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Category: Living

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

  • No dedicated Netflix, YouTube, or Spotify apps for the Vision Pro

    No dedicated Netflix, YouTube, or Spotify apps for the Vision Pro

    It was back in July when we first told you that Netflix wasn’t planning a dedicated app for the Vision Pro. And while those planning to shell out $3,499 for the Vision Pro might have hoped that Netflix would change its mind, that is not the case, as the spatial computer kicked off pre-orders today in the U.S. Other streamers have announced plans to build an app for the Vision Pro including  Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Paramount Plus. The device will be released on February 2nd.

    Netflix also notes that it is not making its iPad app available to Vision Pro users, which means that the only way for Netflix subscribers to stream using the Vision Pro is to use the Safari browser and visit the Netflix website. Unlike those viewing content on one of the aforementioned streamers supporting Vision Pro, movies, television shows, and documentaries viewed on Netflix will not feel so immersive.

    Netflix spokesperson Kumiko Hidaka said, “Our members will be able to enjoy Netflix on the web browser on the Vision Pro, similar to how our members can enjoy Netflix on Macs.” However, certain features that Netflix subscribers can enjoy on mobile platforms, such as viewing content offline, will not be made available to Vision Pro users. Netflix might have decided that it was best to wait and see how popular Vision Pro would become before deciding to spend time and money on a dedicated app for the platform.

    Disney+ is taking a different tact and has decided to go all-in on Vision Pro. Subscribers can view streaming Disney+ content in one of four immersive environments, including one based on Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre. Others are based on Pixar’s Monsters, Inc., Avengers Tower from Marvel’s Avengers films, and one environment made for Star Wars fans is set in the cockpit of a landspeeder located in the Tatooine desert.

    Disney, constantly rumored to be a possible acquisition for Apple, loves Vision Pro. Bob Iger, Disney CEO, says, “At Disney, we’re constantly searching for new ways to entertain, inform, and inspire by combining exceptional creativity with groundbreaking technology to create truly remarkable experiences. Apple Vision Pro is a revolutionary platform that will bring our fans closer to the characters and stories they love while immersing them more deeply in all Disney offers. We’re proud to be once again partnering with Apple to bring extraordinary new Disney experiences to people worldwide.”

    If Vision Pro becomes a hot commodity, Netflix could decide to develop a dedicated Vision Pro app for future versions of the spatial computer. Other high-profile streamers that are not launching apps for Vision Pro include Google’s YouTube video streamer and audio streamer Spotify.

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  • Gasoline prices slightly rise

    Gasoline prices slightly rise

    Gasoline and diesel prices rose marginally on Thursday afternoon.

    The popular RON95 gasoline went up 0.09% from a week ago to VND21,930 ($0.90) per liter.

    E5 RON92 rose 0.19% to VND21,040.

    Fuel prices fluctuate globally in the last seven days due to supply shortage in Libya, rising tension in the Middle East, and a stronger-than-expected decline in crude oil supply in the U.S, according to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

    RON92 fell 0.4% to $87.14 per barrel, while RON95 gained 0.1% to $91.34. Diesel rose 1.7% to $98.5.

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  • YouTube is really serious about podcasts, launches new tool for creators

    YouTube is really serious about podcasts, launches new tool for creators

    Podcasts have become the new golden goose for many streaming services. Spotify, Apple, Google, and many other companies are trying to implement podcasts into their services and attract as many, preferably popular, creators.

    YouTube is one of the services that has already been pushing podcasts to its consumers as much as possible. To make it easier for creators to reach bigger audiences, YouTube is now rolling out a new feature that will allow podcast creators to upload episodes directly from their RSS feeds.

    To start publishing podcasts from an RSS feed, you first need to connect your RSS feed to YouTube. The procedure is simple and requires a few steps described in a guide published by Google on YouTube’s support page:

    • In YouTube Studio, click Create / New podcast / Submit RSS feed.
    • Read and accept the RSS Ingestion Tool Terms of Service.
    • Read the instructions on screen and click Next.
    • Enter your RSS feed URL and click Next.
    • Click Send code to verify your account.
    • Enter the verification code sent to the email address on your RSS feed and click Verify. If you don’t know the email on your RSS feed, contact your hosting provider.
    • Choose which episodes you want to upload to your podcast on YouTube and click Next. You can choose to upload: All existing episodes; Episodes published since a specific date; Only future episodes.
    • Review visibility details and click Save.

