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  • Every Halfs $8M Series A Brews Excitement for Vietnamese Coffee Sector Expansion

    Every Halfs $8M Series A Brews Excitement for Vietnamese Coffee Sector Expansion

    Every Half, a Vietnamese coffee chain, recently raised $8 million in a Series A funding round with participation from current investors Openspace Capital and DSG Consumer Partners. This funding will be utilized to fuel the company’s expansion across Vietnam, enhance its vertically integrated supply chain, and extend its packaged coffee business.

    Diversifying Operations and Expanding Reach

    Simultaneously, the company is diversifying its portfolio beyond traditional coffee shops. It is investing in coffee farming, proprietary fermentation technologies, e-commerce, and business-to-business distribution. Currently, 36 stores are operating under the Every Half umbrella in various Vietnamese cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Danang, and Hoi An. The company is predicted to nearly triple its revenue this year. In addition to its in-store offerings, Every Half has broadened its consumer product selection, selling roasted coffee beans and brewing tools online and exporting to countries like Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan.

    The recent funding round builds upon prior investments made by Openspace and DSG Consumer Partners, following an undisclosed seed round in 2024 and a pre-Series A financing round worth $3 million last year.

    Every Half was established in 2021 by ex-executives of The Coffee House, Vo Duy Phu and Tran Le Minh Truc. The company aims to promote Vietnamese specialty coffee globally through a business model that covers sourcing, processing, roasting, and retailing.

    Transforming Vietnamese Coffee Industry

    When Openspace invested in Every Half in 2024, it praised the company’s vision of transforming Vietnamese coffee from a simple exported commodity into a globally recognized premium brand. The investment firm also praised the founders’ expertise in coffee sourcing, product development, and retailing. DSG Consumer Partners shared a similar sentiment, highlighting the company’s focus on specialty coffee, sustainable sourcing, and brand building as primary drivers of its long-term growth.

    Questions & Answers

    What will the recently secured funds be used for by Every Half?
    The funds will be used to accelerate Every Half’s expansion across Vietnam, deepen investment in its vertically integrated supply chain, and scale its packaged coffee business.

    What diversification strategies is Every Half employing?
    Every Half is expanding its operations beyond cafes to include coffee farming, proprietary fermentation technology, e-commerce, and business-to-business distribution.

    What was the vision behind the founding of Every Half?
    Founded by Vo Duy Phu and Tran Le Minh Truc, Every Half was created with the aim of showcasing Vietnamese-grown specialty coffee on a global scale, traversing operations from sourcing, processing, and roasting to retail.

  • Every Half Brews Fresh Success: Scores $8M Series A Funding for Rapid Vietnamese Coffee Expansion

    Every Half Brews Fresh Success: Scores $8M Series A Funding for Rapid Vietnamese Coffee Expansion

    Vietnamese coffee brand, Every Half, has recently raised a total of US$8 million in a Series A funding round. The considerable investment comes courtesy of existing investors Openspace Capital and DSG Consumer Partners.

    The new capital will be used to facilitate comprehensive expansion across Vietnam, as well as deepening the company’s investment into its vertically integrated supply chain. Plans are also in place to increase the reach of its packaged coffee business.

    Diversifying the Coffee Sector

    Every Half is well on its way to extending its business operations beyond traditional cafes. The company is actively investing in coffee farming, proprietary fermentation technology, e-commerce, and business-to-business distribution.

    As of now, Every Half manages 36 stores in numerous locations including Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Danang, and Hoi An. The company is projected to almost triple its revenue this year. In addition to this, it has expanded its range of consumer products. From selling roasted coffee beans and brewing equipment online to exporting to markets such as Singapore, Thailand, and Taiwan.

    The latest funding round builds on previous investments from Openspace and DSG Consumer Partners. This follows an undisclosed seed round in 2024 topped by a $3 million pre-Series A funding round last year.

    Every Half was established in 2021 by ex-The Coffee House executives Vo Duy Phu and Tran Le Minh Truc. The company’s primary aim is to promote Vietnamese-grown specialty coffee through a wide-ranging business model that covers sourcing, processing, roasting, and retail.

    In 2024, when Openspace made its initial investment, it expressed support for Every Half’s ambition to transform Vietnamese coffee from a mere commodity export into a globally recognized premium brand. This highlighted the founders’ extensive experience in coffee sourcing, product development, and retail.

