Retail News CRM

Author: Mei Ling Tan

  • Qualcomm ups the perfect wireless audio ante with Snapdragon Sound

    Qualcomm ups the perfect wireless audio ante with Snapdragon Sound

    Qualcomm just took to the airwaves to detail Snapdragon Sound, a holistic platform across a universe of devices to bring the best possible audio to your ears. We are talking phones, true wireless buds, wearables, laptops, game controllers, and even cars or virtual reality gear equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound platform.

    The company teased its cross-device audio initiative with the launch of its Snapdragon 888 chipset and said that we will be able to experience it this year. Sure enough, the first phone makers to adopt it, like Xiaomi, are already at the top of the phone audio pile over at DxOMark, boding well for the future of the Snapdragon Sound platform. Needless to say, a bunch of prerequisites need to be met before Qualcomm puts the Snapdragon Sound stamp on a device’s packaging:

    • Qualcomm Snapdragon 8-series mobile platforms
    • Qualcomm FastConnect 6900 mobile connectivity system
    • Qualcomm QCC514x, QCC515x and QCC3056 series Bluetooth Audio SoCs
    • Qualcomm Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) technology
    • Qualcomm aptX Adaptive 24-bit 96kHz and 89ms latency
    • Qualcomm aptX Voice super wideband voice
    • Qualcomm Aqsti audio codec and smart speaker amplifier WCD938x and WSA883x
    • Qualcomm Audio and Voice Communication Suite

    Curiously enough, these components are only present in their entirety in Qualcomm’s flagship 8-series processors like Snapdragon 888, which explains why the top phone in terms of audio quality over at DxO is the Asus ROG Phone 5 – a device that hasn’t even been announced yet, and still its Snapdragon Audio optimizations earned it top dog audio status. According to James Chapman, vice president and general manager, Voice, Music and Wearables, Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd:

    The human ear is highly sensitive to glitches, latencies and other challenges which commonly occur when streaming music, video conferencing, or gaming over wireless connections. By focusing end-to-end, we are looking to deliver innovations to solve common consumer pain-points across virtually all audio interaction points.

    Qualcomm Technologies is uniquely positioned to provide tremendous value to customers with Snapdragon Sound and help them quickly commercialize products differentiated by great sound quality. Our system-level approach aggregates multiple technologies and the latest products from across our mobile and audio platform portfolios to achieve our vision of delivering high-resolution, wired quality audio, wirelessly.

    What does this all mean? Well, you heard the man, stereo latency or crackling while listening with true wireless buds should be a thing of the past, and Snapdragon Sound supports ultra high-res, 24-bit 96kHz audio. The “crystal-clear voice quality” is something that caught our attention in particular, as, in this day and age of teleworking and Zoom meetings, clean audio seems more important than ever.

    We can’t wait to take Qualcomm’s promises for a spin when the respective phones and buds are sent to us for testing. If you want to test for yourself, the Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound playlist is now available over at Amazon Music HD.

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  • How Apple’s iOS 14 privacy-friendly update is helping Twitter out

    How Apple’s iOS 14 privacy-friendly update is helping Twitter out

    We have all learned to question our privacy in this day and age of constant online activity, Alexa and Siri always listening, and advertisers spewing ads at us about things we hadn’t even yet realized we wanted. The whole Facebook fiasco over data privacy violation didn’t help our sense of security much, either.

    However, Apple seems to be taking a step in the right direction with its next update to give us a little more peace of mind. Apple’s iOS 14.5 (to be released in the very near future) is including a significant and commendable change in its privacy policy. As of the update’s release, all apps will be required to ask for explicit permission before using IDFA (a unique identifier all iPhones and iPads have to allow device tracking) for advertising (or other) purposes.

    According to Apple, users will have complete control over who is able to track their activity and data. Of course, that doesn’t guarantee we’ll always have full use of an app before consenting to data collection, but it does provide a significantly better sense of security.

