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Tag: asia

  • M1 and Blacknut to deliver 5G-powered cloud gaming services in Singapore

    M1 and Blacknut to deliver 5G-powered cloud gaming services in Singapore

    M1 Limited (M1) has announced an exclusive partnership with market-leading cloud gaming specialist Blacknut, to bring an all-you-can-play 5G-powered cloud gaming service to Singapore.

    Boasting the world’s largest catalog for cloud gaming, Blacknut has a unified gaming platform that is fully integrated within the M1 ecosystem, enabling users to have unlimited access to more than 450 high-quality PC and console titles, including renowned hits like Overcooked, Lord of Fallen, Modern Combat 5, Asphalt9 and more. Serious and casual gamers will soon be able to discover a seamless “click & play” experience, anytime and anywhere, regardless of their device – television, PC, tablet, or mobile.

    Leveraging the high speed and ultra-low latency of M1’s True 5G network, this upcoming cloud gaming service ensures seamless and uninterrupted gaming experiences for subscribers.

    “True 5G not only transforms businesses but also consumer experiences. We are excited to show the game-changing prowess of 5G through our partnership with Blacknut, to level up gaming experiences for Singaporean gamers. Powered by 5G connectivity, M1 is on track to create an inclusive gaming ecosystem by enabling affordable and accessible gaming options,” said Manjot Singh Mann, chief executive officer, M1.

    “We are very proud to support M1 in their 5G deployments with Blacknut Cloud Gaming. We are pleased that our platform is a great fit and fully aligned with M1’s 5G ambitions. Pairing Blacknut with M1’s 5G connectivity delivers ultra-responsive cloud gaming backed by a fast, reliable network and the best market solution to fulfil M1’s vision for Singapore,” said Olivier Avaro, chief executive officer, Blacknut.

    Since its launch in July, M1’s True 5G network coverage has expanded to about 65% of Singapore, and with the continual growth of the infrastructure, customers can expect to soon enjoy more innovative and diversified digital experiences and even more OTT offerings.

    M1 has been a frontrunner in Singapore’s 5G development and was the first telco in the nation to embark on 5G trials as early as 2018. To date, M1 has a record of more than 15 5G use cases and trials across consumer, enterprise and government sectors. To further the 5G ambition and fully unleash the power of True 5G for all, M1 is also working with Workforce Singapore (WSG) to upskill and train close to 10% of the entire workforce to build a pool of talent with up-to-date skills in 5G and emerging technologies.

    Details of the cloud gaming subscription plan will be announced during the official launch in Q2 2022.

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  • Mercedes To Use Luminar’s LiDAR’s With New Deal

    Mercedes To Use Luminar’s LiDAR’s With New Deal

    Mercedes has announced that it has inked a deal with LiDAR maker Luminar whose devices will be incorporated in its vehicles in the future. Mercedes has also taken a small stake in the company with the acquisition of 1.5 million shares. As a part of the deal, Luminar will also be sharing data with the luxury carmaker.

    Luminar in particular has closed a deal with Daimler North America which is the parent of Mercedes in the US. Daimler will also share data from development and production vehicles for the continuous development of the systems.

    “A landmark moment in the industry that will demonstrate how substantially increased safety and autonomous driving functions on consumer vehicles are going from sci-fi to mainstream,” said Luminar founder and CEO Austin Russell.

    Currently, both companies haven’t revealed when the first Mercedes car will be revealed which will have a Luminar LiDAR. LiDAR is critical for autonomous driving – more importantly, sophisticated autonomous systems which aim for self-driving capabilities, something Mercedes currently lacks in its vehicles.

    Luminar already has announced a deal with Volvo and will be integrating its LiDAR and software in its cars. Volvo will also unveil an electric SUV later this year which will feature Luminar’s technology.

    However, Luminar’s deal with Daimler is also about the development of its Iris LiDAR system. This is not the first time Daimler has invested in Luminar its trucking division also invested in the LiDAR maker for its Blade system.

