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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.

  • Crude oil exports plunge as resource depletes

    Crude oil exports plunge as resource depletes

    Vietnam’s crude oil export is plunging, partly because of depleting resources. An industrialist says the situation can only improve after new fields come online in several years.

    Crude exports volume from January 1 to February 15 this year fell nearly 50 percent year-on-year to 354,700 tonnes, according to Vietnam Customs.

    Most of Vietnam’s oil and gas fields have been harnessed for over 20 years ago and run their course, said Hoang Ngoc Trung, deputy director of Petrovietnam Exploration Production Corporation Ltd.

    In the last five years, crude oil prices have been falling, which has affected investment in searching for new fields, he told the Tuoi Tre newspaper.

    The corporation’s output was 3.8 million tonnes last year, down marginally from 2019, and the figure is set to fall another 10 percent this year.

    However, Vietnam’s crude oil prices remain higher than the global average.

    The global average price of Brent crude oil last year was $41.8 per barrel, but Vietnam sold them for $43.7, 4.5 percent higher.

    In the first two months, Brent crude was $58.53 per barrel, compared to $59.94 percent in Vietnam.

    Trung said exploitation volume is set to recover in the next two or three years with several new fields such as Dai Hung and White Lion coming online.

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  • Vietnam Airlines on threshold of regular direct flights to US

    Vietnam Airlines on threshold of regular direct flights to US

    Vietnam Airlines is awaiting approval from the U.S. government to launch regular direct flights to the country to serve repatriation needs of the Vietnamese community.

    A representative of the national flag carrier told VnExpress that a large number of Vietnamese citizens living in the U.S. wish to return home, but the carrier has already operated all repatriation flights permitted by the U.S. authorities.

    From May to August last year, the carrier has carried out a total 12 repatriation flights as permitted by American aviation authorities to bring Vietnamese citizens home amid the complicated developments of the pandemic.

    The Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines has just approved a plan to launch regular direct flights to the U.S., saying this is the appropriate time to do it using the wide-bodied Boeing Dreamliner. They expect that this move will help increase revenue and minimize financial damage inflicted by the pandemic.

    As soon as the carrier receives approval from the U.S. government, it will operate regular flights to repatriate Vietnamese citizens as well as carry foreign experts and diplomats wishing to enter Vietnam for work.

    Depending on the recovery of the aviation market and when the Covid-19 pandemic is contained, the airline expects to operate direct flights between Vietnam and the U.S. from 2022 onwards.

    The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration issued a Category 1 rating to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam under its International Aviation Safety Assessment program in 2019, meaning it met safety standards to operate flights to the U.S.

    Vietnam Airlines also got the green light to operate direct flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to several American destinations in September 2019. No such a flight under the permit has been scheduled to date.

    There are currently no non-stop routes between the two countries, and passengers have to transit through East Asia, the journey taking between 18-21 hours. A direct flight would bring the travel time down to 14-16 hours.

    Vietnam Airlines reported a loss of over VND11.1 trillion ($483 million) last year after the Covid-19 pandemic grounded all its international flights.

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  • 10 Tips To Play Live Roulette To Maximize Your Winnings

    10 Tips To Play Live Roulette To Maximize Your Winnings

    Although roulette began as a game of pure chance, you can maximize your winnings by following some simple rules. These include the so-called ‘gambler’s’ strategy, which involves placing chips at both even- and odd-numbered positions on the live roulette wheel, as well as the Martingale system, in which you double your wager after every loss.

    1. Avoid pursuing “hot streaks”

    These are generally the result of some combination of luck and skill, not an indication of a long run of good luck. These are very common among newbie players and are usually the sign that they have been playing for a while since streaks inevitably come to an end. The best way to play the casino games you love is to embrace the thrill of playing them and remember that the odds are still in your favor. Betting is meant to be fun, and when you’re having fun, you’re naturally more relaxed, which speeds decision-making.

    1. Read the casino rules

    As with any gambling, the rules of the game can be complex and will be different depending on the line of roulette casino you’re at. Once you know the rules, you can tailor your game to your strategy and the stakes you’re willing to bet. Check the rules before you enter. They will be different at different casinos and may also differ between tables.

    Use a headset, as most casinos like Cloudbet, for example, will have you listen to a live commentary to remind you about the rules and adjust your betting accordingly. You can also check the live roulette odds using the Instant Replay feature on the casino’s website.

