Yearly Archives: 2021

PR Newswire

Blue Hat Subsidiary Xunpusen to Provide SMS Channel Services for JD Cloud

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XIAMEN, China, Oct. 8, 2021 — Blue Hat Interactive Entertainment Technology ("Blue Hat" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: BHAT), a leading communication services and Internet Data Center ("IDC") business provider and developer, and also an operator of mobile games and augmented reality ("AR") education curriculum and products in China, today announced the Company’s operating subsidiary Xunpusen Technology Co., Ltd. ("Xunpusen") has signed an agreement to provide SMS channel services for JD Cloud, a leading cloud computing brand under tech giant JD Technology Group. JD Cloud provides cloud computing services and industry solutions including public, proprietary, and hybrid cloud offerings for various global clients in the Internet, finance, transportation, and energy industries, among others.

According to the terms of the agreement, Xunpusen will be the channel and port provider for JD Cloud’s SMS channels services. Xunpusen will have legal ownership of the network SMS channel port and will provide JD Cloud with the technology and support services needed to use the port. Xunpusen will guarantee the effectiveness and legitimacy of the channel technology and services provided. The Company and JD Cloud will work closely to ensure the necessary personnel and SMS technology are in place for optimal use of Xunpusen’s channel and port services. This agreement is in effect through May 25, 2022.

Management Commentary

Mr. Xiaodong Chen, CEO of Blue Hat, stated, "We are pleased with the positive momentum in our new business partnerships with the signing of this agreement with JD Cloud, another reputable name in tech. We believe our recent new business wins validate Blue Hat’s position as a leading SMS channel service provider and core competency in message marketing and look forward to carrying this momentum into our other related strategic areas of business."

About Blue Hat

Blue Hat Interactive Entertainment Technology Blue Hat is a leading communication services and Internet Data Center ("IDC") business provider as well as a producer, developer and operator of AR interactive entertainment games, toys and educational materials in China. Distinguished by its own proprietary technology, Blue Hat aims to create an engaging, interactive and immersive community for its users. For more information, please visit the Company’s investor relations website at http://ir.bluehatgroup.com. The Company routinely provides important information on its website.

Forward-Looking Statements 

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the Company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the Company’s SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.

Contacts:

Blue Hat Interactive Entertainment Technology
Phone: +86 (592) 228-0010
Email: ir@bluehatgroup.net

Investor Relations:

The Equity Group Inc. 
Carolyne Sohn, Vice President 
(415) 568-2255
csohn@equityny.com                                                                     

In China
Lucy Ma, Associate
+86 10 5661 7012
lma@equityny.com

Related Links :

http://www.bluehatgroup.net

PR Newswire

CardsPal introduces in-app gamification to create a fun and engaging user experience

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  • CardsPal gamified its mobile app to enhance user experience in end September 2021
  • Users are prompted to complete fun missions while utilising the app features
  • New milestone of over 200,000 app downloads, as of September 2021

SINGAPORE, Oct. 8, 2021 — CardsPal, a local credit card comparison and deals aggregator app, has added a new dimension to enhance the user experience – in-app challenges.

Aligned with CardsPal’s goal of being a trusted financial tool for credit card deal hunters, the app has lined up a series of engaging in-app missions to enable users to learn about features they can use to best leverage their credit cards while having fun. 

Now, users can look forward to a new, exciting series of in-app challenges, including saving deals, adding cards on the app, and using the Cardculator – an app feature that recommends the right card to get the most rewards for each purchase, and estimates the cashback for each spend. 

The in-app missions are designed to help users enjoy the process of learning about the latest deals and app features, empowering them to gain the maximum savings and rewards based on their unique lifestyles.

Completion of challenges will earn users coins. The app is looking to include strategic partners, such as financial institutions and merchants, to expand the spectrum of rewards available to users.

Cultivating engagement through entertainment 

Chief Product Officer and co-founder of CardsPal, Richard Lu, says, "Everyone learns better through fun and enjoyable processes, rather than rote learning. That is the inspiration behind our newest project – to enable users to learn more about the app’s unique and useful features through fun challenges."  

