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  • Beatrice Goasglas Takes the Helm at Tag Heuer: LVMH’s New CEO to Drive Innovation and Elevation

    Beatrice Goasglas Takes the Helm at Tag Heuer: LVMH’s New CEO to Drive Innovation and Elevation

    Luxury goods multinational corporation LVMH has announced the appointment of Béatrice Goasglas as the new CEO of its premium watch label, Tag Heuer. The appointment will take effect from May.

    Professional Background of the New CEO

    Goasglas has been with Tag Heuer since 2018, during which time she has occupied several pivotal positions. Her most recent role was that of the president of Tag Heuer Americas, which followed tenures as the vice president of digital and client experience and the managing director of Tag Heuer Asia Pacific.

    Role Expectations and Responsibilities

    In her new capacity as CEO, Goasglas is expected to leverage her considerable understanding of the brand’s legacy and workforce to further its ongoing development and innovation initiatives. These efforts will be directed at enhancing the brand’s collections and strategic partnerships. One of the key relationships under Goasglas’s stewardship will be with Formula 1.

    Executive Statements

    Stéphane Bianchi, the managing director of LVMH Group and CEO of LVMH Watches & Jewelry, expressed his enthusiasm for Goasglas’s new role. Bianchi believes that Goasglas’s comprehensive understanding of the brand, along with her leadership skills and unwavering dedication, will empower Tag Heuer to scale new milestones. Bianchi is confident that Goasglas will guide the brand to continue representing the finest standards of watchmaking quality and the innovative spirit that is so integral to the brand’s identity.

    Earlier this year, LVMH named Francois Kohler as president of South and Southeast Asia. Kohler took over the role from Chris Chong.

    Questions & Answers

    Who is the new CEO of Tag Heuer?
    Béatrice Goasglas has been appointed as the new CEO of Tag Heuer.

    When does Béatrice Goasglas’s tenure as CEO commence?
    Goasglas’s appointment as CEO of Tag Heuer will be effective from May.

    What role did Béatrice Goasglas hold at Tag Heuer prior to becoming CEO?
    Before stepping into her new role as CEO, Goasglas was the president of Tag Heuer Americas.

  • Uber Japan and Rakuten Drive Up Rewards: Users to Earn More with Rakuten ID Integration

    Uber Japan and Rakuten Drive Up Rewards: Users to Earn More with Rakuten ID Integration

    Rakuten Group, Inc., Rakuten Payment, Inc., Uber Japan Co., Ltd., and Uber Eats Japan, Inc. have revealed plans to augment their strategic alliance by incorporating Rakuten ID. This joint venture connects Uber, a prominent mobility and delivery platform in Japan, with Rakuten ID, an essential element of the Rakuten Ecosystem. The objective is to cultivate new value via Rakuten Points, one of Japan’s most substantial loyalty programs.

    Strategic Partnership and Loyalty Program Integration

    The Uber Japan mobility service and Uber Eats Japan delivery service will progressively roll out Rakuten Payment’s shared point service, known as Rakuten Point Online. This integration will enable users who associate their Rakuten ID with the Uber or Uber Eats app to earn a Rakuten Point for every 200 yen (excluding tax) they spend on these apps.

    Starting from April 2022 for Uber Eats and April 2023 for Uber, users have had the ability to use Rakuten Pay, a cashless payment service. Paying with Rakuten Pay enables users to earn up to 1.5% back in Rakuten Points. With the new integration, users can combine Rakuten Point Online with Rakuten Pay to earn up to 2% back in Rakuten Points. As inflation increases daily living costs, utilizing Uber’s services provides a more beneficial method of earning Rakuten Points.

    Subscription Benefits and Personalized Experience

    Moreover, by subscribing to Uber One, a 498 yen monthly membership, users can earn Uber One Credits equivalent to 10% of the fare amount when using Uber’s mobility service, adding another level of savings. This strategic alliance allows Uber to leverage Rakuten’s large data assets to offer more personalized recommendations and promotions for users.

    The companies collectively aim to offer new experiences that make daily meals and mobility more convenient and rewarding. To commemorate the launch, the companies will run the “Earn up to 1,000 Points by Linking Your Rakuten ID with Uber” campaign until December 22, 2025.