    DSG Consumer Partners echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the firm’s focus on specialty coffee, sustainable sourcing, and brand building as essential drivers of its long-term growth potential.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the primary focus of Every Half?
    Every Half aims to transform Vietnamese-grown specialty coffee into a globally recognised premium brand.

    How does the company intend to use the funds from the recent Series A funding round?
    The brand plans to use the funds to facilitate expansion all over Vietnam and to deepen their investment in their vertically integrated supply chain.

    What are some of the additional business avenues Every Half is exploring?
    Every Half is diversifying with investments in coffee farming, proprietary fermentation technology, e-commerce, and business-to-business distribution.

  • Jago Coffee Brews up $12.5M in Series B Funding for Nationwide Mobile Expansion

    Jago Coffee Brews up $12.5M in Series B Funding for Nationwide Mobile Expansion

    Jago Coffee, an Indonesian-based mobile coffee startup, recently secured a significant financial boost of US$12.5 million in a Series B funding round. This recent round of funding will enable the company to progress with its expansion plans. The focus is on increasing its fully electric coffee cart network and bolstering its proprietary technology platform across Indonesia.

    Investment Details

    The Series B round received significant support from a trio of investors, namely Beenext, Intudo Ventures, and Orzon Ventures. This follows a Series A round, which saw Jago Coffee secure US$6 million in funding in 2024.

    Jago Coffee’s Business Model

    Founded in Jakarta, Jago Coffee operates an extensive network of fully electric carts. These mobile units serve fresh, cafe-quality beverages in various settings, from residential neighbourhoods to commercial districts and transit hubs.

    The coffee startup’s strategy is to offer high-quality beverages at competitive prices, targeting a mass-market consumer base. The company’s innovative service model eliminates the overhead costs associated with traditional brick-and-mortar storefronts. It prioritizes convenience and accessibility while maintaining cost efficiency.

    Customers have two options to order from Jago Coffee. They can either purchase directly from the mobile carts or use the company’s dedicated app. The app allows customers to request the nearest barista to be dispatched directly to their location.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the business model of Jago Coffee?
    Jago Coffee operates a fleet of fully electric coffee carts that serve fresh beverages in various locations. The company targets mass-market consumers with cafe-quality drinks at affordable prices. It emphasizes convenience, accessibility, and cost efficiency by eliminating the need for physical storefronts.

    Who led the recent funding round for Jago Coffee?
    The latest funding round, Series B, was led by Beenext, with participation from Intudo Ventures and Orzon Ventures.

    How do customers order from Jago Coffee?
    Customers have two options for ordering from Jago Coffee. They can either order directly from the roaming coffee carts or use the company’s dedicated app to have the nearest barista delivered to their location.

  • Introducing PineDrama: TikTok’s Free, Ad-less Portal to Micro Drama Series, Now Live in the US

    Introducing PineDrama: TikTok’s Free, Ad-less Portal to Micro Drama Series, Now Live in the US

    For devotees of brief video content, the introduction of TikTok’s latest application focused on ‘micro dramas’ comes as exciting news. This new application is a development of TikTok’s commitment to fostering engagement and innovation in the realm of digital entertainment.

    Micro Dramas – The New Craze

    Micro dramas, also known as mini or vertical dramas, are swiftly gaining popularity in the mobile entertainment space. These dramas are segmented into brief episodes that typically last for around 60 to 90 seconds. This app, named PineDrama, has been launched in the United States and Brazil and is exclusively dedicated to this format.

    Unlike standalone videos, these mini series are designed to be viewed in order, drawing in the audience with numerous quick clips. In doing so, the potential for higher view counts increases dramatically, potentially reaching into the millions.

    Modern Day Soap Operas

    Drawing parallels with the global popularity of soap dramas several decades ago, micro dramas seem to be enjoying a similar resurgence. PineDrama tends to favor genres of romance and the supernatural, with common narratives revolving around love triangles, billionaires, vampires, and werewolves.

    One of their series, titled ‘Love at First Bite’, has already amassed 18 million views. The three most popular shows on the app have all garnered over 100 million views according to in-app counters, which speaks to the traction that this app is already gaining.

