Author: Mei Ling Tan

  • DHL Express Helps Out on Circle K’s e-commerce deliveries in Hong Kong

    DHL Express Helps Out on Circle K’s e-commerce deliveries in Hong Kong

    DHL Express has extended its On Demand Delivery service to more than 300 Circle K stores across Hong Kong.

    Customers will be able to visit Circle K stores to pick up their overseas merchandise, “whenever and wherever it is convenient,” said a DHL spokesperson.

    Receivers are notified via email or short-messaging system (SMS) about a shipment’s progress.

    A mobile-optimized website allows them to choose from a selection of delivery options including redirecting the delivery to a DHL service point or nearby convenience store.

    Added the spokesperson: “DHL Express couriers will be notified of these delivery preferences in real-time, ensuring shipments are delivered at the right time, to the right place and at the utmost convenience to the customer.”

    The addition of the Circle K stores, customers can now choose from more than 600 convenient locations in Hong Kong.

    DHL Express has added a new feature – Courier Time Window – which will send an SMS reminder to receivers on the day of delivery to alert them to a specific timeframe when they can expect their delivery. Receivers could request for changes in delivery time and location to avoid a missed delivery if they are on the move.

    Herbert Vongpusanachai, senior vice president, managing director, DHL Express Hong Kong and Macau, said: “The growth of online shopping has fuelled the need for greater delivery offering. On Demand Delivery provides an intuitive and flexible delivery option that customers can be in control of.”

    Krystie Tang, general manager, marketing & purchasing at Circle K, said: “This new partnership with DHL Express allows us to serve our customers better by offering them the chance to be in control of the last mile fulfilment service of their online shopping experience.”

    On Demand Delivery is now available in more than 160 countries and territories and in 45 languages globally.

  • Lion Air to reduce Ticket Prices From April

    Lion Air to reduce Ticket Prices From April

    Airlines under the Lion Air group, namely Lion Air, Wings Air and Batik Air, operate with reduced airfares on all routes starting Saturday.

    “The reduction in ticket prices is Lion Air group’s answer to challenges and opportunities in the travel business, and aims to accommodate demand for air travel while improving flight operations,” Lion Air spokesman Danang Mandala Prihantoro said in a release on Saturday.

    He went on to say that Lion Air was striving to provide convenience for passengers while prioritizing safety and comfort.

    Lion Air tickets with the new lower fares can be reserved through all travel agents and Lion Air’s website.

  • Nam Air to lure millennials with boutique airline

    Nam Air to lure millennials with boutique airline

    Nam Air, a subsidiary of Sriwijaya Group, has announced a plan to apply the boutique airline concept, which mainly focuses on lifestyle branding.

    The carrier aims to make itself more appealing for customers of the millennial generation by delivering what it refers to as a “unique concept that is more masculine”.

    Nam Air director Asa Perkasa said passengers would experience the new concept even prior to their departure, and it would continue until their arrival at an airport. “There will be a number of changes, starting from our style to our products,” said Asa in an official statement. “But it will still have an Indonesian touch.”

    Asa described millennials as a promising target group, as they made up a large portion of the market and medium-service airlines were challenged to cater to their needs.

    Entering its fifth year of operation, Nam Air plans to change its internal operations as well. “We plan to apply the millennial lifestyle to our internal work pattern, from our outfits and offices to our business processes,” said Asa. “We’ll provide training for all of our employees to keep up with market trends.”

  • Jaguar Land Rover India To Introduce Hybrid Electric Vehicles

    Jaguar Land Rover India To Introduce Hybrid Electric Vehicles

    Luxury car makers in India are all set to bring in hybrid electric and pure electric cars to India. Audi has already announced that the e-tron will make its debut in the country in 2020, while Porsche too is bringing in the Taycan next year. Volvo has already announced its roadmap for the country and Mercedes-Benz India is still doing feasibility studies to introduce electric cars in India and now Jaguar Land Rover is jumping into this scene. Jaguar Land Rover is proposing to launch its electrified products in India.

