Monthly Archives: March 2021

PR Newswire

Huawei Launches New Data Center and Power Supply Solutions Globally

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SHENZHEN, China, March 22, 2021 — Huawei launches next-generation Data Center and Power Supply Solutions at the Digitally Transforming Energy Infrastructure online event, the company also interpreted the latest trends in digital power development, tackling head-on the key questions of the day, from green energy to intelligent transformation.

Make Any Room a Data Center

Huawei promised to make any room a data center as it outlined a new, smart modular data center solution for small and edge computing scenarios, including three data center products — FusionModule2000, FusionModule800, and FusionModule500 — designed for different industrial needs.

Huawei outlined a new, smart modular data center solution for small and edge computing scenarios, including three data center products - FusionModule2000, FusionModule800, and FusionModule500.
Huawei outlined a new, smart modular data center solution for small and edge computing scenarios, including three data center products – FusionModule2000, FusionModule800, and FusionModule500.

Key to the Smart Modular Data Solution, SmartLi UPS — Huawei’s smart lithium battery UPS — helps enterprises of all sizes turn any room into a data center. Doing away with the need for a traditional raised floor design, far lower requirements are placed on ceiling heights. Instead, air conditioner pipes and strong- and weak-current cables are routed from top-down, meaning that equipment can be accommodated even when ceiling heights are as low as 2.6 m, far below the 3 m minimum height required for a traditional data center. Huawei partner NetCraft Information Technology (Macau) has already adopted this solution, which NetCraft sales director Benjamin Wong praised at the event.

"With the Huawei Modular Data Center Solution, all required components are modular," Wong said. "An easy way for customers to understand this solution is to consider that each component is like a building block: You can build up your castle by adding different blocks, so you can add more blocks in the future when needed."

One Rack Supports One Megawatt of Power

In next five years, Information Technology (IT) devices will continue to evolve, with ever-higher computing power and density needed. Inevitably, Central Processing Unit (CPU) and server power requirements will also increase. To balance efficiency and costs, data centers will therefore develop toward higher density models, precisely the direction that Huawei’s ongoing Research and Development (R&D) investment has taken: namely, the implementation of a high-density, efficient, intelligent power supply and distribution system.

A direct result of that period of exploration, Huawei launched an ultra-high-density modular UPS product series — UPS5000-H — that uses a new 100 kVA/3 U ultra-high-density hot-swappable power modules. It is the industry’s first UPS that enables a single standard rack to support one megawatt of power. With high-density, high-efficiency, and intelligence, this series effectively lowers the physical footprint and reduces the number of installation labor hours needed in comparison to other UPS solutions. And, once up and running, system efficiency reaches 97%; in addition, the system is low-load and efficient in hibernation mode.

Huawei launched an ultra-high-density modular UPS product series - UPS5000-H - that uses a new 100 kVA/3 U ultra-high-density hot-swappable power modules
Huawei launched an ultra-high-density modular UPS product series – UPS5000-H – that uses a new 100 kVA/3 U ultra-high-density hot-swappable power modules

Making Site Power Simple

A defining trend of digital transformation is the widespread emergence of digital sites — telecom sites, edge computing sites, video sites, and more — reflecting increasing Information Communications Technology (ICT) convergence. Indeed, both Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) power supplies are required to power diverse onsite sensing Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Communication Technology (CT) devices, and Information Technology (IT) devices. Unlike the traditional use of multiple AC and DC power systems, forming a kind of patchwork model, Huawei’s iMagicPower adopts a multi-function, integrated design, supporting solar, Diesel Generator (DG), mains, and battery as power inputs. It also provides different power output modes, including 12/24/36/48 V DC output and 24/220/380 V AC output. With all functional parts available in a modular design, precise configuration is possible and future expansion is simplified, allowing enterprises to build according to their needs and means.

For site level energy storage and backup, Huawei launched CloudLi, a fifth generation energy storage system. Compared with common lithium batteries, Huawei CloudLi offers improved performance in terms of power density and reliability, alongside a range of intelligent features to help customers reduce both Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and Operating Expenditure (OPEX). Particularly important with staffing restrictions in place during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, CloudLi supports remote, intelligent Operations and Maintenance (O&M), doing away with manual tasks such as onsite inspection and onsite maintenance.