    Twitter CEO Ned Segal voiced his approval for the coming update as well yesterday at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference, claiming it will provide a more even playing field between social media companies. Segal acknowledged Twitter has not been as streamlined in leveraging its use of users’ data as other platforms (e.g. Facebook and Instagram), putting it at a disadvantage. However, this update will put all media companies back at the same starting point, requiring user permission to begin collecting data which most have been freely gathering left and right until now.

    “IDFA in a way is going to level the playing field. We’re in an industry where many were much better than Twitter historically at leveraging all of the data that was available to them, from the device ID to what people were doing on other websites. When we all have the same set of new challenges that we have to face, leveling the playing field will be a really interesting impact on the broader industry.”

    Segal promises that Twitter will not begin asking users for access to their devices right away, a restraint which other companies are unlikely to show. Instead, he plans to scope out and “learn from the industry and the broader ecosystem” before making such a move.

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  • VinFast to produce batteries for electric cars in Vietnam

    VinFast to produce batteries for electric cars in Vietnam

    Automaker VinFast has signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation with Taiwan’s ProLogium Technology Co.. Ltd. on production of batteries for electric cars in Vietnam.

    Under the MoU signed Wednesday, the two parties will set up a joint venture to manufacture solid-state batteries for electric cars. The joint venture will be licensed to use ProLogium’s patented solid-state battery pack assembly technology.

    This is a strategic step for VinFast in mastering battery technology for electric vehicles, laying a foundation for its research and development of smart and advanced electric vehicles in the future.

    Founded in 2006, ProLogium is the world’s leading solid-state battery maker. In 2017, ProLogium became the first company in the world to have a test line for solid-state battery technology for automotive applications.

    Its solid-state batteries have passed safety tests in Europe and China, which are the world’s largest electric vehicle markets.

    It is also cooperating with large electric cars manufacturers to test a new battery technology and expects to deploy it for mass-production in 2023-2024.

    By using solid-state batteries, VinFast electric cars will be able to go longer distances, reduce charging time, and increase the total number of times they can be charged.

    VinFast’s partnership with ProLogium is a part of its plan to become a global smart electric car brand.

    In January, VinFast introduced three new electric self-driving car models. It is also setting up electric charging stations nationwide, aiming at 40,000 charging ports for electric bikes and cars by the end of 2021.

    VinFast sold 31,500 cars in Vietnam last year. Since entering the auto industry three years ago the company now has a plant in the northern province of Hai Phong and R&D centers in Australia, Germany and the U.S.

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  • Samsung will develop payment cards with fingerprint scanners with Mastercard

    Samsung will develop payment cards with fingerprint scanners with Mastercard

    Samsung and Mastercard have partnered up to develop a fingerprint-authenticated payment card. Yes, we’re talking about an actual, physical card with a built-in fingerprint scanner. This innovation will increase the security of contactless payments and give users another layer of safety – while looking pretty darn cool.

    The card will work with every in-store (POS) terminal that supports Mastercard. When buying, the user will use their fingerprint rather than their PIN to secure the payment that they make. Especially in a pandemic this new type of card introduces a safer and more convenient way for users to authenticate their way of payment, because it excludes the need to touch the POS device.

    The new security chipset will be delivered by Samsung’s System LSI Business and will not use existing Mastercard hardware.

    “As consumers embrace the safety and convenience of contactless payments, Mastercard will leverage its cybersecurity and intelligence expertise and global payments network in this three-way partnership to enhance cardholder security with a biometric solution supporting fast, frictionless payment experiences that are protected at every point,” said Karthik Ramanathan, Senior Vice President, Cyber & Intelligence Solutions, Asia Pacific, Mastercard.

    In 2017 Mastercard unveiled their plans for a similar card that doesn’t require users to put their PIN in. This new endeavor uses the same concept but the sensors are now going to be produced by Samsung.

    Samsung Card is owned by Samsung Life Insurance, which is one of the biggest credit card companies in South Korea. The company will be the one releasing the product in South Korea later this year.

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  • Paramount, the Netflix’s newest rival starts streaming today

    Paramount, the Netflix’s newest rival starts streaming today

    Paramount+ launches today to give the world exactly what it needs during a pandemic-another streaming app service. Even though we were aiming for sarcasm with that comment, there are statistics showing that streamers are doing well. Disney+, with its highly recognizable brand and videos for just about everyone, said last month that it had 94.9 million subscribers and forecast that it would have 230 million to 260 million by 2024.