    In line with Jaguar Land Rover’s global commitment to introduce electrified options on its entire product portfolio by 2020, Jaguar Land Rover India proposes to offer multiple products, ranging from Hybrid Vehicles to Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) over the next few years, starting from 2019. Towards the end of 2019 Jaguar Land Rover will introduce its first hybrid vehicles from Land Rover and in the second half of 2020 Jaguar Land Rover India plans to launch its first Battery Electric Vehicle, the Jaguar I-PACE.

    Rohit Suri, President & Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover India Ltd. (JLRIL) said, “Jaguar Land Rover’s focus is to commit itself to a more sustainable future and our engineers have developed just the right products to lead us on this path. The introduction of electrified vehicles in Jaguar Land Rover India’s portfolio is in line with the government’s thrust towards electric vehicles. The company is encouraged by the introduction of FAME-II by the Government of India and it focus on expansion of the charging infrastructure in the country. This is bound to help with faster adoption of all kinds of Electric Vehicles in due course.”

  • Jaguar I-Pace India Launch Details Out

    Jaguar I-Pace India Launch Details Out

    Jaguar is all set to launch its all electric vehicle the I-Pace in India and it will come here by the end of 2020. While Jaguar Land Rover had earlier stated that the I-Pace will not come to India, the company has now chalked out a plan for its hybrid electric and all electric cars for the country. It was in March last year, that the company revealed the I-Pace and according to the company, it has been developed using physics. The company has taken 4 years to build the car from the concept stage to the production version. Unlike other Jaguar cars, this one does not get a long bonnet and that’s because there is no internal combustion engine. In fact, the shorter bonnet helps in improving aerodynamics.

    The all-electric car comes with a sloping bonnet, sleek LED headlamps, honeycomb pattern grille and a wide central airdam. The car also comes with a lovely set of alloys and turn light integrated ORVMs. It has been rigorously tested across extremes of terrain and temperatures from -40 degrees to 40 degrees celcius. With over 1.5 million test miles and a further 11,000 hours of rig simulations completed by more than 200 production prototypes. The I-Pace isn’t pitched as an off-roader, but it’s capable of a wading depth of 500mm.

    The I-Pace comes with a whole bunch of storage space as also features. It comes with mobile device charging options aboard, with three 12v sockets, six USB ports and one HDMI/HML port. The electric SUV uses the same radical dual-screen InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system that Jaguar launched on the Range Rover Velar. Additionally, the InControl Remote app gets an Alexa skill that will let drivers ask Alexa-enabled devices for information on the I-Pace’s charge level. It also comes with a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot and slots for tablets and laptops under the rear seats.

    The electric motors have been designed in-house at Jaguar and are relatively light, weighing about 38kg each. The motors are mounted as low as possible in the sandwich platform and this has been done to ensure optimum weight distribution which helps in making the I-Pace agile.

    The I-Pace comes with two synchronous permanent magnet electric motors at the front and the rear axle which have a combined power output of 395 bhp and makes maximum of 696 Nm of torque. It also features an AWD system. A 0-100 kmph sprint takes 4.5 seconds and the performance SUV will have a range of over 480 km. The 90kWh lithium-ion battery pack takes 45 minutes to charge from 0-80 per cent using a 100kW rapid charger, or 10 hours using a 7kW AC wallbox.

  • MG Motor To Offer Free Data For First Few Years On The Hector SUV

    MG Motor To Offer Free Data For First Few Years On The Hector SUV

    MG Motor India announced first in segment connectivity features on the new Hector. Touted as the company’s first internet car, the upcoming MG Hector will come with a new advanced connectivity system called i-Smart next-generation system, a complete integrated solution that combines software, hardware, connectivity, services and application. The command centre is a 10.4-inch ultra large full-HD infotainment system that comes with pre-loaded entertainment content. The company says that the Hector SUV will help the owner stay connected on the go. The Hector has an embedded Machine to Machine (M2M) eSIM. The platform is Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPV6) and 5G ready. This is the first car in the segment to be launched with such a sim.

    Of course, all this will require data and the company today announced that it will offer data for free for the first few years. The company has tied up with Airtel to offer these services to the owners of the Hector SUV and this will make sure that you stay connected with the car as also the world on the move. The system has been developed in collaboration with several technological partners like Cisco, and Microsoft among others.

