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Tag: asia

  • Vietnam struggles to auction outdated gasoline

    Vietnam struggles to auction outdated gasoline

    Vietnam is finding it difficult to sell 102 million liters of RON92, an out-of-date gasoline the country wants to replace with more RON95 in the national reserve.

    To obtain more space and money for today’s most common and popular gasoline RON95, Vietnam needs to sell its reserves of the cheaper RON92 fuel, which was supposed to have been auctioned off last year.

    But Vietnamese ministries could not agree on a set starting price for the fuel so the auction never happened.

    RON 92 is a low-power fuel that is now mainly used to make biofuel.

    But the Ministry of Industry and Trade has reported that selling such a large volume of the gasoline is difficult because few local wholesalers currently need biofuel.

    Vietnam has not had to release fuels from the national reserve for emergencies in five years, but the Ministry of Industry has announced that bulking up the nation’s scant resources is a must.

    According to the National Reserve Law, petroleum is a strategic reserve commodity.

    But the reality on the ground is that Vietnam’s average total reserves over the last five years has been just over 370,000 cubic meters a year, equivalent to only 6.5 days of consumption and 9 days of net imports.

    Vietnam’s national petroleum reserves generally total from around one-third to one-eighth of other countries’.

  • Starbucks expands Laos network with second Vientiane store

    Starbucks expands Laos network with second Vientiane store

    As part of its continued expansion in the market, Coffee Concepts (Laos) Limited, Starbucks operating licensee in Laos, today announced the opening of its second store in View Mall in the capital city, Vientiane. Following the opening of its first location in Parkson Laos just five months ago, customers can now also enjoy the Starbucks experience in the new store in View Mall.

    The new Starbucks store in View Mall, Laos, is designed to provide customers and partners an immersive and visually striking coffee experience. The colorful and vibrant underwater world inspires the design, featuring soft light blue and orange accent colors contrasting with black textured paint.

    This creates a joyful and magical oasis-like atmosphere inviting our customers and partners to connect over a cup of coffee. The sophisticated tube ceiling feature stretches over the ceiling from the entrance to the bar, and throughout the store, highlighting the bar as the store’s focal point that showcases coffee and connections.

    To celebrate the opening of the second store in Laos, the first 100 Starbucks customers to visit the store will receive a drinkware gift upon purchase of a Grande or Venti size handcrafted beverage, as a token of gratitude.

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  • Bundaberg Rum brings a fan-favourite flavour to life

    Bundaberg Rum brings a fan-favourite flavour to life

    A world-famous Queensland distillery has joined forces with a popular local brewery to create something unique and exciting – and some big fans couldn’t be more chuffed.

    Beer and rum lovers will be happy to hear of the newest collaboration between the brewers at the Sunshine Coast’s Eumundi Brewery and the famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery team.

    They have concocted a new combination – Bundy Rum and Eumundi beer.

    Avid Bundy rum devotee, Queensland Senator James McGrath, said he has loved Bundy’s smooth and rich taste since he could legally drink.

    “It is the taste of Queensland in a glass,” the Senator said.

    “The new EU-BUNDY collaboration is a perfect marriage of two Queenslanders. Bring it on.

    “I’m as excited as a frog in a sock to try the new EU-BUNDY spiced rum lager.

    A world-famous Queensland distillery has joined forces with a popular local brewery to create something unique and exciting – and some big fans couldn’t be more chuffed.

    Beer and rum lovers will be happy to hear of the newest collaboration between the brewers at the Sunshine Coast’s Eumundi Brewery and the famous Bundaberg Rum Distillery team.

    They have concocted a new combination – Bundy Rum and Eumundi beer.

    Avid Bundy rum devotee, Queensland Senator James McGrath, said he has loved the smooth and rich taste of Bundy since he could legally drink.

    “It is the taste of Queensland in a glass,” the Senator said.

    “The new EU-BUNDY collaboration is a perfect marriage of two Queenslanders. Bring it on.

    “I’m as excited as a frog in a sock to try the new EU-BUNDY spiced rum lager.”

    The drink has been described by its creators as “a classic Aussie Lager mixed with a classic Aussie Rum” and “A lagery lager with Bundaberg Spiced Rum – lightly infused with hints of vanilla and aromatic spices.”

    Nambour resident, former 2011 MasterChef contestant and keen Bundy Rum fan, Jay Huxley has collected and drank the Queensland favorite for more than 20 years.

