Home Integrator
Riverbed Primes Networks for the AI Era with Acceleration Solutions and New Flex Subscription Offering
Riverbed recently introduced new and enhanced acceleration solutions, vastly improving enterprise network performance, security and IT agility, advancing customers’ ability to thrive in the era of AI and massive data growth. This ground-breaking launch, Riverbed’s most comprehensive acceleration announcement in seven years, includes ten new Riverbed SteelHead solutions powered by RiOS 10, the company’s next-generation acceleration software. Riverbed’s industry-leading solutions enable customers to speed the movement of enterprise data across connected clouds, data centers, and the edge with enhanced security and operational agility. Additionally, customers now have the option to consume these new solutions via the new Riverbed Flex subscription offering, delivering greater architectural freedom, license portability, value-retention, and improved total-cost-of-ownership.
Networks are now constrained, with data volumes surging 35% annually, outpacing network capacity. According to recent ESG analyst research, 91% of IT leaders agree that AI is making networking, and thus network acceleration, critical again, with 85% seeing AI influencing network planning, engineering, and operations. With a large portion of enterprise data being both created and used by AI applications, the performance of everything running over the network is impacted, including critical on-prem and cloud applications and computing at the edge.

“Riverbed was founded 23 years ago this month with a focus on accelerating applications and the movement of data over networks. AI and data-hungry applications have introduced new and more demanding network requirements,” said Dave Donatelli, CEO of Riverbed. “I’m proud that Riverbed continues to solve our customers’ most critical challenges, as demonstrated today by our largest Acceleration launch in seven years. In the first quarter of this year, we saw strong demand in our Acceleration business, achieving 59% year-over-year bookings growth. These new solutions build on our momentum and deliver a proven return on investment by helping customers move data faster, optimize application performance, and strengthen business resilience.”
Next-Generation SteelHead Acceleration Appliances Powered by RiOS 10
RiOS 10, a significant update to Riverbed’s acceleration software that has powered more than 100,000 operating locations globally, will deliver new levels of performance for cloud, data centers and the edge, helping customers secure data delivery through advances such as post-quantum cryptography, platform security, and confidential computing. For customers demanding the utmost performance, the new Riverbed SteelHead 90 series will offer new levels of resilient networking performance and value. The four appliances range from the Data Center-ready CXA-8090 to the CXA-2090 optimized for Edge deployments.
- SteelHead 8090, delivers up to 60 Gbps of data movement over optimized WAN. It supports multiple 100 Gigabyte network interfaces to pull massive amounts of data from the LAN.
- SteelHead 6090, delivers up to 20 Gbps of data movement over optimized WAN, targeted for mid-scale data centers.
- SteelHead 4090 and 2090, support mid-sized data center and edge use cases, with 500 Mbps and 200 Mbps of accelerated traffic, as well as up to 10 Gbps of total traffic processing for QoS and application classification use cases.
“Network congestion is no longer just a nuisance—it’s a choke point that can cripple a business. Without fast and efficient data movement over networks, enterprises will quickly find themselves falling behind, missing out on the promise of AI,” said Chalan Aras, SVP and GM of Acceleration at Riverbed. “Riverbed’s new resilient networking solutions help organizations stay ahead of the curve by securely managing growing data volumes and application performance demands, while also improving IT agility to support the dynamic demands of cloud, data center and edge computing.”
For virtualized environments, Riverbed SteelHead Virtual, powered by RiOS 10, is a software only version designed for private cloud deployments delivering similar appliance performance levels and is compatible with VMWare ESXI, KVM and Microsoft Hyper-V.
To further help customers overcome the unique challenges of edge computing, Riverbed is also introducing SteelHead RS, a new software solution that projects business-critical data to the edge while providing near real-time data synchronization between the edge and the data center, enabling fast local application and AI processing at the edge, while maintaining data consistency across the edge and core.
Riverbed SteelHead Cloud, powered by RiOS 10, will deliver breakthrough acceleration benefits across the broadest range of cloud providers – including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and new today – Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and Google Cloud Platform2. The new SteelHead Cloud offering, available in each cloud providers’ marketplace, enables enterprises to move data and applications at speeds up to 20 Gbps, ensuring optimal application performance, faster delivery, and significant cost savings compared to traditional methods.
“AI initiatives are increasing the criticality of network performance, requiring reduced latency, increased bandwidth, and richer network observability. While performance can be improved by upgrading network gear and external services, organizations should also prioritize continuous optimization of network connections. These are all requirements that Riverbed’s resilient networking solutions address for successfully supporting growing AI workloads,” said Jim Frey, Principal Analyst, Networks, Enterprise Strategy Group.
New Flex Subscription Offering for Acceleration Solutions
Riverbed’s new Flex subscription offering gives customers architectural freedom and strong investment protection. Licenses can be easily transferred from hardware to virtual to cloud devices at no cost. Customers can dynamically reassign license capacity across devices, scale capacity up or down based on business needs, and upgrade hardware more cost-effectively as Riverbed introduces new technologies.
Home Integrator
RECHITTA SURPASSES 100,000 MINUTES OF REAL-WORLD USE AS IT LAUNCHES NEXT-GENERATION V2 PLATFORM