    Monetization Strategy

    Traditionally, the majority of micro drama platforms resort to aggressive monetization strategies, often involving viewer payments. In 2025, micro dramas were estimated to have generated $1.3 billion in the United States largely from these direct viewer payments.

    Typically, platforms like DramaBox and ReelShort offer a limited number of free episodes before implementing a paywall that can cost upwards of $20 a week. PineDrama is adopting a markedly different stance at its launch, allowing users to sign in with their existing TikTok accounts to access full series at no cost, with no advertisements or visible payment prompts.

    This lack of an advertising model or paywall implies that PineDrama may still be in the early stages of testing. It appears that, at least initially, TikTok is prioritizing user engagement over revenue generation.

    Questions & Answers

    What are micro dramas?
    Micro dramas, also known as mini or vertical dramas, are a rapidly growing format in mobile entertainment. They are brief episodic dramas that usually last for around 60 to 90 seconds.

    What kind of content does PineDrama focus on?
    PineDrama primarily focuses on romance and supernatural themes. Storylines often involve love triangles, billionaires, vampires, and werewolves.

    How does PineDrama plan to monetize its content?
    Unlike other platforms that use aggressive monetization tactics such as paywalls, PineDrama currently allows users to watch full series for free. This suggests that the platform is prioritizing user engagement over revenue generation during its initial phase.

  • Mr Cheesecake Breaks Ground in Hong Kong: Unveils Petite Series and Seasonal Flavors in First International Store

    Mr Cheesecake Breaks Ground in Hong Kong: Unveils Petite Series and Seasonal Flavors in First International Store

    Mr Cheesecake, a renowned Japanese dessert brand, has established its first ever permanent outlet beyond the domestic Japanese market. The new store is situated in Hysan Place, Causeway Bay, marking the brand’s international debut.

    Expansion in Hong Kong

    Prior to the launch of this permanent store, Mr Cheesecake had a strong presence in Hong Kong via a succession of pop-up stores. These temporary installations were spread across multiple locations, such as K11 Musea, Pacific Place, and IFC Mall.

    Product Innovations

    Coinciding with the Hong Kong store launch, Mr Cheesecake is broadening its product portfolio with a novel addition – the Mr Cheesecake Petit Series. This innovative product is a cup-shaped cheesecake designed to cater to daily dessert needs.

    In addition to the new product, the store is reintroducing the popular Praline Pistachio flavour for the festive season. However, this particular item will only be available for a limited period leading up to Christmas.

    Mirroring Japanese Retail Model

    Mr Cheesecake’s operator in Hong Kong, Yaichi, has stated that the Hysan Place store will replicate the Japanese retail model. This means customers can anticipate a dynamic offering of signature items, along with new releases that correspond with product improvements in the Japanese market.

    Notably, Yaichi is not new to introducing Japanese brands to the Hong Kong market. Earlier in July, it facilitated the entry of the Japanese household goods retailer 3Coins into Hong Kong.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the significance of Mr Cheesecake’s new store in Hysan Place?
    The new store at Hysan Place, Causeway Bay, is the first permanent international location for the Japanese dessert brand, Mr Cheesecake.

    What new products are being launched at the Hong Kong store?
    The store is launching the Mr Cheesecake Petit Series, a cup-shaped cheesecake for daily consumption. Additionally, the seasonal Praline Pistachio flavour is being reintroduced for a limited period.

    What strategy will the new Mr Cheesecake store follow in Hong Kong?
    The Mr Cheesecake store in Hong Kong, operated by Yaichi, will follow the Japan retail model. This includes keeping a rotating lineup of signature items and new releases in line with product developments in Japan.

  • Coolmate, Vietnam’s Digital Fashion Powerhouse, Secures Series C Funding for Global Expansion and Women’s Line Launch

    Coolmate, Vietnam’s Digital Fashion Powerhouse, Secures Series C Funding for Global Expansion and Women’s Line Launch

    Coolmate, a Vietnamese brand known for its digital-first approach in fashion, has successfully completed its latest Series C financing. The specific details of the funding have been kept under wraps, but it is understood that the funds will be used to fuel both global expansion and the brand’s entrance into women’s fashion.

    The fundraising effort was spearheaded by Vertex Growth Fund and saw contributions from Cool Japan Fund, YoungOne CVC, and other pre-existing investors such as Vertex Ventures SEA & India and Kairous Capital.