Unternehmensvorstellung Wöhrle, one of Huawei’s power system partners based in Germany, has experience of using both iMagicPower and CloudLi. The company’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO) has noted that the high reliability of the solutions ensures that they function safely in a wide temperature range even under harsh conditions, with intelligent features enabling optimal monitoring of the lithium batteries.

About Huawei

Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. With integrated solutions across four key domains – telecom networks, IT, smart devices, and cloud services – we are committed to bringing digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world.

Huawei’s end-to-end portfolio of products, solutions and services are both competitive and secure. Through open collaboration with ecosystem partners, we create lasting value for our customers, working to empower people, enrich home life, and inspire innovation in organizations of all shapes and sizes.

At Huawei, innovation focuses on customer needs. We invest heavily in basic research, concentrating on technological breakthroughs that drive the world forward. We have more than 194,000 employees, and we operate in more than 170 countries and regions. Founded in 1987, Huawei is a private company fully owned by its employees.

For more information, please visit Huawei online at www.huawei.com or follow us on:

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Business, Computers, News

Even More EPYC with AMD – Stacking Zen 3

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Just when we thought AMD is done with being the best at gaming, they proved that one title is never enough. They want to retain their title as the most powerful ever, with a full-stop right after. So, they went ahead and introduced what seems to be the most powerful processing chips in the world, the EPYC 7003 series server processors.

The new EPYC 7003 series is the third-generation server processors by AMD. That also means that it gets the Zen 3 architecture that the AMD Ryzen 5000 series line-up got. That same architecture also means that AMD’s processing core clusters gets to access all of the available cache memory module when necessary, instead of just half of it. Again, if you were doing some research with AMD’s latest Ryzen 5000 with Zen 3 architecture, it might sound like something simple and small. The results are quite significant though.

At least in terms of a server, Zen 3 architecture also allows the cores to process more data at any single time than before. In practical terms, that also means a much faster processor compared to before. Of course, AMD’s implementation also means more efficient power consumption.

The headline figures for EPYC’s flagship is up to 64 cores and 128 threads. With 64 cores, the processor features 256MB of cache, that is the first indication that this is not your regular consumer gaming PC stuff. All cores are clocked at 2.45GHz and can be boosted up to 3.675GHz when necessary.

Of course, these chips are also embedded with extra security measurements and algorithms. In a server, data center, cloud seservice, and virtualisation environment, protecting your data is of utmost importance. Security, in this case, has to start from the processors itself with AMD’s own Infinity Guard suite encryption technologies to keep everything it processes secure.

Of course, you are not going to see the AMD EPYC processors out on the street. These are highly specialised processors made for Artificial Intelligence implementation, data centers, and data backbones for larger organisations. These are the stuff that keeps thigs like Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Web Services running for you.

The AMD EPYC processors range from 32 cores to 64 cores. The EPYC processors are usually the base for AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper platforms. There are obviously no announcements made yet on the availability of the prosumer processor platforms at this time. If they are launching a Threadripper soon though, the AMD EPYC processors could probably give you an insight to what you can expect.

Computers, Gaming

Alienware Laptop Keyboards Are Going Mechanical with Cherry MX

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When it comes to keyboards, many gamers and enthusiasts agree – mechanical is the holy grail. However, when it comes to laptops, space is an issue; even more so nowadays where the expectation for laptops makes them thinner than ever before. Alienware is looking to change that. In a partnership that kicked off 3 years ago, Alienware and Cherry MX have been hard at work developing mechanical switches that not only deliver the satisfying click but don’t compromise on the aesthetics of a laptop. Project X – as they referred to it internally – was aimed at bringing the full mechanical keyboard experience to a laptop.

Alienware and Cherry MX are introducing a new switch they are calling the MX ultra-low profile. The new key switch, i.e. the mechanism under your keys, is a 3.5mm switch that provides 1.8mm of key travel. The new mechanism, which they say is inspired by the gull-wing doors of the DeLorean sports car, allows gamers to have a more tactile experience when they game or type. In fact, the experience is also auditory – as Alienware has pointed out in its tweet leading up to the announcement.

The new Cherry MX ultra-low profile mechanism is self-cleaning. Alienware claims it has been tested for 15 million keystrokes per key. It is also guaranteed to be safe from freezing up with 100% anti-ghosting and N-key rollover (NKRO) which ensures you get more accurate performance.