For brokers selling Dubai real estate, the challenge is rarely a lack of interest. It is keeping up with it: answering questions on pricing, payment plans, availability and project details, accurately and quickly, across a growing number of developments. Rechitta was built to take that weight off the brokers. The AI-native platform, powered by verified developer data, gives brokers instant, accurate project information without waiting on a callback or searching through brochures.
Rechitta’s core idea has been simple from the start: instead of reading about a project, users can talk to Rechitta. Rechitta presents a development the way a well-briefed sales consultant would; with all the information directly from the developer, with data in real time. That model has now passed 100,000 minutes of real-world use by brokers exploring projects and asking questions, providing Rechitta with valuable insights into how brokers interact with project information, what they need to know, and where AI can reduce friction in the sales process.
Rechitta is now building on that with the launch of Rechitta V2, shaped by how people have actually used the platform. The update rebuilds and evolves the presentation experience and adds yet another way to use Rechitta: the chat mode. Brokers can now get the information they need in any situation, not only when they have the time and space for a spoken conversation.
“Crossing 100,000 minutes of usage is an important milestone for us because it represents real people spending real time with Rechitta,” said Aryaman Maheshwari, Co-Founder, Rechitta. “More importantly, those interactions have taught us how people actually want to explore, understand and question real estate projects. V2 is a direct evolution of the product based on that behaviour. We are moving from simply presenting information to creating a more intelligent and responsive way of experiencing it.”
In Presentation Mode, Rechitta leads a guided introduction to a project where users can scroll, explore, and ask questions at their own pace while interacting with live project details and visual assets. Complementing this, the new Chat Mode is built for moments when speaking isn’t practical, such as on a call with a client, at a busy sales event, or on the move, allowing brokers to quickly type a query and receive instant, verified answers on unit prices, payment plans, or handover dates.
Together, the two modes mean brokers are no longer limited by where they are: a full guided walkthrough when they have the time, and a fast answer by text when they don’t.
“Real estate has no shortage of information. The challenge is making that information useful at the moment someone needs it,” added said Atiksh Mittal, Co-Founder, Rechitta. “With V2, we are making Rechitta more responsive, more conversational and more intuitive, while keeping the broker at the centre of the experience. We position and build AI to make the real estate sales journey better, not make it less human.”
The development of V2 reflects a broader shift in how real estate information can be accessed and consumed, with a refreshed look. The update also introduces the Rechitta Orb, the visual identity of the AI assistant and a new signature element of the platform. The Orb provides a recognisable interface for users as they interact with Rechitta and reinforces the platform’s positioning as an AI-native experience rather than a traditional property information tool.
Traditional property experiences often require users to search across listings, brochures, presentations and multiple information points to find answers. Rechitta brings project intelligence into one single AI-powered environment, allowing users to move between guided discovery and direct questioning within the same experience.
Rechitta V2 is live now, with the company continuing to develop new AI capabilities designed specifically for the real estate ecosystem.
Home Feature
THE STORIES BEHIND THE MATERIALS SHAPING UAE INTERIORS