    1. Make a bet amount that is in line with your bankroll

    How much do you have to bet to start the game? While many gamblers make a deposit into a gambling account that is equivalent to the minimum bet required to win, this way of making a deposit is subject to the same risk as making a $100 or $50 bet. Instead of just committing to the lowest possible minimum bet amount, you should opt to take a larger bankroll than you are comfortable with.

    Make the bet that will have the best chance of providing you with a positive return, rather than the lowest. Stay with the game until the number on the live roulette wheel stops moving. Spending a long time watching the ball on the live dealer roulette wheel is not generally a good idea. Keep in mind that you will be competing with other players in the live roulette casino for time and attention.

    1. Know the house edge on the different bets

    Like all casino games, the house edge (also known as the vigorish, in the case of a roulette wheel) is the estimated profit to a gambler once the rake has been taken into account. On any single bet, the house edge is around 0.65 percent. Therefore, when you start playing on a live speed roulette table, you should not place any bet unless you know the house edge.

    1. Keep a bankroll that is big enough to last your playing session

    Live dealer roulette requires a substantial bankroll for it to be enjoyable. You need money that can buy you at least 10-15 chances to win with a turn of the wheel, and probably more. It’s very easy to reach for your wallet to take out a few $20s or $50s when you get the jackpot in the roulette wheel, but that will probably never be enough to make the game worthwhile.

    Instead of using a single wallet with a wad of cash, place it in several stacks of five or six bills, making sure to keep a stash of extra money that you can rollover at the end of a session. The rule of thumb is that you should be able to walk out of a casino with more than enough money for lunch and then make a few more bets and head to the nearest ATM for a few more for good measure.

    1. Betting through chips

    This method is thought to be more profitable than placing wagers by using coins or cards, as most players feel it is more satisfying to take part in the live roulette game itself. It involves placing your bets in the hope of winning additional bets from the dealer. The first bet costs you 10 chips, and you must bet again at each of the next five spins, so if your chips run out, you have to start from scratch.

    1. Betting through money

    The betting rules for the casino games you love actually depend on how much you want to wager and what skill you’re after. For instance, you might only want to bet $100 when playing blackjack, but if you’re going to maximize your winning, you should go all-in on your bet. In this case, you should increase your bet to $200, and then you should bet the $200 again on every subsequent hand, doubling your total bet on each hand.

    1. Martingale system

    In this system, you double your bets after every loss, allowing for a loss of any value equal to the cost of doubling your bet. Thus, if you lose five chips, your next bet will cost you five more chips. Your winnings will be limited to what you initially bet, and the casino keeps a fraction of the remaining stakes.

    1. Bet on your lucky numbers

    The casinos love betting on specific numbers, so much so that some are now offering a game called Lucky Number. This is where the lucky streaks play an important role and, if you have a lucky number, you should pick it and bet on it. In blackjack, for example, the lucky number for a player is 23.

    1. Carefully choose a roulette table

    Playing live roulette on a desktop computer or laptop is by far the most popular way to play the casino game. The console versions are often less popular since you’re not in your living room or at a convenient location for the dealer. A lot of people prefer to sit at a table where you can interact with the dealer.

    Alternatively, you can use one of the immersive roulette table simulator programs that give you a sense of the feel of the casino and have many features such as a leaderboard, chat and virtual money. Choosing a table is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when playing live roulette. Roulette is made up of four “black” and “white” squares, and the number of black chips you have is the equivalent of the number of red and black chips on the roulette table.

    Conclusion

    In today’s world of money, where every item seems to have its own opinion, anyone can get caught up in the many ways you can lose money. However, the key is to find a way to be happy despite the casino or casino game loss. Even a win can feel extra sweet, especially if it is in a game like live roulette that many of you love.

     

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  • Business Groups Disappointed by Hong Kong’s Covid Plans

    Business Groups Disappointed by Hong Kong’s Covid Plans

    In response to the business community’s call for looser quarantine measures and a roadmap for reopening, the Hong Kong government remained insistent that the current status quo will remain until local vaccination rates rise significantly.

    The Hong Kong government met virtually with representatives of the business community last week, according to a report citing unnamed sources, and reiterated its own objectives with regards to the pandemic.

    Policymakers led by chief secretary of administration Matthew Cheung once again underlined the target of vaccinating 50 percent of Hong Kong’s population before any major loosening. As of Monday, the figure sits at just 5 percent.