    When Mr Huxley’s father lived in Bundaberg, he was able to up his collectors game, by getting his dad to make special trips to the distillery to buy him exclusive and limited edition bottles.

    The local catering business owner and chef even incorporates spiced rum flavours and deserts created with Bundy Rum as a base.

    “Over the years I’ve gathered quite a collection and developed a keen appreciation for it,” Mr Huxley said.

    “Bundy itself is uniquely Australian and I love the taste.”

    He said the new EU-BUNDY collaboration was extremely exciting, as both businesses produced consistently quality products.

    “I can’t see it not being amazing; being from these two places, pretty much everything both of them do is great,” he said.

    “I am very interested to try the new spiced lager and will certainly keeping an eye out for it and trying it out.”

    Eumundi Brewery Head brewer Chris Sheehan said the partnership continues to combine two of the finest Queensland producers – Eumundi Brewery and the Bundaberg Rum Distillery – with strong local roots.

    “When we released the EU-BUNDY Black Rum and Plum Pudding Ale last year, we were astonished by its popularity, with people lining up to get their hands on the festive release,” Mr Sheehan said

    “We’re confident this classic blend will be the cheers of the town and is bound to be a hit with those looking to crack open a cold one … or a great pairing to enjoy themselves this summer.”

    The Bundaberg Rum Distillery’s Duncan Littler was also eager to welcome the new lager, which he describes as “the best of the two best worlds, in one can”.

    “We are using a crisp Lager base and combining it with our Bundaberg Spiced Rum, giving drinkers a cracking rum infused beer that has a super refreshing taste,” he said.

    A limited release of the Eu-Bundy Spiced Rum Lager will be available at the Bundaberg Rum Distillery, The Imperial Hotel Eumundi, online at eumundibrewery.com.au, and other select stores in Queensland. The limited-edition EU-BUNDY Spiced Rum Lager hit stores earlier this week.

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  • AirAsia resumes service from Don Mueang to Macao

    AirAsia resumes service from Don Mueang to Macao

    AirAsia has resumed its service between Bangkok (Don Mueang) and Macao. The route is operated four times weekly on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with a 100% load factor on both the inbound and outbound legs of the inaugural service.

    The inaugural flight was welcomed at Don Mueang Airport with a special ceremony and souvenirs for passengers.

    “The figures reinforce that Macao remains a top destination for Thai travellers and that Thailand is still a popular place to visit for Chinese tourists,” said Ms. Tansita Akrarittipirom, Head of Commercial, AirAsia Thailand. “Macao is a major tourism destination for Thai people due to its fame as a place of spirituality, European architecture in Asia and leisure.

    We received strong support from the Macao Government Tourism Office in opening this route, which will provide opportunities to stimulate the economies of both sides by spurring travel.”

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  • Nike launches Jordan World of Flight in Shibuya, Tokyo

    Nike launches Jordan World of Flight in Shibuya, Tokyo

    Located in the capital’s Shibuya district, close to the Harajuku trade zone and along Meiji Dori Street, the 9,200-square-foot space is a designed “as a tribute to basketball culture and Jordan Brand’s identity and heritage,” according to a press release.

    Inside, visitors will find Jordan brand footwear and apparel products across men’s, women’s and kids, as well as customizable products in the store’s ‘The Workshop’, including the AJ1 and the Renegade jacket.

    The Shibuya store will have a dedicated ‘Snkrs’ area for shoppers to pick up products from the app; ‘The Flight Lounge’, which offers an in-store space for members to immerse themselves in Jordan Brand history and basketball culture, as well as a ‘ Nike Member’ innovation center, providing an opportunity for visitors to test new offerings and experiences.

    The ‘Content Studio’ allows shoppers to film unboxings and reviews and create content to share through their social handles.

    Connecting to the region’s local culture, Jordan also commissioned local artists to present their work throughout the store. The Japan opening comes on the back of the Jordan World of Flight opening in Milan in December 2022.

    “Following the launch of Milan, Jordan World of Flight Shibuya provides another unique expression of basketball culture. Tokyo serves as the perfect backdrop, a city that is constantly pushing the edges of innovation, fashion, music and art,” said Craig Williams, president, Jordan brand.

    “Alongside a best-in-class retail assortment, World of Flight is a manifestation of the full potential of the brand. By connecting with people around the world through the values the Jumpman represents, we hope to create even deeper ties to our consumer and underline the culture that unites us all.”

