The Next Web |
- Clever campaign: WeChat takes the Chinese New Year tradition of gifting money to mobile
- The Verification Handbook: Helping journos sort fact from fiction in the digital age
- Coursera withdraws its online learning service from Cuba, Iran and Sudan to comply with US law
- Groopic, an app to help you take group photos, goes freemium and launches on Android
- ITV joins Sky for a new UK pay TV channel called ITV Encore, showcasing ‘great British drama’
- Samsung to open more than 60 dedicated stores across Europe with Carphone Warehouse
- Talent Backer: A UK crowdfunding platform for your artistic, musical or sporting skills
- Japan is by far the most popular Asian country on Street View, according to Google
- ‘Internet newspaper’ The Daily Dot buys UK-based ‘Internet tabloid’ The Kernel
- Sorry Tesla, Beijing’s newly-announced subsidies for electric cars apply to Chinese firms only
| Clever campaign: WeChat takes the Chinese New Year tradition of gifting money to mobile Posted: 29 Jan 2014 04:21 AM PST  Uber isn't the only company getting into the spirit of Chinese New Year. WeChat, the Chinese mobile messaging app with 270 million active users, has stumbled upon a brilliant idea, which takes the seasonal tradition of gifting money — know as Hong Bao in Mandarin — into the digital era, as Tech In Asia notes. Rather than (or, perhaps, in addition to) giving red envelopes of money to younger family members and friends, WeChat users can tap into digital payments, and send presents up to 100 yuan (around $16.50) per go to others using the popular chat app. Money can be sent to single or multiple recipients — in the latter case, the cash is divvied up at random, adding some excitement to the process.
Users simply link their bank account to the app to begin sending or receiving cash. Tencent, the billion dollar Internet company behind WeChat, is pushing interesting monetization models, such as 'flash' sales inside the app and enabling wireless payments. The Hong Bao activity, while an exercise in fun, shows just how widespread WeChat adoption is in China. It will also help fend off smaller rivals like Alibaba's Laiwang app, which picked up 10 million registered users in its first month alone but has been less successful with its own hongbao promotion. Most importantly perhaps, it is a clever way to get users' bank details on file for potential monetization in the future. Related: WeChat wants to pay you $25 to recruit 5 US friends to its mobile messaging service Headline image via Phaitoon Sutunyawatchai / Shutterstock, screenshot via Tech In Asia This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The Verification Handbook: Helping journos sort fact from fiction in the digital age Posted: 29 Jan 2014 04:06 AM PST
Some prominent digital media names are among the contributors to the Verification Handbook, including Anthony De Rosa, Editor-in-Chief at Circa; Mathew Ingram, journalist and media consultant; Malachy Browne, News Editor at Storyful; Trushar Barot, Assistant Editor at the Social Media and User Generated Content hub for BBC News; and Craig Silverman, journalist and founding editor of Regret the Error, a Poynter Institute blog covering media errors, accuracy and verification. There are ten chapters in total, all completely free to read online, covering topics such as 'When Emergency News Breaks', 'Verifying User-Generated Content', and 'Preparing for Disaster Coverage'. Though it's only available online at the moment, printed, ePub and free PDF versions will shortly be available too. ➤ Verification Handbook | A definitive guide to verifying digital content for emergency coverage This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Coursera withdraws its online learning service from Cuba, Iran and Sudan to comply with US law Posted: 29 Jan 2014 03:11 AM PST  Online learning company Coursera has blocked its own service from Cuba, Iran and Sudan in order to comply with US law on international trading. The company is one of the largest MOOC, Massive Open Online Courses, startups, with more than 6 million registered students and over 500 courses. Its virtual classes, which can be accessed and taken by anyone with Internet access, are available to all countries worldwide, however it has reluctantly stepped back in these three places after the US government took a new stance on how companies like it do business in sanctioned countries. (Were it a non-profit, it would likely be free of the restrictions.) Coursera explains its changes in a blog post:
Internet users who visit Coursera from IP addresses in the three banned countries will no longer be able to log into the site, and therefore use it. They will still be able to peruse the course catalog and blog, however, since these are public services that the company does not make money from. Coursera doesn't suggest ways to circumvent the block, but affected users could, in theory, enjoy full access if they log in using a VPN service, which provides with an overseas-based IP address.