    At the meeting, the Hong Kong government appears to have made no concessions as it reportedly downplayed the prospect of travel bubbles, border reopening with China and didn’t provide a clear roadmap for general reopening despite similar moves being made by rival financial hubs like Singapore.

    The virtual meeting follows the recent gym-linked outbreak which exposed many expatriates to Hong Kong’s quarantine measures and sparked calls within various business groups, such as regional capital markets industry body Asia Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association (ASIFMA), to push for changes.

  • Aviation industry to suffer $649 mln loss

    Aviation industry to suffer $649 mln loss

    Vietnamese carriers could suffer a loss of more than VND15 trillion ($649 million) this year with the suspension of commercial international flights still in effect.

    The Vietnam Aviation Business Association says in a report sent to the Ministry of Planning and Investment that domestic airlines had already posted a loss of over VND18 trillion last year, with revenues plunging by VND100 trillion year-on-year.

    In the first two months of this year, domestic carriers transported just 66,600 international passengers, down 98.8 percent year-on-year.

    The association has repeated its request for credit assistance from the government.

    Budget airline Vietjet Air has asked for a credit package of VND4-5 trillion for the 2021-2023 period, with an interest rate of 4 percent.

    The association has also proposed reducing the environmental tax on fuel to VND900 – 1,000 per liter and extending deadlines for paying taxes, including corporate income tax, value-added tax, and personal income tax.

    Bamboo Airways has called for a refinanced, zero interest long-term loan of VND5 trillion from commercial banks.

    Earlier, the government approved a bailout package for national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, with the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) allowed to provide a refinanced loan of up to VND4 trillion at zero interest.

    Aviation was among the worst hit sectors in 2020. The number of air passengers declined by 43 percent to 66 million, while cargo transport was down 15 percent to 1.3 million tons.

    Insiders have said that it will take at least until 2023 for the aviation industry to recover to pre-pandemic levels.

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  • Learning to Manage MacBook Storage Efficiently

    Learning to Manage MacBook Storage Efficiently

    The problem of MacBook storage is quite common, especially if you make a switch from Windows to macOS. It takes a while to learn how to manage the drive’s storage efficiently. 

    When less than 15 percent of total disk storage is free, the computer is bound to have performance problems. 

    A good Mac storage management strategy revolves around knowing certain methods to free up the laptop’s drive space. And the more information you know about cleaning up your Mac, the better off you will be.

    Let’s take a look at some of the most effective ways to keep enough free space on the MacBooks hard drive.

    Use Cleanup Software for Temporary Junk

    Starting with temporary junk files like app extensions, plugins, and caches is a good approach. The system creates temporary data constantly, and files accumulate quite fast.

    For example, the purpose of cache is to speed up certain processes by storing data in the computer memory. The files are useful for the most part. However, when there are too many, they put a strain on the overall MacBook performance. 

    Therefore, removing unnecessary junk data will free up HDD space and leave fewer files to process for the system.

    Since getting rid of temporary data manually is too much of a hassle, we recommend getting a cleanup utility tool. Such software simplifies the process since you can select the files you want to delete from the MacBook and let the cleanup tool do its work. 

    Change Default Download Location

    Changing the default location for the downloads could come in handy as well. Some people tend to forget the downloads folder and not bother checking it. Meanwhile, the number of downloads continues to grow and takes precious computer drive space.

    By making the MacBook’s desktop the default downloaded file location, you would notice these files right away and delete them when they become useless. Even a new MacBook will start to underperform if its desktop is cluttered, so you will not want to keep files on the desktop. If anything, you will want to keep the desktop clutter-free.

    Get Rid of Useless Apps

    Old applications are another item on the list. There is no point in keeping apps you no longer use. Besides, some applications come with extra files that may take more space on the computer than you expect. For instance, language support for 50 or even more languages. 

    Check the list of Mac applications and figure out which of them you can remove from the computer. And in case you ever need an app you remove again, there is an option to download and install it later.

    Remove Files From Mac Permanently

    Be it applications, downloads, media, or other files, it is important to remember that you need to remove them from the MacBook permanently. Otherwise, the total free storage of the hard drive will not change.

    If you use the Trash Bin and drag files in it to remove them permanently, remember to click the “Empty the Trash” button. 

    You could also stick to a keyboard shortcut that removes files from the MacBook permanently. Select file(s) and press Option + Command + Delete. A pop-up will ask you to confirm if you want to delete files permanently. Click the confirmation button, and the files will disappear from the laptop.