    MG Motor India has also introduced over the air updates for the first time in India which will make sure MG cars get updated as when new updates are available a function which we are familiar with on smartphones or tablets. Thus, the system would periodically receive new look and themes for the screen, new infotainment content and updates to maps to keep them latest always. The updates would also include updates for OS and Firmware. The vehicle will have the ability to receive new features and upgrades from time to time.

  • Over 100 Ducati Monster 821 Sold In India

    Over 100 Ducati Monster 821 Sold In India

    Ducati India today announced selling over 100 units of the Ducati Monster 821 in India in less than one year. Launched in India on May 1, 2018, the Monster 821 has become one of the top-selling motorcycles in the sport naked category in India. To commemorate the success the company is offering customers buying a new Ducati Monster an opportunity to avail a host of special accessories as standard with the motorcycle. The exclusive offer is valid from 1st April – 30th April 2019 across all Ducati dealerships.

    Under this special offer, customers purchasing a Monster 821 he will get a Termignoni Exhaust and Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) Up/Down as standard, while customers the Monster 797+ will also get a Termignoni exhaust at no additional price during the celebration period. Both the accessories will be offered to customers at no additional cost to buyers. The Monster 821 is currently priced at ₹ 10.99 lakh and the Monster 797+ at ₹ 8.60 lakh.

    Talking about the bikes and special offer, Sergi Canovas Managing Director of Ducati India, said “The Monster has always been the most special bike in the Ducati portfolio. Last year we celebrated 25 years of Monster with the comeback of Monster 821, and this year, we decided to celebrate one year of Monster 821 in style by complimenting it with armour it rightfully deserves and would definitely excite the naked bike enthusiasts in the country. The addition of the Termigioni exhaust system and DQS will work flawlessly to make the Monster 821 much more desirable as an urban city tourer while giving it more aggression and street presence. Now even the 797+ will come with the Termignoni with this celebratory offer, I am sure that the passionate bikers will find a lot more value in this package and, the Monster will once again be their companion of choice in the naked-bike category.”

    The Ducati 821 is powered by an 821 cc Testastretta L-twin engine which makes 108 bhp at 9,250 rpm and peak torque of 86 Nm at 7,750 rpm and comes mated to a 6-speed transmission. The 797+, on the other hand, comes with an 803 cc L-twin engine which makes 72 bhp and 67 Nm, while mated to a 6-speed gearbox. The Ducati Monster 821 rivals the Triumph Street Triple RS, Suzuki GSX-S750 and the Kawasaki Z900.

  • Toyota To Give Royalty-Free Access To Hybrid Vehicle Patents

    Toyota To Give Royalty-Free Access To Hybrid Vehicle Patents

    Toyota Motor plans to offer royalty-free access to its hybrid-vehicle technology patents as early as this year. Toyota, which holds roughly 20,000 active patents in the field, is expected to make accessible most of the latest ones covering motors, power converters and batteries, according to the report.

    The change of heart was driven by a fear of hybrids losing relevance as the broader industry moves toward pure electric vehicles.

  • Hyundai Venue Subcompact SUV Launch Date Revealed

    Hyundai Venue Subcompact SUV Launch Date Revealed

    Hyundai has been teasing its new subcompact SUV – the Venue for quite some time now and we’ve even got details about the company testing the car around the country. While we already know, that the car will be revealed in India on April 17, 2019, coinciding with its public reveal at the 2019 New York Motor Show, we now have details on when the car will be launched in the country. Hyundai will launch the Venue subcompact SUV in India on May 21, 2019. The Venue will be the company’s first subcompact SUV in India and will rival the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport and even the Mahindra XUV300. While Hyundai’s entry into the subcompact SUV segment is delayed, the company is going to pack the Venue with a ton of features making it India’s first connected car.

    The Hyundai Venue will get the company’s ‘BlueLink’ connected technology and it will have 10 India-only features with a total of 33 connectivity features. Some of the features that BlueLink will offer in India are geo-fencing, speed alerts, SOS, panic notifications, destination sharing, and road-side assistance and so on. Hyundai said that it has tested its BlueLink technology rigorously in India, keeping the conditions in mind along with the needs of the customers. This also includes voice guidance and recognition in Indian-accented English which means that the software will be able to recognise spoken English from different regions in India. The Hyundai Venue will also have remote-control operated functions such as climate control, horn and headlamps on, vehicle status, engine start/stop and so on. The best thing is that Hyundai BlueLink can use your smartphone interface as a remote control.

