Retail News CRM

Author: Mei Ling Tan

  • Google reveals when Apple will add RCS support to iPhone

    Google reveals when Apple will add RCS support to iPhone

    Back in November, Apple announced that it would add RCS (Rich Communication Services) support to the iPhone later this year. With this support, iPhone users will be able to view images and videos sent to them by Android users over RCS without having to deal with low-quality pictures and videos. Once Apple adds RCS support to the iPhone, iPhone users will be able to get read receipts when communicating with Android users, and see typing indicators. Messages will still be protected thanks to end-to-end encryption.

    Currently, when an iPhone user messages an Android user and vice versa, the chat takes place over the old-school SMS/MMS platform which is why videos shared look like crap as do  shared images. Because RCS and iMessage have almost the same features, iPhone users should have no problem using RCS when Apple does add support for it.

    The question is, when will this take place? When will Apple start supporting RCS? On the Android.com website, Google has published an updated landing page that reads, “Apple has announced it will be adopting RCS in the fall of 2024.” Apple actually said in November 2023 that the support would come “later next year” which means that we can call this “news.”

    The first day of fall this year will be September 22nd, 2024 which would dovetail with a possible release date for the iPhone 16 line and iOS 18. So there is a strong possibility that if Apple does say that support for RCS will take place in the fall, it will mean that RCS support for the iPhone will debut with the release of iOS 18 in September. If Apple adds it to the iOS 18 Developer Beta, iPhone support for RCS could be available to those installing the iOS 18 developer beta right after Apple unveils iOS 18 during the WWDC 2024 Keynote on June 10th.

    When Apple does add RCS support to the iPhone, you should be able to see whether you have an RCS connection by looking at the text field before you start typing a message. For example, after you tap on the name of the Android-using recipient you are sending a message to and you see RCS in the text field, it means that you will be chatting with the recipient using Rich Communication Services. On the other hand, if the text field says Text Message, you are messaging an Android user who doesn’t use RCS, or an RCS signal is not available. Thus, you’ll be chatting using SMS/MMS.

    Apple will no doubt make a big deal about adding RCS support as it gets closer to September, so stay tuned. We can tell you that Apple’s support for RCS will not add the blue bubble/green bubble rift.

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  • LinkedIn goes TikTok

    LinkedIn goes TikTok

    Thanks to the soaring popularity of platforms like TikTok, short-form videos have become an integral part of our digital landscape. Following TikTok’s meteoric rise, other big players like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Snapchat have all jumped on the short-video bandwagon. Now, LinkedIn is gearing up to join the fray.

    TechCrunch reports that LinkedIn confirmed it is experimenting with a new short-video feed, taking a page from TikTok’s playbook. The news first surfaced when Austin Null, a strategy director at an influencer agency, shared a sneak peek (later shared on X) of the new feed on LinkedIn.

    The new feed resides in the app’s navigation bar under a fresh “Video” tab. Once you tap into the Video tab, you’re greeted with a vertical feed of bite-sized videos that you can easily swipe through. Users can engage with the content by liking, commenting, or sharing. Details on how the feed curates content remain undisclosed.

    Unlike the eclectic mix found in other apps, LinkedIn’s focus remains squarely on careers and professionalism. While video content has long been a part of the platform, this dedicated feed aims to elevate engagement and discovery by curating relevant, easily digestible videos.

    According to LinkedIn, users increasingly turn to video content to learn from industry professionals. Hence, the platform is exploring new avenues to surface such valuable content. However, the feature is still in its early testing phase, meaning it’s not widely available yet.

    For content creators, LinkedIn’s new feed might present an opportunity to expand their reach and share video content with a professional audience. There’s talk that LinkedIn might explore monetization options down the line, which could encourage creators to get on board.

    However, not everyone may welcome this change with open arms. LinkedIn has long been valued for its professional and informational content, free from the distractions of typical short-form video feeds. Feel free to share what you think about it in the comments below.