    Special Campaigns and Future Plans

    During this campaign, the first 500,000 users who link their Rakuten ID to the Uber or Uber Eats app and spend at least 1,500 yen (excluding tax) on Uber Eats will earn 300 Rakuten Points. Users who also spend at least 1,500 yen (excluding tax) on an Uber ride will receive 350 Rakuten Points on their first ride and an additional 350 points on their second ride, totaling 1,000 Rakuten Points when combined with Uber Eats benefits.

    Rakuten Mobile subscribers who link their Rakuten ID and pay on Uber or Uber Eats will receive 20 times the standard Rakuten Points. Furthermore, Uber One monthly members who have linked their Rakuten ID will be eligible to purchase the annual plan at a special 70% discount.

    Rakuten, Rakuten Payment, Uber Japan, and Uber Eats Japan are committed to continue strengthening their strategic partnership through the integration of Rakuten ID, expanding collaboration between the Rakuten Ecosystem and the Uber and Uber Eats platforms. The aim is to create new value by offering convenient and rewarding services that support users’ lifestyles and drive business growth for both companies.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the main aim of the strategic partnership between Rakuten and Uber?
    The main aim is to create new value by offering convenient and rewarding services that support users’ lifestyles and drive business growth for both companies.

    What benefits will users get from linking their Rakuten ID with Uber?
    Users will earn Rakuten Points for every 200 yen spent on Uber or Uber Eats, and they can earn up to 1,000 points through a special campaign. Rakuten Mobile subscribers will receive 20 times the standard points.

    What additional benefits do Uber One monthly members receive?
    Uber One monthly members who link their Rakuten ID can purchase the annual plan at a special 70% discount. They also earn Uber One Credits equivalent to 10% of the fare amount when using Uber’s mobility service.

  • Coca-cola Q3 Report: Revenue Boost Amid Challenging Market, Category & Regional Performance Explored

    Coca-cola Q3 Report: Revenue Boost Amid Challenging Market, Category & Regional Performance Explored

    In the third quarter, Coca-Cola revealed a 5% increase in net revenue, rising to $19.2 billion. Their organic revenue also observed a 6% increase during this period.

    Challenging Market Conditions

    James Quincey, the Chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola, acknowledged the challenging market conditions, yet credited the company’s impressive performance to their diverse beverage portfolio and the unique strengths of their franchise model.

    Growth Across Regions

    Unit case volume increased by 1% during the third quarter. This growth was driven by increasing sales in specific regions such as Central Asia, North Africa, Brazil and the UK.

    Category Performance

    The performance varied across the different beverage categories. Sparkling soft drink volumes remained stable, with a 1% growth in unit case volume. This growth was primarily driven by gains in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the Asia Pacific region.

    Coca-Cola Zero Sugar saw a considerable increase in sales, with a 14% rise across all regions. Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Light also performed well, with a 2% increase predominantly due to growth in North America and the Asia Pacific region.

    However, not all categories experienced growth. Sparkling flavours saw a 1% decline as gains in Europe, the Middle East and Africa were offset by weaker results in the Asia Pacific region. Additionally, juice, value-added dairy and plant-based beverages saw a 3% decline.

    Conversely, water saw a 3% increase across all regions, sports drinks rose 3% due to growth in North America, and coffee grew 2%, driven by the Asia Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa regions.

    Refranchising Strategy

    Coca-Cola also made advancements in its refranchising strategy during the quarter. Coca-Cola HBC AG agreed to obtain a controlling interest in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, furthering the company’s shift towards a franchise-focused model. In a separate transaction, the company completed the sale of a 40% stake in Hindustan Coca-Cola to the Jubilant Bhartia Group.

    The company confirmed that its productivity programs have helped counter inflationary pressures and have supported investment in areas such as digital and omnichannel capabilities.

    Future Projections

    Coca-Cola anticipates generating a minimum of $15 billion in free cash flow for the remainder of the fiscal year and affirmed that it is on track to meet its full-year guidance. Looking further ahead, Quincey expressed confidence in the company’s ability to meet its 2025 guidance while also working towards achieving its long-term objectives.

    Questions & Answers

    Does Coca-Cola expect to meet its full-year guidance?

    Yes, Coca-Cola confirmed that it expects to meet its full-year guidance.

    Which regions contributed to the growth of Coca-Cola?

    The growth in the third quarter was largely driven by increasing sales in regions such as Central Asia, North Africa, Brazil and the UK.

    What was the result of Coca-Cola’s refranchising strategy in the third quarter?