    To publish a feed, simply head to Content / Podcasts in YouTube Studio, and under “Video count” you’ll find the Publish button next to your podcast feed. The button only appears when podcast episodes have finished uploading.

    The tool allows creators to re-upload an episode, edit podcast details, as well as disconnect an RSS feed from their YouTube podcast.

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  • Amazon tells its Prime Video subscribers that ads are coming on January 29th

    Amazon tells its Prime Video subscribers that ads are coming on January 29th

    Get ready for a dose of reality (and advertisements) between your binge sessions: Amazon Prime Video officially joins the ad-fueled streaming party. After announcing what was coming a few months back, Amazon has now confirmed via an email sent to its Prime members, that their favorite movies and shows will be punctuated by ads starting January 29, 2024.

    This shift significantly departs from Prime Video’s ad-free haven, a perk previously bundled with the $139/year (or $14.99/month) Prime subscription, known primarily for its free two-day shipping. But for those averse to mid-episode interruptions, Amazon is offering an option that will cost you: an ad-free tier for an additional $2.99/month, plus applicable taxes.

    Justifying the move, Amazon cites the need to fuel its ever-expanding content library. “This will allow us to continue investing in compelling content and keep increasing that investment over a long time,” their email reads, assuring us of “meaningfully fewer ads” compared to traditional TV.

    Interestingly, Amazon is already pre-selling the ad-free tier, giving Prime members a head start on securing uninterrupted viewing. This change, of course, does not apply to rented or purchased content from the streaming service. However, note that certain types of content, such as sports or Freevee titles, will continue to include ads even when the viewer is subscribed to the ad-free tier.

    While some appreciate the “investment in compelling content” reasoning, reactions by long time Prime subscribers show that they feel betrayed by the broken promise of ad-free streaming. The price hike adds fuel to the fire, leaving members questioning the true value proposition of Prime Video.

    Will Amazon’s ad-spiked strategy pay off? Only time will tell. But one thing’s certain: the golden age of ad-free streaming seems to be fading, leaving viewers with a choice – pay more, pay less with ads, or seek greener (and ad-free) pastures elsewhere.

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  • Japan’s Nintendo store makes its debut in Hong Kong

    Japan’s Nintendo store makes its debut in Hong Kong

    Nintendo has made its solo store debut in Hong Kong just a month after stepping into Southeast Asia retail with a pop-up store in Singapore.

    The pop-up store is located at the K11 Art Mall and is open until January 28.

    The store will sell products based on the video games Super Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Splatoon, Animal Crossing, and Pikmin, as well as Nintendo Switch systems and game software.

    Elephant Mario and Pikmin – making their debut appearance at K11 Art Mall – will provide fans with photo opportunities, Super Mario Bros Wonder and limited-time Pikmin-themed decor. The venue will include trial zones for Super Mario Bros Wonder and Pikmin 4, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the world of the Nintendo Switch.

    Nintendo opened its online store in Hong Kong in 2019, allowing fans of the Japanese game platform to purchase software directly from the maker.

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  • Vietnam Electricity eyes wind power import from Laos

    Vietnam Electricity eyes wind power import from Laos

    Vietnam Electricity wants to import wind power from Laos as it seeks to combat a looming shortage in the northern region.

    Several wind power investors in Laos with a combined capacity of 4,149 megawatts want to sell electricity to Vietnam, the national utility said in a report to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

    The imports will help bridge a supply gap in the northern region between 2024 and 2030, especially in summer when water levels plummet in hydropower dams.

    Power Development Plan 8 focuses on the development of liquefied natural gas and renewable power sources, which are costly, and does not prioritize cheaper sources such as hydropower.

    This means importing power from Laos will help reduce costs somewhat.

    Laos’s maximum wind power feed-in tariff is 6.95 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour for plants that become operational by the end of 2025, which is much more competitive than Vietnam’s 8.5 cents for onshore and 9.8 cents for offshore plants that went on stream before November 2021. But the Laos price is higher than for some plants in Vietnam that went on stream after that date. Their tariffs start at 6.42 cents.

    Some hydropower plants in Laos with whom it has signed purchase agreements would only begin generating power after 2025, meaning alternative sources are needed in the next two years, EVN said.

    It called on the government to install more transmission lines to increase imports from Laos.

    In the first 11 months of this year Vietnam’s electricity imports – from Laos but also China — accounted for 1.5% of total supply.

