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Category: General

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest General Retail news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • French retailer Carrefour to launch $1.9bn sale of Taiwan business

    French retailer Carrefour to launch $1.9bn sale of Taiwan business

    French retailer Carrefour is planning to launch a sale of its Taiwan business, which is valued at around US$1.9 billion in the coming weeks, three people with knowledge of the matter have told Reuters.

    The supermarket chain operator has hired Morgan Stanley to run the sale, which is expected to kick off after the summer, said the people, who declined to be identified as the information is confidential.

    Carrefour has approached a number of potential buyers, including private equity firms, to gauge their interest, the people said.

    The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Morgan Stanley declined to comment.

    Europe’s largest retailer said in June it had started considering possible consolidation, divestitures or tie-ups of its foreign subsidiaries, but denied it had decided to sell any assets.

    Carrefour acquired food retailer Wellcome Taiwan from Asia’s Dairy Farm in December, making it the number two player in Taiwan’s convenience stores market. The transaction, with an enterprise value of $113.6 million covers the purchase of 224 stores as well as a warehouse.

    Carrefour reported $1.48 billion in Taiwan net sales in the first half, up 13 percent year on year at constant exchange rates. The company said the newly acquired Wellcome stores strongly outperformed.

    While it has expanded in Taiwan in recent years, Carrefour retreated from the highly competitive Chinese market in 2019 by selling 80 percent of its loss-making operations to electronics retailer Suning.

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  • Apple could release surprise update before dropping iOS 15 next month

    Apple could release surprise update before dropping iOS 15 next month

    Developer Brendan Shanks posted a tweet recently in which he noted that according to a beta of Apple’s Xcode software development platform, the tech giant is planning to release iOS 14.8 which is something of a surprise considering that iOS 15 is currently being beta tested with the final version expected to drop as soon as next month. The update could be needed to set up the iPhone to work with a new feature that Apple has already announced.

    As Apple says, “iOS now offers a choice between two software update versions in the Settings app. You can update to the latest version of iOS 15 as soon as it’s released for the latest features and most complete set of security updates. Or continue on iOS 14 and still get important security updates until you’re ready to upgrade to the next major version.” The update to iOS 14.8 could contain the software necessary to make this possible.

    Other possibilities include adding the software needed for the child sexual abuse material (CSAM) detection system that Apple recently announced. While most people would be in favor of ending the spread of material that would be considered sexual child abuse, some would consider this the beginning of a slippery slope. The fear is that Apple will exploit the system to scan pictures taken by users that have nothing to do with child abuse.

    A website containing an Open Letter to Apple shares concerns about photo scanning by stating that “Apple’s proposal introduces a backdoor that threatens to undermine fundamental privacy protections for all users of Apple products.” The letter goes on to say that Apple’s measures could turn every iPhone into a device that is always scanning images thus turning the handset into a “a radical new tool for invasive surveillance, with little oversight to prevent eventual abuse and unreasonable expansion of the scope of surveillance.”

    Apple released iOS 14 on September 16th, 2020 which gives us a possible release date for iOS 15 sometime over the next five weeks.

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  • 4 Tips When Dealing With Shipping Delays

    4 Tips When Dealing With Shipping Delays

    Now that an increasing number of consumers worldwide have shifted to online shopping, eCommerce stores face several issues integrated into satisfying customer expectations, and providing efficient deliveries. The latter issue will be the chief topic in this article. Many businesses have to deal with delays in their shipment, which are sometimes beyond their control. Many factors usually trigger such instances.

    Unfortunately, customers can’t tolerate delays, especially when companies fail to communicate and set the right expectations about their customers’ orders. Hence, a company must know and be aware of the right ways of handling logistics issues.

    Here are some tips on how to deal with shipping delays:

    • Work With Forwarding Agents 

    One trick to deal with shipping delays is to work with freight forwarders like a customs broker. They act on behalf of importers, exporters, and other companies who want to facilitate smooth international freight transportation. They make the process easy, efficient, and less costly.

    The roles of forwarding agents are similar to your domestic logistics partner, except they are more experienced and involved in negotiating and transacting international shipments. If your business transactions are across the global market, this tip is relatively your best way to deal with shipment delays.