    Hyundai BlueLink will also have a tamper-proof eSIM which will be provided by Vodafone Idea and a cloud based voice recognition platform from Global AI Company, which will offer real time traffic navigation and live local search as well. Features such as panic and medical assistance, geo-fencing and stolen vehicle notification will sit well with customers in India.

    The company has not yet revealed the engines that it will offer, but we have gotten a glimpse of what the front end of the car would look like. The leaked images revealed the upright stance of the Hyundai Venue, while the rear gets a massive ‘H’ badge in the centre with the ‘Venue’ moniker, and the very Polo-esque squared-off taillights along the lines of the Carlino concept. The tailgate also carries the ‘Turbo’ badge and ‘SX’, the latter denoting the range-topping variant.

    Under the hood, the new Hyundai Venue will be available with a 1.4-litre petrol and 1.4-litre diesel engine options. The turbo badge that was on the tailgate holds special importance, which nearly confirms the a 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine for the SUV, and will come paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

  • MG Hector’s Connectivity Features Unveiled

    MG Hector’s Connectivity Features Unveiled

    MG Motor India today unveiled the cabin features of its upcoming SUV MG Hector. Touted as the company’s first internet car, the upcoming MG Hector will come with a new advanced connectivity system called i-Smart next-generation system, a complete integrated solution that combines software, hardware, connectivity, services and application. The system has been developed in collaboration with several technological partners like Cisco, Unlimit, and Microsoft among others. The iSmart connectivity system comes with advanced technology, smart application, built-in Apps, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Smart Features, Voice Assist, and Infotainment.

    The command centre of the system is a vertically-mounted 10.4-inch ultra large Full-HD infotainment display that comes with pre-loaded entertainment content and allows you to manage complete vehicle settings. MG says that the display screen can withstand the high temperatures of Indian weather conditions. For full-time connectivity, the system also comes with a first machine to machine embedded sim, along with the SUV Internet Protocol version 6 makes it 5G-ready, making it future-proof. The system offers features like – Real-Time Navigation, Remote Location, Geo-Fencing, Emergency Response and much more.

    Furthermore, with smart connectivity, the MG Hector will also be getting software updates via over-the-air (OTA) downloads, like firmware and features updates much like any smartphone. Also, as mentioned earlier, the car will come with pre-loaded apps like – TomTom IQ Maps, Gaana Premium, and AccuWeather app among others. In fact, MG Motor India will be offering its customer free data too for the first few years. The system itself is well-secured by Microsoft, which will be the Cloud provider for MG Motor.

    One of the key features and most important features offered in the MG Hector is its voice command system. Powered by China’s conversational AI provider Nuance, the system is designed to use voice commands to access multiple in-car functions like close or opening sunroof, control climate control, navigations and more. In fact, the system can even understand the Indian accent to make it suitable for the Indian market. Like Google Assistance, the Voice Assist system can be accessed by saying ‘Hello MG’ and is capable of handling over 100 functions. The Hector also comes with an eCall emergency response system that sends an emergency alert to MG’s customer management centre, called Pulse Hub and any registered phones, in the case of an accident. Also, in the event of the airbags being deployed, the system triggers a series of emergency response actions.

    The iSMART Next Gen is supported by the iSMART mobile App. MG iSMART App is feature-rich like none other in the Indian market. The car gets scanned each time the App is opened, and information includes location of car, tyre pressure, or if the doors are locked or not. Owner can use the remote app to directly lock or unlock doors, turn on ignition and switch on the air-conditioner.

    The all-new MG Hector is slated to be launched in second quarter of 2019. The SUV will come with premium interior and features like – with power adjustable seats, cruise control, electronic parking brake, and 360-degree camera. We also know that the SUV will come with a panoramic sunroof, which the company claims will be the largest in the segment. The SUV will come in both petrol and diesel powertrains – 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 2.0-litre diesel motor.