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  • Google suspends China’s Pinduoduo app on security concerns

    Google suspends China’s Pinduoduo app on security concerns

    Google has suspended the Play version of Chinese eCommerce app Pinduoduo after security issues were discovered in app versions outside Google’s app store. 

    Off-Play versions of the app that have been found to contain malware have been enforced on via Google Play Protect, and the Play version of the app has been suspended for security concerns.

    Meanwhile, Pinduoduo has also confirmed to Reuters that the app has been temporarily suspended as the current version is not compliant with Google’s Policy. No further details were shared, according to the report.

    The Pinduoduo app no longer appears in Google Play. Meanwhile, both shoppers and sellers versions of Pinduoduo App are still available to download on Apple’s iOS store. It was unclear if there are similar security concerns around the Pinduoduo app for Apple users.

    Founded in 2015 by PDD Holdings, Pingduoduo started as a fresh agriculture platform before expanding to a leading social commerce player serving approximately 900 million users, according to its website. As a company rooted in agriculture, Pinduoduo has worked with more than 16 million farmers and their communities to take part in and benefit from the fast-growing digital economy. True to its slogan “Together, More savings, More fun”, Pinduoduo strives to bring fun into consumers’ shopping journey.

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  • McDonald’s Korea fined for breach of customers’ personal data

    McDonald’s Korea fined for breach of customers’ personal data

    McDonald’s Korea was given a fine of 696 million won ($532,110) on Wednesday after the personal data of 4.87 million customers was leaked to hackers due to the firm’s lax data management.

    The Personal Information Protection Commission handed out the fine to the Korean branch of the American fast food chain, along with a financial penalty of about 10 million won for the data breach.

    According to the commission’s findings, McDonald’s Korea did not perform sufficient access control, leaving a backup file containing the personal data of its restaurant and McDelivery customers accessible via protocols for file sharing.

    As a result, the personal data of more than 4.87 million customers was hacked and leaked. McDonald’s Korea was also found to have not destroyed the personal data of 766,846 customers for whom the data retention period had expired, and belatedly notified authorities and customers of the data leakage.

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  • Superdry sells Asia Pacific IP assets to Cowell Fashion Company

    Superdry sells Asia Pacific IP assets to Cowell Fashion Company

    UK-based clothing company Superdry has agreed to sell its intellectual property (IP) assets in certain Asia-Pacific (APAC) countries to the South Korea-based Cowell Fashion Company.

    The $50 deal will enable Cowell to own and use the Superdry brand in South Korea with plans to extend it to other countries in the region, including China.

    The agreement excludes Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

    Superdry will retain its IP rights both in these countries and outside the APAC region.

    As part of the agreement, Superdry and Cowell will jointly develop relevant products that are consistent with the Superdry brand.

    In the first two years after the sale, Superdry will offer support and knowledge relating to the brand to Cowell.

    Cowell will pay an additional management fee of $1m, in two payments of $500,000, for the service it receives from Superdry.

    Superdry will receive the first instalment once the deal has closed, while the second instalment will be paid a year after its completion.

    Superdry CEO and founder Julian Dunkerton said: “This agreement offers the Superdry brand a fantastic opportunity to expand its global reach, while providing additional funding to help deliver our turnaround programme in the face of the challenging consumer landscape.

    “I’m absolutely thrilled by the opportunity to work together with Cowell to create inspiring products consistent with our brand heritage and build out across the APAC market.”

    The IP assets to be sold accounted for around 1.2% of total Superdry’s sales and contributed revenue of £7.4m ($9.1m) in the 12 months to 30 April last year.

    They also generated a profit before tax of around £2.5m.

    Cowell Fashion chairman Lee Sun-seop said: “With the two companies aligned together through explosive synergy, the plan to grow Superdry into a Superbrand across Asia is an exciting proposition as long-term partners.”

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  • Aldi named Best Sustainable Seafood Supermarket

    Aldi named Best Sustainable Seafood Supermarket

    Aldi has overtaken Sainsbury’s as the most sustainable supermarket for seafood, according to MSC league tables released today.

    Though Sainsbury’s remained top of the NGO’s table in terms of the volume of MSC-certified products, the percentage of Aldi’s seafood range that was MSC certified rose from 69% last year to 79%. Some 76% of Sainsbury’s range was MSC certified.

    The discounter’s smaller range meant the addition of 11 certified products took it to the top of the table, with a total of 85 MSC-approved seafood SKUs.