The new mechanical keys will be making their debut on Alienware’s thinnest gaming laptops yet – the Alienware m15 R4 and m17 R4. These laptops will now come with an additional option for the Cherry MX Ultra-low profile mechanical keys when you are purchasing your laptops. They do cost a pretty penny – an additional USD$150 (MYR616.31).

The new switches will also play nice with Alienware’s AlienFX software. This means that you can setup your gaming macros and backlight to your own, per game profiles for even more personalisation.

Android, Editorial, Mobile

3 Reasons Why The vivo X60 Series with ZEISS Technology May Defy Your Expectations

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vivo isn’t a name you would necessarily associate with photography. However, the company has been honing its offerings over the past few years, becoming an innovator when it comes to developing new technologies in the smartphone photography space. Just last year, in 2020, vivo introduced one of the most compelling, feature packed smartphones – the vivo X50 series. The X50 series was also the first smartphone to come with built-in gimbal stabilization. This year’s vivo X60 Series is upping the ante even more with a new, camera centric collaboration with ZEISS.

Source: vivo

The collaboration isn’t just done on a whim. ZEISS and vivo are working together to develop technologies that will take smartphone imaging leaps and bounds. As part of this collaboration, the two companies have setup the vivo ZEISS Imaging Lab to research and develop new technologies that will improve smartphone photography. The new vivo X60 series is the first smartphone series to bring the fruits of this collaboration mainstream.

That’s enough of a history lesson. Let’s get into the fun parts! Here’s why the vivo X60 series will defy your expectation.

1.   ZEISS Lenses Help Capture Every Moment with Clarity

Source: vivo

As mentioned, the vivo X60 series is the first series bringing technology and innovations from the vivo-ZEISS partnership. This includes a whole new set of camera lenses and technologies which will up your photography game significantly.

ZEISS is bringing its Vario-Tessar lenses to the vivo X60 which will allow you to capture clear, crisp pictures. These lenses come with ZEISS’s T*anti-reflective coating which allows more light to be captured by the sensor on the vivo X60 Pro. vivo’s Extreme Night Vision 2.0 further enhances low light performance in the vivo X60 series. The AI algorithm helps reduce noise under low light, giving you crisp, rich details. Simply put, you’ll be able to capture amazing pictures even under low light!

These paired with apertures as large as f/1.48 on the customised Sony IMX598 sensor and vivo’s Pixel Shift Ultra HD Imaging you’ll be capturing pro-level, detail rich pictures with a single click.

2.   Steady Shot move aside, Gimbal Stabilization 2.0 is bringing the heat!

The vivo X60 Pro will be coming equipped with an improved version of vivo’s Gimbal Stabilization which debuted with the vivo X50 Pro. The improved Gimbal stabilization technology allows the smartphone to catch even steadier shots. So, you won’t have to worry about blurs thanks to shaking.

Source: vivo

The improved Gimbal Stabilization technology stabilizes the camera across four axes in addition to the pitch and yaw of the cameras. This allows the camera to remain still even when your hands are shaking or when you’re walking. It helps minimise sudden jerks and even allows you to take videos with cinematic movements. This is helped further by VIS 5 axis video stabilization technology.

3. 5G connectivity & Top of the line performance without breaking the bank thanks to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 870 processor

vivo’s X60 series comes powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 870 processor. While it may seem like the Snapdragon 870 is a generation behind, that cannot be further from the truth. Announced earlier this year in January, the Snapdragon 870 brings improved performance over last year’s flagship Snapdragon 865. However, it also walks the tightrope when it comes to affordability.

Source: Qualcomm

It packs a super capable Qualcomm Hexagon 698 processor which not only boasts better performance over last year’s processor but also provides better power efficiency. It has a 10% boost in GPU and CPU performance and even supports 5G connectivity. The Qualcomm Spectra image signal processor allows you to capture even clearer images and supports multiple AI functions such as portrait mode. It also supports 4K videography at simultaneous 64MP image capture. The vivo X60 series will have a new ZEISS Biotar Portrait style which will allow you to capture artistic, centre-weighted portraits without the need for extra accessories.

That’s only the tip of the iceberg.