by Selva Kumar Rajulu, Managing Director & Senior Vice President – Middle East, Asia & Africa, Nolte FZE
A beautiful material can catch the eye, but it is the story behind it that increasingly captures a buyer’s attention. Customers today are more knowledgeable about their homes and increasingly interested in the finer details behind the products they choose. Where was the material sourced? How will it perform overtime? And what effect could it have on the people living around it?
For manufacturers and designers, this creates a responsibility to explain the thinking behind every material choice. Storytelling is becoming an important way to do that, connecting aesthetics with provenance, performance, sustainability, and wellbeing. And like any good story, this too begins with its origins.
Origin Is Adding New Value To Premium Interiors
A material’s origin tells us more than where it comes from. It can influence how sustainably it is produced, how well it performs, and the character it brings into a home.
Stone from a particular quarry, responsibly sourced timber, and traditionally woven textiles each carry a sense of place and craftsmanship. These qualities are particularly valuable in premium interiors, where homeowners are looking for substances beyond surface appearance. However, these stories also need to be supported by evidence. At Nolte Küchen, more than 99% of the wood we use meets our sustainable wood criteria, with FSC and PEFC certifications prioritized in procurement.
We are seeing this emphasis on transparency reflected in our work with UAE developers, where project briefs increasingly look beyond the appearance of kitchen materials to consider sourcing, durability, and consistency across multiple units. For manufacturers, responsibly sourcing materials, backed by recognized certifications and produced to consistent quality standards, will set them apart. It also allows customers to make more informed choices by showing where materials come from and how they are made.
Regional identity is influencing design trends
Beyond its origin, a material must also suit the region’s environment and culture. In the UAE, extreme heat, humidity, and strong sunlight make durability a key consideration. Material choices can also influence how much heat enters a building and, in turn, the energy needed for cooling.
A 2026 study of Dubai’s Al Fahidi district highlighted how traditional homes used coral-stone walls and wind towers to regulate indoor comfort naturally. Today, that same principle of environmental adaptation applies to modern interiors: cabinetry, adhesives, and surface finishes must be engineered to withstand the UAE’s coastal humidity, intense UV light through floor-to-ceiling windows, and constant exposure to indoor air conditioning without losing their structural integrity.
Cultural identity matters, too, with some homeowners looking for ways to reflect the region’s heritage in their spaces. For example, Al Sadu is a traditional Emirati weaving technique featuring geometric patterns inspired by grasslands, sand dunes, and the waves of the Arabian Gulf. These cultural influences can be incorporated into contemporary homes through traditional geometric detailing, sand-toned finishes, and textured stone.
From our experience, no single style defines the UAE market. With people from over 200 nationalities coming here to live, work, and build families, homes naturally reflect a wide range of cultures and personal tastes. This is especially evident in kitchen design, where some buyers prefer clean, minimalist European styles, while others are drawn to warmer wood finishes, earthy tones, and textured surfaces. We are also seeing growing interest in combining contrasting materials and finishes, such as natural wood textures with matt cabinetry or stone surfaces, to create more unique kitchens.
Sustainability is at the center of material choices
PWC found that more than half of Middle Eastern consumers surveyed are changing their purchasing habits by buying more sustainable products. This growing awareness is also influencing how people choose materials for their homes, with greater attention to what products contain, how they are made, and how long they will last.
For manufacturers, this means supporting sustainability claims with evidence. Using recycled wood in particle boards, sourcing certified timber, and reducing waste during production are some ways the industry is responding. However, sustainability goes beyond material sourcing. Durability and repairability are equally important to reduce the need for frequent replacements.
In kitchens, these considerations are particularly important. With frequent everyday use, buyers increasingly look for materials that can withstand wear and tear while retaining their appearance over time. This is why advancements in surface engineering—such as anti-fingerprint matt lacquers, UV-resistant laminates, and highly durable stone reproductions—have become central to the sustainability conversation.
What lies ahead for 2027
As homeowners pay closer attention to materials, trends such as natural wood finishes, statement stone surfaces, and textured cabinetry are gaining ground across the UAE.
More importantly, the kitchen is no longer treated as an isolated workspace. Heading into 2027, we are seeing a decisive shift toward integrated living ecosystems, where identical material stories, warm timber cabinetry, layered textures, full-height stone backsplashes, and earthy colors extend seamlessly from the kitchen into dining and living areas, paired with fully integrated built-in appliances.
This has made customisation increasingly important, as customers want cohesive colours, textures, and layouts that reflect their personal identity across the entire home. As buyers increasingly seek to experience these materials first-hand, showrooms are becoming an important part of the decision-making process, letting them see and feel differences in texture, finish, and quality. Beyond appearance, however, sustainability and provenance will become essential considerations in material selection, with customers expecting greater transparency around responsible sourcing, durability, environmental impact and long-term value.
Home Integrator
From Cozy Corners to Autumn Details: How to Style Your Home for the New Season
As the season changes, there’s something comforting about making the home feel a little warmer and more inviting. Autumn brings an opportunity to slow things down, create cosier spaces and add small touches that reflect the mood of the season. Whether it’s a candle glowing in the evening or a warmer colour palette around the living room, a few small changes can make a familiar space feel fresh. To embrace the season, MINT Market, a UAE-born curated online and offline marketplace, has rounded up pieces from its unique homegrown brands to help bring a little autumn warmth into everyday spaces, with inspiration for cozy gatherings, relaxed evenings and a subtle nod to Halloween.
Scents of Autumn
Autumn starts with the little details that set the mood, and scent is an easy place to begin. Fill your home with the comforting aromas of natural coconut wax melts in scents of Dark Honey & Tobacco, Cinnamon, Frankincense & Cedarwood, or Fireside & Wild Berrier, gently warmed in a tea light or electric burner. Or perhaps create the atmosphere with the glass jar candle, where vanilla, and sage meet soft woody sandalwood fragrance. For a little everyday indulgence, the coffee and cocoa massage soap bar brings a mini spa moment to your shower, with its textured surface gently exfoliating and massaging the skin while its rich, warm fragrance adds a comforting touch to your winter routine.
Living Room Essentials

In the living room, a simple change in colour and texture can instantly give the space a more seasonal feel. A maroon checkered throw in soft, neutral tones adds warmth and sophistication while making the room feel a little cosier. For a more contemporary touch, switch up your cushions with an abstract colourful striped cover, bringing playful colour and pattern into the space without overpowering the room.
A Touch of Halloween


As Halloween draws closer, let a little magic find its way into the home. From playful fidget toys to playdough sets, these little touches can spark imagination and make the season feel that much more magical. For an afternoon of fun, the spooky figures painting kit lets little ones add their own splash of colour and personality, making it a lovely activity to enjoy at home.
All the products mentioned in this guide are available through MINT Market Online, which brings together a selection of independent, homegrown brands.
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