  • The delayed collaborative Apple Music playlist surfaces in iOS 17.3 beta 1

    The delayed collaborative Apple Music playlist surfaces in iOS 17.3 beta 1

    Worried about abuse and spam, Apple removed the collaborative Apple Music playlist feature from iOS 17.2. With the collaborative playlist, friends and family members can make changes to your playlist including the addition/deletion of songs, and the reordering of the list. In “Now Playing,” the same friends and family members can react to a particular song using an emoji. Apple reportedly pushed back the release of the feature to an unknown date next year.

    The collaborative Apple Music playlist still might not be available to all iPhone users with an eligible device until 2024 when the final version of iOS 17.3 is released. But for those who install iOS 17.3 beta 1, the feature is available now. Whether Apple keeps the collaborative Apple Music playlist on the final version of the update is unknown. Heck, Apple could even decide to remove it from iOS 17.3 beta 2.

    By default, only the person who created the playlist, which is the device owner, will be able to add songs to the playlist. However, the feature will allow the device owner to make a change in settings that will allow others to decide what the tunes on the playlist should be and in which order they should play. And if someone out there is sick of a particular tune on the playlist, it can be removed.

    Still, if you’d like to check it out while you can now, you can join the Apple Beta Program by going to beta.apple.com, or by clicking on this link. Sign up for the Beta program and once you do, go to Settings > General > Software Update and you’ll see a line on top of the screen for Beta Updates. Tap on that line and press on iOS 17 public beta to receive the update.

    Keep in mind that beta releases are not stable and if a feature you need every day is affected, you might have to erase the beta which will wipe your phone. If you have a backup saved, you can get your data back by installing the backup. Frankly, if having the collaborative Apple Music playlist is not important to you, you might as well wait to see if it survives to the final version of iOS 17.3 which will probably be sometime next month.

  • Ikea Korea further cuts costs due to the continued downturn in sales

    Ikea Korea further cuts costs due to the continued downturn in sales

    Ikea Korea, the South Korean branch of the world’s largest furniture brand, has faced a continued downturn in its performance, reversing the growth observed last year. After experiencing a sales decline for the first time since entering the Korean market, Ikea Korea also posted its first fiscal-year loss this year.

    Since last year, Ikea has been implementing cost-cutting measures by adjusting the business hours of its stores, with a reduction in operating hours at its first Korean store in Gwangmyeong starting next month.

    According to the Financial Supervisory Service’s electronic disclosure system on December 14, Ikea’s sales for the last fiscal year (August 2022-September 2023) amounted to US$469.128 million, marking a 3.5 per cent decrease from the same period last year. Operating profit experienced an 88 per cent decline to 2 million, while net profit turned into a loss of $4.019 million, down from $10.2 million in the corresponding period last year.

    Ikea attributed last year’s sales decline to the impact of the Covid-19 Omicron virus, which led to a reduction in the number of customers visiting large stores. Despite the reopening of stores as the pandemic situation improved, sales continued to decline. The ongoing real estate downturn and high interest rates have been identified as significant factors affecting the furniture industry, as furniture demand typically correlates with housing transactions.

    A source from the furniture industry emphasized that despite an increase in apartment transaction volume, overall housing transactions have not stabilized. High interest rates are seen as a substantial burden, making it challenging for Ikea to sustain sales through smaller items alone.

    In response to the challenging business environment, Ikea Korea has been proactively cutting costs by adjusting store hours and reducing SG&A expenses. Even the Gwangmyeong store, which had not previously adjusted its business hours, will implement changes starting next year. Commencing next month, Ikea Gwangmyeong will delay its weekday opening time by one hour to 11 am and close 30 minutes earlier at 8:30 p.m. These adjustments come as Ikea aims to navigate the current economic challenges and maintain a resilient business model.

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  • Gasoline prices dive to seven-month low

    Gasoline prices dive to seven-month low

    Gasoline prices Thursday dropped to the lowest since May 11 while diesel hit a five-month low.

    The popular fuel RON95 fell 4.12% to VND21,400 per liter.

    Biofuel E5 RON92 dropped 3.66% to VND20,510.

    Diesel fell 3.65% to VND19,000.

    Global fuel prices decreased in the past seven days due to concerns that military tensions in the Middle East would affect oil supply from this region, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance.

    In addition, the fact that countries reached a historic agreement to reduce fossil fuel consumption at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference also caused prices to go down, they added.

    RON92 fell 5% to $84.54 per barrel, while RON95 dropped 5.23% to $88.54.