    During the third quarter, Coca-Cola HBC AG agreed to obtain a controlling interest in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa, furthering the company’s shift towards a franchise-focused model. Additionally, the company completed the sale of a 40% stake in Hindustan Coca-Cola to the Jubilant Bhartia Group.

  • Jollibee Group Unveils Global Expansion Plan With Comprehensive Rebranding Strategy

    Jollibee Group Unveils Global Expansion Plan With Comprehensive Rebranding Strategy

    Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) has recently undergone a rebranding effort, now going by Jollibee Group, with an eye on further global expansion.

    Rebranding for Global Growth

    Despite retaining its legal entity as JFC, the firm has announced that this comprehensive rebranding will encompass a new visual identity, a simplified brand hierarchy, and harmonized naming across all business divisions. The objective is to further fortify the company’s global footprint and enhance its brand value.

    Jollibee Group’s global president and CEO, Ernesto Tanmantiong, explained the reasoning behind this significant move: “Our fundamental aim is to bring joy through superior flavor. This purpose is the driving force behind our innovation, it shapes our customer promise, and it propels our momentum forward.”

    Unveiling the New Identity

    The introduction of the fresh identity took place during internal events, such as the supplier summit and the annual stockholders’ meeting, which were attended by employees and partners. The company is currently deploying this new identity through global media channels and corporate communications.

    Tanmantiong further added, “As we expand globally, we’re not only extending our reach, but also establishing a company that is not only known for business success but also for the joy and quality we bring to people’s lives.”

    Jollibee Group currently has a strong presence in 33 countries, with over 9000 outlets, including locations in the US, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Its diversified portfolio includes well-known brands such as Tim Ho Wan, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, and Mang Inasal.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the main reason for Jollibee Group’s rebranding?
    The main reason for the rebranding is to position the company for further global expansion and enhance its brand value.

    How was the new identity introduced?
    The new identity was introduced during internal events including a supplier summit and the annual stockholder’s meeting. It is now being introduced through global media and corporate communications.

    How many stores does Jollibee Group operate and in how many countries?
    Jollibee Group currently operates more than 9000 stores across 33 countries, including the US, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

  • South Korea’s ‘mallcations’ Trend: Unprecedented Weather Boosts Indoor Retail Sales

    South Korea’s ‘mallcations’ Trend: Unprecedented Weather Boosts Indoor Retail Sales

    As South Korea experiences an intense summer marked by unprecedented heatwaves and monsoon downpours, there’s been a noticeable uptick in customers choosing to spend their leisure time indoors. This trend, known as “mallcations,” is resulting in a significant surge in sales for department stores and outlet malls.

    Increased Footfall and Sales

    Major retailers have reported a sharp increase in foot traffic from July 1 to 17, compared to the same time frame last year. Lotte Department Store noted a 10% surge in visitor numbers, while Shinsegae and Hyundai Department Store registered increases of 14% and 13% respectively, translating into sales growth of 11.1% and 10.7%. Meanwhile, Hyundai Premium Outlet, which boasts an underground parking feature, saw its sales skyrocket by 21.2%.

    This changing consumer behavior is largely attributed to the unpredictable weather conditions, making air-conditioned indoor spaces far more appealing than outdoor venues. Notably, families are driving an increase in food and beverage (F&B) sales: Lotte observed a 10% rise, while Shinsegae and Hyundai reported increases of 15.8% and 12.4% in F&B revenue respectively.

    Seasonal Products and Experiences

    As the summer vacation season looms, seasonal product categories have also shown strong sales performance. Sales of swimwear at Lotte have jumped by 15%, supported by a government tax incentive for cultural activities. Appliance sales have increased by 10% under an energy efficiency rebate program.

    Cooling bedding has emerged as another hot-selling item. Shinsegae saw a 33.7% surge in its bedding category, while Hyundai recorded growth of 23.9% in sportswear and 18.8% in home living products.

    In addition to the increase in sales, retailers are also rolling out immersive, summer-themed experiences to capitalize on the increased footfall. Lotte is set to launch a “Summer Gourmet Week” across all its locations, complete with sweepstakes for F&B customers. The retail chain will also host a “Summer Wine Festa”, offering discounts on spirits, and pop-up jewelry boutiques catering to seasonal accessory shoppers.

    Shinsegae, on the other hand, has introduced pop-ups featuring surfing gear and is hosting art exhibitions. Hyundai Department Store is revamping its spaces with a Hawaiian resort theme under the “Hu’i Hu’i Maui” campaign which will run through August 21.