    Use Streaming Platforms

    For some MacBook users, media files are the biggest issue. They hoard movies and TV shows with the intent to watch them later but never find the time. A similar thing can be said about music. Hundreds if not thousands of tracks might be nice to have on a computer, but there are better, more efficient methods to listen to music. And these methods do not involve cluttering the MacBook’s drive.

    You should use services like Spotify and YouTube to listen to music. As for movies and TV shows, streaming platforms are the go-to option. Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu are some of the most popular streaming services currently. 

    The services cost money, but paying a few dollars to have a convenient way to consume media is worth it. Not to mention how much it can help with the MacBook’s storage.

    Stick to Cloud Storage

    iCloud offers five gigabytes of free storage. Mac owners can transfer files there and access them not just from the MacBook but also from their iPhone or iPad by syncing these devices with the iCloud account. 

    In case five gigabytes are not enough, upgrade the plan for additional storage. 50GB cost a dollar, 200GB – three dollars, and 2TB – ten dollars per month.

    Invest in an External HDD

    Similar to cloud storage, an external hard drive provides an alternative location to keep your Mac’s files. An HDD costs about 30 dollars, meaning that it should not be that much of an expensive investment.

    Besides having a different place to keep computer files, you can also combine an external hard drive with Time Machine and create data backups.

     

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  • Japan’s malls and restaurants brace for Olympics without foreigners

    Japan’s malls and restaurants brace for Olympics without foreigners

    Shopping malls and restaurants in Japan will miss out on a business boom, as Tokyo expects to hold the Olympics without overseas spectators, dealing another blow to industries already on the ropes from the coronavirus.

    In the years leading up to the Games, developers have poured tens of billions of yen into shopping and dining complexes to serve an influx of foreigners, with major investments made in Tokyo’s central Shibuya district, iconic for its scramble crossing.

    But the number of foreign visitors has dropped from nearly 32 million in 2019 to almost zero, causing the government to halt a spending survey that showed their consumption that year was worth 4.5 trillion yen.

    Now Tokyo 2020’s expected decision to block foreigners from attending the Games means a boost the service sector was counting on to recover lockdown-related losses will not materialize.

    “There was so much development, with new buildings being constructed, but people aren’t coming at all,” said Ryota Himeno, an analyst at JP Morgan Securities Japan.

    Up to eight million tourists visited Shibuya’s bustling clubs and cafes in 2019, and ward chief Ken Hasebe expected 10 million in 2020 before the coronavirus scuppered those plans.

    Himeno says that projected growth prompted developers to spend more than 300 billion yen in the district, which is also home to some venues from the 1964 Olympics.

    The most imposing of the new developments is Shibuya Scramble Square, a 230-meter glass tower that has come to dominate the skyline since opening in 2019.

    Its developer, Tokyu Corp, spent 110 billion yen on projects in Shibuya in the three years through 2020.

    “Our financial results are unfortunately expected to fall into the red in the current period,” said Tokyu’s Ryosuke Toura, with hotel businesses taking the biggest hit, followed by railways and retail.

    Across the Shibuya station, at Masaka, a vegan restaurant inside Parco department store, which reopened after years of renovation in time for the Olympics, foreign tourists used to make up as much as half of the clientele.

    Manager Yuta Namekawa is now pinning his hopes on growing awareness of vegan food among locals, thanks in part to people watching documentaries about the meat industry on Netflix.

    “Part of the reason why the restaurant was opened was because of the Olympics, so it’s quite worrisome if that isn’t happening,” he said. “It can’t be helped.”

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  • Thai Airways disputes $7.4bn of aircraft lessor claims

    Thai Airways disputes $7.4bn of aircraft lessor claims

    Thai Airways International Plc is challenging some US$7.4 billion in claims from dozens of aircraft lessors and engine service provider Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc, saying it is not liable for the monies because they concern future expenses and were incurred after the airline received bankruptcy protection from a Bangkok court.

    Thailand’s flag carrier, which is undergoing a court-supervised restructuring to trim debt and return to profit by raising fresh capital, is disputing around 192 billion baht ($6.3 billion) claimed by 48 lessors including BOC Aviation Ltd and SMBC Aviation Capital Ltd, and another 33 billion baht that Rolls-Royce says it is owed for maintenance services, according to a copy of the debt rehabilitation plan seen by Bloomberg.

