboration with a real estate developer, but also because of the shared commitment to design integrity and material quality. Working alongside Pininfarina and MERED gives us a meaningful platform to bring our Italian craftsmanship into a market that values sophistication.”
Dubai’s luxury property market is set to outpace all others in price growth in 2025. A recent Knight Frank survey found that 69 percent of high-net-worth individuals are interested in purchasing a branded residence in Dubai, underlining strong demand for projects associated with established design and architectural firms. At the same time, the UAE’s residential market is on track to exceed $400 billion in 2025, reflecting sustained investment in high-end, design-driven developments.
As MERED expands its footprint in the Middle East, the company remains focused on delivering projects that reflect international design standards and long-term impact.
Home Integrator
Natuzzi Italia Illuminates Spaces with the Poetry of Light

A New Chapter in Lighting Design Crafted in Italy
Natuzzi Italia, synonymous with the art of Italian living, unveils a radiant ensemble of lighting creations designed in collaboration with Italamp. Each piece is not merely a lamp, but a sculpture of light—crafted to transform spaces into theatres of elegance, intimacy, and emotion.
This new collection embraces the essence of Mediterranean sophistication: essential lines, exquisite materials, and a dialogue between tradition and modernity. Every lamp is 100% made in Italy, celebrating artisanal mastery while infusing interiors with luminous artistry.
The Collection: A Symphony of Light
Rosè (Design: Danilo De Rossi)
Inspired by the delicate silhouette of an upside-down glass, Rosé pays homage to the soft, warm hues of a desert sunset. Its refined finish and timeless elegance make it an icon of grace, transforming light into a radiant expression of beauty.
Solene (Design: Danilo De Rossi)
With a crystal heart carved by hand, Solene filters light through blown glass, creating an atmosphere of intimacy. It is the meeting point of tradition and innovation—a luminous secret whispered in elegance.
Nola (Design: Defne Koz & Marco Susani)
Suspended with ethereal grace, Nola recalls the pure form of a bell. Its delicate presence enhances interiors with brilliance, a quiet statement of lightness and refinement.
Aura (Design: Italamp Studio)
A luminous embrace, Aura softens and harmonizes every environment. Available in diverse sizes and compositions, it adapts seamlessly—whether enriching a vast hall or orchestrating dramatic scenographies.
Frida (Design: Roberta Vitadello & Stefano Traverso)
Minimal yet profound, Frida embodies the purity of light. A suspended glass sphere radiates warmth and intimacy, crafting an atmosphere that is timeless and deeply human.
Home Integrator
Ascendas Developers Unveil Maison Nami at Jumeirah Golf Estates, Driving AED 500 Million Pipeline of Luxury Villas

Ascendas Developers, a rising force in Dubai’s luxury property renovation market, has unveiled Maison Nami, its latest bespoke residence at Sundials, Jumeirah Golf Estates, valued at AED 46 million. Unlike conventional developers who replicate identical homes, Ascendas takes a meticulous, design-first approach curating fully furnished, one-of-a-kind villas where no two residences are ever alike.
Maison Nami, the developer’s latest creation in Dubai, tells a story where tranquility meets vibrant living. Overlooking the full expanse of the Earth Course, the villa spans close to 10,000 square feet, seamlessly blending natural tones, fluid interiors, and globally sourced finishes. By day, it offers serene landscaped gardens, a temperature-controlled pool, and shaded terraces for quiet reflection. By evening, it comes alive with its exclusive Private Den—a sophisticated retreat designed for entertaining and unwinding. With Italian marble, Spanish tiles, bespoke fittings, and expansive living areas, Maison Nami reflects individuality, craftsmanship, and a lifestyle tailored for discerning global buyers.
“In a city celebrated for its scale and spectacle, our vision was to create something far more personal—spaces defined by individuality,” said Rohit Vig, Co-founder & Partner, Ascendas Developers. “At Ascendas, we don’t just build homes, we curate experiences. Each villa is designed as a distinct expression of lifestyle, shaped around the aspirations of its residents. This philosophy allows us to continually push the boundaries of design to showcase what true luxury living means in a city like Dubai which is famed for its global appeal of vibrancy, elegance, and cosmopolitan flair.”
Ascendas Developers has established its name in the realm of unique villa offerings with residences priced between AED 45 million and AED 150 million. Ascendas caters to ultra-high-net-worth individuals who value exclusivity, craftsmanship, and lifestyle appeal that linger over time. Over the next 12 months, the developer plans to deliver AED 500 million worth of bespoke villas, with eight completions scheduled between October 2025 and March 2026. Maison Kai, the company’s largest upcoming villa in Al Barari will be valued at AED 120 million in Al Barari, set for completion in February 2026.
Ascendas has built its reputation in the global luxury villa market by rejecting mass-produced concepts and instead creating singular residences that embrace global design sensibilities, premium materials, and contextual architecture. Each property is carefully hand-selected in established neighborhoods such as Jumeirah Golf Estates, Al Barari, and Jumeirah Islands, then transformed into a masterpiece tailored to its location and the lifestyle of international and local families in Dubai. Every project benefits from Ascendas’ in-house team of engineers, project managers, and designers. They meticulously scope out each project from inception to completion, collaborating with over 20 ultra specialized and highly focused contractors who are leaders in their respective fields. To name a few, tiles are sourced from Italy and Spain through Casa-Mia, sanitaryware by GESSI and Kohler, bespoke fit-to-size kitchens by Snaidero, and the finest marble from Glaze, UAE’s number one name in natural stone. Together, these partnerships ensure that every home reflects a standard of craftsmanship and luxury that is truly unparalleled.
“Dubai has no shortage of luxury developments, but when luxury becomes mass-produced, it loses its essence,” said Kavin Gupta, Co-founder & Partner, Ascendas Developers. “Our approach is rooted in meticulous planning and project management, ensuring that every detail aligns with our vision of bespoke living. This niche, experience-driven segment is where true value lies—it not only delivers an irreplaceable lifestyle for residents but also represents a highly lucrative opportunity in a market that increasingly rewards individuality and precision.”
With an AED 500 million delivery pipeline planned in the next three quarters, Ascendas Developers is reinforcing its commitment to shaping Dubai’s prime real estate landscape. This latest launch underscores the company’s focus on creating niche, premium communities that stand apart in a market often defined by scale.
By combining global expertise, best-in-class partners, and a precise project management approach, Ascendas continues to deliver not just homes, but curated lifestyles that embody the future of luxury living in Dubai.
-
Tech News1 year ago
Denodo Bolsters Executive Team by Hiring Christophe Culine as its Chief Revenue Officer
-
VAR5 months ago
Microsoft Launches New Surface Copilot+ PCs for Business
-
Tech Interviews2 years ago
Navigating the Cybersecurity Landscape in Hybrid Work Environments
-
Tech News2 months ago
Nothing Launches flagship Nothing Phone (3) and Headphone (1) in theme with the Iconic Museum of the Future in Dubai
-
Tech News2 years ago
Brighton College Abu Dhabi and Brighton College Al Ain Donate 954 IT Devices in Support of ‘Donate Your Own Device’ Campaign
-
Editorial10 months ago
Celebrating UAE National Day: A Legacy of Leadership and Technological Innovation
-
VAR1 year ago
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 vs Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Clash Of The Folding Phenoms
-
Tech Features1 year ago
The Middle East to Lead with Next-generation Mission Critical Communication Advancement