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  • Apple seeks patent on automatic transparency mode for AirPods Pro

    Apple seeks patent on automatic transparency mode for AirPods Pro

    According to TF International’s highly reliable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the AirPods Pro 2 True Wireless Stereo earbuds should be released later this year, perhaps during the third quarter. The major difference between your average garden variety pair of AirPods and the premium-priced Pro model is the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC); the latter prevents ambient noise from getting mixed in with the streaming content heard via the Bluetooth-powered earbuds.

    But just in case you need to hear what’s happening in the background while streaming music to your AirPods Pro, transparency mode will allow you to hear a car honking to alert you to get out of the way, a police siren in case you’re being pulled over, or a friendly “hello” from a pal who has spotted you walking on the street. The problem with turning on the transparency mode is that it allows all background noise regardless of what it is.>

    But what if you could choose which sounds make it through to you via the transparency mode? That could improve your enjoyment of using the AirPods Pro knowing that the transparency mode will remain off until someone you selected is trying to talk to you, or an event takes place that needs your immediate action.

    Apple has filed a patent application titled “Interrupt for noise-canceling audio devices” that details a more selective method of letting in outside noise to be heard through your AirPods Pro. With the technology discussed in the patent application, a user will be able to determine in advance who is allowed to break through the ANC. As Apple states in the documentation, “For example, the user may desire to be interrupted by one or more pre-designated contacts that are identified at an associated electronic device as interrupt-authorized contacts, or by a person who speaks a designated keyword to the user.”

    In other words, the Active Noise Cancellation would remain in effect until people authorized by the user start talking. The voice of the other person could be recognized, or that person’s name could be mentioned by the user, or both the user and the contact could devise a specific password that would flip on transparency mode.

    The patent also notes that the user can train the system to recognize certain important sounds that you would want to hear right away “such as police or ambulance sirens, or smoke or fire alarms.” It is like having transparency mode set on “automatic.”

    There are other differences between the AirPods and AirPods Pro besides the latter offering ANC. For example, the “Pro” variant includes the ability for the user to enjoy a customizable fit. Ironically, the third-generation AirPods offer longer battery life than the AirPods Pro but we expect that to change with the AirPods Pro 2. We also could see the new premium version of the earbuds feature a new design, possibly dropping the iconic and recognizable stem from the device. This might make the AirPods Pro 2 look like some of the earbuds manufactured by competitors’s not to mention Apple’s own Beats Fit Pro.

    Other possible changes for the AirPods Pro 2 include the addition of new sensors that will allow the device to perform some type of fitness tracking. Also expected is a new chip that will make it easier for the wearables to connect with other devices. And Apple is reportedly looking at a way to use the AirPods Pro 2 as a device to measure certain health metrics just as the Apple Watch now does.

    The patent application was originally filed by Apple with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) last July.

  • Volkswagen & Bosch Form JV For European Battery Production

    Volkswagen & Bosch Form JV For European Battery Production

    Volkswagen and Bosch have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore a joint venture dedicated to providing the European market with battery equipment solutions. The two, together, plan on selling integrated battery solutions with on-site ramp-up and maintenance support for battery cell and system manufacturers. This joint venture has also been designed with the goal of enabling Volkswagen to achieve its goal of building six battery cell factories by 2030 which will also be available to third-party customers.

    The idea for both Bosch and Volkswagen is to be self-sustaining for electric cars in terms of the supply chain. Volkswagen is building on top of its JV with NorthVolt with which it has planned its first facility in Salzgitter in Germany.

    “Europe has the unique chance to become a global battery powerhouse in the years to come,” said Thomas Schmall, a VW board member responsible for the automaker’s battery plans, in a statement.

    “There is a strong and growing demand for all aspects of battery production, including the equipment of new gigafactories. Volkswagen and Bosch will explore opportunities to develop and shape this novel, multi-billion-euro industry in Europe,” he added.

    “Our decision to actively engage in the vertical integration of the battery-making value chain will tap considerable new profit pools. Setting out to establish a fully localized European supply chain for e-mobility made in Europe certainly marks a rare opportunity in business history,” Schmall explained.