    With content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, Disney+ has enough movies, television shows, and documentaries to suit everyone. It also has the most streamed program in the world right now with Marvel’s WandaVision MCU spinoff. The leading streamer on the planet, Netflix, had over 203 million global subscribers as of the end of last quarter. Last May, HBO Max became the newest streamer and was guaranteed a decent-sized viewing audience thanks to the $425 million it shelled out to be the exclusive streaming home for popular sit-com Friends.

    Until March 31st, you can get a one-month free trial of Paramount+. After your free month is over, subscription rates in the U.S. start at $5.99 per month for the service (more on this below). Most of the current television shows on the service come from CBS/Viacom and there are listings that you will be familiar with including cop drama Blue Bloods, starring Tom Selleck (just don’t let him talk about reverse mortgages), courtroom hit Bull, and police drama FBI. There are also older shows in the Paramount+ library such as Hot in Cleveland and Reno 911. Paramount+ is also the exclusive streaming home for the RuPaul’s Drag Race franchise.

    Just like its rivals, Paramount+ will try to attract subscribers by producing original content including Kamp Koral, an animated series about Sponge Bob’s younger years. A Frasier reboot starring Kelsey Grammer is on tap and popular kids’ show Rugrats is back with new episodes, this time created using CGI. Programming for the streamer comes from CBS, BET, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, MTV, and the Smithsonian Channel.

    The Paramount+ app is available from the Google Play Store and the App Store which means that it is available for all Android phones and tablets and can be installed on all iPhone units, the iPod touch and iPad slates. It also can be used with Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, Portal TV, PlayStation 4, Samsung TV, Vizio TV, LG TV, Roku, Xbox, and Xfinity Flex. There are two subscription options for Paramount+ subscribers. The one with Limited Commercials offers over “30,000 episodes and movies, originals, live sports and news with limited commercial interruptions” and is priced at $5.99 a month or $59.99 for a year (which works out to more than a 15% savings for paying a year in advance).

    The second subscriber option is ad-free service. Besides watching content without ads, those with this tier of service are allowed to download content to view offline. The price of this subscription tier is $9.99 per month, or $99.99 for a full year of service. (Pay a year in advance to receive a 15% discount). Each subscription allows content to be viewed over three devices simultaneously and profiles can be created for each member of your family. With Paramount+, users can cancel or change their plan at any time. Thus, there are no commitments.

    Demand for major streaming services has been on the rise. Recently Disney+ was able to hike its monthly subscription price from $6.99 a month to $7.99 a month. While that doesn’t sound like a huge increase for Disney+ members, it is a big deal for Disney since it adds over $90 million a month or over $1 billion into Disney’s coffers over the course of one year.

  • iPhone users finally getting the YouTube Music Now Playing redesign

    iPhone users finally getting the YouTube Music Now Playing redesign

    It took Google nine months to bring the redesigned Now Playing UI to YouTube Music users on iOS. iPhone owners probably don’t remember, but redesigned Now Playing UI was first released on Android back in June.

    The new redesign makes it easier to access various controls by putting them on the same page. For example, the shuffle and repeat buttons show up on the Now Playing page instead of being hidden in the queue. Some of the buttons have been moved around to make room for the new ones, but the important thing is that it’s now easier to access them.

    There’s one important feature that’s hidden behind the artwork displayed while a song is played, so make sure to tap on it if you want to share, download, start listening to a radio station, or cast. iPhone users who received the new UI will also notice that there’s a smaller Song/Video toggle at the top of the cover art.

    The new Now Playing UI redesigned is rolled out to iPhone users in waves. There’s no way to manually download this yet, as YouTube has decided to make it available via a server-side update.

