Dirhams & Dollars

It’s been 10 years since smartphones really became mainstream. Our handsets are faster, smaller and better connected but can they really do anything new? Will we spend the next 10 years pushing virtual buttons on a small black screen or will the desire for new technologies like argument reality and cybernetics finally push us outside the box. Scott and Ed geek out on the possibilities.

After last week’s deluge of phone launches, property shows, and hurricanes, this week’s financial news are shaping up to be rather...cerebral. So put on your policy hats and get ready to for a raft of central bank news, sprinkled with conferences on investments. We also talk a little about why Bitcoin is tanking (down $1,400 since Sept. 1) and if it will take the other cryptocurrencies with it.

Following the launch of the brand new iPhone X, we speak to Dirhams & Dollars co-host Scott Shuey, who is at the Steve Jobs Theatre in Cupertino, California, reporting on all happenings at the Apple event. We answer all your questions, and breakdown what we saw at the event, which included three new phones, an upgraded version of Apple TV, and a brand new Apple Watch. Scott talks about the atmosphere at the event, what was said about the products’ roll out in the UAE, and what surprised him about the launch of Apple’s most highly anticipated phone in many years, the iPhone X.

The Business team takes the podcast on the road for the first time, with a special episode from Cityscape Global, the annual property exhibition currently taking place in Dubai. Ed Clowes and Sarah Diaa discuss one of the key trends at the event this year; mid-income housing, an under-served segment of the residential market where demand is particularly strong. The team discusses the supply/demand sides of that segment, and what developers are finally doing to address the demand. Finally, the team also talks to industry experts from JLL, Nakheel, and Dubai South who share their insights on the mid-market segment.

With Hurricane Irma making landfall on Florida, mere weeks after Hurricane Harvey devastated Texas, we look at the economic impact of these natural disasters, and whether or not they will rattle the bulletproof stock markets. Also on today’s episode, the team looks at what to expect from the Apple launch on Tuesday, and what might be included in the company’s new iPhone. Following the hack of Equifax over the weekend, millions have had their data stolen, so we look at the ramifications of this breach, and what companies can do to safeguard against such attacks. Finally, we talk about Cityscape Global, the large local property event taking place in Dubai this week, and we preview what to expect from the exhibition.

Just what is it that lets people trust gold as an investment? As the precious metal hits a 1-year high – driven by investors looking for a safe haven as the nuclear stand-off on the Korean Peninsula continues – we take a hard look at just why gold commands the respect it does. We also look at the questions that come up every time prices jump. Is now a good time to buy? How long will prices increase? What are the historical implications for long-term investing? And when the global economy finally melts down, what good is a commodity that you can’t eat of make weapons out of? Yes, it’s that kind of conversation.

Nothing seems to be able to slow the market’s current bull run, not even North Korea’s detonation of their largest nuclear weapon to date. But while analysts say they expect just a small pullback when markets open on Monday, gold is expected to continue to see gains thanks to safe-haven seeking investors. Go figure, right? But in the background of this nuclear threat, the world powers are still finding ways to argue over trade. The EU and the UK continue to squabble over that $50 billion exit fee, and China used the BRICS meeting to launch a free-trade tirade again the US. Then there is the biggest surprise; NAFTA negations seem to be going smoothly – so far.

Taxes in the UAE: Answering your most important questions by Gulf News

Amid what seems like a hurricane of news from the US, the Business team discusses Donald Trump’s upcoming campaigning for his tax reform plans. Can politicians put their differences aside and unite behind a new tax policy? Or will this be another healthcare-bill-like failure? Away from the US, the team also discusses Brexit negotiations as a third round of talks begins in Brussels on Monday. The clock is ticking for the UK, and the European Union isn’t budging on any of its positions, so where that does that leave the Kingdom? Finally, the team discusses the actual hurricane hitting Texas, and the impact that has on oil prices especially as refineries are temporarily forced to shut operations.

The Business team goes to war with each other as they discuss generational differences, which were particularly highlighted after a recent argument between millennial Mark Zuckerberg and generation X'er Elon Musk. Generation X'er, Scott Shuey, argues that his generation developed much of the innovations we rely on now and that millennials aren't doing enough. Ed and Sarah counter that, arguing that millennials are bringing plenty of change to workplaces and social culture. Which side won? You decide.

Slow news week? Think again! Forget the mid-August slump, as this week sees two giants of the financial world, Janet Yellen and Mario Draghi, meet for a summit in the US. We look at what to expect when they meet, and the key issues to watch out for in their speeches. We also discuss Donald Trump’s attempts to pick up the pieces of his shattered business councils following their implosion as he failed to condemn white supremacists. We look at what’s next for the president, as he attempts to implement sweeping tax reforms and a $1 trillion infrastructure spending programme.