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  • Netflix reveals the first mobile games joining its library in 2024

    Netflix reveals the first mobile games joining its library in 2024

    With about two weeks left of 2023, Netflix decided it’s time to share details about what’s coming for those interested in the gaming part of its service. As some of you probably know already, Netflix started offering its subscribers free mobile games two years ago.

    Throughout 2023, the streaming company added no less than 40 games to its ever-expanded library, including Grand Theft Auto Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, Football Manager 24 Mobile and Storyteller.

    Furthermore, Netflix bought a couple of well-known indie developers to help expand its portfolio of mobile games. One such studio is Night School, the developer behind Oxenfree II: Lost Signals, and Boss Fight Entertainment, the studio that made Netflix Stories: Love is Blind.

    By the end of this year, Netflix will have 86 games included with every membership without ads, in-purchases or extra fees. According to Netflix, no less than 90 more games are now in development and are expected to be added to its library in the coming months.

    Four of the games that will join Netflix’s library have been revealed today and they’re quite different: Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit, FashionVerse, Game Dev Tycoon, and Sonic Mania Plus. The latter will be exclusive to Netflix Games and on mobile for the first time.

    More games coming in 2024 include Braid, Anniversary Edition (April 30), Chicken Run: Eggstraction, The Dragon Prince: Xadia, Dumb Ways to Survive, Hades, Harmonium: The Musical, Katana Zero, Money Heist: Ultimate Choice (January 4), Monument Valley 1 & 2, Netflix Stories: Virgin River, Paper Trail, and The Rise of The Golden Idol.

    In more exciting news, Netflix confirmed it’s working to bring a Rebel Moon game developed by Super Evil Megacorp to its library, along with a game set in the universe of Squid Game.

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  • Google TV experience gets major performance boosts, new updates

    Google TV experience gets major performance boosts, new updates

    Google improves the TV experience of its users all the time, and this year has been pretty big when it comes to the amount and quality of updates Google TV received. Obviously, there’s always room for improvement, so the Mountain View company is making sure that Google TV users know what to expect in the months to come.

    In a post published on its support website, Google has detailed its future plans regarding the Google TV experience. While some of the changes mentioned have already been rolled out to users, there are quite a lot that are waiting to be greenlit.

    After providing Google TV users with an important update earlier this year that boosted the app’s start-up time and reduced RAM usage, Google has found new ways to enhance your Google TV experience.

    For starters, Google has improved the response speed for many of the features on the home screen, including preloading rows of movies and shows before scrolling, optimizing the way tabs load, and ensuring results load faster when using search.

    Additionally, Google made changes to device setup to reduce the size of preinstalled apps that you don’t use. As a result, your device will have more room for the apps that you actually want to use.

    These optimizations and improvements to memory, speed, and storage are already rolling out to Google TV users.

    But wait, there’s more! The new and improved Live tab introduced back in April is getting a small upgrade. Two new categories will be available on the Live tab channel guide: Recents and Local news. Also, Google TV users will now see channels in a new “Free live news & opinion” row on the For you tab.

    Finally, Google announced it has added 14 new free channels to Google TV, including the Xumo Holiday Movie Channel, DraftKings, and Speedvision.

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  • The Apple TV app gets a complete visual revamp

    The Apple TV app gets a complete visual revamp

    Apple TV users rejoice as the app has just received a complete visual revamp to make navigating easier. The new app looks different on all iOS devices, so you’ll benefit from all the changes no matter where you prefer to watch your favorite series and films.

    The most obvious change is the new, simplified interface that features a sidebar to make it easier for users to navigate the app quickly. The new sidebar provides access to Apple TV+ (home of Apple Original series and films), MLS Season Pass (home of Major League Soccer), Store (where users can buy and rent popular movies), and shortcuts to channels and apps viewers already have, including Disney+, Paramount+, and Max.

    In addition to all the shortcuts, the new sidebar introduces the app’s new hub simply called Home, which is basically a unified guide for all the shows, movies, and sport.

    The new hub features a Channels & Apps section, allowing users to browse their subscribed channels or connected apps. Also, sections like New Shows & Movies, Top Charts, Trending, and For You are also available within Home.

    For those owning living room devices, the sidebar features profiles to make it easier to switch between users to better personalization in Up Next and content recommendations across the app.

    Furthermore, the Store tab in the Apple TV app now combines movies and TV shows into one place so that users can easily access everything they wish to buy or rent. The same tab is also home to a new Add Channels & Apps shelf where users can explore popular streaming services

    Finally, Apple announced that starting today, the iTunes Store app on iPhone and iPad, as well as the iTunes Movies and iTunes TV Shows app on Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD, will redirect users to the Apple TV app.