He adds, "Users earn coins for completing daily check-ins and other exciting missions. Instead of having an app where users check in occasionally, our goal is to develop an app that continually adds value to our users throughout their consumer journey, allowing us to foster a long-term relationship with them."

What to expect from the fast-growing fintech app

CardsPal aims to build a dynamic marketplace that facilitates omnichannel deal discovery and a seamless transaction experience.

Towards the end of the year, there will be a few more exciting app capabilities launched, which includes enabling users to start transacting on the app, and other gamification features.

In addition, users get exclusive welcome gifts upon successful application of selected cards through CardsPal.

To view CardsPal’s photographs and videos, please visit their media assets page.

About CardsPal

CardsPal is a mobile app which empowers users to get the best deals for their cards, and use the right card at the right time! This all-in-one platform for credit card comparison and deal-discovery recommends the most suitable card for each user’s spend, bringing them more cashback and rewards.

CardsPals aggregates all credit card deals for credit cards issued in Singapore, that can be filtered according to cards owned by users. The wide selection of cards featured are organised by banks, card networks, prepaid cards and even membership cards.

One of their most popular app features, the Cardculator, calculates the users’ cashback according to their spend, creating a personalised deal-hunting and savings-maximising experience. CardsPal is a portfolio company of SC Ventures, the innovative arm of Standard Chartered Bank.

Check out their app in the App Store, or the Play Store, and follow them on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn! Get the latest money-saving tips and news about their cool app features from their Telegram channel, or blog at their website.

About Standard Chartered

We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 59 of the world’s most dynamic markets, and serving clients in a further 85. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, Here for good.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges as well as the Bombay and National Stock Exchanges in India.

Accessories, Consumer Electronics, Lifestyle, News

Sony Launches the SRS-NS7, a Personal Dolby Atmos Experience

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What do you do when you want to have a personal audio experience at home? What if you think that soundbars are a little too much? What if you do not want to have a headphone weighing down your head? You have the Sony SRS-NS7 wearable wireless speaker.

The SRS-NS7 wearable speaker is a unique way of enjoying entertainment at home though. It is pretty much a sound bar you wear around your neck. With its wireless transmitter, you simply connect it to your TV or whatever media source you would like to experience with the SRS-NS7.

The WLA-NS7 wireless transmitter that comes with the SRS-NS7 does not only work with the speaker though. It also works with select headphones to achieve the same experience you would get from the SRS-NS7.

The SRS-NS7 is in a class of its own though paired to the WLA-NS7 and paired to Sony’s BRAVIA XR TVs. With Sony’s BRAVIA TVs, the SRS-NS7 can deliver Dolby Atmos experience to your ears from the neck. The combination of the Sony BRAVIA TV, wireless transmitter, and SRS-NS7 neck speaker you get access to Sony’s 360 Reality audio for some Spatial awareness, virtual surround sound if you haven’t understood yet. Of course, 360 Reality Audio also works with music form Deezer, and TIDAL when connected to your smartphone.

While it is not a headphone unit, the neck speaker unit allows you the immersive experience comparable to Sony’s soundbars without disturbing anyone else at home or filling the entire room with noise. The upward facing speaker is optimised to deliver rich immersive audio without the frills of disturbing your neighbours or even your loved ones in the other room.

  • SRS NS7 FrontWearing Mid
    Source: Sony
  • WLA NS7 Front Mid
    Source: Sony
  • WLA NS7 1000XM4 In situ Mid
    Source: Sony
  • WH 1000XM4 360SSP withLogo Mid
    Source: Sony
  • SRS NS7 Workfromhome Mid
    Source: Sony
  • SRS NS7 WearingComfort Mid
    Source: Sony
  • SRS NS7 WatchingTablet Mid
    Source: Sony
  • SRS NS7 Splashproof Mid
    Source: Sony

The wireless nature of the SRS-NS7 also allows you to enjoy immersive audio experience around the house without needing bulky and complex speaker set ups. At the same time, with IPX4 splash-proof design, you can take the Sony neck speakers anywhere around the house or out of it without worrying about water damage.