    Nhu Chi Pham, the CEO and founder of Coolmate, expressed her gratitude for the investment. She asserted, “This financial boost enables us to further endorse our vision, break into new markets, and continue to cultivate a brand that is a true symbol of Vietnamese ingenuity.”

    A Look at Coolmate’s Journey

    Established in 2019, Coolmate has quickly made its mark on the industry, having already fulfilled over 5 million orders across the nation. It operates using a technology-aided local supply chain, allowing for efficient and effective business transactions.

    This latest influx of capital will be strategically funneled into three main areas: Women’s fashion, global market penetration, and the establishment of physical retail outlets.

    Detailed Expansion Plans

    Coolmate launched its “Go Women” initiative in March, introducing a new line of activewear for women. The company has a 2030 target of generating 40% of its total revenue from women’s products.

    The “Go Global” strategy has been initiated with Coolmate’s debut on Amazon US where it has quickly gained a “Best Seller” status and now processes over 25,000 orders monthly. The next phase of this strategy involves expanding throughout Southeast Asia in an effort to reach 30% international revenue by the year 2030.

    Finally, with the “Go Offline” strategy, Coolmate plans to open brick-and-mortar stores, aiming to enhance customer experience, and projecting to obtain 40% of its revenue from offline sales by 2030.

    It’s worth noting that Coolmate secured a $6 million investment in a Series B fundraising round last year, led by Vertex Venture Southeast Asia and India.

    Questions & Answers

    What is Coolmate’s business model?
    Coolmate operates with a digital-first approach in fashion, utilizing a technology-enabled local supply chain to conduct business transactions efficiently.

    What are the future expansion plans of Coolmate?
    Coolmate plans to venture into women’s fashion, expand its brand globally, and establish physical retail outlets to enhance customer experience.

    What are the goals set for 2030 by Coolmate?
    Coolmate aims to achieve 40% of its total revenue from women’s products, 30% international revenue, and 40% of its revenue from offline sales by 2030.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  • 50 free TV channels are coming to Google TV

    50 free TV channels are coming to Google TV

    Google TV is an app available for both Android and iOS devices. The app allows you to find movies and television shows that you can watch on demand from several platforms including Pluto TV, Tubi TV, Plex, Prime Video, Peacock, YouTube, and more. 9to5Google found code hidden in the latest version of an app that Google listed in the Play Store. One bit of code said, “Enjoy 50 channels of live TV without the need to subscribe, sign-up, or download.”
    That sure sounds good. The live television channels, unlike the platforms that Google TV offers today, do not require you to download a third-party app. The code reveals that there should be a variety of live programming including “news, sports, movies, and shows.” Even more interesting, 9to5Google unearthed a graphic showing 34 of the 50 live television channels.
    That list includes:
    • ABC News Live
    • America’s Test Kitchen
    • American Classics
    • The Asylum
    • Battery Pop
    • CBC News
    • ChiveTV
    • Deal or No Deal
    • Divorce Court
    • Dry Bar Comedy
    • FailArmy
    • Filmrise Free Movies
    • Hallmark Movies & More
    • It’s Showtime at the Apollo!
    • Kevin Hart’s LOL! Network
    • Love Nature
    • Maverick Black Cinema
    • MooviMex
    • Nature Vision
    • NBC News Now
    • Newsmax TV
    • Nosey
    • The Pet Collective
    • Power Nation
    • Reelz
    • Teletubbies
    • Today All Day
    • Toon Goggles
    • USA Today
    • World Poker Tour
    • Wu-Tang Collection TV
    • Xumo Crime TV
    • Xumo Movies
    • Xumo Westerns
    Again, these are just some of the 50 channels that will be offered to Google TV users. When this will roll out-if it does-is unclear. The app still has a long way to go to match the quantity of the content available on Samsung TV Plus which supports over 200 channels.
    Android users can download the app from the Google Play Store. Apple iPhone users can download the app from the App Store. Keep in mind that until the “Google TV channels” appear, the Google TV app is a way to manage those streaming third-party apps that you use to watch movies and television shows. The app also helps you find where your favorite movies and television shows are streaming, and by looking at the content that you give thumbs up or thumbs down to, Google’s algorithm will help recommend shows and movies for you to watch.
  • Netflix is working on launching a live streaming feature

    Netflix is working on launching a live streaming feature

    Netflix could be working on a new way to keep you as a subscriber. After rapidly losing subscriptions, the streaming giant added a mobile gaming platform, is reportedly planning to introduce an ad-supported tier, and — now — it is looking to broaden its content with live streaming shows.