    Reinventing Retail

    With the Korean climate becoming increasingly erratic, retailers are adopting climate-proof leisure strategies. They are redefining malls as not just shopping centers, but as cool and curated summer destinations.

    Questions & Answers

    What is a “mallcation”?
    A “mallcation” refers to the trend of consumers spending their leisure time indoors at malls due to unfavorable weather conditions.

    What factors have contributed to the growth in foot traffic and sales for retailers?
    Unpredictable weather conditions, the appeal of air-conditioned indoor spaces, and the introduction of immersive, summer-themed experiences by retailers have contributed to the increase.

    How are retailers capitalizing on the rising trend of “mallcations”?
    Retailers are rolling out immersive, summer-themed experiences and pop-up shops, hosting art exhibitions, and transforming their spaces to provide a more engaging and enjoyable shopping experience for consumers.

  • Google Drive update adds new option to restrict access to folders

    Google Drive update adds new option to restrict access to folders

    Google announced this week that its Drive app is getting an important update that adds the ability to restrict access to folders. Normally, Google reveals new changes to its apps when these changes are rolled out to everyone, but this seems to be an exception.

    This particular update comes as a beta, but it can still be accessed by admins managing Google Drive. But what exactly this update does? According to Google, the latest version of Drive allows shared drive managers to restrict folders to specific users within a shared drive.

    The new feature is meant to offer shared drive managers more flexibility when it comes to keeping relevant content within a single shared drive, while restricting access to shared folders that might contain sensitive information.

    Once the update lands, admins can turn limit access to specific folders. The folders with “limited access” can only be opened by people who have been added to it directly. This means that Google Drive users with general access to the shared drive or shared folder will be able to see the restricted folder in Drive, but they will not be able to open it.

    As mentioned earlier, this feature is only available in beta. However, admins who want to start using it before it reaches “stable” status, can use the form that Google made available in order to express interest in the beta.

    Google says that all eligible customers will receive an email confirmation prior to the feature being enabled in their specified domain. The search giant will start accepting domains into the program in the coming weeks.

    It’s also worth noting that folders with limited access are available in both shared drives and My Drive. This means that shared drive managers will always be able to access folders with limited-access, while folder owners will always be able to access limited-access folders in their My Drive.

    As far as availability goes, this feature is eligible for Google Workspace customers with Business Standard / Plus, Enterprise Standard / Plus, Essentials Starter / Enterprise Essentials / Enterprise Essentials Plus, Education Fundamentals / Standard / Plus / the Teaching & Learning upgrade, and Nonprofits.

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  • Google Drive gets automatic captions for video uploads with new update

    Google Drive gets automatic captions for video uploads with new update

    Google Drive is now rolling out a useful feature for videos you upload: automatically generated captions. It seems the new feature is widely rolled out.

    The feature is available for personal Google Accounts and uses speech recognition tech to transcribe the audio. To use the feature, users should request automatic captions after uploading a video to Drive. On the other hand, for Google Workspace users, the captions are enabled automatically, unless their admins disable it.

    To generate captions for a video, you can right-click on the video and then click on Manage caption tracks, and then generate automatic captions. On mobile, tap the three-dot menu on the top right, and then go for Manage caption tracks and generate automatic captions, but this has to be done when a video is already playing.

    It takes some time for the request to process. Then, the automatic captions will be available in a YouTube-esque player by tapping “CC”.

    Having captions is also great for searching for videos based on content, while they also improve the accessibility of media stored in Drive. For now, English is the only language that is supported, with other languages planned “in the future”.

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  • Waze adds ability to personalize drives, launches new zodiac driving experience

    Waze adds ability to personalize drives, launches new zodiac driving experience

    Waze is launching two new features at the same time this month, which is a little bit unusual for the navigation app. I know everyone is used to getting a new driving experience almost every month, this time around Waze is bringing more than just a fun way to spend your time while driving.

    The company announced earlier today plans to bring Waze users more ways to stay entertained on the road with Customize Your Drive and an astrological driving experience. The new ability to personalize drives allows users to choose from various driving experiences and access more such content in one place. For example, you’ll be able to select a theme that fits your mood and change it with ease.

    Whether you’re driving with some of your favorite personalities like Boy George, Christina Aguilera, or Karamo, or looking for something more kid-friendly like PAW Patrol or Fraggle Rock, there’s certainly something for everyone on their journeys.