The Sony SRS-NS7 and WLA-NS7 in Malaysia January 2021 onward. The SRS-NS7 will be available for MYR 1,249. The WLA-NS7 wireless transmitter will be available at MYR 269. To know more about the Sony SRS-NS7 and WLA-NS7, you can check out Sony’s website.

PR Newswire

Instacart Acquires FoodStorm, Introduces New Prepared Meals and Order-Ahead Enterprise Technology Solution for Retailers Across North America

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Instacart Will Integrate FoodStorm’s Technology into Its Leading Enterprise Offering, Enabling Retail Partners to Automate Their Catering and Prepared Foods Operations & Provide Customers with a More Seamless Grocery Meals Experience 

FoodStorm’s Talented Team Will Join Instacart as Part of the Acquisition

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 8, 2021 — Instacart, the leading online grocery platform in North America, today announced its acquisition of FoodStorm, a SaaS order management system (OMS) that powers end-to-end order-ahead and catering experiences for grocery retailers. With this acquisition, Instacart is expanding its enterprise technology portfolio to further support its retail partners’ ecommerce needs, investing in more innovative technology solutions that help retailers grow, compete, and better meet the evolving needs of their customers. 

The process for ordering prepared foods from grocers typically requires customers to call the store or place an order in-person – a labor-intensive and inefficient process that often results in both missed sales opportunities for retailers and a cumbersome customer experience. FoodStorm helps solve this problem by creating a more seamless experience for both retailers and customers. FoodStorm has developed a comprehensive SaaS offering that covers multi-channel ordering – ecommerce, phone or in-store kiosk – order management, and payment and fulfillment. Its technology also integrates easily with a large variety of third-party systems including point of sale systems (POS) and offers customer relationship management (CRM) capabilities that help grocers collect feedback, market their offerings and leverage promotional features. 

FoodStorm was founded 14 years ago and has developed strong partnerships with a number of Instacart’s existing retail partners including Albertsons Companies banners Balducci’s and Kings Food Markets, as well as Bi-Rite Market, Mollie Stone’s Markets, Uncle Giuseppe’s and Roche Brothers Supermarkets. Looking ahead, Instacart will make FoodStorm’s technology available to more retailers through Instacart’s leading enterprise technology offering. In addition to acquiring FoodStorm’s technology and tools, Instacart is also excited to welcome the talented FoodStorm team, which is based in the U.S. and Melbourne, Australia to Instacart.

"As a retailer enablement platform, Instacart is focused on growing our partners’ businesses by investing in innovative new technologies and services that deliver significant value to them and their customers," said Mark Schaaf, Chief Technology Officer, Instacart. "Our goal is to help our retail partners increase their sales and ensure more of their customers’ everyday meals come from the grocery store. That’s why we’re excited to welcome the talented FoodStorm team to Instacart and integrate their end-to-end order-ahead and catering platform into Instacart’s leading enterprise offering. For retailers, this new enterprise solution helps them bring even more of their inventory online, enhance their ecommerce capabilities, grow their business and meet the evolving needs of their customers. And, for customers, this unlocks a healthier, more affordable alternative to restaurant delivery – creating an easier way for people to order prepared foods online directly from their favorite grocers." 

Order-ahead technology solutions provide grocery retailers with a significant growth opportunity. On the Instacart platform, customers who purchase prepared foods and catering items like hot and cold side dishes, cakes and sushi from the grocery store have significantly larger baskets and shop more frequently than those customers who do not. For retailers, order-ahead items and prepared foods are also typically more profitable than traditional groceries like produce and package goods.  

"I’m incredibly proud of what the FoodStorm team has achieved for our partners. We’ve developed market-leading software that makes it easier for grocers to execute on prepared food and catering orders more efficiently, and track everything from one central location. This is a huge growth opportunity for grocers, and we’ve seen increased demand for our products as more customers are searching for seamless online and in-store ordering capabilities," said FoodStorm CEO Rob Hill. "Grocery is an incredibly complex retail category, making the need for enterprise-grade solutions like FoodStorm and Instacart critical to the long-term success of the industry we all rely on to put food on our tables. We’re excited about this next chapter as we join the Instacart team and create new ways for retailers to serve the ever-changing needs of their businesses and customers." 