    Benefits of using freight forwarders include:

    • Freight forwarders are assigned to prepare export documentation and presentation. These include bills of ladings, and other appropriate documents for the seller, buyer, or third parties involved. 
    • The company also manages customs paperwork with agents in other countries to ensure items and documents are compliant with customs laws. 
    • This is also a simplified option in terms of administrative procedures. The forwarding agents will be held responsible for monitoring and securing shipment arrival from the moment the parcel is set out for delivery.
    • Communicate With And Update Proactively The Customers 

    As companies come up with different strategies like videos to boost online shopping experiences, they don’t turn a blind eye to deliveries and logistic processes. To maintain positive relationships with customers, and create a memorable customer experience, communication is vital. This is also important when shipment delays occur. Although this phenomenon is naturally anticipated sometimes, a business should give a heads-up to their clients. 

    Since you have been a customer yourself, you know that delays happen to any business or company you have dealt with in the past. Maybe you experienced a one-day delay or worse, it could have been more days to a week. But what makes you feel calm and assured is when the company would communicate with you about your purchase. This tip applies the same way to you as a business owner.  

    Customers want information in such situations. There may be times when they rush to your website or phone lines for help. And in a bad case scenario, some unhappy customers would leave bad online reviews, and low score ratings on your site, or other third-party review sites. To prevent all these, communication and updates are necessary. 

    The more updates you give them about their parcel, the more they feel better knowing the reasons for the delay. They can understand better, and give your company the chance to explain and fix the issue.  

    • Provide Options To Customers 

    A road flood or fleet issues with your courier service can cause delays without your control. Offering customers alternatives will save you both time and reputation in such situations. Look at the other options, and present them to your customers, while providing advice on which path is the best for them to take. 

    The issue causing the delay could be resolved by the cancellation of orders, or the use of rerouting options. Although refunding the items may not be suitable for your business temporarily, it will give your customers the perception of credibility and trust. You can protect your brand image, and maintain integrity if you provide options to your customers, even when they aren’t profitable on your end. 

    • Offer A Small Gift As Compensation 

    Delivering outstanding customer service to your clients is essential to ensuring customer satisfaction. In business, this is a primary factor. In the case of a delayed shipment, you could take active measures to correct the situation. Apply some tactics to ensure you won’t miss any customers, or leave a wrong impression on them. 

    One of the tricks of the trade that many other companies utilize is the compensation strategy. You can provide your customers with some inexpensive product or discounts. Although this might require you to shell out some money, it will benefit your business in the long run. Customers will be retained, and it’s one effective strategy to improve your brand. 

    Hundreds of potential buyers can be turned away by a single bad review. Therefore, it’s best to prevent it by offering compensation to customers who have been affected by delays in the order shipment process.  

    Conclusion 

    Put customer retention practices in place. Communicate with your customers, help them understand the problems, and tell them the solutions you are implementing. Doing these steps will protect your eCommerce store from the wrath of unhappy customers. The above tips and tricks are realistic ways your company can apply when you’re experiencing uncontrollable delays in order shipments.  

     

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  • Google makes its apps safer and more private for teens and pre-teens

    Google makes its apps safer and more private for teens and pre-teens

    Google announced today some changes made to give teens and pre-teens more control over some of Google’s most popular apps. Over the next few weeks, Google will debut a new policy that enables anyone under 18 years old or their parent or guardian to request the removal of the child’s image from Google Image results including Search. As Google itself points out, “Of course, removing an image from Search doesn’t remove it from the web, but we believe this change will help give young people more control of their images online.”

    Over the next few weeks, the following changes are coming to Google apps for those under 18. YouTube will change the default upload settings for those 13-17 to the most private option available. Some useful digital wellbeing features will be promoted by Google and Google will provide safeguards and educate teens about commercial content from the app. Those 13-17 will have autoplay turned off by default while bedtime and break reminders will be enabled by default.

    As the Alphabet subsidiary says, “We regularly engage with kids and teens, parents, governments, industry leaders, and experts in the fields of privacy, child safety, wellbeing, and education to design better, safer products for kids and teens. Having an accurate age for a user can be an important element in providing experiences tailored to their needs.