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  • Benetti Yachts Commits to Reduce Carbon Footprint across Family-Owned Business

    Benetti Yachts Commits to Reduce Carbon Footprint across Family-Owned Business

    From shipyard investment to innovative yachts, Benetti has been an industry leader in sustainably-minded innovation since 2002 with the introduction of the first hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system, “65-metre Ambrosia yacht”. One of the world’s leading superyacht builders, Benetti is part of a forward-thinking, family-owned business that understands that yachts are a family activity to enjoy one of nature’s greatest treasures: the open sea. With this mindset, Benetti commits to navigate how to limit or reduce carbon footprint across construction, design and protection so that yacht owners have options.

    “At Benetti, we deliver our enduring passion for the sea and for sailing by combining Italian craftsmanship and innovation into every yacht we design and build. Following the pandemic, we’ve accelerated our commitment to reduce carbon footprint. It’s time, money and resources that we feel are worth it,” says  Peter Mahony, General Manager at Benetti Yachts Asia. He continues, “Fortunately, the Benetti company mission is supported by a growing trend across Asia for innovative and forward-thinking options. With a Benetti yacht, we have the sweet spot where green awareness technology meets the utmost quality and comfort, which is possible through constant innovation and research.”

    Sustainable Shipyard Improvements

    Benetti Yachts has been implementing improvements at the Livorno and Viareggio Italian shipyards to enhance energy efficiency and reduce both pollution and waste at the source. Benetti looks at every possible way to improve the production cycle including reducing water waste, reducing fuel consumption with new high-power stations for moored Giga yachts of over 100 metres, replacing incandescent light bulbs with LED lamps to reduce 70% of energy consumption, installing a photovoltaic plant and a sophisticated solar thermal system to reduce 50% of methane greenhouse gases and insulating the Livorno shipyard sheds with cladding to enhance energy efficiency at thermal and acoustic levels.

    Improving Yacht Energy Efficiency

    Benetti’s design efforts are primarily focused on the hybrid engines to reduce fuel consumption and  harmful CO2 emissions. Most of the yachts have the option to be equipped with innovative propulsion systems and carefully-chosen materials while advancing propulsion systems and improving onboard energy efficiency.

    Both the 107-metre giga yacht Benetti FB272 Luminosity gigayacht and Asia market-favourite, the Benetti B.Yond 37M, are equipped with hybrid propulsion systems to reduce environmental impact and fuel consumption. Luminosity, the biggest hybrid in the world features an intelligent propulsion system developed by top industry experts co-ordinated by Benetti’s Technical Department. While B.Yond 37M is a popular yacht in the Asian market due to its reduced environmental impact with the hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system developed by the Siemens Marine Global Competence Centre in Italy. The many optimized hybrid engines integrations available from Benetti  don’t sacrifice comfort or style.

    From shipyard investment to innovative yachts, Benetti has been an industry leader in sustainably-minded innovation since 2002 with the introduction of the first hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system, “65-metre Ambrosia yacht”. One of the world’s leading superyacht builders, Benetti is part of a forward-thinking, family-owned business that understands that yachts are a family activity to enjoy one of nature’s greatest treasures: the open sea. With this mindset, Benetti commits to navigate how to limit or reduce carbon footprint across construction, design and protection so that yacht owners have options.

    “At Benetti, we deliver our enduring passion for the sea and for sailing by combining Italian craftsmanship and innovation into every yacht we design and build. Following the pandemic, we’ve accelerated our commitment to reduce carbon footprint. It’s time, money and resources that we feel are worth it,” says  Peter Mahony, General Manager at Benetti Yachts Asia. He continues, “Fortunately, the Benetti company mission is supported by a growing trend across Asia for innovative and forward-thinking options. With a Benetti yacht, we have the sweet spot where green awareness technology meets the utmost quality and comfort, which is possible through constant innovation and research.”

    Sustainable Shipyard Improvements

    Benetti Yachts has been implementing improvements at the Livorno and Viareggio Italian shipyards to enhance energy efficiency and reduce both pollution and waste at the source. Benetti looks at every possible way to improve the production cycle including reducing water waste, reducing fuel consumption with new high-power stations for moored Giga yachts of over 100 metres, replacing incandescent light bulbs with LED lamps to reduce 70% of energy consumption, installing a photovoltaic plant and a sophisticated solar thermal system to reduce 50% of methane greenhouse gases and insulating the Livorno shipyard sheds with cladding to enhance energy efficiency at thermal and acoustic levels.