    Nine of the 10 supermarkets surveyed by the MSC were stocking more MSC-certified SKUs than in 2017, the survey found, with Asda and Tesco the fastest-growing (adding 35 and 33 certified products to their ranges respectively). Iceland was not surveyed by the MSC in 2017, but came bottom of the table in 2018’s rankings, with just one product, equivalent to 3% of its fish range.

    Morrisons remained near the bottom of the table with 4% of its fish products carrying the MSC logo, though it added five certified products. Sainsbury’s added the fewest new products, extending its certified product range by one to 226 from 2017 to 2018.

    “Our approach is to provide our customers with fresh, sustainably sourced fish and this is reflected in the MSC’s findings,” said Aldi MD of buying Julie Ashfield. “Customers know that shopping at Aldi means they can enjoy quality, responsibly sourced products, at affordable prices.”

    It follows a move by Aldi to launch a responsibly sourced assurance scheme for own-label fish in November. Its Love Fish signage would appear on products sourced in accordance with a “range of standards including MSC and ASC certification,” it told The Grocer last year.

    Overall, British supermarkets were selling more sustainable seafood than ever before, with offerings increasing 60% since 2016, said the MSC. More than 20,000 seafood products worldwide carry the MSC blue tick label.

    “The majority of British supermarkets are making a real investment in the future of their seafood,” said MSC programme director Toby Middleton.

    “Consumers are not powerless in making sustainable choices. Our league table shows that retailers are offering their customers clear labelling and the chance to make a difference, helping to protect fish stocks for our children and our grandchildren.”

  • T-Mobile subscribers can make hands-free calls using the Alexa digital assistant

    T-Mobile subscribers can make hands-free calls using the Alexa digital assistant

    Back in 2020, AT&T subscribers could use the Alexa digital assistant on their Echo smart speaker and smart display to make and take phone calls over the AT&T network. These calls could be going out to numbers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, or coming in from callers in those countries. A year later, Verizon subscribers were allowed to link their phone numbers to the Alexa digital assistant on their smart speakers allowing them to make or take hands-free calls.

    T-Mobile subscribers are now able to connect their phone numbers with Alexa allowing subscribers of the nation’s second-largest carrier to make or take calls hands-free through Alexa. A tip  The Mobile Report (formerly The T-Mobile Report) received included an image showing a cartoonish T-Mobile subscriber saying “Alexa, make a call.”  The rest of the copy on the promo says, “Link your T-Mobile number to your Alexa speaker to connect to the people & places that matter most-with the same hands-free convenience you’ve come to expect from Alexa.”

    T-Mobile has put up a support page explaining how to set up Alexa to make calls. First, to link your T-Mobile account to Alexa you will need the following:

    • A T-Mobile account with a Voice line
    • A T-Mobile ID
    • An Amazon/Alexa account
    • Alexa Speakers
    • iOS 14 or Android 8.0 or newer smartphone to pair via Alexa app
    To link using the T-Mobile with Alexa skill, open the Alexa app on your phone and go to More > Settings > Communication. Under accounts, select T-Mobile and follow the directions on linking your T-Mobile account.
    To link using the settings in the Alexa app, follow these directions:
    1. Download and sign in to the Alexa app.
    2. Select More > Skills and Games.
    3. Select the Search icon in the top-left corner and enter “T-Mobile”, then select T-Mobile with Alexa.
    4. Select Enable Skill.
    5. On the T-Mobile login page, enter the phone number or email address and password you used to create your T-Mobile ID, then select Sign in. You will be prompted to verify your account via text message with a T-Mobile verification code.
    6. Once verified, select the line you’d like to use for calling on Alexa and confirm your address for 911 calls.

    To unlink your T-Mobile account from Alexa, open the Alexa app and go to More > Settings > Communications. Under accounts, go to T-Mobile > Disable Skill. Follow the directions.

    To make a phone call, Say, “Alexa, call [contact name or phone number]” When there is an incoming call, Alexa will ring and announce the call / caller ID. Say “Alexa, answer call” or “Alexa, decline”. To make an emergency call, Say, “Alexa, call 911.” Alexa will share your e911 address with the operator prior to the operator answering the phone call.
    When you’re home in a room where you have one of your Amazon Echo speakers or screens, using Alexa sure is a convenient way to make or take calls without having to reach for your phone.
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  • Samsung will patch the last dangerous Exynos modem vulnerability in April

    Samsung will patch the last dangerous Exynos modem vulnerability in April

    Earlier this month we told you about a zero-day vulnerability which means that a flaw was previously unknown to the software vendor and has been unpatched. The vulnerability affected the Exynos Modem 5123, Exynos Modem 5300, Exynos 980, Exynos 1080, and Exynos Auto T5123. Armed with nothing but the targeted device’s phone number, attackers can access the device.