    Yet, knowing the accurate age of our users across multiple products and surfaces, while at the same time respecting their privacy and ensuring that our services remain accessible, is a complex challenge. It will require input from regulators, lawmakers, industry bodies, technology providers, and others to address it – and to ensure that we all build a safer internet for kids.”

    Teens using Google Search can be protected by SafeSearch which prevents the kids from seeing search results not meant for their eyes when enabled. It is on by default for users under 13 whose accounts are managed by Family Link. With the latter, parents can decide at what time their kid’s device shuts off for the day. Google plans in the coming months to turn SafeSearch on by default for existing users under 18 and make it the default setting for teens setting up new accounts.

    When it comes to teens using Google Assistant, the company says, “We’re always working to prevent mature content from surfacing during a child’s experience with Google Assistant on shared devices, and in the coming months we’ll be introducing new default protections. For example, we will apply our SafeSearch technology to the web browser on smart displays.”

    Children using supervised accounts don’t have the option of turning on Location History which is turned off by default for all accounts. Soon, Google will prevent users under 18 globally from being able to turn on Location History. In addition, a new safety section for the Play Store will allow parents to know which apps meet Google’s Family policies. Apps will also have to disclose how they use the data they collect in greater detail allowing parents to decide whether to allow their kids to install the app.

    Google will also prevent age-sensitive ad campaigns from being shown to teens and those under 18 will not be allowed to be targeted by advertisers based on age, interests, and gender. New digital wellbeing tools will allow parents to “block news, podcasts, and access to webpages on Assistant-enabled smart devices.”

    Anne Collier, executive director of the Net Safety Collaborative stated, “Being mindful about tech use is key to everyone’s wellbeing. These new defaults for teens are protective; they increase safe, mindful tech use by making teens think about what they want to see and who they want seeing their content.”

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  • Quick vaccination key to ensuring smooth supply chain

    Quick vaccination key to ensuring smooth supply chain

    The delay in vaccinating workers in the retail and logistics sectors is causing disruptions in the supply chain, a key player in the Covid-19 fight.

    Earlier this month, nearly 40 VinMart and VinMart+ outlets had been closed for several days due to Covid-19 linkage, which urged its operator Masan to once again request the government to quickly vaccinate retail staff.

    The Ministry of Industry and Trade had in June also called for these employees to be vaccinated early as they come into direct contact with millions of customers every day and are at high risk of contagion.

    In retail chain BRG Mart, 30 percent of staff have received their first dose. The ratio for conglomerate Masan is 16 percent, Bach Hoa Xanh (operated by Mobile World) 21 percent, MM Mega Market over 30 percent, and Co.opmart Hanoi 30 percent.

    Nguyen Thi Kim Dung, CEO of Co.opmart Hanoi, of which one supermarket was closed for three days due to Covid-19 linkage, said social distancing alone is not enough to reduce the risks for retail workers.

    “The earlier these employees are vaccinated the sooner customers are protected.”

    Dung said Co.opmart had made the request to different government bodies but all had stated vaccines were not available.

    Retail workers, however, are only part of the supply chain.

    Le Duy Binh, CEO of market research company Economica Vietnam, said drivers, shippers, and customs officers also need to be prioritized as they serve in the frontline of the economy and deliver essential goods.

    Although government officials have demanded shippers be prioritized for vaccination, experts say the process needs to be sped up amid a surging number of Covid-19 cases.

    Economist Phung Duc Tung said vaccines are being distributed mostly to localities when instead it should be distributed to sectors to ensure the flow of essential goods.

  • Google is bringing a huge change to the Play Store

    Google is bringing a huge change to the Play Store

    As of this month onwards, Google is completely changing the game when it comes to the development and functionality of applications published on the Google Play store.

    Until now, most Android apps have been submitted to the Play Store packaged in the traditional APK format, or Android Package Kit. In this form, an app is packaged into one single bundle that goes up on the Play Store, and is then downloaded in that same compact form to desiring Android customers, with all the odds and ends included.

    As simple as it sounds, this is hardly the optimal delivery standard, mainly because it may burden the user with much more than they will need or use on their particular device.

    From August 1, however, Google is obligating Android software developers to deliver all their applications via the newer AAB (Android App Bundle) framework. The good news is that the shift won’t constitute a huge hassle for developers, as they don’t have to change too much on their end between the two standards.