    Improving Yacht Energy Efficiency

    Benetti’s design efforts are primarily focused on the hybrid engines to reduce fuel consumption and  harmful CO2 emissions. Most of the yachts have the option to be equipped with innovative propulsion systems and carefully-chosen materials while advancing propulsion systems and improving onboard energy efficiency.  

    Both the 107-metre giga yacht Benetti FB272 Luminosity gigayacht and Asia market-favourite, the Benetti B.Yond 37M, are equipped with hybrid propulsion systems to reduce environmental impact and fuel consumption. Luminosity, the biggest hybrid in the world features an intelligent propulsion system developed by top industry experts co-ordinated by Benetti’s Technical Department. While B.Yond 37M is a popular yacht in the Asian market due to its reduced environmental impact with the hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system developed by the Siemens Marine Global Competence Centre in Italy. The many optimized hybrid engines integrations available from Benetti  don’t sacrifice comfort or style.

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  • Eateries keen to go on board with AirAsia’s food delivery service

    Eateries keen to go on board with AirAsia’s food delivery service

    Eateries say they are keen to go onboard with airasia food because of its low commission and islandwide delivery. The newcomer is offering them free delivery within 8km for two weeks until March 16, and charging a 15 percent commission after that.

    Other food delivery platforms like Deliveroo and Foodpanda charge commissions of 30 percent to 35 percent and deliver within a restricted radius of 2km to 6km, while GrabFood delivers islandwide for only selected partners. Oddle charges 10 percent for islandwide service but uses Lalamove for deliveries, which can cost eateries another $12 to $20 for each order.

    Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant signed up with airasia food on Tuesday (March 2) because of its low rates and islandwide delivery. But owner Ernest Ting raised concern over the availability of riders.

    “We often face issues such as lack of riders and service reliability,” he said.

    Baoshi F&B Management goes on the platform today with five of its outlets, while the rest will go onboard three weeks later. It runs the Wee Nam Kee chicken rice, Monga Fried Chicken and Lai Bao Fish Head Steamboat eateries.

    The company’s co-founder, Mr Lem Cheong, said he, too, was attracted to airasia food’s attractive rates and islandwide delivery.

    Mr Douglas Ng, who runs Fishball Story in Circuit Road selling fishball noodles, said he messaged airasia food for more information last Thursday after learning about its launch, and will sign up due to the attractive rates.

    He currently uses GrabFood, which he finds efficient, and he considers the 20 percent commission fair. But he finds its delivery radius of 3km too small – which is why he also does his own deliveries.

    Mr Melvin Chew of Jin Ji Teochew Braised Duck & Kway Chap in Chinatown Complex said he heard about airasia food’s low commission and was keen to find out more, such as the availability of drivers or riders.

    The founder of Facebook group Hawkers United – Dabao 2020, which supports hawkers during the pandemic, said he will likely sign up so he can understand how airasia food’s system works and share the information with fellow hawkers.

    All the eateries agree that having more delivery platforms is good for them.

    Baoshi’s Mr Cheong said: “Being on more platforms makes our food more accessible. We are positive that as the competition increases, the rates and prices offered to us will be better.”

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  • R3, Enterprise Blockchain Provider Announces Expansion in Thailand with Bangkok Bank

    R3, Enterprise Blockchain Provider Announces Expansion in Thailand with Bangkok Bank

    R3, the enterprise blockchain software firm, will expand its presence in Thailand following the renewal of its partnership with Bangkok Bank. The expansion will see an increase in R3’s workforce in Thailand, underscoring R3’s commitment to the Thai market and its local partners. 

    “Thai enterprises are at the forefront of innovation, digital transformation and blockchain adoption and R3 is proud to support the nation’s digital industry transformation,” said Amit Ghosh, Head of APAC, R3. “We’ve had a long standing relationship with Bangkok Bank and collaborated with various large-scale blockchain projects, including Project Inthanon-Lionrock and Contour—as such, we are excited to continue our partnership with Bangkok Bank and to support their ongoing commitment to improving their service offering through the use of emerging technologies.”