The startup says it core mission is "providing access to education for everyone," so it is making this change which will shut out potential students with "deep regret." There is one bright spot, however, since the company was able to restore full access for users Syria. The trouble Middle Eastern country had initially been included on the block list, but Coursera is exempted thanks to a regulation for certain non-government organizations, particularly those in the education sector. The company has partnerships with over 100 universities and educational establishments worldwide, including the likes of Yale and Stanford. Image via Valerie Potapova / Shutterstock This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Groopic, an app to help you take group photos, goes freemium and launches on Android Posted: 29 Jan 2014 03:00 AM PST  Taking a group photo can be tricky – using the front camera often creates low-quality images, while the rear camera typically requires a number of takes and even so, you might get a shot of your faces, but what about the backdrop? An app called Groopic, developed by Pakistani startup Eyedeus Labs, aims to solve this problem by including the photographer in every group photo you take, with the use of a photo-combining technology. This means there's "no more asking for help from a stranger or setting up a tripod." How it works: All you have to do is take two pictures, mark the photographers and Groopic does the rest.    The app was launched in July for iOS devices as a paid app to the tune of $1.99, but as of today the app is available for Android devices on Google Play. Furthermore, the app is going freemium for both the iOS and Android versions. "More than 90 percent of the apps on the App Store are now working on the freemium model, so that's the general industry trend. There's also a strong usage pattern of people taking more photos on Groopic and we wanted to remove the barrier and improve conversion," Groopic CEO Ali Rehan says. The free version lets you take an unlimited number of group photos, as well as make use of the collage functionality and various filters — but you only get to share the collages from within the app to social networks and camera roll. However, to export or share individual pictures, you need to pay $0.99. Rehan notes that the iOS app has chalked up 150,000 downloads — and the release of the Android app and new freemium model is likely to help boost those numbers. ➤ Groopic: iOS | Google Play Headline image via Shutterstock This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| ITV joins Sky for a new UK pay TV channel called ITV Encore, showcasing ‘great British drama’ Posted: 29 Jan 2014 02:57 AM PST UK commercial TV network ITV is entering the pay-to-view space, announcing a new channel in conjunction with satellite broadcaster BSkyB (Sky). The four-year tie-up will see ITV Encore launch on Sky, representing ITV's first new channel in eight years. ITV Encore will serve up "the very best of [ITV's] great British drama." And from 2015, the channel will screen original commissions too. The partnership will also see ITV content, including catch-up and archives, opened up to Sky's connected platforms, including Sky+HD, Sky Go, NOW TV and Sky Store. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Samsung to open more than 60 dedicated stores across Europe with Carphone Warehouse Posted: 29 Jan 2014 02:16 AM PST  Apple, eat your heart out. Samsung and Carphone Warehouse have announced a collaboration that will see more than sixty new Samsung stores rolled out across Europe. This deal follows the three initial stores that opened in Spain back in 2013, and now it will effectively push Samsung front-and-center in main shopping thoroughfares in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Sweden and the Netherlands. Carphone Warehouse is a major telecommunications retailer in Europe, using the Carphone Warehouse brand in the UK and Ireland, and the Phone House brand elsewhere. In terms of timescale, you can expect to see these 'concept' stores arrive in the next few months and, according to the announcement, they will have a "premium look and feel", while selling Samsung products exclusively. Indeed, the stores will combine Carphone Warehouses's existing sales tools and platforms, with Samsung-branded tablets to complete sales on the shop floor. A Carphone Warehouse spokesperson tells us that the new stores will constitute a mix of brand new openings, and conversions of existing Carphone Warehouse outlets. Samsung has often been accused of aping Apple's efforts elsewhere, now it seems its following suit into the retail sphere too. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Talent Backer: A UK crowdfunding platform for your artistic, musical or sporting skills Posted: 29 Jan 2014 01:59 AM PST  There's no shortage of crowdfunding platforms for fledgling businesses that want to get a specific product or project off the ground, but there aren't very many focusing on crowdfunding for individual talents. That's where the UK website Talent Backer comes in. Originally soft launched back at the end of 2012, the platform has today shaken off its beta tag and been formally opened to anyone looking to raise cash to fund their particular sporting, music or artistic talents. Users get 28 days to fulfil their target goal and lay out exactly what they will do with the money and – much like on Kickstarter or Indiegogo - can offer rewards and incentives in exchange for a cash pledge. These range from a simple thank-you email to the chance to visit their training ground or rehearsal space. If the full amount isn't reached, they don't get any of it.