    Now, you may be thinking that this probably only concerns developers, and won’t affect the everyday end user—but that would be far from the truth. The new app delivery format allows for much greater compartmentalization of components within the app, prioritization, and optimization in order to deliver the smoothest experience to whichever Android device you are using.

    Here is what this all means:

    1. No unnecessary app clutter

    In the older APK format, if a developer wanted their Android app to be usable on multiple Android device types (smartphones and tablets, for example), they would go one of two routes. In the first scenario, they would create all the necessary particularities and differing graphics for each device that will use the app, and bundle them all together into a single application on the Play Store.

    When a user downloads the APK app on their phone, then, they often end up with unnecessary odds and ends that are particular to other devices, which they’ll never use or need on their own phone.

    Alternatively, developers could also create and publish separate APK’s for each Android device the app will be run on, but that’s obviously inconvenient and a general hassle.

    But with apps bundled in the AAB framework, the Play Store is able to smartly split up the bundle into separate APK’s, recognizing which one is right for your device, and thus only downloading what’s necessary. These optimized APK’s are 15% more compact than their old counterparts, Google claims.

    2. Effective Compartmentalization

    The AAB framework allows apps to be broken down into components with differing targets and priorities, which may be downloaded one at a time to the end user, as needed. The Play Store will then automatically know which version or components to deliver to a user’s specific device, without cluttering them with unnecessary packages.

    Games or other heavier, multi-layered apps will also have the ability to be downloaded to your phone part by part, as the need arises. If you start a new graphics-heavy game, then, the Play Store could download it to your device level by level (or a few levels at a time), for example—so you don’t have to bother with insane loading times every time you open the app.

    Developers also have the freedom to play around with optional add-ons, such as augmented reality—which may work on some devices but not others—which come separately and are only downloaded to the appropriate device, when needed.

    3. Reduced load on cheaper phones

    While the Google Play Store changes will certainly streamline the average app user experience even on the newest of flagships, those with older or slower phones should see a significant difference in load times and reduced device strain.

    Because older or low-tier phones generally have weaker processors and less storage space, they will see the biggest improvement in the way newer AAB apps behave.

    Google created AAB in 2018

    The new AAB format was actually launched along with Android 9 in 2018, and has been free for developers to use at their own discretion this whole time. It’s also completely open-source and available for other application libraries to adopt if they choose.

    Google reports that already one thousand of the most popular apps are built on AAB’s, and there are already over 1 million live apps using the newer format.

    While AAB is not a novel framework in and of itself, with the new requirement that all Google Play apps be submitted in AAB’s, Google is simply enforcing the already trending, more efficient format across the Android platforms for the benefit of the end user, and at no serious cost on the development side.

    Traditional APK’s that are already on the Play Store will stay and work just fine, as only future apps will be impacted.

    The one downside, as noted by Wired, is that because AAB is Google’s handiwork, and Google controls the full packaging and verification process, the tech giant is tightening the rains on the Play Store ecosystem, wielding complete control over app distribution in the foreseeable future.

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  • TikTok is now the world’s most downloaded app

    TikTok is now the world’s most downloaded app

    According to a global analysis compiled by Nikkei, TikTok has officially overtaken Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and every other messaging platform to become the most downloaded social media app in the world.

    Until 2021, Facebook had held that title—unsurprisingly, as it has somehow managed to keep growing over the years up to a current accumulated net worth of over one thousand billion. TikTok has proven to be something of a dark horse behind the scenes, however, growing around the world at an unprecedented rate until it’s taken over social media—and most of Gen Z’s free time.

    While YouTube has also been changing the video scene over time, with the most popular videos currently stretching around ten minutes—miles shorter than traditional TV or video entertainment—TikTok has been paving the way for something completely new: very quick, snappy videos averaging between nine to fifteen seconds.

    In the beginning, most TikToks were quick, funny clips aimed at making you smile or laugh, something akin to Vine when it peaked in 2014 before it passed into oblivion. TikTok isn’t showing signs of dying anytime soon, though, and its style has expanded to include educational clips, life hacks, mini cooking tutorials, and much more.