    Highlighting R3’s commitment to the Thai market and local partners, the partnership renewal with Bangkok Bank coincides with R3’s recent expansion of its local workforce—consisting of in-market sales and pre-sales roles in Thailand. 

    “As we see new opportunities and innovations coming from Thailand, and as we continue to work with some of the Thai ecosystem’s largest actors—we want to ensure that we have the appropriate resources in place to continue providing our partners with transformative tools to meaningfully improve their business. The partnership renewal with Bangkok Bank, together with our recent in-market hires, demonstrates R3’s commitment to support our current and future partners in Thailand,” Ghosh added.

    Through its partnership with R3, Bangkok Bank will have the ability to leverage R3’s flagship enterprise blockchain platform, Corda Enterprise, to streamline business operations across its trade finance, capital markets, and supply chain businesses. Bangkok Bank is also planning to ramp up Corda training for their internal teams and is exploring new Corda-based solutions within the trade, payments and supply chain space. 

    “It is almost five years since we first met with Dave Rutter and his leadership team in New York. At that time we were impressed by their open minded and collaborative approach to developing the potential of distributed ledger technologies. The decision to develop Corda as a DLT solution to meet the requirements of financial services was visionary. In 2021 we are seeing growing interest from our corporate clients in deploying enterprise blockchain solutions tailored to their industry-specific needs,” said Ian Guy Gillard, Senior Executive Vice President at Bangkok Bank and R3 board advisor. “Consequently, we have renewed our annual subscription of Corda Enterprise for the full licensing plan. We are also delighted that R3 has shown their confidence in the Thai market by adding presence on the ground with the local office. This is even more important in uncertain times such as this when travel is restricted,” Gillard added.

    Bangkok Bank has cemented itself as a leader in blockchain innovation and is a founding member of Contour, a blockchain-based open industry platform to create, exchange, approve, and issue Letters of Credit L/C on Corda. In September 2020, Bangkok Bank used Contour to facilitate an L/C transaction between a subsidiary of Thailand-based PTT Group and a Vietnam-based trading partner in September 2020, greatly reducing L/C issuance time by over 95%. The most recent success extends the bank’s collaboration with leading local and global partners in the ecosystem. The bank collaborated with SCG Chemicals, a manufacturer of petrochemical products and GC Marketing Solutions Limited, the chemical flagship of PTT Group under GC Group, to facilitate their L/C transactions with their partners via leading local banks in Vietnam. The bank also joined with Pacific Containerbag Co., Ltd. to facilitate the company’s transactions with corporate partners in Oman, opening and receiving L/C, supporting both import and export customers. Bangkok Bank has plans to go-live with Contour and implement L/C transactions under the Contour network within its ecosystem.

  • Jaguar I-Pace India Launch Rescheduled, Dealer Network Gets Charging Stations Ahead Of Launch

    Jaguar I-Pace India Launch Rescheduled, Dealer Network Gets Charging Stations Ahead Of Launch

    The Jaguar I-Pace was originally scheduled for launch on March 9. However, the company has now announced that the wait will be a tad longer by a few weeks with the launch rescheduled to March 23, 2021. The I-Pace will be India’s second luxury electric offering after the Mercedes-Benz EQC and is likely to be priced around ₹ 1 crore (ex-showroom) mark. On the bright side, Jaguar Land Rover India also announced that 22 of its dealerships across 19 cities are ready with charging stations to support the brand’s first electric offering.

    JLR India says the retailer charging infrastructure extensively covers the metro cities and key urban hubs across the country. In addition, the dealer staff has been trained by the automaker on EVs, which enable them to answer all queries and concerns of the customer.

    Rohit Suri, President & Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover India said, “Electric Vehicles will not just be a new mobility solution, but owning one will also be a new ownership experience. We recognise this and have worked relentlessly with our Retailers to ensure that owning an EV is truly a hassle-free experience for our customers.”