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  • Google rolls out new tool for online shopping that recommends clothes to match your style

    Google rolls out new tool for online shopping that recommends clothes to match your style

    Ready for some help with online shopping? Google’s got you covered with a new experimental personalized shopping experience for some users in the U.S. If you use a mobile browser or the Google app to shop for accessories or apparel, you’ll now have a new section called “style recommendations”.

    Users in the United States who have opted for Search Generative Experience (SGE) on Search Labs will have access to the feature. The new section will recommend different clothes or accessories, and you can rate the suggestions with a thumbs down or thumbs up.

    You are also able to swipe right or left to see personalized results. On top of that, more options will be provided if you don’t find what you need.

    Additionally, Google will remember your preferences, and next time you search for the same set of accessories or apparel, you will get personalized results based on saved preferences. You can also tap on the three dots next to the Search result and look for personalization options – they will be under the “About this result” panel.

    But that’s not all! You can specify brands you like – on mobile, desktop, and the Google app. Once you choose your brands, the search results will prioritize results from these brands. As with anything, you’re allowed to change your preferences.

    If you like something from the results, you can also use a virtual try-on (VTO) tool. The tool was first introduced to U.S. users last year.

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  • Coffee prices soar to record high as supply shrinks

    Coffee prices soar to record high as supply shrinks

    Coffee prices surged 11.3% to a historic high of VND98,100 (US$3.95) per kilogram on Wednesday as inventories dwindle and production is forecast to decline.

    The price represented a 110% increase from a year ago. On online coffee business forums, many farmers and traders have expressed surprise at the unprecedented prices, which were around VND70,800 at the beginning of the year.

    Prices also rose globally, with the May robusta LRCc2 futures contract rising to an all-time high of $5,999 per ton and the May Arabica KCc1 to $4,186.5. According to Nguyen Hai Nam, chairman of the Vietnam Coffee Cocoa Association, the sharp increase in prices is due to a decline in production and record low inventories.

    He said droughts in coffee-growing countries caused by climate change and the El Nino phenomenon have declined global production. His association expects coffee harvests to be 10% lower this year since farmers have shifted to other crops due to low prices in recent years. Shipping disruptions and freight hikes due to the Red Sea tensions also contribute to higher global prices, he added.

    The skyrocketing prices have heavily impacted traders. Nguyen Loan, a coffee merchant in Dak Lak Province, said she is cutting back on purchases due to the record prices, pointing out that even large traders are hesitant to stock up on coffee.

    “I previously agreed to sell 1,000 tons of coffee to an exporter at VND70,000 per kilogram. At the current prices, I cannot procure enough stock to deliver.”

    Phan Minh Thong, chairman of agricultural products exporter Phuc Sinh Group, said coffee merchants are demanding as much as VND99,000 per kilogram.

    The company had to make some small purchases and bear the losses to maintain its operations.

    “The company has faced huge losses recently. We will incur bigger losses if we buy more.”

    According to traders, importers are now buying coffee from India and Brazil instead of Vietnam because of its high prices.

    With Brazil’s coffee crop set to harvest in April, prices in the global market might soon cool down.

    In the first two months of the year Vietnam exported 438,000 tons of coffee for $1.4 billion, according to data from the General Department of Customs.

    They represented increases of 28% and 85% year-on-year.

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  • Gasoline prices hit 6-month high

    Gasoline prices hit 6-month high

    Gasoline prices on Thursday rose to the highest since early October while diesel dropped slightly.

    The popular fuel RON95 went up 2.18% to VND24,810 ($1) per liter. Biofuel E5 RON92 gained 1.77% to VND23,620

    Fuel prices fluctuated globally in the last seven days due to decline production at some Russian refineries and continuing tension in the Middle East, according to Vietnamese authorities.

    Gasoline prices rose 2.2-2.5% while oils dropped 2-2.4%.

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  • WhatsApp will soon give you the option to send your media in HD quality by default

    WhatsApp will soon give you the option to send your media in HD quality by default

    WhatsApp is introducing a feature that finally gives its users the ability to choose the default media upload quality. This feature, now available to some beta testers on version 2.24.7.17, puts the power back on the user on how detailed they want their pictures and videos to look when they arrive at the other end.