    Netflix has confirmed to Deadline that it’s in the early stages of launching live streaming for its unscripted shows and stand-up specials. This might allow Netflix to broadcast reunions of some of its series and provide live voting for competitive productions such as Dance 100.

    The new feature could also be used to broadcast live comedy specials. For example, Netflix recently held an in-person comedy festival called Netflix Is a Joke Fest, which featured over 300 stand-up performances. The company will make recordings of around 12 of them available to watch soon. But if it decides to organize the festival again, instead of releasing only a fraction of the event, it could broadcast the whole thing while it is happening, thus letting its subscribers get the full experience.

    Having live shows will allow Netflix to stay in the race with major competitor Disney+, who is already acquiring and broadcasting multiple live shows — like Dancing with the Stars and the Academy Awards. It is highly likely that Netflix is also planning to develop other formats, specifically designed for the live setting.

    At the current moment, we don’t have any information on when exactly the platform plans to launch this new feature.

  • Netflix adds a ‘Double Thumbs Up’ button to further improve its recommendations

    Netflix adds a ‘Double Thumbs Up’ button to further improve its recommendations

    In an attempt to better attune its recommendations to its users, Netflix introduced a third button to its rating system. Yes, from now on, Netflix will have not two, but three reaction buttons: a thumbs up, a thumbs down, and a double thumbs up button.

    According to Netflix, the thumbs-up button shows Netflix’s algorithms what movies and TV shows you like, but the double thumbs-up button shows which movies and TV shows you love. Based on which movies and shows received your double thumbs-up reaction, Netflix’s algorithms will better recommend similar movies and shows that “what you enjoy.”

    As Netflix explained, if you reacted with a double thumbs up to the TV show Bridgerton, the platform may even recommend you more movies or series starring some of the show’s cast or other movies and shows from the same production company, which in this case is Shondaland.

    Netflix’s double thumbs-up button is located next to the thumbs-up and thumbs-down buttons. You can see and use it now on the TV, web, and mobile versions of the service. And as Netflix said, “Don’t be shy. Express yourself and tell us what you’re loving on Netflix. You know you want to.”

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  • Netflix goes down and is now back up as millions breathe a sigh of relief

    Netflix goes down and is now back up as millions breathe a sigh of relief

    Although there are many streaming alternatives like Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+ and Hulu, during the current crisis with so many people stuck at home, Netflix is the service that tens of millions of shut-ins depend on for entertainment. Friends and relatives are watching movies and binge-watching television shows from separate locations and then discussing it with each other via a video chat. But many could only feel isolated and alone when Netflix went down this morning in parts of the U.S. and U.K.
    The morning outage lasted only one hour but must have felt like much longer to those who could not stream their favorite Netflix fare. According to DownDetector.com, starting at 11:43 am ET, the number of complaints received about Netflix rose from 25 to peak at 1,646 by 12:43 pm. 41% of those complaining said that they could not connect to the service. 35% had issues with the video streaming and 23% said that they could not access the service via the Netflix website.
    A Netflix spokesman said, “Some of our members in the U.S. and Europe were unable to use Netflix via our website for around an hour this morning. The issue is now fixed and we’re sorry for the inconvenience.”
    Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and some other streamers have lowered the quality of their streams in certain markets in order to reduce the demands on the internet. With much of the world stuck inside and unable to work from home, the internet is being taxed as it never has been before.
  • Netflix wants to produce Vietnamese content

    Netflix wants to produce Vietnamese content

    U.S. streaming service provider Netflix wants to produce content in Vietnam as it seeks to expand in Asia, its CEO has said.

    Speaking at a meeting with Mai Tien Dung, Chairman of the Government Office on Monday, Reed Hastings added that the company, which has set up offices in other Asian countries like India, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan, wants to set up one in Vietnam too.

    Netflix has been available in Vietnam since 2016 at VND180,000 ($7.8) a month for a basic subscription.

    It has been seeking to produce and acquire rights for more Asian content to increase the number of global subscribers.