    The European battery alliance has already said that a third of the global batteries need to be manufactured in Europe by the end of the decade to cut dependence on South Korean and Chinese suppliers.

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  • Malaysia’s Raya Airways denies acquisition talks with AirAsia

    Malaysia’s Raya Airways denies acquisition talks with AirAsia

    Malaysian air cargo carrier Raya Airways has denied being in talks with budget airline AirAsia Group Bhd for an acquisition, it said in a statement on Monday (Jan 24).

    The company said the news reported over the weekend about ongoing talks was factually incorrect.

    The weekly reported that the airline has approached businessman Ishak Ismail whose family owns Raya Airways, to acquire the carrier, and are in early conversations.

    “After consulting with Raya’s shareholders and Board of Directors, we would like to clarify that Raya and its subsidiaries/affiliate companies are not in any talks with AirAsia Group Berhad or any other parties for the acquisition of the Company or any part of its businesses,” it said.

    The carrier said its operational and financial position is strengthening and it is committed to the next stage of growth.

  • Rents for Hanoi serviced apartments plunge to three-year low

    Rents for Hanoi serviced apartments plunge to three-year low

    Hanoi serviced apartment rents fell by 3 percent to a three-year low of VND547,000 (US$24.16) per square meter per month last quarter, according to Savills Vietnam.

    Compared to a year earlier the average rents for grades A-C apartments decreased by 4 percent to VND705,000, and 11 percent to VND233,000.

    The average occupancy remained unchanged from the third quarter at 69 percent but increased by 2 percent year-on-year.

    Nam Tu Liem District saw the highest rate of 83 percent, followed by Hai Ba Trung with 79 percent and Long Bien with 78 percent.

    Ten grade A and B projects has an occupancy of more than 90 percent.

    Post-Covid-19 tenants have higher requirements of the place they live in, prioritizing a good healthcare system, air quality and green space, according to a global survey done last year. Branded serviced apartments that collaborate with epidemiologists to improve their healthcare and safety quality are thus favored by tenants now.

    Savills said investors are opting to build serviced apartments on a smaller scale, and studio and one-bedroom apartments account for 49 percent of the market now.

    Apartments with two and three bedrooms account for 35 percent and 14 percent.

    The four projects that came into the market last year have small units with an area of 15-56 square meters accounting for some 65 percent.

    The revenue per square meter from small apartments is 4-15 percent higher than from larger ones.

    Studio and one-bedroom serviced apartments are becoming flexible, offering dual keys and both long-term and short-term lease.

    Savills said thanks to having double the space (kitchen, living room and office), dual-key apartments serve tenants’ demand for working remotely.

  • Globe debuts Asia’s first eco-SIM

    Globe debuts Asia’s first eco-SIM

    net-zeronet zero carbon emissions by 2040, and we align with the ambitions of many organizations to work for the better good and build a sustainable future.  The Eco-SIM card is small, but it has a big impact on plastic and polymer waste and is another example of how we innovate to drive change. We are excited to partner with Globe on this pioneering initiative in the Philippines with a goal to roll it out throughout Asia,” said  Jon Cahilig, head of mobile connectivity solutions for Asia, Thales Digital Identity & Security.

    In 2019, Globe became a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, committing to implement universal sustainability principles on human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption in its operations. In January 2021, Globe formally expressed its support to the globally-recognized Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) in January. Along with more than 1,800 companies worldwide, Globe supports the framework set by TCFD and is committed to following recommendations towards effective climate-related disclosures.

    To further this commitment in 2021, Globe became the first publicly-listed Philippine company to be listed by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) committed to set science-based targets, in line with the 1.5°C global warming scenario of the Paris Agreement and the #RacetoZero Campaign. These commitments cover both the mid-term (2030) and long-term (2050) targets.