    At present, about 35 EV chargers have been installed at JLR dealerships pan India and the company is in the process of installing more. In addition, the Jaguar I-Pace can be charged Tata Power’s EZ Charge Network with over 200 charging points across the country located at malls, residential complexes and highways. In addition, Jaguar India will set-up a 7.4 kW AC wall-mounted charger for customers using a domestic charging cable.

    The Jaguar I-Pace marks a new era for the automaker, which plans to go all-electric by 2025. The model will be powered by twin electric motors developing 394 bhp and 696 Nm of peak torque. The range stands at 480 km on a single charge from the 90 kWh lithium-ion battery. 0-100 kmph comes up in 4.8 seconds. The electric offering will be available in three variants – S, SE, and HSE.

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  • Foot Locker Celebrates Youth and Sneaker Culture in Hong Kong with New Store Opening

    Foot Locker Celebrates Youth and Sneaker Culture in Hong Kong with New Store Opening

    Foot Locker, Inc., the leading global destination for speciality athletic-lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories, has opened a new Power Store in Hong Kong.

    The new store, located in Gala Place, Mong Kok offers visitors a unique single level destination. This is the retailer’s 6th location to open in Hong Kong –– set to bring an engaging retail experience with premium product and elevated in-store presentations to enhance customer experience. The design celebrates basketball culture with a signature multi-branded basketball collection and area dedicated to the game. The store boasts dedicated women’s and kids areas and a studio and events space, to host brand partners and local influencers (pending COVID-19 restrictions).

    With impressive footwear and apparel collections from global brand partners, including Nike, Jordan, adidas, Puma, Converse, New Balance, Under Armour and streetwear brands including Chinatown Market and Carrots, customers can expect immersive experiences and elevated product storytelling for every occasion. The store will also provide men, women and kids lines for the sneaker obsessed and provide access to the largest selection of Nike Air Max Plus (TN’s) available in market.

    Mong Kok is a neighbourhood known for its vibrant sneaker scene and is a melting pot of cultures, a place where young Hong Kong people pursue their passion and express themselves. The store features specially commissioned artworks –by four local artists Way Fung @digiway, Stanley Wong @Sneakerconcept, Brian Liu @824Hachi and Zoie Lam @Zlism, inspired by Mong Kok and its relationship to sneaker and basketball culture. It also sets the tone for how Foot Locker will tailor the store to the local community.

    Commenting on the new store, Tomas Petersson, GM and VP, Foot Locker Asia, said, “We couldn’t be more excited for our store opening in Mong Kok. This has been a dream come true to have a store in this area where sneaker-style is so inspired and alive in the streets and really around every corner. This is our 6th store opening in Hong Kong – first in Kowloon and now in this store – we can’t wait to get to know our consumers and celebrate sneaker culture together.”

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  • Centara unveils world’s second family-centric Centara Mirage waterpark

    Centara unveils world’s second family-centric Centara Mirage waterpark

     Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, expands its popular family-themed resort brand with the world’s second Centara Mirage, opening in a popular beach destination in southern Vietnam.

    Located a few hours’ drive from Ho Chi Minh City, Centara Mirage Resort Mui Ne will be a Spanish Mediterranean themed waterpark resort inspired by nautical adventures and voyages of discovery.

    Opening in late April 2021, the 984-key resort will infuse the guest experience with elements of fantasy, wonder and awe. Fantastic family-friendly facilities include diverse dining, an observatory tower café, separate playgrounds and Kids’ Clubs for younger and older children, Cenvaree Spa, and the world’s first Spa Candy, a wellness destination designed specifically for children. The resort’s waterpark will feature a lazy river, water slides, splash pool, cliff jumping pool and kids’ pool, ensuring children enjoy endless days of excitement and fun.

    Centara Mirage has become hugely popular in Thailand following the success of Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, which opened in Pattaya in 2009 and is still widely regarded as Thailand’s top family resort today.

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  • Steel industry expected to recover this year

    Steel industry expected to recover this year

    Vietnam’s steel industry is expected to recover this year with rising export orders, thanks to improved global demand and surging domestic consumption.

    Market leader Hoa Phat Group last month exported over 12,000 tonnes of products, mostly cold-galvanized steel, to North and South America.