Source: vivo

That’s right, these 3 reasons are simply the tip of the iceberg when it comes to vivo’s new X60 series. The features are still being revealed as we speak in leaks and even announcements. We’re definitely anxious to see what vivo has in store for us with the vivo X60 series. The smartphone is turning out to be one of the most exciting smartphones of 2021!

Don’t forget to tune in to the official launch of the vivo X60 series happening on March 22 2021 at 9.30 p.m.!

Computers, Editorial, Reviews, Video, Writer's Choice

[Video] Acer Swift 3x In-Depth Review – Small Package, MAX Power

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Ultra-thin, stylish and all the power to satisfy your mobile needs. We got our hands on one Acer Swift 3x. This ultra-portable package packs a powerful combination of the 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor and Intel® Iris® Xe MAX Graphics discrete GPU. All of these packaged in an all-metal chassis worth MYR 4,599 (as tested).

It is thin, not Swift 5 thin, but thinner than most textbooks. The Steam Blue colourway is also stylish. But does it give you all the power you need on-the-go though. We put it through its paces to find out if this ultra-thin, stylish package has all the power that you really need out of it. Of course, we want to know if its worth your MYR 4,599 too.

Android, Mobile, News

OnePlus 9R 5G – the Less Expensive OnePlus 9, Confirmed for India

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The OnePlus 9 series is upon us. We know that the new OnePlus ‘Flagship Killer’ flagship model is coming with a Hasselblad branded camera module. We also know that its specs will be very similar to OPPO’s latest Find 3X Pro, at least for the Pro variant of the device. What we did not know is that there is going to be a budget friendly version of the series, now we know it as the OnePlus 9R.

The OnePlus 9R, as per Pete Lau, CEO of OnePlus, is meant for the India market for now. The device is supposed to be going along the philosophy of the route of the OnePlus Nord. In that sense, the OnePlus 9R, while not technically a successor to the OnePlus Nord, is meant to sit in the mid-range spectrum of devices in the industry.

OnePlus says that the OnePlus 9R is going to feature 5G capabilities. That should be a welcome to emerging markets or at least for some future proofing. They also say that the OnePlus 9R should be a performer when it comes to games. That also means a display that refreshes at 90Hz at least.

Of course, to be a top gamer the OnePlus 9R needs some performance out of its hardware. That comes in the form of a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 (rumoured). We could be wrong though.

As far as reports go though, these are the only details to be found so far. There are no other firm details on the OnePlus 9R. We do expect it to be priced a little higher than the Nord though, if we are to believe rumours of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865.

Whatever it is, the OnePlus 9 is soon launching. The device is scheduled to make a global debut on the 23rd of March 2021. The new OnePlus 9 series is supposed to come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 System on a chip (SoC) and will power two 50-Megapixel cameras. OnePlus has also formed a partnership with Hasselblad to optimise their camera even more. To watch OnePlus launch their new OnePlus 9 flagship series on the 23rd March 2021, you can head over to their YouTube channel.

PR Newswire

Dreame Technology to Bring New Level of Smart Home Cleaning Appliances to AWE 2021

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SHANGHAI, March 18, 2021 — Dreame Technology, a growing innovative company specializing in smart home cleaning appliances, will participate in the Appliance & Electronics World Expo 2021 (AWE 2021) at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Shanghai from March 23-25. A number of Dreame’s superior household appliances will be on display, including the robot vacuum and mop; Dreame Bot L10 Pro; auto-empty robot vacuum and mop, Dreame Bot Z10 Pro; auto-cleaning robot mop and vacuum Dreame Bot W10; cordless stick vacuum T30, V12, V16, as well as the Hair Artist hairdryer.

Dreame Technology to Bring New Level of Smart Home Cleaning Appliances to AWE 2021
Dreame Technology to Bring New Level of Smart Home Cleaning Appliances to AWE 2021

Designed to be a pioneer in the smart home robot vacuum industry, Dreame Bot L10 Pro highlights a cutting-edge navigation system and obstacle avoidance technology. It is equipped with dozens of intelligent sensors and the most sophisticated lidar scanner that casts thousands of invisible laser points per second to measure surroundings and identify objects in real time. It can immediately generate an editable map in the connected MiHome App to realize a high-end customized cleaning plan. Dreame Bot L10 Pro also features 4000Pa strong suction power to capture dust and hair on different floor surfaces with ease, and smart water control for mopping.