    In September “Hau Due Mat Troi” (Descendants of the Sun Vietnam) became the first Vietnamese series to be screened on Netflix following the screening of movies like “Trung So” (Jackpot) and “Hai Phuong” (Furie).

    Netflix has 151 million subscribers in 190 countries.

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  • BMW 1 Series Breaks Cover

    BMW 1 Series Breaks Cover

    The BMW 1 Series has been one of the most fun to drive hatchbacks over the previous generations and the automaker has now released the all-new generation of the model. The 2020 BMW 1 Series is quite literally all-new, having been built from the ground up and shares little details with its predecessor. The biggest change by far comes with the front-wheel-drive (FWD) set-up on the third generation that replaces the rear-wheel-drive architecture, which made it such a hoot to drive in the first place. The new 1 Series also comes with All-Wheel Drive (AWD) on the top trims. As a result, the new BMW 1 joins the automaker’s smaller set of FWD cars including the X1, 2 Series and the 1 Series sedan.

    The third generation BMW 1 Series is based on a completely new platform and the design language is also all-new and must we say more proportionate too over the older version. Most prominent are the larger kidney grilles up front that mimic the newer Beamer models, while the bonnet length is long yet in-line with the rest of the body. The headlamps are smartly designed bringing a fresh look and can be had with adaptive full-LEDs that are available as optional. At the sides, the flat beltline on the 1 Series is now slightly raked and the Hofmeister kink gets a subtle update. The rear sports a more athletic appearance with the sharply styled bumper, raked windscreen, and roof spoiler, while the massive wraparound LED taillights to look bold. A first on the new 1er will be the addition of a panoramic sunroof while wheel sizes will range between 16-inch and 19-inch depending on the variant you choose.

    With respect to dimensions, the 2020 1er is 5 mm shorter at 4319 mm (170 inches), whereas the width has increased by 34 mm at 1799 mm. The height is up by 13 mm to 1434 mm, with the wheelbase now shorter by 20 mm and sits at 2670 mm. Nevertheless, the FWD set-up has helped liberate more room in the cabin. You get 33 mm of additional knee room at the rear along with 19 mm of extra headroom and 13 mm of elbow room. The luxury hatchback can also take up more luggage than its predecessor with a cargo capacity of 380 liters, which can be expanded to 1200 liters with the rear seats folded. The automaker says the boot is also wider than before that makes it easy to load and unload luggage, while the tailgate is now electric.

    Inside, the 2020 BMW 1 Series replicates the familiar design language from the larger Beamer models. The car comes with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with gesture control and Apple CarPlay compatibility. The instrument console is fully digital and gets a 10.25-inch screen that displays all the necessary information.

    Under the hood, the third generation BMW 1 Series will get two petrol and three diesel engines. The most powerful version will be the M135i xDrive with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged motor tuned for 301 bhp and 450 Nm of peak torque. The range-topping model can sprint from 0-100 kmph in 4.8 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250 kmph. An optional M performance package will further shave a tenth of a second on the hatchback. Other engines will range between three- and four-cylinder versions churning out as low as 115 bhp. All units will come paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch or 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. There’s a 6-speed manual available as well.

    The new 1 will also come with a host of electronic aids including Lane Departure Warning with active lane return, Active Cruise Control, Lane Change Warning system, rear collision warning and crossing traffic warning. The car also comes with Park Assist, while features like VDC (Variable Damper Control) and  ARB (actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation) technology, further improve the car’s handling capabilities. Customers can also opt for the BMW Digital Key and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant on the new 1 Series.

    The all-new BMW 1Series will make its debut in Munich from June 25 to 27 as part of the #NextGen event, while a public showcase has also been planned at Frankfurt in September this year. The previous version of the 1 Series was sold in India, but it’s unclear if the new one will actually make it here. Globally, the car will lock horns against the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Audi A3 Sportback, Volkswagen Golf and the likes

  • Korean Netflix shows target a global audience

    Korean Netflix shows target a global audience

    Ahead of the launch of Netflix’s first original Korean drama series today, executives from the streaming giant expressed confidence in the global popularity of Korean content at a press briefing in Seoul, Thursday. Kim Min-young, the director of content at Netflix in Korea, said that she expected to win over fans with the company’s first-ever original Korean drama series “Kingdom,” a highly-anticipated zombie series that launches on the streaming platform.