  • Infiniti Qs Inspiration Teased Ahead Of 2019 Shanghai Auto Show

    Infiniti Qs Inspiration Teased Ahead Of 2019 Shanghai Auto Show

    Infiniti will reveal a new sports sedan concept, based on an all-new flexible architecture developed specifically to accommodate electrified powertrains, at Auto Shanghai 2019. The concept offers a new perspective on the sports sedan and also previews a forthcoming electrified Infiniti production model. It’s called the Qs Inspiration concept and it draws inspiration from the company’s DNA.

    With the Qs Inspiration, Infiniti confirms a new form of design language from Infiniti which we will see on its future electric cars. The Qs is inspired by the art and modern architecture of Japan. Inside, the minimalist cabin combines striking artistry and craftsmanship, and it features two distinct zones – a clutter-free cockpit designed to engage the driver, and a relaxed passenger zone that make the most of the generous interior space.

    Christian Meunier, Chairman of Infiniti, comments, “Electrification creates a range of new possibilities for sedans, with new powertrains and vehicle architectures letting us imagine how this type of car could be reinvigorated and adapted to fit the changing needs and tastes of drivers.”

  • Logitech unveils affordable Smart Keyboard alternatives for Apple iPad PROs

    Logitech unveils affordable Smart Keyboard alternatives for Apple iPad PROs

    Logitech makes some of the best third-party accessories for iPhones and iPads, a few of which can even be purchased directly from Apple at very competitive prices. Just think of the $69.95 Logitech Crayon, which substantially undercuts the $99 and up Apple Pencil. Or the $69.95 Logitech Powered wireless charging stand, or $130 and up Logitech Slim Combos with detachable keyboards for previous-generation iPad Pros

    Oddly enough, Logitech still doesn’t sell any keyboard accessories tailor-made for Apple’s newest iPad Pro models, but that’s finally set to change later this month. The Slim Folio Pro looks and sounds extremely similar to the first-party Smart Keyboard Folio, starting however at only $119.99. That’s a whopping 60 bucks cheaper than Apple’s own 11-inch option, while the Logitech Slim Folio Pro for 2018’s 12.9-inch iPad Pro will cost $129.99, compared to the $199 price tag of its Apple-made counterpart.

    Impressively enough, it doesn’t seem like Logitech has had to cut many corners or make any big compromises to go this low in terms of retail prices, as the Slim Folio Pro ticks all the essential boxes of a robust “all-in-one case”… and then some. You get both front and back protection against scuffs, scratches, and spills for your new 11 or 12.9-inch iPad Pro, an “edge-to-edge” backlit keyboard design aimed at stellar productivity, and even a special magnetic latch to safely store your Apple Pencil when not in use.

    Without a doubt, the best thing about this overall top-notch Smart Keyboard alternative is its battery life, rated at “up to three months” on a single charge. The Slim Folio Pro is also pretty versatile, enabling comfortable typing, sketching, and reading experiences by propping up your iPad Pro, sliding underneath it, or effortlessly folding back.

    The only possible drawback is the use of Bluetooth technology to wirelessly connect to Apple’s latest powerhouses rather than leveraging their magnetic Smart Connectors. But Bluetooth keyboards can be reliable too, so if you want to save a few bucks, you should definitely consider the Logitech Slim Folio Pro… when it actually goes on sale.

  • Bolloré Logistics’ Osaka Office Certified CEIV Pharma by IATA at Kansai Int’l Airport

    Bolloré Logistics’ Osaka Office Certified CEIV Pharma by IATA at Kansai Int’l Airport

    On March 31st, 2019, Bolloré Logistics Japan was successfully certified by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma) at its platform located in the Kansai International Airport (KIX), in Osaka. The certification is a globally recognized and standardized certification for healthcare airfreight shipments. Bolloré Logistics Japan began the certification process according to the IATA CEIV Pharma standards in the second quarter of 2017. The CEIV Pharma certification will allow Bolloré Logistics Japan to have a strategic advantage in the healthcare logistics market with a stronger, more competitive and enhanced air cargo service.

    “Earning the CEIV Pharma certification demonstrates our ability to successfully build and deploy a team of experts who are fully capable to offer end-to-end logistics solution for the pharmaceutical related temperature sensitive products through the Kansai International Airport (KIX). In the near future, we are also keen to acquire the same certification in Haneda Airport (Tokyo) in order for us to expand the expertise nationwide,” said Goro UMEZAWA, Sales Manager at Bolloré Logistics Japan.