    Now, the bad part is that while “Customize Your Drive” features is rolling out in the United States today, it will be launched globally in the future. So, unless you live in the U.S., you won’t be able to personalize your driving experience yet.

    On the bright side, there’s something else available those who don’t have access to “Customize Your Drive,” a new zodiac driving experience! Regardless of your zodiac sign, Waze’s resident astrologer has the right driving experience for you.

    The new zodiac driving experience includes a custom vehicle and Mood for each of the 12 signs. Waze users can start driving with a vehicle and Mood that match their sign today. If you live in the United States, the zodiac driving experience can be found through “Customize Your Drive,” The rest of the world can find it via the left menu in the Waze app.

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  • Google is ending support for its dedicated Street View app next year

    Google is ending support for its dedicated Street View app next year

    It appears that another app will soon see its demise. One of Google’s plans for the next year is to shut down its dedicated Street View application.

    The app does exactly what its name suggests: it lets you browse the world’s streets in 360-degree photos directly from your smartphone. However, if this sounds familiar, it’s because the more popular Google Maps app also lets you do that by just tapping on the image of the place you want to see.

    The dedicated Street View app is mostly used by people who want to contribute their own 360-degree shots, but since Google now offers a “Street View Studio” web app, the Street View app just becomes redundant. So, it’s no surprise that Google has decided to end it.

    The news of the Google Street View app’s demise first came from 9to5Google. The folks there found out that in version 2.0.0.484371618 of the app, the tech giant has composed a few — still hidden from the public — shutdown notices, which say that the application will be shut down on March 21st, 2023.

    A little after 9to5Google’s report, a spokesperson, Madison Gouveia, confirmed that Google is indeed planning to shut down the Street View app in March 2023. However, we must note that the Street View service will continue to function, so you will still be able to explore the streets of your favorite cities, but only through the Google Maps app.

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  • Google Drive is restricting users’ files by mistake, Google AI strikes again

    Google Drive is restricting users’ files by mistake, Google AI strikes again

    A little over a week ago, Google announced a new Google Drive policy. It stated that the tech giant would start to actively search for files breaching its abuse program policies and/or Terms of Service and locking the ones that do.

    Simply put, if such a file was found and restricted, the owner wouldn’t be able to send it to others, and all access to the file, except that of the owner, would be revoked. Google stated that this change had the aim to control the spreading of malware, hate speech, explicit content, etc.

    That said, complaints about Google Drive locking files that were neither of those things started piling up recently. From the looks of it, it seems that the AI system in charge of sifting through which files should be deemed dangerous is acting up and failing to do its job properly. Algorithms—the ultimate example of a double-edged sword.

    There are even examples of .txt files containing a single number inside that are falsely marked as inappropriate. One of the best examples comes from a Michigan State University assistant professor Dr. Emily Dolson.

    Dr. Dolson was uploading a large set of files to Google Drive while preparing to send her students’ programming assignments. The files consisted of the “inputs and the expected outputs” of said cases. “Shortly after uploading them,” she explains ”I received a string of emails from Google indicating that those files had been flagged for copyright infringement.”

    Now, in its announcement of this new policy, Google has stated that in situations such as the one with Dr. Dolson, the user should “receive an email with details and potential actions they can take to request a review.” Unfortunately, however, that did not happen in her case.

    After posting her issue on Twitter, a Google engineer going by Misha Brukman replied to Dolson, assuring her that they are working on a solution.

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  • Apple drops iOS 13.4 and iPadOS 13.4 with some great features and bug fixes

    Apple drops iOS 13.4 and iPadOS 13.4 with some great features and bug fixes

    As expected, Apple today unveiled iOS 13.4 and iPadOS 13.4. Both updates are full of new features for compatible iPhone, iPod touch and iPad models. One of the new features for all three devices is a revamped toolbar for the Mail app. The revision moves the delete icon away from the reply icon to prevent users from accidentally deleting an email they wanted to reply to.

    Also part of the update is iCloud file sharing which allows users to share iCloud Drive folders with others. Any file changes will immediately be seen by those who have access to view it. You can set this feature so that people that you don’t explicitly invite to share the folders with or allow access to, are blocked from viewing what is inside them. You can give some users permission to make changes and upload files while others you can limit to viewing and downloading files.