    If you have used WhatsApp for any amount of time, or any messaging app for that matter, you surely have gone through the woes of sending an image or video that looks like a blurred mess. This can be quite frustrating, particularly when sharing what could very well be priceless family photos or pivotal moments you’ve captured on video. Thankfully, there will now be a solution to this problem.

    Although the quality of images sent via WhatsApp is currently not too terrible when compared to SMS, it is also not in high definition. This new setting option allows you to select between Standard Quality, which is optimized for a smaller file size and quicker sharing, or High Quality, which prioritizes image and video quality to be clearer, but uses twice as much storage. Once selected, this will be the default setting for sending media within the app, unless you use the “document” sharing option that keeps the content in its original quality without any compression.

    Accessible within the app’s settings, this option was originally spotted to be in the works in a previous version of the WhatsApp Beta app on the Google Play Store (v2.23.14.10). However, it is now finally available to more users in the latest beta. Unfortunately, gaining access to the WhatsApp beta program at this moment is close to impossible, as the program is always full to capacity.

    This is a major step forward in making your WhatsApp experience more personalized and smooth. As a long-time app user, I welcome the option to choose the quality I want my images to be sent in.

  • Royal Enfield Sets Up Dutch Hub For EU Expansion

    Royal Enfield Sets Up Dutch Hub For EU Expansion

    Royal Enfield has set up a new hub in the Netherlands and has plans to open another warehouse in Europe, either in France or Germany, with an eye on strengthening its supply chain across Europe. According to reports, Royal Enfield’s parent company Eicher Motors Ltd has already set up the Dutch arm to reduce its dependency on the UK, after Brexit made it more difficult to move parts to mainland Europe. The brand is also in talks to establish a warehouse, likely to be either in France or Germany, to speed up the supply of products like spare parts and branded merchandise.

    Eicher Motors has invested 500,000 Euros (approximately Rs. 4.5 crore) into the new unit, called Royal Enfield Europe BV. According to Arun Gopal, Royal Enfield’s international head, who is quoted in a news report, the brand’s business is growing quickly in the EU, and a new warehouse will cut lead times by two weeks from 90 days. Royal Enfield plans to start with one warehouse for non-motorcycle products and is in talks with logistics specialists in the EU to manage its range. Germany and France are potential countries for the new warehouse, although no decision has been made as yet.

    In recent years, Royal Enfield has been increasingly pushing across global markets, with exports being a prime focus of its business strategy. In 2023, the company inched closer to the 1 million sales mark, and over the last decade the company has performed above expectations. Although the bulk of Royal Enfield’s motorcycle sales still come from the domestic market, exports have been steadily increasing but still constitute less than 10 percent of overall sales.

    With the new 350 cc J-series platform, the 650 Twins, the Himalayan 411, and the current Himalayan 450, Royal Enfield has streamlined its entire product line-up in recent years to be global products, which will be offered on sale around the world. Clearly, with its origins in the UK, the European market may offer more potential for the brand’s growth and better supply chain and footprint presence may be a step in the right direction.

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  • UBS Tops Out New HQ in Hong Kong

    UBS Tops Out New HQ in Hong Kong

    Switzerland’s UBS is doubling down on Hong Kong. Today, it topped out its new office based in West Kowloon.

    UBS topped out its new Hong Kong office building on Wednesday. The ceremony, featured UBS group CEO Sergio Ermotti, Asia global wealth management (GWM) chair Amy Lo, GWM president Iqbal Khan and leading executives from Hong Kong property giant Sun Hung Kai.

    The office is based in West Kowloon, which is located across the Victoria Harbor from Hong Kong’s traditional central business district. It is located next to major commercial building ICC, which houses banking rivals like Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank, as well as the high-speed rail that can quickly access mainland China, including southern Shenzhen in around 14 minutes.

    Currently, UBS has five different offices in Hong Kong and under the new arrangement, it will consolidate the work spaces and occupy 14 floors in the West Kowloon commercial building. The bank will start moving into the new office in early 2026.