    The possibilities have become endless, and thousands of businesses have taken advantage to advertise their products or services as well as provide entertainment.

    TikTok has even been inspiring other platforms to mimic its style, after seeing its popularity boom—such as Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts. Both of these have been pushed as additional short-video platforms alongside the main platform, which provide a refreshing alternative to the regular content most established influencers or YouTubers are used to posting and consuming.

    Instagram Reels is different from Instagram Stories, shown in their very own niche corner in the app, and YouTube Shorts can be found on the Shorts Shelf right near the top of the home page.

    For a while last year, we didn’t really think TikTok was going to make it in the US, after Trump had threatened to eradicate the app from the United States due to a claimed national security risk. Things didn’t quite work out the way Trump had hoped, though, and although new app downloads were banned for a while, Biden signed an executive order this year revoking all bans on both Tiktok and WeChat (another Chinese messaging app targeted by Trump).

    The pandemic served to provide a massive boost to TikTok’s popularity, as not only were most people stuck at home with limited means of entertainment, but also because many famous artists were forced to cancel shows and tours, and decided to take to this platform (and others) instead.

    I enjoy videos by artists who aren’t performing live anymore because of the pandemic. —Nina, 37, from Portland

    Interestingly, TikTok has never touted any particular safety features, and many still harbor concerns that their data may be compromised. However, that doesn’t seem to have impacted the app’s fame in the least, in spite of other apps like WhatsApp working hard to stay above competing platforms in terms of maximal data encryption and privacy. Apparently, if an app is entertaining enough, privacy concerns take a back seat for many users.

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  • Four things to check once you start searching for a new online bookmaker

    Four things to check once you start searching for a new online bookmaker

    People who bet on sports usually choose one option because it allows them to learn everything about it. However, some users prefer to punt on many things, which is why most online sports betting websites give their clients the chance to choose from every sport in the world. Needless to say, this makes choosing a new bookmaker easier said than done.

    Since some players might have difficulties choosing the best betting site, we’ve decided to point out several things to look out for. Users who follow them should be able to find the thing they are interested in fairly quickly.

    1. Check its rating 

    One of the things that people forget to do when choosing a new gambling website is to check its rating. After visiting Nostrabet, we found the hall of the bookmakers where you have a table that allows you to pick one of them, and interestingly, each site had its own rating. This makes it easy to choose the most appropriate option because the rating will show you what people think about the given brand. The fact that many users like a specific gambling website means that it probably offers high-quality products.

    1. Look at the available betting markets

    After checking the rating, it is time to visit each online bookmaker individually before choosing the right one. Once you enter the sportsbooks and go over the available options, choose some of the more popular sports and check the number of markets. Depending on the gambling platform, you may find hundreds of pre-match and live betting markets for some of the sports, such as football and basketball. Naturally, you won’t have access to that many options if you are interested in things like badminton, eSports, boxing, and so on.

    1. Try to learn about the minimum and maximum bet requirements

    Although having access to loads of sports and markets is great, you also have to check each gambling operator’s minimum and maximum bet requirements. Once you visit Nostrabet and check the list of bookmakers, pick the one you like the most and head over to the Terms and Conditions.

    It will probably take you a couple of minutes, but it is definitely worth it because you will learn the site’s minimum and maximum bet requirements. Those rules are extremely important because some brands have high minimum conditions. As a result, you might spend a lot more money than you’ve anticipated.

     

    1. Make sure there are enough betting features

    Another thing that plays an important role when choosing a new gambling website is the betting features. People who like sports will have the chance to choose from different kinds of betting options that will let them watch live sports events, settle their bets, change their odds, and much more.

    The majority of bookmakers offer plenty of things to pick from, but some brands go one step further and add unique options. Therefore, check all of the features before you start betting and decide which one you need.

     

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  • How do professional casino players find the best gambling websites?

    How do professional casino players find the best gambling websites?

    People who like casino games can be divided into two big groups. Gamblers who belong to the first group play slots, table games, poker, and other kinds of casino games because it is fun and they want to experience something new. Most of the time, they choose one of the many online casinos, complete the registration process, and use its services until they get bored.