    A small change to the URL bar in Safari will allow someone to type a new web address instantly in the bar even when another URL is highlighted. Previously, the user would have to tap outside of the highlighted URL to tap in a new website address. The update adds nine new Memoji stickers and makes changes to the TV app affecting how the streaming service is affected (via Wi-Fi or cellular). Those without a plan offering unlimited data can select a Data Saver option that throttles the streaming rate to 600MB/hour.

    With iOS 13.4, Apple is allowing developers to offer universal purchase support. This will allow those sporting an Apple device to purchase one app and have it work on multiple Apple platforms including the iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. The new update also includes a new Shortcuts Action for Shazam, and games recently played in Apple Arcade will now appear in the Arcade tab so that the user will be able to continue where he left off even when switching devices.

    CarPlay received a couple of changes including support for third-party navigation apps and in-call information will now appear on the CarPlay Dashboard. And while this will only be of interest to those who can read and write Arabic, the predictive keyboard on iOS devices will now support that language.

    In addition, the update exterminates several bugs including one in the Mail app that listed emails out of order. A bug that used excessive storage for Photos has been fixed as has a bug that showed cellular data as being off when in reality, it was on. And those whose camera viewfinder appeared as a black screen will be happy to know that Apple has taken care of this issue. A bug that prevented the Safari browser from inverting when Dark Mode and Smart Invert are enabled has been fixed, and there are several more issues that Apple has taken care of.

    The update to iPadOS 13.4 adds support for the Magic Keyboard Case on the 12.9-inch and 11-inch iPad Pro models (both the recently launched models and the 2018 versions). Installing the update will add iPad support for the Magic Mouse, Magic Mouse 2, Magic Trackpad, Magic Trackpad 2, and for third-party wireless Bluetooth and USB mouse accessories. The addition of trackpad support will allow those who own a compatible iPad Pro to use Multi-Touch gestures to scroll, zoom in or out, make a “right-click,” tap to click and more.

    The update adds the iCloud Drive folder sharing and the new Memoji stickers. And yes, iPadOS 13.4 also has a list of bugs that the update exterminates.

    To update your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Software Update.

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  • Tesla Raises Prices For Some Vehicles In China

    Tesla Raises Prices For Some Vehicles In China

    U.S. electric vehicles maker Tesla Inc said on Friday it had raised prices for some vehicles in China, a decision that comes as the Chinese yuan trades at its weakest levels in more than 10 years.

    The starting price for the Model X sport utility vehicle (SUV) was now 809,900 yuan ($114,186) compared with 790,900 yuan previously, Tesla said on its China website. Its long-range dual-motor variants of mass-market Model 3 vehicles were now priced at 439,900 yuan, up from 429,900 yuan previously.

    People familiar with the matter told Reuters earlier this week that Tesla would hike prices on Friday and could do so again in December should Chinese tariffs on U.S.-made cars take effect.

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  • Google Drive users on a discontinued plan

    Google Drive users on a discontinued plan

    It’s getting harder and harder to complain about running out of storage space on today’s high-end and even mid-range smartphones, especially if you also add in an ultra-affordable or insanely hefty microSD card. At the same time, it’s generally a good idea to back up some of your most precious stuff in the cloud, where storage has gotten cheaper and cheaper in recent years as well.

    For instance, the 2018-released Google One subscription service provides two whole terabytes of digital hoarding room at a monthly fee of only $9.99 or an even more reasonable price of $99.99 per year. A couple of lower-cost options can hook you up with a 100 or 200 gig cache for $1.99 and $2.99 a month respectively (or $19.99 and $29.99 a year), while every free Google account gets a 15GB storage allotment to use across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos platforms.

    This is all extremely well and good, but you know what can be better? Even more free cloud storage, which is exactly what subscribers on a discontinued Google Drive plan are reportedly receiving. Basically, instead of forcing users to upgrade from a $5 a year subscription that’s no longer a thing to one of the aforementioned $20, $30, or $100 plans, Google is letting people keep their digital depositories without ever needing to pay a dime.

    We’re obviously not talking about a great deal of storage space, but 20 gigs for free is certainly nothing to sneeze at, especially when you combine that number with the entry-level 15GB allotment. That’s right, these lucky Google Drive users will get a grand total of 35 GB of space in the cloud at no monthly charge whatsoever going forward. Unfortunately, if you weren’t subscribed to the grandfathered $5/year plan, there’s nothing you can do to take advantage of a similar special offer.

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