    This new success shows our commitment to achieve the highest international quality standard in the global pharmaceutical supply chain for its customers, by continually improving our processes and infrastructures to be compliant with IATA CEIV Pharma standards. With Australia, Singapore, South Korea, China and now Japan certified, the aim of Bolloré Logistics is to deploy this action throughout its global network with on-going certifications on other sites in the Asia-Pacific region
    such as China Hong Kong.

    In Europe, Bolloré Logistics has already received the IATA CEIV Pharma certification for its Paris Roissy CDG platform (France) as well as its sites in Brussels (Belgium), Frankfurt (Germany) and Lisbon (Portugal). The International Air Transport Association (IATA) created Center of Excellence for Independent Validators in Pharmaceutical Logistics (CEIV Pharma) in 2014. It aims to set the industrial standard for air cargo supply chain in pharmaceutical handling excellence. It addresses industry’s need for more safety, security, compliance and efficiency, by the creation of a globally consistent and recognized pharmaceutical product handling certification. CEIV Pharma encompasses, or even supersedes, many of the existing pharmaceutical standards and guidelines, such as IATA Temperature Control Regulations (TCR), European Union Good Distribution Practices (EU GDP), World Health Organization Annex 5, United States Pharmacopeia Standards.

  • Swatch wins trademark lawsuit against Apple

    Swatch wins trademark lawsuit against Apple

    Swatch is no stranger to legal battles with giants like Apple and Samsung, and to some success, we might add. The Swiss company filed a lawsuit against Samsung two months ago, because the South Korean company copied Swatch’s trademark on its smartwatch faces. However, Swatch was sued by Apple two years ago for a similar reason. The Cupertino-based company claimed in the lawsuit that Swatch’s logo – “Tick different,” which is etched on some of its smartwatches, strongly resemble its famous “Think different” slogan.

    Unfortunately for Apple, a Swiss court has just ruled in Swatch’s favor over the use of its “Tick different” logo. Apparently, the court doesn’t think that Swatch’s slogan infringes on Apple’s own logo, but even if they are very similar, the Swiss company claims the “Think Different” advertising campaign wasn’t too popular in Switzerland to warrant protection.

    The Federal Administrative Court has agreed with Swatch and said that Apple hasn’t given the court enough documents that would back up its case. Of course, Swatch wouldn’t stand a chance in the United States where the “Think Different” advertising campaign remains one the most famous in the company’s history.

  • Spotify and Apple Music were very important to the music industry Last Year

    Spotify and Apple Music were very important to the music industry Last Year

    It’s okay to dance now that the 2019 IFPI Global Music Report is out. The report from The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry shows that a 32.9% increase in paid streaming revenues helped drive a similar increase in total streaming revenue last year. Streaming now accounts for 46.9% of the music industry. Overall, the global music market increased its top line by 9.7% last year to $19.1 billion and revenue from streaming music came to $8.9 billion, up from $6.7 billion in 2017. Streaming was obviously very important to the music industry during 2018. That is especially true since last year music downloads and physical music sales declined 21.2% and 10.1%, respectively.

    As 2018 came to an end, there were 255 million people around the world paying monthly for streaming music. The leading provider globally was Spotify, with 87 million paying subscribers. Apple Music came in second. In the U.S., growth in streaming music revenue came to 33.4% last year, while sales of physical music (records, CDs) declined 22.1%. In the states, the fastest growth came from the paid streaming segment.

    “Streaming revenues, particularly from paid subscriptions, continued to grow in 2018, with all regions posting growth in this area. Overall, growth trends were more diverse across different markets.”-IFPI

    The top two music streamers in the world, Spotify and Apple, are at odds over the 30% that Apple charges Spotify subscribers who pay monthly through the App Store. As we told you last month, Spotify has filed a complaint with the European Commission over this so-called “Apple Tax.” This is why individual Spotify subscriptions cost $12.99 on the App Store as opposed to the usual $9.99 price. With Apple Music available from the iOS app storefront for only $9.99 a month, Spotify claims Apple is giving its own music streaming app a major advantage.