Retail News CRM

Tag: status

  • WhatsApp’s Major Redesign: Status Updates to Take Centre Stage in Latest Android Beta

    WhatsApp’s Major Redesign: Status Updates to Take Centre Stage in Latest Android Beta

    As social media evolves, two prominent trends have emerged: the prevalence of private chats and the popularity of temporary “stories,” which allow users to share snippets of their lives without leaving a permanent digital footprint. This shift towards more intimate and transient forms of communication is evident in the recent changes that WhatsApp is implementing.

    WhatsApp’s Interface Revamp

    WhatsApp, a widely-used messaging platform, is piloting an updated design that prioritizes status updates, or “stories.” The latest beta version of the Android app showcases a new approach to these status updates. The most recent updates from a user’s contacts now appear at the top of the Chats tab, presented alongside the profile pictures of those who have posted them.

    The stories that populate the top of the Chats tab reflect the user’s most frequent interactions. In other words, the status updates of those contacts the user frequently communicates with and who have shared a status update will be prominently displayed. However, the traditional Updates tab, typically found at the bottom of the screen, remains intact. This suggests that WhatsApp may not be planning to discard it entirely, although as this is an early beta version of the feature, the final outcome could potentially differ.

    The new design maintains one key feature from its predecessor: the ability to mute status updates. If a user has muted updates from a specific contact in the Updates tab, these updates will not appear in the new top bar. As of now, this redesign has been seen only in the Android beta version, and it is not yet clear whether it will be rolled out to iOS platforms.

    Transitioning towards a Social Media Platform

    While WhatsApp initially positioned itself as a simple chat service, it is rapidly expanding its offerings and pushing into the realm of social media with this new feature. Regardless of the fact that there are currently no banner ads within the app, WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, could potentially generate revenue by users swiping through these stories, paralleling strategies employed by its other applications.

    Questions & Answers

    What significant change is WhatsApp experimenting with?
    WhatsApp is testing a new interface that prioritizes status updates, or “stories,” from users’ most frequently interacted contacts at the top of the Chats tab.

    Will the traditional Updates tab be removed with the new design?
    At this stage, the Updates tab appears to be preserved in the new design. However, as this is an early beta version of the feature, the final version could potentially differ.

    Could this change allow WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, to generate revenue?
    While WhatsApp currently does not host banner ads, Meta could potentially monetize users’ interactions with their friends’ stories, in a manner similar to its other applications.

  • Cathay Cargo Revolutionizes Air Freight With Real-time Customs Clearance Updates

    Cathay Cargo Revolutionizes Air Freight With Real-time Customs Clearance Updates

    Cathay Cargo has become a trailblazer in the industry by being the first airline to provide real-time updates on customs clearance to its customers. They have achieved this by integrating these updates into their EzyCargo platform, and to customers who have already set up ONE Record API links with the airline’s system. This innovation brings a new level of transparency and effectiveness to the air-cargo shipping journey.

    Enhancing Communication with Air Cargo Stakeholders

    This significant development is built upon the IATA ONE Record data protocol. It incorporates customs authorities as a new stakeholder in Cathay Cargo’s real-time customer communication. The integration of customs authority requirements promotes efficiency in the process of cargo shipping.

    Understanding and fulfilling the prerequisites of customs authorities is crucial in the shipping industry. Many require PLACI (pre-load advanced cargo information), and will not allow a shipment to be loaded until they have given clearance. Most also require another level of approval before releasing a shipment upon its arrival. With the new system, customers will have access to live updates as their shipments progress through these stages.

    The initial phase of this project will provide users with clearance status updates from customs authorities in Europe (ICS2 Import Control System), the United States, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates. These updates will be recorded as ONE Record “Logistic Events”. Customers will be able to track the status of their shipment, whether it is still pending, under assessment, permitted for load or not, and if it has been held for inspection or cleared for collection at the destination.

    Improving Efficiency and Transparency

    Before this development, obtaining this information required manual updates from ground handling agents. Now, customers can independently access these updates in real-time, allowing them to take necessary corrective steps or adapt to delays due to customs inspections.

    EzyCustoms and EzyCargo are components of the EzyCargo suite of air cargo tools. These were created by Cathay Cargo’s innovation partner, Global Logistics System (HK) Company Limited (GLS). GLS has also spearheaded other digitalization projects for the airline’s commercial and operational settings, including Click & Ship, Cathay Cargo’s online booking platform.

    James Evans, Cathay General Manager Cargo Commercial, emphasized that this integration demonstrates Cathay Cargo’s dedication to the ongoing digitalization of the air-cargo shipment process. “We recognize the value of involving all stakeholders in the air cargo industry in IATA ONE Record, to enhance the transparency and data connectivity of air cargo,” he said.

    Questions & Answers

    How does this new integration by Cathay Cargo benefit customers?
    This new system provides real-time updates on customs clearance status to customers, enhancing transparency and efficiency in the air-cargo shipping journey.

    What is the ONE Record data protocol?
    The ONE Record data protocol is a standard developed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to increase data interoperability in the air cargo industry.

    What is the future plan for this integration?
    This extended ONE Record integration is currently only available to Cathay Cargo customers who are subscribed to the EzyCargo platform. However, the company has plans to integrate this additional visibility into the Cathay Cargo website for registered account holders in 2026.