Dreame Bot Z10 Pro comes with an auto-empty base that enables automatic dirt disposal plus intelligent vacuuming and mopping; Dreame Bot W10 provides a hands-free cleaning experience with strong vacuuming, efficient mopping and mop self-cleaning capabilities.

Notably, Dreame’s forthcoming cordless stick vacuum V16 brings the world’s fastest, most efficient motor – 160K RPM – to reach 200AW suction power for an incredibly strong cleaning performance. Dreame Technology will also exhibit its flagship cordless stick vacuum T30 and V12 at AWE 2021, both of which are enhanced with groundbreaking 150K RPM high-speed motors to ensure powerful and deep cleaning. The V12 conforms to an ergonomic design that makes daily vacuuming less labor-intensive, while the T30 is upgraded with a detachable battery to double the running time, an ideal choice for large houses.

"As Asia’s largest and one of the world’s top three international household appliance and consumer electronics exhibition, AWE 2021 is an ideal platform to showcase the next-gen cleaning technology of Dreame, an ambitious tech innovation company expanding internationally. We hope more users can enjoy a high-quality life through smart home appliances," said Kuan Shan, Head of Overseas Business at Dreame Technology.

Dreame Bot L10 Pro, Z10 Pro and cordless stick vacuum V12, T30 will be available on AliExpress and Amazon in the first half of the year.

About Dreame Technology

Established in 2015, Dreame Technology, an innovative consumer product company focuses on smart home cleaning appliances with the vision to improve global users’ life quality through technology.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

For more information, please visit https://www.dreame-technology.com.

Media Contact:

Tianshi Yuwen
pr@dreame.tech
Lena Liu
Liuyk@dreame.tech 
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PR Newswire

Alibaba Group’s Daraz Acquires Leading Bangladesh Food Tech Startup HungryNaki to Expand Footprint in South Asia

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  • Alibaba-owned Daraz acquires HungryNaki in a move that welcomes the e-commerce giant into the booming Asian food delivery sector
  • This marks the first full acquisition of a local Bangladesh startup by a global e-commerce company, and allows HungryNaki to scale the hyperlocal delivery scene by tapping into Daraz’s complex infrastructure, technology and resources

DHAKA, Bangladesh, March 18, 2021 — Daraz, a subsidiary of Alibaba Group and Bangladesh’s largest e-commerce marketplace, has announced its acquisition of HungryNaki, the country’s leading homegrown food tech company. This marks the first full acquisition of a local Bangladesh startup by a global e-commerce giant, adding to the overall growth of the Asian startup ecosystem and indicating a shift in confidence towards South Asia, regarding investment and business.

The acquisition was signed with the aim of expanding Daraz’s service offerings across more South Asian markets, while providing HungryNaki with the longstanding expertise and experience in customer service and management that Alibaba Group and Daraz will bring to the table. In order to achieve this, HungryNaki will continue functioning as an independent brand under the group, lending its strong client, customer and logistics network while tapping on Daraz’s sophisticated infrastructure countrywide.

"We aspire to be a one stop solution for all our customers’ needs, and getting into the food delivery business is a natural move. HungryNaki is the pioneer in the food delivery business in Bangladesh with a loyal customer base. We believe, instead of building our own food delivery business from the ground up, acquiring HungryNaki is ideal considering these two factors. We believe, by investing in the infrastructure, technology and human resources, we can take HungryNaki into new heights," said Syed Mostahidal Hoq, Managing Director of Daraz.

A Significant Milestone For South Asia’s Startup Ecosystem and Economy

In recent times, Bangladesh has seen remarkable success in the country’s development and digital transformation, including an above average GDP growth rate of 8%. Contributing to a huge slice of the pie is the hyperlocal food and grocery delivery sector, which is expected to grow to over $5 billion by 2025.

Founded in 2013 by co-founders Ahmad AD, Tausif Ahmad and Sazid Rahman, HungryNaki (to mean "Are you hungry?") is Bangladesh’s first food tech company to introduce on-demand food delivery in under an hour. It has played a monumental role in the evolution of the market, making food delivery accessible to as many people in the country as possible. The rapid expansion of the country and industry, helmed by homegrown technology and startups such as HungryNaki, signifies huge opportunities for South Asia in terms of development, employment and innovation.