Since it was launched at the end of 2012, just nine talents have been fully backed, receiving a total of a little over £22,000, the company said. Judging from the figures disclosed so far, it's harder to get people to buy into the idea of funding raw talent, rather than a prototype or idea for a project that delivers a finished product at the end. Featured Image Credit – Shutterstock This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Japan is by far the most popular Asian country on Street View, according to Google Posted: 29 Jan 2014 01:11 AM PST  Japan is attracting all of the attention when it comes to Google Street View — the service that provides 360-degree images of locations, landmarks and cities — in Asia. That's according to data released by Google for the first time today. Now with nine countries from Asia on the service, the Internet giant has tracked global traffic to Street View in the region. The findings overwhelmingly show that Japanese places are drawing more eyeballs than anywhere else in the continent. Google hasn't released any raw figures for traffic — naturally we asked for it, coming away empty handed — but the dominance is evidenced by the fact that Japanese locations account for all but two of the top nine visited landmarks. The exceptions are Jiou Fen Old Street in Taiwan, and a view of the iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore. The embedded map below shows the top locations across the region, and also locally in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand: Attitudes to Street View from authorities in Asia are often in contrast to governments in the West, as I pointed out yesterday, when the service was announced for the Philippines. Rather than concerning themselves with privacy issues and then 'allowing' Google's Street View teams to get photographing countries, Asia governments typically partner with Google — via their tourism departments — because they see the value that Street View can bring to their tourism industries.          Google's data is not proof that Street View is boosting tourism per se — particularly since I suspect that much of the traffic from Japan is from domestic Internet users — but it does show that it could do in the future. Most of the projects in Asia are under a year old, and they require a few years to capture most of the country, so while it is too soon to draw many conclusions, it is certainly refreshing to see governments embracing the possibilities of the Internet. Here's the top nine again, this time with links so you can see for yourself what the fuss is all about:
Headline image via Thinkstock This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| ‘Internet newspaper’ The Daily Dot buys UK-based ‘Internet tabloid’ The Kernel Posted: 29 Jan 2014 12:49 AM PST  US "online newspaper" The Daily Dot has acquired UK-based The Kernel, a publication that fittingly bills itself as "the Internet's favourite tabloid," for an undisclosed sum. Following the deal, Kernel founder and editor-in-chief, Milo Yiannopoulos, will step down but maintain an advisory role. The Kernel has had a short but colorful history. Launched in late 2011 as a technology publication, it quickly gained a reputation for fierce campaigns against individuals and groups in the European tech community, which often seemed more like personal vendettas by Yiannopoulos than public interest exposés of wrongdoing. In March 2013, the publication folded amid controversy over operating company Sentinel Media failing to pay former staff and freelance contributors. These debts were later settled personally by Yiannopoulos. The Kernel returned five months later, backed by German VC firm Berlin42. Initially promising to cover areas such as "modern warfare, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, pornography and space travel," it quickly pivoted to its current 'tabloid' focus. Recent articles on the site include 'Baiju: The Chinese Bribery Booze' and 'Predicting The Future With Asparagus' – it's fair to say that it's not really a tech publication any more. "I think we found our voice," Yiannopoulos says. "Very few media brands command loyalty among young, Internet-savvy people because very few media brands deserve to. We tried to build one, and we think combining our forces with The Daily Dot gives us the best chance of reaching the most people with the stories we know they love." So why the quick sale? "Given how similar the missions of The Daily Dot and revamped The Kernel were, it was sort of inevitable that we'd end up having a chat about pooling resources," Yiannopoulos says. "In the end, we approached Daily Dot Media and it all happened very quickly. It feels like a very natural fit. I think the combined strength of our two editorial teams will represent a journalistic force to be reckoned with." The Daily Dot's director of business development, Carla Cook tells us that the Kernel, which employs eight full-time editorial staff and says that it reaches 500,000 unique visitors a month, will continue unchanged for the time being. "How The Kernel will ultimately be integrated into the Daily Dot Media family is still being determined, but it is a key part of plans to deliver new offerings geared to a wider audience of Internet consumers." As for Yiannopoulos, he's going to take some time off but plans to remain in the publishing business. "It's where I belong. Specifically, I like launching and leading things, so I guess before too long I'll be thinking about doing this all over again." This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Sorry Tesla, Beijing’s newly-announced subsidies for electric cars apply to Chinese firms only Posted: 29 Jan 2014 12:32 AM PST  Chinese capital city Beijing has unveiled a new preferential policy for electric cars that includes a purchase subsidy ranging from CNY63,000 to CNY108,000 ($10,400 – $17,800), Xinhua reports. The release of the policy, first spotted by Tech in Asia, is notable because the subsidies will only go to domestic firms, which means Tesla is left out of the preferential treatment — which could affect its uptake among Chinese consumers. Earlier this month, Tesla launched the Model S in China with a minimal markup — you'll have to fork out CNY734,000 (about $121,000) for the Model S with the premium 85 kWh battery pack. However, this price puts it squarely in the high-end category. For comparison, the domestic Shenzhen-based BYD, which is backed by Warren Buffett, pegs its flagship e6 model at CNY370,000 ($61,100) — and under the previous policy, the government subsidized CNY120,000 ($19,000) for each car sold. Though the subsidy policy may have an impact on sales of electric cars, it doesn't necessarily mean that Tesla is at the losing end. Subsidies could be extremely attractive for consumers who need that bit of financial help, but as Tesla has positioned itself at the high-end, it could be argued that it is targeting an entirely different demographic. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has told Bloomberg that sales of its Model S cars in China can match that in the US by 2015. Furthermore, Tesla is boosting efforts in infrastructure as it seeks to stand out in the world's largest country with immense potential for electric vehicles. It previously revealed that it already has plans for a network of free charging stations in China, which would let owners of its electric cars travel long distances in the country, such as between major cities Beijing and Shanghai. Musk has also told Bloomberg that in the long-tem there's "no question" it will have a factory in China. Diarmuid O'Connell, Tesla's vice president of corporate and business development, has also said the company is "very anxious" to get broad distribution, and will expand "aggressively" in China. Headline image via Justin Sullivan/Getty Images This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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