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  • New transmission line proposed to import more electricity from Laos

    New transmission line proposed to import more electricity from Laos

    The Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed installing another power transmission line to Laos to increase supply.

    It would help ensure energy security for northern Vietnam, especially during the dry season, as no new major power plant is set to go on stream until 2025, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien said at a recent meeting.

    Vietnam imports 3,000 megawatts of electricity from Laos through a 220-kilovolt line.

    In October Vietnam Electricity already began laying a 500-kilovolt line strong spanning 45 kilometers to connect the two countries.

    The work, to cost VND1.1trillion ($45.26 million), will be completed by the end of next year when it will increase import capacity to 2,500 MW a year.

    Vietnam signed a deal with Laos in 2019 to buy 3,000 MW until 2025 and 5,000 MW a year in 2026-30.

    In the first 11 months of this year Vietnam’s imports – also from China — accounted for 1.5% of total electricity supply.

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  • Disney unveils unified Disney+ plus Hulu app experience in beta stage

    Disney unveils unified Disney+ plus Hulu app experience in beta stage

    As reported last month as a result of Disney acquiring the remaining stake in Hulu from Comcast, Disney announced an upcoming unified streaming experience that combined Disney Plus with Hulu. This one-app experience has arrived now as Hulu content is now available to be streamed from the Disney Plus app on Android, iOS, and Google TV.

    Upon opening the Disney+ app, subscribers to both services will now see a dedicated Hulu tile. Clicking on it opens a Hulu Hub, granting access to the thousands of movies and series from Hulu’s extensive library, seamlessly integrated within the Disney+ interface. This eliminates the need to switch between apps, offering a more fluid and user-friendly experience.

    While today’s launch marks a major milestone, it’s important to remember this is a beta phase, with the official launch scheduled for March 2024. This limited release allows Disney to gauge user feedback and refine the experience before the full-scale rollout. Additionally, parents have ample time to adjust parental controls and ensure their children only access appropriate content.

    Some may wonder if integrating Hulu’s more adult-oriented content conflicts with Disney+’s family-friendly image. However, Disney assures that ensuring a safe and secure family environment remains a top priority. The two-step launch strategy allows for a smooth transition, providing parents time to adjust settings and create individual profiles for each family member.

    Disney believes that Hulu on Disney+ will enhance subscriber engagement and value. By bringing diverse content under one roof, users can discover new titles they may have missed. Joe Earley, President of Direct-to-Consumer at Disney Entertainment, emphasizes the benefit of the Bundle, highlighting its competitive price point and the vast library of content it unlocks.

    It’s an exciting next step for Direct-to-Consumer, but people must managed expectations about what the experience is going to be – Joe Early, President of DTC, Disney

    As exciting as this unified experience sounds, this may not be your cup of tea. If that’s the case, and you prefer your apps to remain separate, this will still be an option for you. This integration is not meant to replace either platform, thus Hulu + Live TV and Premium add-ons will still be accessible within the dedicated Hulu app.

    Disney encourages users to explore the beta version and discover the value that bundling both services offers, and believes access to Disney’s original content, blockbuster films, and Hulu’s rich library will entice standalone subscribers to upgrade and unlock the full potential of the platforms.

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  • Strava brings free messaging to iOS and Android

    Strava brings free messaging to iOS and Android

    Strava made an exciting move this week, announcing messaging for iOS and Android users. The popular mobile app for athletes revealed a new feature that will be available for free to all its users, Messaging.

    Launched this week, the new feature offers users two options: direct (one-on-one) and group messages. In addition to these key features, Strava’s messaging tool provides more functionality in the forms of even more features:

    • Easily share Activities and Routes to messaging to help assist in coordination and celebration.
    • Message creators can personalize the name of group chats for a more tailored experience.
    • Athletes can bring motivation, hype and even some friendly competition through message reactions, gifs, and replies.

    The Messaging feature on Strava can be customized based on the user’s desired experience on the platform. For starters, Strava users can set their preferences on who can invite them to a Group Message or who can message them directly.

    Also, the feature’s settings will be automatically set based on a user’s profile visibility, but it can be adjusted to receive messages to and from “Following,” “Mutuals,” or “No One,” under settings in the Strava app.

    To send a message, simply tap the corresponding button on the profile of the Strava user you wish to message. Remember that while you can send messages to Strava users who follow you, you may not be able to message to a user depending on their privacy controls.