Day: April 18, 2024

Sony has confirmed the launch date for its next big flagship phone, the Xperia 1 VI, nearly a month ahead of the announcement date, which is May 17. This launch aligns with Sony's Xperia 1 V launch on May 11 last year. Sony Xperia 1 VI launch event rumored to take place on May 17 While the poster doesn't explicitly specify which phone(s) will be introduced on that occasion, it's almost obvious that it is going to be the Xperia 1 VI, given recent leaks surrounding this device and Sony's usual timeframe for launching these phones. Sony is expected to finally give up on the 4K screen resolution on its flagship, which was believed to be overkill for a smartphone by many. The iconic narrow and tall 21:9 aspect ratio is going away as well, in favor of the mainstream 19.5:9 aspect ratio, bringing it in line with other flagship phones in the market. According to recent rumors, the rear camera setup of the Xperia 1 VI is expected to mirror that of the Xperia 1 V, with enhancements primarily driven by software proc essing, likely enhanced using AI features, which have become quite prevalent in the industry lately. Other AI features such as custom wallpapers and AI image editing might be onboard as well, similar to rival phone makers. In terms of specifications, the Xperia 1 VI is most likely to be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, coupled with a minimum of 12 GB of RAM. It remains to be seen whether the Xperia 1 VI will be the only smartphone featured at this event or whether it will be joined by others as well. More should be revealed over the upcoming weeks. Source: Pro Pakistani

The 24th edition of ITCN Asia, Pakistan's biggest IT and telecom expo and conference, will take place on April 18-20 at the Expo Center in Lahore. State Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Khawaja will be the Chief Guest and HE Deemah Al Yahya, Secretary General of Digital Cooperation Organization will be the Global Guest of Honor at the inauguration of the three-day trade fair. A delegation of International Investors from 12 countries with an investment fund of $500 million has scheduled its visit to this event, which is a testament to Pakistan's lucrative technology ecosystem. The event will host more than 700 booths, including leading global and Pakistani tech giants Microsoft, Inbox, Redhat, TP-Link, Lenovo, HP, Netsol, Abacus, Dell, etc. More than 250 global speakers will be sharing insights in over 20 knowledge sessions, including the AI Summit, Global Security Symposium, Gaming Roundtable, Skills Roundtable, Investor Summit, Digital Health, Proptech, Freelancer Summit, Made in Pakistan Roundtable, etc . Event Director ITCN Asia Umair Nizam said, the IT, telecom, and associated industries are entering a unique promising era in Pakistan, as the country is embracing technological trends and modern applications in every aspect of life. On the direction of SIFC and the policies of the current, the Pakistani tech ecosystem is entering new markets in the Gulf region while solidifying its existing western markets at the same time, he added. ITCN Asia will maintain its tradition to serve as the largest platform for all stakeholders of the tech ecosystem, including policymakers, foreign investors, global tech giants, telecom operators, and consumers, providing them exciting opportunities to explore the latest trends in accordance with their interests and requirements. The event will be supported by the Ministry of IT and Telecom, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), and the Pakistan IT Industry Association (P@SH A). Source: Pro Pakistani

Pakistan's leading digital microfinance institution, Mobilink Bank, has reported a staggering 97% increase in revenue during Q1 2024 compared to the same period last year, marking a powerful start to the year. The Bank's Profit before Tax (PBT) also witnessed 110% growth. The substantial increase in the revenue and PBT underscore the Bank's robust financial performance, heightened customer and stakeholder confidence, and the positive momentum within the country's economic and business environment at the outset of the year. Mobilink Bank is part of the VEON group, a global digital operator that provides converged connectivity and digital services to nearly 160 million customers in six dynamic markets that are home to 7% of the world's population. Mobilink Bank champions financial inclusion and works to advance the growth and sustainability of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those owned and run by women. The Bank leverages microfinance and fintech to foster access to finance and f acilitate the social mobility of underprivileged social segments. Its initiatives have empowered thousands of women entrepreneurs by equipping them with vital skills and resources and strengthened a nearly equal number of MSMEs to catalyze inclusive growth and progress at the grassroots level. The Bank's purpose-driven approach has cultivated remarkable customer loyalty and goodwill, as reflected in the significant surge in both revenues and deposits throughout the quarter. In Q1 2024, the Bank's revenue rose to PKR 15,572 million, reflecting a substantial increase from PKR 7,901 million in Q1 2023. During Q1 2024, Mobilink Bank achieved an 11% increase in total deposits compared to December 2023, with deposits growing from PKR 119,286 million to PKR 132,719 million. Core deposits saw an 8% growth, while branchless deposits surged by 15%. Moreover, the Bank's Gross Loan Portfolio (GLP) expanded by 2% compared to the corresponding quarter, with its MSME outstanding loan portfolio standing at 30% of the total . Expressing his delight at the Bank's exceptional performance, President and CEO Mobilink Bank, Ghazanfar Azzam, stated: 'I am happy that Mobilink Bank has begun the year on an extremely positive note. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our customers and stakeholders for their unwavering trust in us, which fuels our motivation and sense of purpose. I commend each member of our team for their diligence and commitment, which has strengthened our position and underscored our pivotal role in the industry. Looking ahead, we are committed to expanding our female borrowers' base through our inclusion initiatives and prioritizing green financing for sustainable development. We anticipate a year of growth for the banking and finance industry so that we can contribute more to the country's overall economic progress and development.' Mobilink Bank's latest financial achievement follows its perpetuating growth trajectory from previous years. Despite challenging macroeconomic conditions, the Bank has consistently showc ased robust financial health and resilience. The Bank's resilience is attributed to its steadfast commitment to banking the unbanked and maintaining a diverse business portfolio that caters to its customer base's broad spectrum of financial needs. Furthermore, its digital products and services ecosystem, particularly its innovative 360-degree banking app 'Dost,' continues to provide unparalleled convenience and enablement to users by helping them access financial products and services anytime, anywhere to revolutionize their banking experience completely. Source: Pro Pakistani