    A spokesperson for Thai Airways declined to comment. Representatives from BOC Aviation, and Rolls-Royce and SMBC Aviation in Europe also declined to comment.

    The disputed amount is more than half of Thai Airways’ total liabilities of 410 billion baht. Yet an amicable settlement with creditors is key for the airline to stave off bankruptcy.

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  • National Pharmacies Improves Patient Privacy and Customer Experience with the SOTI ONE Platform

    National Pharmacies Improves Patient Privacy and Customer Experience with the SOTI ONE Platform

    National Pharmacies, one of Australia’s most progressive pharmacy and optical groups, has adopted the SOTI ONE Platform across its retail network to enhance mobile operations, reduce IT costs and increase data security to protect patient privacy.

    Founded in 1911, National Pharmacies previously relied on manual and desktop IT infrastructure to address customer transactions, enquiries and to manage stock through its retail supply chain.

    To overcome business challenges associated with manual and fixed in-store processes, National Pharmacies required a solution that empowered staff, enabled mobility, and improved the customer experience. As a result, National Pharmacies moved from fixed terminals to help automate the stock replenishment process, assist with customer queries, and improve member engagement, through in-house mobile apps.

    A Cure for Greater Functionality and User Support

    With more mobile devices being used within the business, remote functionality became a critical feature. National Pharmacies needed to deploy mobile apps remotely and previously struggled with a lack of visibility into their devices in the field.

    “Our pharmacies continue to keep pace with emerging mobile technologies, and we are always looking to improve the patient care experience,” said Joe Polisena, Chief Technology Officer at National Pharmacies. “Mobile technologies are considered part of our critical infrastructure in delivering health solutions and SOTI MobiControl provides us with the right tools for the job; verifying each device has the right software updates, right permissions and comprehensive logging to ensure privacy is respected for each patient.”

    SOTI MobiControl Protects Patient Data and Delivers IT Cost Savings

    “Mobility and the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) are having a tremendous impact on the pharmacy and healthcare sectors. The challenge, however, is that more devices and more connected things increases security risks and the potential of leaking confidential patient data. In order to provide the high level of data security necessary to protect patients, National Pharmacies is trusting the SOTI MobiControl to secure and manage the vast numbers of endpoints they are deploying to keep patient data secure and private,” said Michael Dyson, VP of Sales, APAC at SOTI.

    Since working with SOTI, National Pharmacies has experienced IT cost savings and seen a double-digit reduction in the number of help desk tickets logged for mobile devices, resulting in improved user and customer satisfaction.

    “SOTI was able to provide a full, no cost proof of concept for National Pharmacies on their devices, in their environment, and assist them with all the challenges encountered throughout their deployment with ease,” said Michael. “Since implementing SOTI MobiControl, National Pharmacies has seen an immediate impact, with a 10X ROI saving both time and money across their operations.”

    For more information on how National Pharmacies is using the SOTI ONE Platform to improve their mobile operations, read our latest case study.

    About SOTI

    SOTI is the world’s most trusted provider of mobile and IoT management solutions, with more than 17,000 enterprise customers and millions of devices managed worldwide. SOTI’s innovative portfolio of solutions and services provide the tools organisations need to truly mobilise their operations and optimise their mobility investments. SOTI extends secure mobility management to provide an integrated solution to manage and secure all mobile devices and connected peripherals in an organisation.

     

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  • AirAsia adds new unlimited flight pass offering to super app

    AirAsia adds new unlimited flight pass offering to super app

    AirAsia has introduced a new unlimited flight pass, which provides access to its international and domestic flights as well as e-commerce delivery services on its Asean super app.

    The new Asean Unlimited offer allows pass-holders to redeem unlimited flights both domestically within Malaysia and internationally across Asean for future travel from 17 March 2021 up to 26 March 2022.

    Pass-holders will also have unlimited access to free delivery services across AirAsia shop, AirAsia food, and AirAsia fresh.

    Delivery is currently available within the Klang Valley with upcoming expansion into more cities across Malaysia.

    Tony Fernandes, CEO, AirAsia Group: “As part of our preparations to welcome the recovery of air travel in the region and to further stimulate the local economy, we hope that this product can also serve as a catalyst as the Asean tourism industry gears itself for a post-COVID revival.”

    Priced at RM599 (USD150), the pass is available to all Malaysia-based AirAsia BIG Members to purchase from 3 to 7 March 2021. BigPay users can also enjoy RM50 (USD12) off their purchase when they pay with BigPay until 5 March 2021.