"Delivering a world-class customer experience and excellent prepared foods is the mission of our business, and FoodStorm and Instacart have helped us do just that," said Russell McVeigh, Catering Director at Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace. "Once we deployed FoodStorm’s technology, online sales doubled and we were able to be more innovative with our menus because of the increased visibility FoodStorm’s platform provides. Both FoodStorm and Instacart have been critical to our growth and ability to serve our customers, and we’re excited to see what compelling enterprise products they’ll develop together."

"Both Instacart and FoodStorm have been important partners in bringing our business online and have opened up brand new sales and customer service channels for us," said Adam Laliberte, Director of Food Services at Roche Brothers Supermarkets. "Before FoodStorm, our software systems weren’t compatible with our catering needs and we had a limited online presence which meant we were missing out on a huge opportunity. Because of Foodstorm’s flexible and easily configurable technology, we’ve seen an increase in our catering business and have the ability to manage this increase more efficiently so that our teams can focus more on our customers. I’m thrilled that they are now joining forces with Instacart and we’re excited to see what enterprise offerings they’ll bring to market together."

Instacart’s enterprise technology today powers the comprehensive ecommerce platforms of more than 175 local, regional and national grocers across North America, including Costco Canada, Heinen’s, Sprouts, The Fresh Market, and Wegmans. Instacart first began offering enterprise technology to grocery partners in 2017. Since then, the company has continued to make significant investments in its enterprise business, scaling its engineering team and developing new technologies for grocers.  

About Instacart 
Instacart is the leading online grocery platform in North America. Instacart shoppers offer same-day delivery and pickup services to bring fresh groceries and everyday essentials to busy people and families across the U.S. and Canada. Instacart has partnered with more than 600 beloved national, regional and local retailers, including unique brand names, to deliver from nearly 55,000 stores across more than 5,500 cities in North America. Instacart’s platform is available to over 85% of U.S. households and 80% of Canadian households. The company’s cutting-edge enterprise technology also powers the ecommerce platforms of some of the world’s biggest retail players, supporting their white-label websites, applications and delivery solutions. Instacart offers an Instacart Express membership that includes reduced service fees and unlimited free delivery on orders over $35. For more information, visit www.instacart.com. For anyone interested in becoming an Instacart shopper, visit https://shoppers.instacart.com/.

Instacart Acquires FoodStorm
Instacart Acquires FoodStorm

 

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Related Links :

http://www.instacart.com

PR Newswire

Beeline and Ivalua Partner to Optimize All Corporate Spend through an Integrated Solution

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New partnership will allow seamless management of external workers and contingent staffing within a single source-to-pay suite

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Oct. 7, 2021 — Beeline, the leading technology solution provider for managing the extended workforce, and Ivalua, a global leader in cloud Spend Management solutions, announce a partnership which incorporates contingent staffing into the total procurement spend solution.     

Beeline Extended Workforce Platform will interact with Ivalua’s comprehensive spend management platform, enabling clients to acquire talent, manage contingent labor, and optimize their external workforce seamlessly from a complete source-to-pay platform which enables the management of all suppliers and spend categories. Clients will enjoy an optimized user experience within one solution for automated data flow and control of the invoicing process, ensuring proper controls on spend, and easing payment.

"Procurement continues to face a need to manage more contingent talent and services spend for temporary staff, consultants and contractors," said Brian Hoffmeyer, Beeline senior vice president of market strategies. "Beeline and Ivalua will deliver an end-to-end solution where businesses can manage all categories of spend, suppliers, and talent engagements—cost effectively and in compliance."

"One of the most important strategies for Procurement today is having complete visibility across all supplier relationships and spend with transparency across all processes, from sourcing to invoicing and payment," said Dan Amzallag, COO of Ivalua. "To achieve this, our customers connect the Ivalua Platform to a wide range of technology providers for value-add or specialist activities and with Beeline they will now have access to a leading contingent workforce solution."