    We know that Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 models were affected, but the flaw has been patched on these phones with the March security update which has now been released for the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro. Other phones affected include Exynos-powered phones in the Samsung Galaxy S22 line. These models were sold in the U.K. and Europe. Other Samsung phones with the flaw include models in the mid-range Galaxy A and Galaxy M lines:

    • Galaxy A71
    • Galaxy A53
    • Galaxy A33
    • Galaxy A21s
    • Galaxy A13
    • Galaxy A12
    • Galaxy A04 series
    • Galaxy M33
    • Galaxy M13
    • Galaxy M12
    • Galaxy Watch 5 series
    • Galaxy Watch 4 series
    Also affected are a few Vivo models such as the S16, S15, S6, X70, X60, and X30 series.

    A Samsung community manager posted on the Samsung U.S. community site and said that five out of the six vulnerabilities found in the aforementioned Exynos modems were patched in March and the remaining flaw will be patched next month. Interestingly, Samsung initially came to the conclusion that the flaws were not severe.

    A Samsung community manager says that the flaw will be completely patched next month
    The community manager wrote last week, “Hello, We understand the concern of vulnerabilities. Samsung takes the safety of our customers very seriously. After determining 6 vulnerabilities may potentially impact select Galaxy devices, of which none were ‘severe’, Samsung released security patches for 5 of these in March. Another security patch will be released in April to address the remaining vulnerability. As always, we recommend that all users keep their devices updated with the latest software to ensure the highest level of protection possible.”
    Until the last vulnerability is patched in April, the Samsung and possibly the Vivo handsets listed above are at risk of being compromised at the baseband level. Thus, Google’s Project Zero research team recommends that users of phones still vulnerable should disable Wi-Fi calling and Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE).
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  • Your wishlist features may finally make it to iOS 17

    Your wishlist features may finally make it to iOS 17

    The latest iPhone operating system, iOS 16, introduced many new features and visual changes such as a customizable Lock Screen, live activities, skipping CAPTCHAs, and the capability to unsend and edit iMessages. It was quite a buggy release though and Apple had to release several fixes to address issues with it. This, along with Apple’s focus on its rumored mixed-reality headset’s xrOS operating system, was expected to negatively impact iOS 17 but it now looks like the next iOS version will be more than a stability update.

    In January, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said iOS 17, which is codenamed Dawn, would have fewer major changes than initially planned. In the latest edition of his Sunday newsletter, the esteemed journalist says that iOS 17 won’t just focus on ironing out bugs and improving performance. Apple has changed its strategy and iOS 17 is now expected to have several new features.

    The hope was to avoid the problems of iOS 16, an ambitious update that suffered from missed deadlines and a buggy start. But later in the development process, the strategy changed. The iOS 17 release is now expected to boast several “nice to have” features, even if it lacks a tentpole improvement like last year’s revamped lock screen.” Mark Gurman

    It’s still not going to be as big of an update as iOS 16 though but it could include many user-requested features. Gurman didn’t go into the specifics about the features. But, as always, we have rumors to fill in the gaps.

    First of all, it’s highly likely that iOS 17 will allow sideloading, meaning you wouldn’t be dependent on App Store for app downloads. Other than that, Apple may revamp iMessage with a new home, chat rooms, video clips, and AR chat features. A leaker with a questionable track record had also said that iOS 17 would largely focus on stability and efficiency and Apple could make changes to Mail, Fitness, Wallet, Home, and Find My apps. iOS 17 may also come with an app for Apple’s AR/VR headset.
    iOS 17 will likely be announced at the next Worldwide Developers Conference, which will apparently take place on June 5 and will be rolled out to eligible iPhones (iPhone XS and later models, presumably) sometime around mid-September.
  • Sanctions hit Vietnamese exports to Russia

    Sanctions hit Vietnamese exports to Russia

    Vietnam’s exports to Russia fell by nearly 60% year-on-year to US$205 million in the first two months of this year.

    Iron and steel, footwear and electronics exports almost came to a halt while those of agriculture produce like rice, vegetables and seafood fell by 20-50%, according to the Vietnam Trade Office in Russia.

    Rubber, garment and coffee were the only items whose exports increased.