    “‘Kingdom’ will launch in 190 countries in 27 languages at the same time, with dubbing provided in 12 different languages,” Kim said.

    “We expect many users will want to watch it, as it can appeal to both people who like zombie thrillers or just Korean content … I believe in our creators and [the popularity] of Korean media, which is also the reason why Netflix launched Korea’s own content team in the country last year.”

    Before last May, the team that produced and licensed content to Netflix for the Korean market worked from Singapore at the company’s Asia-Pacific headquarters. Following the relocation, the Korean content team has been pursuing licensing and production activities more actively, working with domestic content producers like JTBC and Studio Dragon.

    Regarding original production in Korea, Kim said she benchmarks successful foreign Netflix original dramas like Spanish title “Elite” and Turkey’s “The Protector” that became huge hits with users across the world.

    “Our ultimate goal is to present entertainment to consumers, and from our experience, we found it necessary to give creators the freedom to tell the story they want to share,” said Kim.

    “As you can see with ‘Black Mirror: Bandersnatch,’ we will help producers to not be hindered from doing what they want because of technological limits.”

    “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch” is a choose-your-own-adventure film by Netflix that allows users to choose one of many action courses for the characters throughout the movie to determine how the plot progresses. Kim hinted that the impressive technological feats as shown via the interactive video could also be made possible in Netflix’s Korean programs.

    “We were also satisfied with the performance of our original entertainment program ‘Busted!,’ as reflected by our decision to produce a second season,” she said.

    The Netflix team also addressed concerns that Netflix provided limited service offerings and imposed unfair deals on its Korean partners.

    “Although we can’t provide all content available out there, we conduct analyses to discover what content users want,” Kim said. “But we have contents like ‘Friends,’ ‘Walking Dead’ and ‘Kim’s Convenience’ which users can’t access elsewhere.”

    In response to a rumored nine-to-one profit division between Netflix and Korean distributors like IPTV operator LG U+, Nigel Baptiste, director of partner engagement at Netflix, said that he could not “go into the specifics of what the deals are with our partners,” but the goal was to help “everyone in the ecosystem benefit.”

    The team did reassure users that subscription fees will not rise anytime soon in Korea.

    “We did increase prices in the U.S. … but we don’t have plans to do so right now [in Korea],” said the vice president of Asia-Pacific communications, Jessica Lee.

    Netflix is planning to release several new series in Korea this year – the first seasons of “Love Alarm,” “My First First Love,” “School Nurse Ahn Eun Young” and the second season of “Busted!”

    Mobile app research company WiseApp reported that some 900,000 Koreans used the Netflix mobile app on Android phones alone last September.

  • Iflix wants to become a social media platform for TV

    Iflix wants to become a social media platform for TV

    Emerging subscription-based streaming video service iflix intends to set itself apart from Netflix by becoming a social media platform for television, according to company executive.

    “Netflix is very much into an original production base… they are really focusing their investment on content and user experience and interface,” Cam Walker, chief executive of iflix Indonesia, told telecomasia.net at the sidelines of Communic Indonesia and Broadcast Indonesia 2016, which kicked off Wednesday at the Jakarta International Expo in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.

    “We have just most recently decided to venture beyond entertainment into becoming a truly social platform for television.”

    To do that, Walker said the company is planning to introduce more social media components and interactive features to the service. For instance, the company will offer a social feature later this year where users can chat with others or interact with local celebrities who have drawn up movie playlists for them.

    Iflix launched its service in Indonesia in mid-June this year and garnered 250,000 activations in about two-and-a-half months.

    Walker said the Indonesian market is relatively new from an OTT perspective and doesn’t see other streaming services as competitive, as they are all heading in different paths.

    “We’re the new kid on the block. We started a couple of years as a cool internet TV concept, with a vision to provide a better service to piracy and a viable alternative at an affordable price point,” he said.

    iflix is now offering 2,000 seasons of 900 programs, 5,000 episodes of 200 kids programs and local content acquired from partners for its Indonesian viewers.

    Walker said iflix will soon produce its first local Indonesian content that will open more opportunities for local actors, producers, directors, scriptwriters and “the new breed of Indonesian talents.”

    “We’re going to be investing heavily in local productions and local acquisitions as well, which I think will differentiate us from the major international players,” he said.

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