    “In order for us to truly move the needle in the fight against climate change, we all must take on the responsibility to act sustainably. This partnership with the Thales Group not only enables us to come up with a solution for our telco business, but it also gives our customers the opportunity to step up and choose to live more sustainably,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe’s chief sustainability officer and SVP for corporate communications.

    In 2018, Globe was also the first in the country to introduce electronic SIMs or eSIM, as another alternative to the physical SIM cards. eSIMs are digital SIMs embedded in compatible mobile phone models, allowing its users to manage multiple profiles using different mobile numbers on just one device and effortlessly switch lines that fit their purpose. It also allows gadgets like smartphones and smartwatches to be connected under one mobile number.

    Globe strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 12, which highlights the roles of responsible consumption and production patterns as crucial steps toward building a circular economy. Globe is committed to upholding the 10 United Nations Global Compact principles and 10 UN SDGs.

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  • Accenture Plans Major Zurich Campus

    Accenture Plans Major Zurich Campus

    The consulting firm plans to expand its activities in Zurich to house more than 1,000 people. The move is sparked by a pandemic-induced change to working ways.

    Accenture will build a more than 9,000-square-meter hub in the heart of Zurich’s banking district, it said in an emailed statement on Tuesday. The new space will house more than 1,000 of its employees.

    The move was sparked by a shift in the definition of work as a result of both digitalization and the pandemic. «With the move, we are not only responding to Accenture’s current growth but also the changing needs of our employees,» country head Marco Huwiler said.

    Accenture will relocate in phases through 2024. «If the pandemic has shown one thing, it is that the previously valid work culture is undergoing a major transformation»

    The consulting firm led a consortium including SIX’s digital exchange, Credit Suisse, and UBS which helped the Swiss and French central banks on a cross-border settlement of digital currencies, or CBDCs, experiment.

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  • Starbucks launches Coffee Experience Center in Bali, Indonesia

    Starbucks launches Coffee Experience Center in Bali, Indonesia

    Today, Starbucks celebrates the journey of coffee from seed-to-cup by opening its largest destination in Southeast Asia – the Starbucks Dewata Coffee Sanctuary. The one-of-a-kind Coffee Sanctuary demonstrates Starbucks Indonesia’s coffee leadership in partnership with licensee PT Sari Coffee Indonesia Limited, building upon 16 years of innovation in design, customer experience, and community impact. The store pays tribute to the important role that Indonesia, the fourth largest Arabica coffee growing region in the world, plays in bringing Starbucks customers the highest quality coffees, including the popular single-origin coffee from Sumatra. Sumatra coffee has been a staple offering at Starbucks since 1971.

    “We began sourcing Indonesian coffees more than four decades ago and have always been struck by the sense of community and care for the coffee journey at every step,” said Kevin Johnson, ceo, Starbucks Coffee Company. “The Starbucks Dewata Coffee Sanctuary amplifies our passion for the coffee journey, our ongoing commitment to Indonesia’s rich coffee culture, and our tireless pursuit of fostering moments of connection between our partners and customers. This is Starbucks at its best, and we are proud to open the doors of this unique experience in one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic markets.”

    Designed as a coffee sanctuary, the expansive 20,000 square foot store beautifully highlights local craftsmanship and culture alongside premium coffee in this one-of-a-kind coffee experience, a sort of “origin-centered version” of the Roasteries, igniting all five senses. Visitors enter through an Arabica coffee farm, try their hand at coffee bean de-pulping and washing during harvest season, dry and rake green coffee beans, visit budding seedlings in the nursery, take in the store’s locally-inspired design featuring traditional Balinese craft and Indonesian art, and enjoy the more than 100 Dewata-exclusive handcrafted beverages, food and merchandise, including the Lavender Latte.

    “Bali has an envied reputation as one of Asia’s top travel destinations and Indonesia is one of coffee’s most extraordinary coffee origin regions, so we’re excited to invite customers here to ignite their senses and explore the seed-to-cup coffee journey at this unique Coffee Sanctuary,” said Anthony Cottan, managing director, Starbucks Indonesia, at PT Sari Coffee Indonesia Limited.  “We’re very pleased to further strengthen the longstanding partnership between Starbucks and PT Sari Coffee Indonesia with this truly one-of-a-kind Starbucks store, inspired by and filled with the finest examples of Indonesian art, design, and craftsmanship.”