    Tony Fernandes, CEO, AirAsia Group, said: “We’ve always been a disruptor and this time we are taking another unprecedented step to launch Asean Unlimited. AirAsia has expanded into a super app, offering much more than just travel products and now include e-commerce and fintech products. We have received so many positive responses and support for our new offerings, and we want to continue providing value to our customers.”

    The initiative builds on recent news of COVID-19 vaccines being rolled out across Malaysia. Fernandes added: “As part of our preparations to welcome the recovery of air travel in the region and to further stimulate the local economy, we hope that this product can also serve as a catalyst as the Asean tourism industry gears itself for a post-COVID revival.”

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  • Google has a plan to make app updates feel faster on Android

    Google has a plan to make app updates feel faster on Android

    Google would like Android users to have their apps installed faster on their Android devices. We discovererd something new in the Google Play Store called “App install optimization” that would use crowdsourced information to make this happen. As Google explains, “When you turn on App install optimization, Google can tell which parts of an app you use the first time you open it after installation. When enough people do this, Google can optimize the app to install, open, and run faster for everyone.” And even though crowdsourcing is used to make this work, no personal data such as your name and email address is shared.

    The crowdsourced feature also “doesn’t look at anything outside of the app, such as other apps or content on your device. It also doesn’t collect information about content uploaded or downloaded in the app, such as images in a social feed, or rankings on a leaderboard.” What Google does is combine your data with data from other users in order to “find trends and identify which parts of the app are most important to everyone.” This information, Google says, will speed up the time it takes to install apps from Google Play, lower the amount of time it takes to open and run a particular app, and reduce the strain on your device’s CPU, battery, and storage.

    Let’s look at an example, shall we? Let’s say that after installing Instagram on your phone, you spend the first ten minutes creating your profile and finding friends. If Google discovers that most people follow the same routine when installing the app from the Play Store, Google will make sure that the first parts of Instagram that get installed from the Play Store deal with profile creation and finding friends. The story viewer and the files needed to post on the app will remain uninstalled until you try to use them or your signal gets stronger. And instead of opening the entire app into RAM at once, Your phone might load only those parts of the app you use the most lowering the amount of RAM being used while reducing the stress on your phone’s processor.

    Android users not happy with App install optimization will be able to opt-out of the feature although this will simply stop your data from being used in the crowdsourcing. You will still benefit from the faster install times created when other Android users’ data is collected by Google. Version 25.5.13 of the Google Play Store makes a reference to the feature which means that we could see it hit the Google Play Store soon.

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  • An “Instagram for Kids” is in the making

    An “Instagram for Kids” is in the making

    Facebook, Instagram’s parent company, have taken it upon themselves to begin development for a children’s version of the app.  It is widely known the regular Instagram app is hardly an ideal environment for young children. The minimum age to create an account is 13 years old, but kids are shrewd when it comes to figuring out how to sidestep this restriction, exposing themselves to possible dangers.

    Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, spoke out about the difficulty of verifying users’ age, as “most people don’t get identification documents until they are in their mid-to-late teens.” Mosseri will be overseeing the development of the new app dedicated to providing a kid-friendly Instagram experience, which is still in its infancy stage, along with Pavni Diwanji (previously in charge of Google’s YouTube Kids and other kid-focused projects).

    I’m excited to announce that going forward, we have identified youth work as a priority for Instagram. We are accelerating our integrity and privacy work to ensure the safest possible experience for teens and building a version of Instagram that allows people under the age of 13 to safely use Instagram for the first time.

    It isn’t difficult to imagine the perils and pitfalls pre-teens could encounter while using the regular Instagram app, and mingling with all sorts of strangers. Because the app caters to teenagers and adults, its restrictions are minimal to accommodate to that age group. The fact that it allows nudity (albeit for artistic or body-positive purposes), and other explicit content, is the least of it.

    There, children are vulnerable and exposed to both predators who lurk on the platform, and other negative influences such as unrealistic body standards, shady chat groups with 18+ content, as well as abuse and bullying. Neither is the merciless bombardment from advertisers and product-pushing influencers appropriate for the many children on Instagram, whose minds are too easily influenced and too young to think critically and make conscious decisions.
    A lot of children, either by choice or by accident, migrate [from YouTube Kids] onto the broader YouTube platform. Just because you have a platform for kids, it doesn’t mean the kids are going to stay there. —Kumar

    Researcher Priya Kumar has spoken up to make the case that a kid-friendly Instagram in no way guarantees that children won’t find themselves on the main app sooner or later. Moreover, it will only serve to reel them in and get them hooked onto social media at an earlier age than ever, as well as tread the moral fence of monetizing their interactions on the platform to boot.