"We can definitely say that this is an auspicious moment for all of us because this acquisition by Daraz proves that our e-commerce industry is in an optimistic state. Moreover, this is a positive sign for other local startups, and this kind of acquisition will play a full part in the revival of our economy by expediting positive impacts. We will be working with Daraz to make HungryNaki a formidable player in the market," shared AD Ahmad, CEO and Co-Founder of HungryNaki.

Since its inception, HungryNaki has served more than 500,000 customers and over 4,000 restaurants across Bangladesh’s 5 largest cities, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Cox’s Bazar and Narayanganj. With an investor pool including notable names such as Robintex Group and Asif Rahman, the initially bootstrapped startup had previously raised a total of $2.3 million in funding, including its pre-Series A round and bridge financing, and has since successfully maintained a consistent 76% return user order ratio, which ensures a steady year-on-year growth in revenue of 70-90%.

Being the first food delivery startup in Bangladesh to introduce electric bicycles to its fleet, HungryNaki is also committed to the race towards zero carbon emissions, in order to reduce the company’s carbon footprint and scale in a sustainable manner. Leveraging its existing and new business and partnership networks, including restaurants, cloud kitchens and home kitchen services, HungryNaki will be working towards expanding its reach to over 100 cities, and becoming a crucial player in developing the hyperlocal delivery scene in South Asia.

Computers, News

Justin Roasts Mac – Intel Back at It with ‘Go PC’ YouTube Shorts

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Remember the Mac guy, the old Apple ads that pits the Mac up against Microsoft PCs. The Mac guy, Justin Long is back on YouTube. Now though, he is not the ‘Mac guy’. Instead, he is just Justin (no pun intended). Like before, Justin is comparing Macs against PCs.

Instead of roasting Microsoft Windows and PCs though, Justin is taking a stab at Apple instead. When I say Justin, Intel is taking a stab at Apple’s Mac ecosystem. The result is some hilarious shorts that tells you to buy a PC instead of a Mac.

Macs vs. PCs have been an age long debate since the dawn of personal computing. Yes, all computers can trace back their origins to the machine that broke the German Enigma encryption device. If you do not know what that is, watch ‘The Immmitation Game’, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and get up to speed.

Personal computing was brought forth by Steve Jobs with his Macintosh and later Bill Gates came with Microsoft Windows. Since then, the never-ending war between the two giant platforms started. Even today, people are divided between the two giants.

Here is the thing, Intel has never gotten involved in the fight between PC and Mac. They have always been a neutral bystander fighting their own fight with their rival, AMD. To be fair too, most of the Mac devices that has come for the past 5 years have been sporting Intel processors, so they should have no reason to take a stab at Apple’s best sellers.

Something did change a little bit in the past year though. Apple introduced their very own Apple M1 System on a Chip (SoC) for their own Mac platforms. The SoC is used across all the Apple product range too. That is basically Apple’s way of saying, we want to be independent of a third-party hardware vendor.

The change in Apple’s direction and the addition of their new chips also means less sales for Intel. They had to respond to that, in some ways. They respond in the best way they know how, throw money at it. But they did not just throw money at the problem. They threw money to also increase awareness and brand images of their partners. They have always done so, especially when it comes to gaming products, and more recently the Intel ECO ultra-portable notebook platforms.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvDDC6ktCUg&list=PLk2sjg_-F-MfQL0aUbKyDX909ZfKCUq1c&index=1

The fight between Mac and PC may never end, but at least it brings us some hilarious moments to enjoy. It also brought out some humour from the competing brands. Competition between the two parties also means that it brings out the best of each other to better serve their own respective users. In the meantime though, enjoy Intel’s stab at Mac.

PR Newswire

FICO Survey: 54% of Indonesians Prefer to Use Digital Channels to Engage with their Bank During Financial Hardship

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Appeal of in-person branch banking fading fast post pandemic

JAKARTA, Indonesia, March 18, 2021 —

Preferred banking customer touchpoints across Asia Pacific - December 2020
Preferred banking customer touchpoints across Asia Pacific – December 2020

Highlights:

  • 54 percent of Indonesian consumers prefer to use digital channels to engage with their bank during financial hardship.
  • 23 percent of Indonesians prefer to communicate via their mobile banking app; 14 percent use telebanking.
  • 35 percent of Indonesians prefer to deal with just one primary bank with a further 39 percent saying that they ‘somewhat agreed’ this was their preference.