    Located in Bali’s up-and-coming premium retail district on Sunset Road, the Coffee Sanctuary provides a carefully curated series of interactive experiences.

    As customers enter, they’ll be greeted at the concierge reception and then guided through a working, 1,000 square foot coffee tree farm, the size of a typical Indonesian farm. Customers will continue their journey through contemporary Balinese landscaping, passing coffee plants and a de-pulping station before trying their hand at washing, drying and raking green coffee beans. Inside, the expansive Reserve bar offers customers an intimate experience to taste Starbucks Reserve small-lot coffees, while the core bar offers Starbucks signature core beverages.

    Located on the second floor is the seedling nursery, a greenhouse canopied by panes of glass to create an open-air experience. Here, customers can touch the first stages of the seed-to-cup journey, as well as deepen their understanding of the art of tending to coffee plants alongside a local Balinese farmer. In the adjoining tasting room, customers’ tastebuds will come alive as they enjoy coffee as coffee quality professionals do, without a filter – simply coffee and water – to draw out the flavors that set each cup apart.

    For those looking for more, visitors can engage with an interactive video wall and hear how coffee is planted, processed, roasted, shipped, and brewed into a delicious cup of espresso. On the second floor, a dedicated media room features two synchronized video walls, showcasing the work of the Starbucks Farmer Support Center (FSC) in Sumatra and agronomist, Dr. Surip Mawardi’s, work with Indonesian coffee farmers.

    The Sanctuary was designed as an homage to Indonesia’s rich culture and coffee heritage. The store’s expansive interior was inspired by traditional Balinese houses with free-flowing, connected rooms that promote discovery from one space to the next.

    The store’s interior was designed in partnership with local craftspeople and artists with one goal: tell the story of coffee in Indonesia. This is brought to life by a wood carving depicting the country’s six coffee-growing regions’ local culture and architecture. A two-story mural in the courtyard pays tribute to local farmers who carefully nurture and protect the beans each step of their journey to Starbucks.

    On the main floor, Starbucks partners (employees) welcome customers to the 13-meter teak Reserve bar, drawing inspiration from Bali’s terraced rural landscapes, where customers can taste some of Starbucks rarest coffee offerings. Across the store, eyes are drawn to the living wall filled with flora from the region, situated behind the core bar designed to remind customers of Bali’s ocean waves which are replicated on the layered red-brick exterior façade.

    Starbucks is dedicated to working with farmers in Indonesia to ethically and sustainably bring high-quality Indonesian coffee to the world, and today, the company is the largest buyer of Indonesian arabica coffee.

    In 2015, Starbucks opened the Farmer Support Center in Berastagi, North Sumatra where Starbucks agronomists led by Dr. Mawardi, conduct research to develop disease-resistant coffee varietals in an effort to make coffee the world’s first sustainable agricultural product through the Sustainable Coffee Challenge. The Sumatra FSC is one of nine globally, including China, which offers open-source agronomy assistance and support for regional coffee farmers to improve the productivity and sustainability of their coffee trees.

    In a combined effort, Starbucks Indonesia has donated more than 330,000 coffee seedlings, along with technical assistance, to smallholder farmers to-date. Through locally driven initiatives to support coffee tree replanting, Starbucks commits to donating 100,000 seedlings annually in partnership with the FSC.

    Since 2006, The Starbucks Foundation has provided more than $4 million dollars to support farming communities and promote education, water, sanitation and health (WASH) programs across Indonesia. In 2018, The Foundation provided grants to Lutheran World Relief to support women-led community health and hygiene programs for 2,100 households in Sumatran coffee-producing villages over the next three years and to CARE to support economic empowerment for women tea workers and community WASH programs in West Java over the next two years.