    This followed an export of 10,000 tonnes in January to Belgium and Spain.

    The company targets producing 300,000-400,000 tonnes of steel products this year, 30-40 percent of which are likely to be exported.

    Its competitor Hoa Sen Group last month set a new export record of 121,000 tonnes of galvanized steel worth more than $100 million. The group has a network of over 85 countries and territories, with main markets being the U.S, Mexico, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

    Vietnam’s steel industry is expected to see growth of 5-6 percent this year, with global demand set to rise by 4.1 percent thanks to a recovery in developed markets, according to the Vietnam Steel Association (VSA).

    Other drivers for growth include expectations of rising public investment in infrastructure, the recovery of the real estate market and more foreign direct investment, said VSA deputy chairman Trinh Khoi Nguyen.

    The industry started 2021 strongly, with a 61 percent year-on-year rise in production volume to 2.65 million tonnes.

    Domestic sales in the period rose 55 percent to 2.12 million tonnes, while exports rose 53 percent in value to $553 million.

    These figures indicate robust recovery prospects this year after VSA saw half of its members reporting plunging revenues last year, especially in the first and second quarter, due to Covid-19 impacts.

    However, trade officials have warned that rising safeguard measures could hurt the industry.

    Last month, Indonesia imposed an anti-dumping duty of 3.01-49.2 percent on Vietnam cold steel sheets.

    In January, Malaysia revised duties on cold-rolled coils of alloy and non-alloy steel from Vietnam to 7.42-33.7 percent for the period between January 24 and May 23.

    The U.S. and Canada have also slapped anti-dumping duties on Vietnam’s steel products in recent years.

    The Trade Remedies Authorities of Vietnam has advised local steelmakers to diversify their markets to avoid being punished with such duties.

    Nguyen Thi Thu Trang, director of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (VCCI) WTO Center, said that steel producers need to prepare themselves with knowledge of regulations on international safeguard measures and cooperate with other countries’ trade authorities to resolve issues.

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  • Ford recalls nearly 2,500 vehicles to update engine software

    Ford recalls nearly 2,500 vehicles to update engine software

    Ford Vietnam has issued a recall order of 2,470 Ranger and Everest vehicles to update the software in the transmission control module (TCM) and powertrain control module (PCM).

    The recall program will begin on March 16 this year and last until March 15, 2023.

    The affected vehicles were produced between September 2019 to February 2020 in Thailand and imported by Ford Vietnam for distribution in the local market.

    According to the company, the issues could cause problems for transmission oil pumps, which can lead to torsional vibrations while the engine accelerates and decelerates and lead to transmission malfunction, increasing the risk of collision.

    Authorized dealerships will provide free inspection and repair and the whole process will take about two hours to complete.

    Ford Vietnam said it will still carry out the replacement for drivers of Ford Ranger and Ranger Raptor models imported to the country by the Ford Motor Company.

    Ford sold 24,663 vehicles last year, accounting for 8.7 percent of total car sales, according to the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association.

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  • Big C brand name to be fully replaced by Tops Market, GO!

    Big C brand name to be fully replaced by Tops Market, GO!

    Retail chain Big C plans to rebrand all its outlets as Tops Market or GO! this year, laying the Big C name to rest after 22 years in Vietnam.

    Thailand’s Central Retail, its owner, began the process on March 1 by changing the names of three Big C outlets in HCM City, in An Phu and Thao Dien in District 2 and Au Co in Tan Phu District, to Tops Market.

    The four stores in Hanoi in Tu Liem, Ha Dong, Thanh Tri, and Thanh Xuan districts will be renamed soon.

    By the end of last year five Big C hypermarkets in Nha Trang City, Can Tho and Ha Long cities and Binh Duong and Vinh Phuc provinces had their names changed to GO!.

    The company said the rebranding is meant to create a new look and upgrade its shopping space.

    Central Group bought Big C Vietnam from France’s Casino Group in 2016 for over $1 billion.

    From 2022, the Big C brand will only exist in Thailand, where it is owned by TCC Group led by tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi.

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