    «Hong Kong is a strategic market for UBS in Asia,» Ermotti said in a statement. Our new office building marks an exciting new chapter for UBS as it will bring all of our Hong Kong operations under one roof, enhancing collaboration across all business divisions and facilitating the continued growth of our franchise.

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  • HSBC to Launch Tokenized Gold

    HSBC to Launch Tokenized Gold

    London-headquartered HSBC is actively exploring various opportunities to convert real-world assets into digital form. One such area is tokenized gold, which it will introduce tomorrow to its retail segment.

    HSBC will launch tokenized gold to its retail clients tomorrow, said Hong Kong chief digital officer Bojan Obradović during a panel at the Milken Institute Global Investor’s Symposium. This will mark the first form of tokenized real-world asset that HSBC is introducing to the segment.

    Within this area, Obradović noted that the British lender was also exploring tokenization of other assets like funds or bonds. In addition, it is investing in distributed ledger technology (DLT) and developing capabilities in digital money such as central bank digital currencies, tokenized deposits and stablecoins.

    According to Obradović, the genesis of DLT or blockchain technologies was the creation of bitcoin. He named three critical effects as a result including the formation of alternative money; the development of a digital asset that is unique and cannot be copied; and exposure to the power of blockchain networks that can store and transfer assets instantly with no underlying company behind.

    Bitcoin is considered one of the most prominent computer science innovations of recent times, he commented on a panel at the event hosted by US think tank Milken Institute. «When we think about DLT or blockchain, we think that it has a strong potential to be a mainstream component of future financial markets.

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  • Kobe beef sells for $11 a kilo online

    Kobe beef sells for $11 a kilo online

    Some online stores are selling what they claim to be Kobe beef, the premium Japanese variety that usually costs VND6-15 million (US$242-605) per kilogram for a mere VND280,000 ($11).

    Le Thu, a seller in Hanoi, said she had imported two shipments of the meat to fulfill large orders.

    “The beef is cut into neat 250-gram portions that look very appealing. It is also cheaper than other imported beef. So families who enjoy a good steak are very fond of it.

    “Previously Kobe beef was rare because there was very little imported. Now customers can order as much as they want at a cheap price.”

    Mai Anh of HCMC advertised that the meat originally cost VND600,000 but is currently sold at a 50% discount.

    At that price, her “Kobe beef” is even cheaper than American beef.

    The businesses claim it is genuine Japanese Kobe beef imported in large quantities from various countries, and hence the low price.

    “This meat is of high quality and delicious, the cheap price is because of the large supply,” Anh said, adding she sold over two tons in the past week.

    But consumers are not so easily convinced.

    Lien of HCMC’s Tan Phu District is shocked to see such a cheap price, even if it was thanks to a 50% discount.

    “I am doubtful about the quality because I have never bought it at this price.”

    Many others have also raised similar concerns.

    Some who bought it remarked that the meat quickly falls apart when thawed and cooked, and its quality is not like the beef they buy at specialized Japanese supermarkets.

    Nguyen Thi Loan, the owner of a chain of imported beef stores in HCMC, said the cheap “Kobe beef” sold on the market is actually “aukobe” beef imported from Australia.

    This is officially imported at VND600,000-800,000 per kilogram.

    But consumers should exercise caution since beef sold at VND200,000 is probably is close to expiration date, she said.

    Aukobe beef is produced by injecting fat into the meat to artificially create the marbling the authentic Kobe beef from Japan naturally has thanks to a special cattle raising process and unique diet.

    Kobe beef from Japan is one of the most expensive types in the world.

    In Vietnam, it is imported from Japan in very small quantities by legitimate importers and sold at millions of dong per kilogram, with the best cuts costing as much as VND18 million.

  • Google Messages testing a warning about losing features when logging out or switching accounts

    Google Messages testing a warning about losing features when logging out or switching accounts

    If you’re a Google Messages user with multiple Google accounts linked to your Android phone, you’ve probably experienced how seamless account switching is currently within the app. However, switching accounts or opting to use Google Messages without a Google account altogether can lead to some unexpected limitations. Google appears ready to address that with a new warning that appears when you want to ditch the Google account login.

