Innovation for Hajj: Saudi Transport Authority Deploys Advanced Virtual Glasses

The Saudi Transport General Authority (TGA) is deploying an advanced version of virtual glasses for the upcoming 1445 Hajj season. (SPA)
The Saudi Transport General Authority (TGA) is deploying an advanced version of virtual glasses for the upcoming 1445 Hajj season. (SPA)
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Innovation for Hajj: Saudi Transport Authority Deploys Advanced Virtual Glasses

The Saudi Transport General Authority (TGA) is deploying an advanced version of virtual glasses for the upcoming 1445 Hajj season. (SPA)
The Saudi Transport General Authority (TGA) is deploying an advanced version of virtual glasses for the upcoming 1445 Hajj season. (SPA)

Building on the success of last year's trial, the Saudi Transport General Authority (TGA) is deploying an advanced version of virtual glasses for the upcoming 1445 Hajj season, the Saudi Press Agency said on Sunday
These next-generation glasses leverage augmented reality (AR) technology to ensure efficient and high-quality transport services for pilgrims.
The virtual glasses empower field inspectors to conduct swift and comprehensive checks. Within just six seconds, inspectors can verify vehicle legality, driver compliance, document inspections, and report any violations to the data and control center, said SPA.
This translates to a remarkable 600% reduction in vehicle inspection time, ultimately enhancing compliance rates and the overall quality of transport services for pilgrims.
By streamlining inspections and boosting efficiency, the virtual glasses contribute to a smoother and more seamless pilgrimage experience. This allows pilgrims to focus on their religious duties with greater ease and peace of mind.



Windows’ Infamous ‘Blue Screen of Death’ Will Soon Turn Black

A view shows a Microsoft logo at Microsoft offices in Issy-les-Moulineaux near Paris, France, March 21, 2025. (Reuters)
A view shows a Microsoft logo at Microsoft offices in Issy-les-Moulineaux near Paris, France, March 21, 2025. (Reuters)
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Windows’ Infamous ‘Blue Screen of Death’ Will Soon Turn Black

A view shows a Microsoft logo at Microsoft offices in Issy-les-Moulineaux near Paris, France, March 21, 2025. (Reuters)
A view shows a Microsoft logo at Microsoft offices in Issy-les-Moulineaux near Paris, France, March 21, 2025. (Reuters)

Nearly every Windows user has had a run in with the infamous “Blue Screen of Death” at some point in their computing life. Now, after more than 40 years of being set against a very recognizable blue, the updated error message will soon be displayed across a black background.

The changes to the notorious error screen come as part of broader efforts by Microsoft to improve the resiliency of the Windows operating system in the wake of last year’s CrowdStrike incident, which crashed millions of Windows machines worldwide.

“Now it’s easier than ever to navigate unexpected restarts and recover faster,” Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft wrote in a Wednesday announcement.

As part of that effort, Microsoft says it's “streamlining” what users experience when encountering “unexpected restarts” that cause disruptions. And that means a makeover to the infamous error screen.

Beyond the now-black background, Windows' new “screen of death” has a slightly shorter message. It's also no longer accompanied by a frowning face and instead shows a percentage completed for the restart process.

Microsoft says this “simplified” user interface for unexpected restarts will be available later this summer on all of its Windows 11 (version 24H2) devices.

And for PCs that may not restart successfully, Microsoft on Wednesday also said it is adding a “quick machine recovery” mechanism. This will be particularly useful for during a widespread outage, the tech giant noted, as Microsoft “can broadly deploy targeted remediations” and automate fixes with this new mechanism “without requiring complex manual intervention from IT.”

Microsoft said this quick machine recovery will also be “generally available” later this summer on Window 11 with additional capabilities set to launch later in the year.