A recent survey by global analytics software firm FICO has revealed that 54 percent of Indonesian consumers prefer to use digital channels to engage with their bank during financial hardship. The poll conducted in December 2020, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrates the willingness of consumers to embrace digital banking and the opportunities that exist for banks to further develop their offering.

More information: https://www.fico.com/en/latest-thinking/market-research/advancing-new-experiences-digital-banking

The high level of smartphone penetration in Indonesia meant that 23 percent of Indonesians preferred to communicate about hardship using their mobile banking app; 14 percent wanted to use phone banking; 8 percent communicated via email; 7 percent preferred internet banking and 3 percent wanted to use virtual conference technology.

"The risk of infection and social distancing requirements made branch visits less appealing last year, accelerating a shift to digital banking channels globally," said Aashish Sharma, risk lifecycle and decision management lead for FICO in Asia Pacific. "Being able to deliver and manage numerous channels in line with customer preference and deliver a seamless and engaging experience is a challenge that is here to stay. Investment in customer management and communication tools that span these channels and product silos and can deliver personalization and improved decision making is key to making digital banking a success."

Customer attitudes to new technology from banks such as debt collection automation can yield some interesting preferences and behaviors.

"It is worth noting that during periods of hardship, some customers prefer to deal with the issue using intelligent, automated online services, such  as  our FICO® Customer Communication Services (CCS) so as to avoid the embarrassment of talking to an agent about outstanding loans. If customers prefer digital channels during times of hardship, their most difficult time, it seems to me we can expect branch banking to continue its decline." explained Sharma.

Importance of maintaining banking relationships

Banks still have a data and relationship advantage when compared to fintech challengers. The survey revealed that across Asia Pacific, one in three consumers preferred to have all their banking needs serviced by one bank. In Indonesia this was slightly higher at 35 percent, with a further 39 percent saying that they ‘somewhat agreed’ they would like to deal with just one primary bank.

"Managing multiple bank accounts or finance products with different lenders can often be a complex, time-consuming and costly process for the average banking customer," said Sharma. "Digital banking users today are looking for greater control and visibility of their financial position."

When asked about their willingness to try a fintech or challenger bank, 28 percent of Indonesians said that they were inclined to consider a competitor with a further 41 percent relatively open to the idea.

"To consolidate and strengthen main bank engagement, lenders need to offer digital banking features that compete with the challengers to ensure the stickiness and viability of long-term customer relationships," added Sharma.

Most appealing reasons to switch banks

When asked about the reasons they would make the switch to a competitor, 52 percent of Indonesian consumers said their number one reason would be to secure improved personalization and controls in their digital banking service. The poll defined this as the ability to view transaction history, update personal details, reset passwords and other such functions. Interestingly, personalization and control was also the top reason for switching across Asia Pacific (31%).

Other top switching drivers across Asia Pacific were; the ability to control a payment card (set transaction limits, lock/unlock); the ability to set up recurring payments; and improved security features such as biometrics and two-factor authentication.

FICO’s Advancing New Experiences in Digital Banking survey was conducted in December 2020 using an online, quantitative poll of 5,000 consumers across ten countries and regions carried out on behalf of FICO by an independent research company. The countries surveyed were Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

About FICO

FICO (NYSE: FICO) powers decisions that help people and businesses around the world prosper. Founded in 1956 and based in Silicon Valley, the company is a pioneer in the use of predictive analytics and data science to improve operational decisions. FICO holds more than 195 US and foreign patents on technologies that increase profitability, customer satisfaction and growth for businesses in financial services, manufacturing, telecommunications, health care, retail and many other industries. Using FICO solutions, businesses in more than 120 countries do everything from protecting 2.6 billion payment cards from fraud, to helping people get credit, to ensuring that millions of airplanes and rental cars are in the right place at the right time.

Learn more at www.fico.com.

Join the conversation on Twitter at @FICOnews_APAC.

FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the US and other countries          

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