    Google Messages is rolling out a new feature in beta that clearly outlines which features you’ll lose when either signing out of your account or switching to a different Google account within the app. Signing out entirely from your Google account will warn you that you’ll lose access to features like Magic Compose (those helpful AI writing suggestions) and Device Pairing.

    If you have Google’s Profile Discovery feature enabled, you’ll be prompted to disable it. This prevents others from seeing your profile picture and name in Google products, but also means people knowing your phone number might not easily connect with you on various Google services.

    If you are switching between accounts, you’ll also get a similar warning. Magic Compose and Device Pairing will also become unavailable, as these features are tied to your specific Google account. Both of these warnings were spotted by @Assembledebug from TheSPAndroid during his usual search for new features.

    Previously, Google Messages didn’t explicitly display the potential drawbacks of using the app without an associated account. However, adding this notification greatly improves transparency, letting users make informed choices about how they interact with Google Messages as it is not completely necessary to tie the app to a Google account. The feature seems to be rolling out gradually for those on the latest Google Messages beta, which is v.20240321_01_RC00 at this time.

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  • Oft-requested feature is coming to Apple Maps with iOS 18 release later this year

    Oft-requested feature is coming to Apple Maps with iOS 18 release later this year

    With iOS 18 installed, Apple Maps users might be able to create their own custom routes, which they cannot do presently. Apple has pushed an iOS 18 file titled “CustomRouteCreation” to the back end of the Apple Maps app, and the title does give away plenty of information. But outside of the file name, all we know is that at launch, the feature will be limited to use in the U.S.

    Why would you want to create a custom route? Well, you might be used to taking a specific road and would prefer to travel on it, or a particular route might be more scenic or pass more bathrooms, or be near more shopping options or restaurants. Currently, Apple’s chief rival, Google Maps, has a process to allow users to create custom routes. This requires the user to employ his/her computer and then view this route on an iPhone. It sounds like Apple’s implementation is going to be much easier to use.

    It seems that iPhone users have been hounding Apple over the years to add this capability to Apple Maps. As far back as December 2020, Apple community member cowboyf16 asked in the discussions forum, “In Apple Maps, is there a way to create a custom route? For example, we like to drive scenic drives down multiple roads with no distinct destination.”

    We should get our first look at iOS 18 on Monday, June 10th during the WWDC 2024 Keynote. Shortly afterward, the public beta program for iOS 18 will start and you’ll have to decide whether to install it on your iPhone or wait until September when the final version of the software should be released. Keep in mind that beta releases are unstable and certain features that you rely on every day might not work at times if you install the iOS 18 beta.

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  • Google Chat finally gets voice message support

    Google Chat finally gets voice message support

    Google just announced a significant upgrade for its Google Chat app, with the introduction of voice messages on mobile devices. This a highly anticipated feature that has been present in other chat applications for some time.

    There are times when typing out a message simply isn’t the most efficient option, and this is where voice messages have come in to fill that gap. Using voice messages, particularly when on the go, offer several advantages. Aside from the obvious time-saving benefits, voice messages can also be extremely helpful when the nuances and tone of the message are important to keep intact. Additionally, for users with limited dexterity or visual impairments, voice messages can be a crucial accessibility tool.

    Although a bit late to the party, it’s good to see this feature being added to Chat, but Google isn’t stopping there. The company also promises that transcription for voice messages will also be added and will be rolling out to users in the coming months. This powerful addition will make voice message searchable and allow for easier consumption by users who prefer reading over listening.

    Users will be able to send and receive voice messages to direct messages, group chats, and spaces within the Google Chat Android and iOS apps. The ability to receive voice messages will also work on the web, but sending will not be possible through a browser just yet. There is also a huge caveat: This is a Google Workspace feature that will only be available to paid Enterprise users, specifically those on the Enterprise Essentials, Enterprise Essentials Plus, Enterprise Standard, and Enterprise Plus tiers. This makes the feature’s availability very limited, and we hope this eventually trickles down across all accounts.