    On the other hand, people who belong to the second group of players are known for their professional approach. They play casino games because they want to win as much as possible. Hence, they are looking for specific things when choosing a gambling website. Since most professional betting websites are way better than their alternatives, we’ve decided to point out a few things that you can use to find some of the best online casinos in the world.

    Always try to learn as much information as you can about the website’s background

    One of the key things that can make a difference when choosing a new online casino is the site’s background. This might not seem important at first, but it can indicate whether a given gambling platform is worth it. The bad news is that learning additional info about a specific operator takes a lot of time. Fortunately, users who visit Silentbet from here will have the chance to learn more about each top casino before opening an account. This information will come in handy because it will give you an overall idea of what you can expect from the given site.

    Generally speaking, it is not a good idea to choose a gambling website that does not have any previous experience. While it is true that there are some exceptions, most top-rated online casinos have many years of iGaming experience.

    Most pro players choose brands that have an affiliate program

    Many people visit Silentbet because the reviews there show them whether a given gambling website has an affiliate section. Despite the fact that this thing does not have a direct impact on your betting experience, it is a clear indication that the platform is good because it is willing to reward those that promote its services. As you can probably guess, it won’t offer those things unless it is confident in the products it offers.

    It should be noted that most top online casinos are a part of larger affiliate firms that consist of several gambling brands. This explains why the commissions and the marketing tool are usually the same.

    They make sure that every brand offers a fast payout process

    Even though some users never check the payment sections, this is one of the things that will indicate whether the given gambling operator is as good as it claims it is. Professional casino players only choose reputable companies that allow fast payouts processes. This means that they can withdraw their winnings within minutes, regardless of which payment option they use. This includes e-wallet, digital currencies, and more.

     

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  • Tips & Tricks for choosing the best betting website in Australia

    Tips & Tricks for choosing the best betting website in Australia

    Australia is one of the most beautiful countries in the world that has loads of sports fans. People who live there watch all kinds of things, including soccer, rugby, and tennis. In fact, the country is home to one of the biggest tennis tournaments of the year – the Australian Open.

    Needless to say, many people who watch sports there also like to place bets. That’s why the country is also home to numerous gambling websites, some of which are also available in other countries. Choosing the best website requires you to have some experience in the iGaming industry because most of them look the same. Needless to say, most people reading this probably don’t know what to look for, which is why we’ve decided to point out a few tips and tricks.

    Try to see if the given website is available in your region

    Even though Australia is not the most populated country globally, it is pretty big when it comes down to its territory. That’s why it is advisable to visit Efirbet and check the new list of the most trusted betting sites for Australia, where you will find loads of options, most of which are available throughout the country.

    Since Australia is so big, some places have local laws which might not allow certain gambling websites. Sadly, this is a common problem that you might have to deal with, especially if you live in some parts of the country. Consequently, you might not have the chance to use the gambling website you like.

    Find a gambling brand that allows you to use AUD

    One of the common problems that bettors from Australia might face is having to use different currencies. Even though online betting is popular within the country, most gambling websites do not support AUD (the local currency). As a result, Australian bettors have to use EUR, USD, GBP, etc., which is not always a good idea because they might be forced to pay fees on each transaction.

    Fortunately, Efirebet’s list of trusted betting websites for Australia contains betting sites that support AUD. This means that you no longer have to worry each time you have to make a deposit or withdraw your winnings. Besides the currency, most gambling sites that focus on the Australian markets allow clients to make fast payments using the popular deposit and withdrawal options.

    Pay special attention to the bonuses for Australian players

    Even though many Australian players like using betting bonuses, some gambling websites won’t always give them the chance to claim a welcome promo or any other offers. In fact, some bookies explicitly forbid Australian players to take advantage of those things.

    The good news is that you don’t have to worry about this if you choose one of the gambling platforms that pay a lot of attention to Australian customers. Every promotion found on those websites is available to bettors from the country, regardless if they are new or registered customers.

     

  • Delivery companies miss out on demand surge amid stay-at-home orders

    Delivery companies miss out on demand surge amid stay-at-home orders

    Delivery companies are unable to capitalize on rising demand since drivers are not keen amid mobility restrictions and delayed vaccination. Hung, a shipper in Hanoi, has shut down his driver’s app for over a week now after the city imposed travel restrictions.