    Today, Starbucks Indonesia delivers the Starbucks Experience across 370 stores where nearly 4,500 partners proudly wear the green apron. The Dewata Coffee Sanctuary marks the first Starbucks Reserve Bar in Bali and its tenth in Indonesia as Starbucks continues to elevate the coffee journey for customers across the market.

  • Lotte Group acquires Ministop South Korea

    Lotte Group acquires Ministop South Korea

    South Korea’s Lotte Group has agreed to acquire a 100% stake in Ministop Korea for 313.4 billion won ($263 million), the country’s fifth-largest convenience store chain, from Japan’s Aeon Co., Lotte said on Jan. 21.

    With the purchase in cash, Lotte’s convenience store operator 7-Eleven will be able to take on the two sector leaders —  CJ Group’s CU and GS Group’s GS 25, while further widening the gap with fourth-ranked Shinsegae’s E-Mart 24.

    “Competition is heating up in the quick commerce market for short-distance services, based on convenience stores,” said an official of the group’s holding company Lotte Corp.

    “We are now adding Ministop Korea’s 2,600 stores and 12 logistics centers to the list of our stores, which will expand our points of customer contact in the near term.”

    Lotte’s 7-Eleven runs 10,500 outlets nationwide. By comparison, CU boasts 14,900 stores, trailed by second-ranked GS 25 with 14,600 stores.

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  • Apple says the pink screen iPhone 13 Pro issue is a software problem

    Apple says the pink screen iPhone 13 Pro issue is a software problem

    Several iPhone 13 series owners are continuing to report an issue with the screen on their phones. The display on affected models turns pink or purple and these handsets cannot be used.
    Posts in the Apple Communities Forum about this problem started in October when a user named DPigar wrote that “I use an iPhone 13 pro for a two day (sic) and my screen turns pink for a few seconds and then reloads. It happens all the time, so I can’t use my iPhone. Why?” Two images were attached to the post showing the user’s iPhone 13 Pro with a fully purple display,
    That message was followed up by one from another iPhone 13 Pro user claiming to have the very same problem. Apparently, Apple did some maneuvering behind the scenes to replace these malfunctioning phones since a post from the company added to both messages said, “The issue has been resolved. Replacement of the device (authorized service conclusion).”
    But here’s the thing. Many more iPhone 13 users complained about this problem and not all of them were lucky enough to get a replacement from Apple. Check out this sad story posted in the Forum by an iPhone 13 Pro Max user who goes by the name “Calisthrone.” He owns an expensive handset for less than two months when the device starts performing unexpected restarts with the screen off, randomly his screen turns pink, and the device becomes unstable.
    Apple diagnosed the problem as being a faulty motherboard. But here is where Apple drops the ball. It promises to give the owner a “Back System Replacement” which means that the owner keeps the screen and the camera system and the faulty parts are replaced.
    This should not be acceptable because this man spent good money on Apple’s top-of-the-line handset and now he will get back from Apple (after being left without a phone for 7 to 14 business days) a Frankenstein handset put together by the mad scientists at Apple. “Calisthrone” writes, “Problem is the phone is only active for less than 2 months and I would be so happy if they can offer a brand new replacement unit.”
    Now here is one of the main reasons why what Apple is doing is not fair. Returning to the post, the iPhone 13 Pro Max owner says, “It is not so nice to have my iPhone guts out after this brief amount of time. And my iPhone would be marked as “fixed” so I will lose the value of my device when trying to sell it in the future.”