    For the lucky ones who will get this feature, the process will be pretty straightforward: Open a direct message, group chat, or space, tap on the microphone icon, start speaking, and press send. Once sent, voice messages function just like text-based messages, allowing for quotes, reactions, and threaded replies.

    The enterprise rollout will happen gradually, with domains on the Rapid Release track getting the feature as early as March 26th, with a two-week window before it reaches all users. The Scheduled Release track will follow on April 15th, with the same two-week window until completion.

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  • TikTok launches Youth Council to advise on safety issues surrounding teens

    TikTok launches Youth Council to advise on safety issues surrounding teens

    TikTok, the beloved and sometimes controversial short-form video app, is caught in a political crossfire. Facing a potential US ban due to Chinese ownership concerns, TikTok is scrambling to defend its place in the hearts of its most loyal users – teens.

    One of TikTok’s latest moves is the creation of a “Youth Council”. This group of 15 teens from around the world will advise TikTok on how to make the platform safer for young people. It’s a smart play as concerns swirl around issues like child protection, misinformation, and the app’s impact on mental health.

    The council seems like a well-intentioned way for TikTok to demonstrate its commitment to the safety of its younger users. The teens even collaborate with Praesidio Safeguarding, a UK-based organization focused on online safety. But is this enough to sway regulators?

    TikTok’s influence on teens is undeniable. The app has even encouraged its teen audience to take political action against a potential ban. Some worry that these efforts, while focused on the app’s survival, might draw even more attention to TikTok’s reach among young people. The success of this initiative will likely hinge on a few factors:

    • Real Impact: How much actual power will the Youth Council have to influence changes on the app?
    • Teen Trust: Will teens see the council as a genuine attempt at improvement or a public relations ploy?
    • Policy Sway: Will US policymakers see this council and its efforts as an honest commitment to user safety?

    TikTok is playing a high-stakes game here. Appealing to its teen users makes sense strategically, but whether it can save TikTok from political pressures remains to be seen. Ultimately, the effectiveness of the Youth Council will depend on how much influence they are given within the company and how they are perceived by both teens and policymakers.

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  • Spotify launches video course trial in the UK

    Spotify launches video course trial in the UK

    Spotify, the audio streaming giant, is diving into a whole new realm of content – educational video courses. In an announcement today, the company is revealing a launch that begins today for U.K. users, offering a variety of engaging courses to choose from.

    This move signals a shift in Spotify’s approach to content. No longer just about music, podcasts, or audiobooks, the platform is now catering to those seeking personal and professional development. They’ve teamed up with renowned educational tech companies, including BBC Maestro, PLAYvirtuoso, Skillshare, and Thinkific, to offer a curated selection of high-quality video courses.

    Spotify’s initial video course offerings span four key areas:

    1. Make Music: Dive into the world of music production and instrument mastery.
    2. Get Creative: Unleash your artistic potential with courses in photography, design, or writing.
    3. Learn Business: Gain valuable skills for entrepreneurship and career advancement.
    4. Healthy Living: Discover techniques for mindfulness, fitness, and wellness.

    Babar Zafar, VP Product Development at Spotify, spoke of this U.K.-based test as an opportunity to explore how to serve the Spotify community better and give them what they are actively interested in by stating: “Many of our users engage with podcasts and audiobooks on a daily basis for their learning needs, and we believe this highly engaged community will be interested in accessing and purchasing quality content from video course creators.” This recognizes a growing trend: many users already enjoy podcasts and audiobooks for self-improvement, and educational video courses are a natural extension of this.

    Spotify is encouraging its U.K. free and premium subscribers to take advantage of this new feature, as they will be able to try out for free for a couple of lessons before having to make a purchasing decision. These courses will be available on the Home and Browse tabs in the mobile app as well as on the web. However, once registered for a course, it will be available on both mobile and the desktop.

    It is unclear if there are plans to bring this feature to users outside the U.K. if this test proves successful. However, the company does state that should this occur, it could pave the way for a more expansive video-based learning experience directly on the Spotify platform.

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