    Through his company, AhaMove, does provide paperwork for the 22-year-old to pass through checkpoints set up to discourage people from coming out into the streets, he is concerned about contracting Covid and spreading it at home.

    “It is difficult financially, but since I do not know when I’ll be vaccinated, I’d rather stay at home for safety,” he said.

    Nghia, who works for Grab, does not have the liberty to make that choice since the city does not allow his company to operate.

    Hanoi allows delivery people from supermarkets, e-commerce platforms and postal services but not from ride-hailing companies like Grab, Be Gojek, MyGo, and FastGo.

    “It is unfair. Three or four trips a day would help me earn enough for food, but we cannot do anything but wait.”

    The shortage of drivers and ambiguous and inequitable regulations mean delivery companies are unable to take advantage of the surging demand amid the lockdowns in Hanoi and HCMC.

    AhaMove reported a tenfold rise in the number of orders after the lockdown began, but it cannot accept much of them since its drivers are not allowed past checkpoints. Hanoi does not allow delivery of “non-essential” goods.

    “Many shippers refrain from working since they have to pay for their own Covid-19 tests,” Tuoi Tre newspaper quoted Phan Tuong Bach, operating director of AhaMove, as saying.

    In HCMC, there are times when the number of orders is triple the normal rate, but a driver shortage means they could not be accepted, he said.

    There is also confusion occasionally as authorities in Hanoi and HCMC abruptly change regulations catching delivery companies unawares.

    AhaMove last week had to apologize to its drivers and customers in HCMC after some of its drivers were fined for delivering goods after 6 p.m. amid a ban on people leaving their homes at night.

    Startup Loship is facing similar difficulties as many of its drivers had stopped working.

    CEO Nguyen Hoang Trung said working conditions have become extremely difficult for delivery people because of lack of clarity on what constitute essential goods.

    The company has doubled the minimum income in the hope of attracting more drivers back to work.

    Be Group saw orders rise tenfold in mid-July but had to suspend operations two weeks later to keep its drivers safe.

    Ride-hailing giant Grab asked to be allowed to deliver food, saying Hanoi’s suspension of its services while allowing other delivery companies to operate goes against its policy on fair competition. But its demand has yet to be approved.

    HCMC has had strict social distancing regulations since July 9, and they will continue until August 16. Its Covid-19 tally now is more than 112,000.

    Hanoi is in the 14th day of a 15-day social distancing campaign. The city has had nearly 1,800 cases.

  • Microsoft Teams will be getting a helpful search feature named ‘Top Hits’ soon

    Microsoft Teams will be getting a helpful search feature named ‘Top Hits’ soon

    Microsoft has been working hard on improving its chat and collaboration app Teams since last year when many people were forced to work from home. Alongside many improvements and new features, there’s one improvement set to make users’ lives way easier. Microsoft Teams will be updating its search.

    A new entry to the Microsoft 365 Roadmap has now been published regarding the Microsoft Teams search functionality. According to the entry, the search experience on Teams will be improved by ‘Top Hits’ results that would be automatically generated.

    Microsoft stated that the new section will autosuggest the most relevant results across people, chats, files, and other content stored or shared in the app.

    The new feature is still under development, but it is expected to roll out to users by the end of this month.

    Microsoft has been investing a lot of effort into bringing new features to the Teams platform since the start of the pandemic. It has brought together video conferencing, file sharing, project management, and other features to Teams, further expanding its range of functionality.

    This expansion necessitates a better search functionality, though. Currently, the autosuggest in search provides a few possible results by type, and users can apply filters to them for a more specific search. However, the Top Hits section is expected to bring another layer of intelligence to the existing search options. This will make it easier to find exactly what you’re searching for on the first try, therefore reducing your search time and boosting your productivity.

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  • Apple working on exclusive Apple services promotions for Apple Card users in the US

    Apple working on exclusive Apple services promotions for Apple Card users in the US

    Apple has now set up a new way of promoting its services to Apple Card owners in the US. The company has now started giving users promotions of services in the Wallet app, in a special section of the app with special offers.

    The new feature was spotted by Mark Gurman on iOS 15 and the Wallet app. Currently, the promotion available was regarding a News+ offer; however, the link does not lead anywhere so it is possible it is still in development.