    His final thought does not present Apple in a good light. “Apple customer care is not as wonderful as before. I’m now with no decent device in my pocket and I paid a premium device expecting to find a premium kind of service. Something very natural is a replacement unit.”
    The list of similar stories goes on and on. “Disappointed_User8” wrote a long post in which the pink screen surfaced on his device after just six days. After exclaiming that it was a hardware device and having the owner bring the phone into the nearest service center, Apple reversed its position and had the owner pick up the device after doing nothing but charging it.
    While charging it did stop the issue, it was a temporary cure. Forced to set up his phone from scratch after Apple had reset the device, the problem started all over again. Here is this disappointed iPhone owner’s take on the situation:”The phone is very expensive but unreliable. The stress that it is causing me and its effects on my mental health thinking about how I trusted Apple and paid a hefty amount for a malfunctioning unit but not getting proper post sales support is very very disappointing.”
    The latest date on the thread is January 16th of this year which means that this is an ongoing problem. Because most of the pink screen issues occurred in China, MyDrivers noted that Apple made a statement on Weibo this past weekend which said, “We didn’t notice relevant problems in the hardware of the devices because this situation [pink screen] is caused when the system is locked.”
    Apple recommends that users backup their data, join the iOS Beta Software Program and install the latest iOS 15.3 beta update in case the pink screen is being caused by an incompatibility between an app version and the iOS version. However, it appears that the changelist for the latest beta version of iOS 15.3 doesn’t mention a fix for a pink screen bug. Hopefully, Apple gets to the bottom of this and issues a fix. And if that is impossible, replacing affected models with new replacements would be the proper thing to do.
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  • Manufacturing, IT firms rush to recruit workers

    Manufacturing, IT firms rush to recruit workers

    Manufacturing and tech companies are rushing to recruit workers as foreign companies show rising interest in setting up or expanding their factories in Vietnam.

    Electronics manufacturer Jabil Vietnam is recruiting 500 workers in Ho chi Minh City, with a bonus of VND3.3 million ($145.62) promised to each new employee.

    Other companies in Saigon Hi-Tech Park Training Center, including drugs company Sanofi, along with electronics manufacturers Platel Vina and Intel are also looking for technicians.

    HCMC companies need around 30,000 new workers before the annual Tet holiday, which falls in the first week of February this year, according to the city’s Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

    After Tet, they need up to 75,000 more, it said, adding that information technology, electric and electronics are the main sectors recruiting.

    A recent report by recruitment company Navigos shows that in the north, many new electronics manufacturing projects from China are looking to recruit staff.

    But these factories have difficulties in finding the right people as they are located far away from big cities and there are few fluent Chinese-speaking workers.

    Navigos says there is large competition for workers in the IT industry, especially in artificial intelligence, Big Data and blockchain, due to the shortage of talents.

    Since the last quarter financial companies are also looking for IT personnel, which shows the sector could post higher demand for these workers this year, the report said.

    Global IT companies are investing in Vietnam by establishing representative offices or research and development centers in Hanoi, HCMC and Da Nang City, it added.

    In manufacturing, multinationals are looking for senior Vietnamese leaders to hold key positions like director of the Asia Pacific region or Southeast Asia, Navigos stated.

    “This shows Vietnamese capabilities have risen to secure key regional positions.”

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  • Vietnam steps up dragon fruit exports to Australia

    Vietnam steps up dragon fruit exports to Australia

    Large volumes of dragon fruit are being exported to Australia though it is currently the harvest season there for the fruit.

    Twenty-eight tons were shipped to Western Australia and South Australia last week by 4 Ways Fresh and Australia Flower, according to the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia.

    Australia Flower is set to export another 14 tons this week.

    Several retailers like Dai Phat and MCQ are selling the fruit at the equivalent of VND200,000 ($8.84) per kilogram.

    The exporters said they are targeting young consumers in Australia. The Vietnam Trade Office is offering promotions to retail buyers that include air tickets, toys and other gifts.

    Last year Vietnamese dragon fruit exports to Australia grew by 14 percent despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Vietnamese farmers grow nearly 1.4 million tons of the fruit every year, and most of it ends up exported to China.

    However, industry insiders said China has been increasing its area under the fruit in the last three years and would become self-sufficient in another five years, meaning Vietnamese exporters need to look for other markets.

  • Self-Driving Sensor Maker Luminar Shares Rally On Mercedes-Benz Tie-Up

    Self-Driving Sensor Maker Luminar Shares Rally On Mercedes-Benz Tie-Up

    Luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz will partner with self-driving sensor maker Luminar Technologies Inc to enable fully automated driving on highways for its next-generation vehicles, Luminar’s founder said.