    Buzzfeed adds that after Facebook developed Messenger Kids in 2017 (boasting strict safety measures and parental controls), in 2019, a bug was discovered in the app which allowed children to join chats with complete strangers.

  • Nearly half of Vietnamese fear job losses due to automation

    Nearly half of Vietnamese fear job losses due to automation

    Forty-five percent of Vietnamese are worried about losing their jobs to machines in the future, a survey has found.

    Most respondents, 83 percent, think technology would change their jobs in the next 3-5 years, and 90 percent think that would happen in the next 6-10 years, according to the survey by global accounting giant PwC, which polled over 1,100 people in November and December last year.

    This poses a demand for enabling a future-ready workforce, it said.

    Dinh Thi Quynh Van, general director of PwC Vietnam, said: “While an upgrade or investment in technology can be immediate, equipping people with the right skills to meet the needs of the future, helping them thrive in the changing conditions of the digital world require time and constant effort.”

    The evolution of technology also caused for optimism, with 90 percent saying it would improve their job prospects in the future.

    In comparison, a 2019 PwC report said the global rate was 60 percent.

    Grant Dennis, chairman PwC Vietnam, said: “Our survey findings reflect the accelerated presence and influence of technology in the workplace and the pace of change that is to come in Vietnam.”

    Nearly nine out of 10 people said they are provided with opportunities to various extents to improve their digital skills at work, indicating that businesses are doing their part to meet the upskilling needs of their workforce.

    Some 93 percent of respondents said they are already making efforts to reskill and upskill to adapt to technological changes.

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  • Vietnam among world’s 10 largest aviation markets

    Vietnam among world’s 10 largest aviation markets

    Its effective pandemic response has seen Vietnam become the 10th largest aviation market with a week-on-week growth of 12 percent in domestic seat capacity.

    Vietnam registered an additional 117,000 seats between March 8-15, raising its total scheduled capacity to 1.07 million seats, according to data released Tuesday by British aviation analysis company OAG.

    Despite this impressive growth, the figure was still down 31.4 percent against the pre-pandemic level in January 2020, the company said.

    China is still the world’s largest aviation market, with over 16 million seats, followed by the U.S. and India. Indonesia and Japan rounded out the top five.

    “The recent steady if not earth-shattering increases in global capacity are very welcome and reflect as much optimism rather than confidence in the recovery process through the next few months,” OAG said.

    “There remain far too many variables for anyone to be really confident about the shape of a recovery, but vaccine passports and other initiatives are all helping to build some momentum.”

    Experts have suggested that Vietnam test “vaccine passports” on certain groups of entrants before adopting an official policy for the holders.

    Vietnam has recorded 904 cases in its latest Covid-19 outbreak since Jan. 28, but most of the 13 affected localities have gone through many days without any domestic transmission of the novel coronavirus.

    With the pandemic more or less contained, air travel demand has returned to normal, with many cities and provinces, including Hai Phong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Quang Ninh, allowing tourism services to resume.

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  • Dropbox Passwords app will soon be free for everyone

    Dropbox Passwords app will soon be free for everyone

    Dropbox is probably one of the most popular cloud services out there. It’s easy to take advantage of what it has to offer and, more importantly, its basic features are completely free. Dropbox Passwords is an extension of the main service that’s meant to provide more security to users who more often than not are using Dropbox to send passwords.

    However, Dropbox Passwords is not a free service and those who want to use it must pay a $9.99 monthly subscription. Passwords is included in the Dropbox Plus subscription along with other benefits, but a free version will soon be available for those who’d like to use it.

    Dropbox announced today that Passwords will be available for free to all users starting in early April. The limited version of Passwords will include some basic features that should be enough for those who don’t want to pay the $9.99 monthly subscription.

    For example, with a free Dropbox Basic plan, users will be allowed to store up to 50 passwords, as well as access them anywhere with automatic syncing on up to three devices. Also, Dropbox will add a feature after launch that will allow users to share any password with anyone through the Passwords app. If you’d like to try out Dropbox Passwords once it becomes available, don’t forget to sign up to be notified when it becomes available.