    It seems the new feature is not only available to iOS 15 but it is also shown to Apple Card users in the US with iOS 14.

    Until now, Apple Card users could benefit from exclusive benefits, but usually, these were related to other stores or services. Now, Cupertino is more aggressively promoting Apple News+ or possibly other Apple subscriptions in the future.

    Apple News+ is a subscription for the News app, that allows you to read newspapers and magazine articles ad-free. The price of the subscription is $9.99 a month, giving you access to more than 300 titles, online and offline browsing, and even News+ audio stories for the week’s best articles.

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  • TikTok is now working on an Instagram-Story-like feature

    TikTok is now working on an Instagram-Story-like feature

    TikTok was an exception to the fact all social media platforms have been getting some sort of an Instagram-Story-like feature, but this is no longer the case. TikTok will now be getting a Story-like feature too.

    Matt Navarra was the first one to reveal the company was working on a Stories feature earlier on Twitter. Currently, all the mainstream social media platforms have a form of Stories – a disappearing post that stays up for 24 hours on your account.

    The fact TikTok is developing the popular feature has been confirmed now by a representative of the company, stated The Verge. The feature will be simply called “TikTok Stories” and will work similarly to the Stories on Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat.

    The published Stories will be visible in a newly-added slide-over sidebar in the TikTok app, and you will be able to see Stories by the accounts you follow on TikTok for 24 hours before they automatically disappear. Of course, reactions and comments to Stories will also be present. And, just like Instagram, tapping on a user’s profile picture on TikTok will load a Story if they currently have one active.

    This will be a new way you can interact with your fans, claims TikTok. You will be able to create a new Story by a “create” button that will be available on the sidebar, and as usual, you will be able to write captions, put music and text on. Quite understandably, Stories on TikTok will need to be videos and not a still image.

    At the moment, there’s no clear indication when the new feature will be released to the general public.

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  • What can you expect to find in an online casino that focuses on the Asian market?

    What can you expect to find in an online casino that focuses on the Asian market?

    Online casinos are popular all over the world, including in some Asian countries. Although betting is not as popular there as in Europe, this is slowly changing because some countries have started to become more “open” towards betting websites.

    While it is true that most people who bet online like sports, the number of online casino fans is also growing by the day. This led to the creation of many new online casinos, some of which deserve more attention. Here are some of the things that you can expect to find once you start using them.

    Different casino games that are popular in Asia

    The primary reason why people visit online casinos is to play loads of games. If you decide to check the review where you can read what to expect from the Parimatch’s casino and its casino games, you will see that one of the biggest iGaming operators can provide you with an abundance of options. Since most Asian bettors prefer slots, you will usually have the chance to avail yourself of thousands of options with different reels and special symbols.

    Most prominent online casinos only provide games created by world-class developers, which makes them even more special. What’s even more impressive is the fact that you can play some of the titles in a demo mode.

    Most online casinos also have a sportsbook

    Since most Asian bettors are huge sports fans, even some of the biggest online casinos have a sportsbook. For example, users who read the Parimatch casino review by Betenemy will see that they can bet on their favorite sports and players without the need to create another account.

    Of course, not every sportsbook is the same, especially if you are interested in some things, such as eSports. As you probably know, computer games are trendy in places, such as Southeast Asia, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise many bookmakers offer special eSports betting markets and odds.

    Asian-specific payment options

    Although online casinos are famous for their demo mode, users who want to have the chance to win real money have to place bets after making a deposit. The most popular payment solutions are found worldwide, and most Asian countries are no exception. However, some places might use specific payment solutions that are not available anywhere else. This means that if you choose a casino that is available within the given territory, you could have the chance to put it to the test.

    The best security features

    Regardless of whether you live in Asia or any other continent, one of the first things you have to check when choosing an online casino is whether it has enough security features. Luckily, most betting operators know that they need to provide their clients with an SSL certificate and a firewall, which keeps their information safe. Besides that, you can also find many other security options, some of which are only available in some parts of the world.

    People who like casino games can be divided into two big groups. Gamblers who belong to the first group play slots, table games, poker, and other kinds of casino games because it is fun and they want to experience something new. Most of the time, they choose one of the many online casinos, complete the registration process, and use its services until they get bored.

     

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