    Luminar shares surged 18% at $15.89 on Thursday. Luminar said Mercedes-Benz will have 1.5 million shares in Luminar, which will vest over time when certain milestones are met.

    Vehicle autonomy “is really going mainstream with Mercedes,” Luminar CEO Austin Russell told Reuters on Wednesday, without disclosing a timeframe for putting the technology in Mercedes’ vehicles.

    He said the two would develop “true” autonomy capabilities to keep drivers out of the loop, while improving safety capabilities such as automatic braking.

    Automakers from Tesla to General Motors Co and Volvo have set their eyes on introducing autonomous vehicles for consumers, although regulatory and technological challenges remain.

    Luminar said Mercedes-Benz will have 1.5 million shares in Luminar, which will vest over time when certain milestones are met.

    Tech firms such as Alphabet’s Waymo and Cruise also are developing self-driving taxis or trucks for commercial use such as ride-hailing and delivery services.

    General Motors is working with its majority-owned Cruise self-driving unit to introduce a personal autonomous vehicle by as early as mid-decade, Chief Executive Mary Barra said this month.

    “If you want to be able to get to truly autonomous capabilities in a consumer vehicle, and you have to industrialize hardware, software, all of these systems that come into play. That by the way, is completely different than the work that the robo-taxi companies have been working on,” Russell said.

    He said it is a challenge to mass-produce lidars and make sure they are robust enough to meet stringent requirements from automakers.

    “It is a completely different kind of business of going from a science and technology business to an automotive corporation.”

    Tech firms such as Alphabet’s Waymo and Cruise also are developing self-driving taxis or trucks for commercial use such as ride-hailing and delivery services.

    Lidars, which use laser light pulses to measure the distance between the sensor and the target object, are widely seen as essential to achieving full autonomous driving. But Tesla has shunned the sensor, saying it is expensive and unnecessary.

    Volvo Cars and Luminar said earlier this month that they will put a hands-free driving system in an upcoming electric sport utility vehicle.

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  • China Mobile and ZTE complete first URLLC live network verification

    China Mobile and ZTE complete first URLLC live network verification

    ZTE together with China Mobile Research Institute, the Guangdong branch of China Mobile, and MediaTek, has completed all the test items of URLLC key technologies in Guangzhou, China. This is the first URLLC (ultra-reliable low-latency communication) verification on the live network in the industry.

    The verification, by virtue of ZTE’s end-to-end network equipment and MediaTek’s M80 chip platform, was conducted on the commercial 2.6GHz 5G network, including all items like low bit rate MCS/CQI form, R15 mini-slot, slot repetition and PDCP (packet data convergence protocol) duplication. The test results show that the air interface delay is reduced by about 20%, and the reliability of the locations with medium and good signal strength is up to 99.999%.

    URLLC is one of the three basic applications of 5G. As a key factor for entering the industry verticals, URLLC accelerates the development of 5G network. In the future, with wide 5G industrial applications, URLLC can be applied in various scenarios such as AR/VR, smart grid, remote driving and industrial control, which have special requirements for low-latency and high-reliability connections. The verification has passed laboratory IODT (interoperability development testing), Beijing Information Port laboratory acceptance, and Guangzhou commercial outfield testing and acceptance, proving that ZTE’s base station equipment and technical solutions can meet URLLC requirements for low latency and high reliability in terms of both functionality and performance. In addition, through the flexible combination of standard technologies and implementation solutions, the 5G wireless network capability system for URLLC scenarios is formed to meet the differentiated requirements of industries, laying a solid foundation for the applications of URLLC in industry verticals and boosting the rapid development of digital economy.

    Moving forward, ZTE and China Mobile, together with other industry partners, will strengthen cooperation to explore diversified application scenarios to enhance the ultimate low-latency and high-reliability capability of 5G network. All of them will actively promote the application of URLLC in industries, and facilitate the digital transformation of industry verticals and the development of innovative services in China.

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