What is the aim of public relations (PR) agencies, and why is it such a booming industry in the Middle East? The team discusses the PR industry, and the role it plays in the media in 2017. We look at how the PR industry is shaping the news, and how the news is shaping PR. We talk about the recent scandal that hit PR agency Bell Pottinger in South Africa, where they are accused of instigating racial tensions and generating fake news. We are joined for this conversation by special guest Alex Malouf, a senior corporate communications executive, board member of the Middle East Public Relations Association (MEPRA) and recently named by the Holmes Report as the first communications innovator in the Middle East and Africa.

What is the preferred asset to invest in for the long nuclear winter? With armageddon seemingly around the corner, and the fates of two nations in the hands of Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un, how have investors reacted? We discuss what has been happening in the markets over the past few days. Then, looking ahead, we discuss the release of the minutes from July’s US Federal Reserve meeting, and Sarah tells us which telling clues to look out for when reading the notes. Finally, we talk about the release of Japan’s GDP data, and a number of US retailers’ financial results due out this week.

So popular, yet so hated: Why are social media influencers such a paradox? Followed by thousands, these beauty experts, fans of food, and car enthusiasts get paid to post pictures. Sometimes as much as Dh60,000 per post. But other than getting rich doing what they enjoy, what are some of the affects that the rise of social media influencers is having on other business sectors? For example, are journalists who review cars losing their jobs because people want to find out what a 19 year old internet sensation thought about the latest Porsche, instead of a veteran who knows his cars inside out, and will give a balanced review? Has advertising changed forever? Will it always be more subtle now, more subconscious as people sneak adverts in to their posts without us knowing? Or will new laws change all that, forcing influencers to explicitly state that what they are doing is sponsored, thus killing some of the magic? Yousra Zaki, Deputy Editor at Guides, and Ed Clowes discuss this controversial and divisive to

With the meeting of South East Asian nations taking place this week at the ASEAN summit in Manila, we look ahead to the potential implications of a showdown between the two top diplomats of the US and North Korea. Trade seems to have taken a definite back seat at the summit, with US media reporting last week that Trump would not push his anti-China agenda (when it comes to trade), in favour of working with them to punish North Korea for its nuclear ambitions. Here in the UAE, a slew of company results are expected out this week, including Dana Gas, Damac, and Emaar. We look at what surprises, if any, these might hold. Finally, talk turns to the US (again), with a look at the upcoming inflation report, which investors will be paying keen attention to for clues about future monetary policy; and the company earnings reports expected from a group of retailers that includes Macy's and JC Penney. Will there be a rebound after dismal fourth quarter results? Tune in to find out.

All anyone has been able to talk about these past few days is the story that two FaceBook artificial intelligence (AI) robots started talking to each other in a new language that humans couldn't understand... And had to be shut down as a result. So we look at why FaceBook is experimenting with AI, what went wrong with the bots, and why they started talking in a new language. We then look a bit deeper, at the ethical, moral, and professional implications of AI. How good is it? Can we trust it fly our planes or drive our cars? And if we do allow it, what are some of the risks, and some of the rewards? Finally, we demand that Siri tell us if she plans to take over the world or not. The answer will shock you...

With Apple’s results out on Tuesday, an interest rate decision expected from the Bank of England on Thursday, and a whole raft of political and economic events taking place over the last few days, Scott and Ed get together to sift through all of the debris to try and unpackage the key stories of the week. For example, what happened to Amazon’s results last week? Does Apple need a game-changer to end its reliance on declining iPhone sales? And what will the Bank of England make of mounting concerns of economic trouble in the near future? Tune in to find out.

The Business team goes full science fiction, discussing the potential for implants that tell employers where we are, how much work we’ve done, and what kind of mood we’re in. We look at a Wisconsin company that is set to offer employees chips, implanted just below their skin, to open doors, buy snacks, log in to computers, and use office equipment. The team discusses if this is even something that people would want, and what some of the physical, mental, and ethical considerations might be. Finally, we discuss some of the wider societal implications of such technology, and its use outside of the office.

The world’s three largest tech companies will be under the microscope this week as markets wait to hear if their performances will live up to the hype. Can Amazon continue to grow its e-commerce business at double digit rate? Will Facebook see any impact from the ongoing concern that it spreads fake news? And just what is driving Google’s stock, which is up almost 30 per cent on the year. Maybe all three companies will impress us. After all, Netflix proved last week that some tech results are certainly backed by solid performance, but it they fail to impress, it could rise concerns over another dreaded tech bubble forming in the markets. After all, the Fed will be meeting this week, and Janet Yellen and crew will certainly be looking at whether it should continue its cheap-money policy.

Dubai: On this week’s episode of business podcast Dirhams & Dollars, the team discuss Monday’s announcement that Emirates and flydubai will enter in to an extensive partnership. The statement fell short of announcing a merger or acquisition, but instead highlighted the value that can be extracted by a closer relationship. This, of course, set off tense arguments in the studio, with the team debating what actual benefits, if any, customers would see from the partnership, the environment that prompted such a move, and whether a merger would eventually follow suit. Emirates has taken a drastically different path to the other Gulf super-carriers like Etihad and Qatar Airways. Will it pay off?