    The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is said to be the main cause as sanctions on Russia limit its trade with other countries, including Vietnam.

    Major shipping firms and airlines have stopped their Russia operations, and so Vietnamese business have trouble sending goods to the country.

    Bilateral trade fell by nearly 62% to $402 million.

    The trade office said Russian businesses are increasingly interested in establishing trade partnership with their Vietnamese counterparts, and the number of Russian companies participating in Vietnam’s fairs and exhibitions is rising.

    Many Russian retailers want to sell agricultural products, clothes and footwear from Vietnam, it added.

  • Smartphone sales tumble in Vietnam

    Smartphone sales tumble in Vietnam

    Smartphone sales in Vietnam have plunged in the first two months of 2023 as tightened spending amid rising inflation prompts the sector’s first decline in years of recent growth.

    According to an industry report, less than 2.5 million smartphones were sold in Vietnam this January and February, down 30% year-on-year.

    “This year consumers have tightened their spending, even during the Tet holiday, which has been peak shopping season for years,” said Nguyen Lac Huy, a media representative at CellphoneS, referring to the Lunar New Year holiday which fell at the end of January this year.

    Industry insiders estimate that sales since the beginning of this year have dropped to levels not seen in at least two or three years. In recent years, growth over the same period has often been within the 5-15% range.

    This decline is in line with global trends.

    Smartphone sales worldwide in the last quarter of 2022 plunged 18.3% year-on-year, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC).

    It was the steepest decline in a quarter since 2013, IDC reported. Total smartphone sales in 2022 dropped by 11.3% from 2021.

    In Vietnam, the biggest drops were recorded in the middle and affordable segments. Last year, sales of smartphones under VND5 million dropped 60% from 2021.

    “Economic difficulties have had a large impact on the low-income population, including workers,” said Hong Quan, an industry observer.

    Tightened credit policies have also prompted some retail chains to cancel their zero-interest installment payment campaigns.

    The high-end segment is also struggling. The iPhone 14 Pro Max, one of the most expensive smartphones on the market, has seen prices plunge by 25% to VND27.4 million over the last five months.

    Phan Thi Kim Quyen, a media representative of retail chain Minh Tuan Mobile, said that this year Apple lowered its latest smartphone price earlier than in previous years (in which the drop has come as late as June).

    Other retail chain representatives have said they are now lowering prices because they misinterpreted market demand trends and imported more than they should have. iPhone prices in Vietnam are now among the lowest in the world.

    FPT Shop anticipates that there will be no growth in smartphone and computer sales this year, while other chains expect a recovery in demand by early next year, or the end of this year at the earliest.

    CellphoneS is cutting business hours and staff sizes at low-revenue shops. It is also seeking rent discounts from property owners.

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  • Sex messages coax phone users into dubious downloads

    Sex messages coax phone users into dubious downloads

    Vietnamese cell phone users have been receiving a spate of sexual messages from strangers in recent times that also ask them to click on links.

    The messages that came from handles such as “Lam tinh” (Making love), “Gai goi” (Call girl) and “Tim ban tinh” (Seeking love partners) began at the end of February, and have increased since last week.

    Phuong Thanh in Hanoi’s Cau Giay District said she received text messages from obscene sender names twice last week.

    When she was dining out with friends once the entire group received a message from the same sender with identical content telling to access a link for details.

    Thanh Lam in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 said he has received similar messages in the last few days. When he clicked on the link that came with the message, he was redirected to a website that introduced a dating app and told users to download it.

    “I knew it was a scam, so I didn’t go ahead. However, it will be very dangerous if the bad guys use aliases to impersonate organizations such as network carriers, banks and e-wallets,” he said. “Then gullible people are very likely to be deceived.”

    Many phone users received messages with obscene content.

    The difference with the old scam is that the obscene messages do not display a phone number, only a preset sender name.

    In telecommunications, it is known as an “alias,” and is used only in brand-name messages registered by companies and owners of product brands.

    Computer security expert Ngo Minh Hieu, aka HieuPC, the founder of a non-profit named “Chong lua dao” (Anti-phishing), said scammers change scripts constantly.

    “When phone users are wary of messages impersonating banks, scammers turn to scenarios that target curiosity.”

    The applications that are sent for downloading are mainly spyware capable of collecting user information, he said.

    Experts advise phone users not to click on unknown links, carefully check a website before downloading apps or entering passwords and set up OTP (one-time password) security for accounts and install security software on their computers and mobile phones.

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