About Beeline

Beeline pioneered the world’s first extended workforce platform to solve the complexities of managing the modern workforce. With a data set encompassing more than 30 million workers and over $700 billion in talent spend spanning more than 20 years, its intelligence-driven platform transforms how businesses engage, manage, and optimize external talent across more than 120 countries. Enterprises benefit from our unmatched experience and innovation, deeply seasoned experts, and industry-leading partner network to connect them to the remarkable talent within the global extended workforce. To learn more, visit www.beeline.com

About Ivalua

Ivalua is a leading provider of cloud based Spend Management solutions. Our complete, unified platform empowers businesses to effectively manage all categories of spend and all suppliers, increasing profitability, lowering risk, and improving employee productivity. Trusted by hundreds of the world’s most admired brands and recognised as a leader by Gartner and other analysts, Ivalua maintains the industry’s leading 98%+ customer retention rate. Learn more at www.ivalua.com. 

For press inquiries only, please contact:
Ann Warren
awarren@clearedgemarketing.com
770.328.8384

Jessica Ashcraft
Vice President of Marketing, Beeline
marketing@beeline.com

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Related Links :

http://www.beeline.com

Health, Lifestyle, News

Dual Screen, Wear OS-powered Mobvoi TicWatch Pro X Arrives in China

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Mobvoi has created a name for itself producing some of the better Wear OS-powered smartwatches out there. It looks like the company isn’t slowing down yet. It’s introduced it’s latest offering the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro X in China. The new smartwatch isn’t revolutionary but it packs specifications and features that many smartwatch users are looking for.

ticwatch x pro 4

The TicWatch Pro X is running on the Snapdragon Wear 4100 processor paired with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage. The smartwatch will be using Wear OS as its operating system. However, if you’re looking for Wear OS 3, you might have to wait for an update from Mobvoi.

That aside, the TicWatch Pro X seems to share a lot with the TicWatch 3 until you take a closer look. The Pro X may look like a run-of-the-mill smartwatch but it comes with what is essentially two displays. It has an AMOLED screen and also an FSTN display. The FSTN display allows the TicWatch Pro X to have an even longer battery life. The 1.39-inch AMOLED screen serves as the main display where you’ll be able interact with Wear OS and all its features. The FSTN screen will kick in when you’re not actively interacting showing you all the data you want without draining the battery.

ticwatch x pro

The watch comes with a 595maAh battery. In Smart mode, the watch will be able to run for 4 days on a single charge. However, if you kick it into “durable” mode, the watch will be able to last for a whopping 45-days.

Aside from that, the TicWatch Pro X is able to track over 20 sports routines. This includes yoga, walking, running, mountain climbing, cycling and more. It also comes with IP68 water and dust resistance which means you can take full advantage of its ability to track swimming as well. In addition, the Pro X comes with a heart rate monitor, SpO2 sensor and even reminds you to get moving if you’re too sedentary.

ticwatch x pro 2

It comes equipped with Bluetooth connectivity and also supports 4G LTE. It’s equipped with eSIM support, so you will also be able to take calls directly on the watch. The smartwatch also touts VoLTE support.

Pricing & Availability

The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro X is available for pre-order in China on JD.com (Jingdong) for ¥1,999 (MYR1,296.28). After pre-order, it will be priced at ¥2,399 (MYR1,555.32).

There is no word yet if the smartwatch will be available in more markets. However, do keep an eye on Shopee and Lazada.

Android, Mobile, News

HMD Enters Tablet Market with the Affordable Nokia T20

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HMD Global seems to be pushing more Nokia devices this year and even entering new spaces. The latest device to enter the Nokia portfolio is an Android-powered tablet – the Nokia T120. The tablet also marks the brand’s first entry into the tablet space since it was first relaunched. It’s also part of a resurgence in the Android tablet space which has been spearheaded by the likes of Lenovo, Samsung and Xiaomi.

nokia t20 hero

The Nokia T20 is a unique tablet. It comes with a UNISOC system on a chip. Never heard of them? Well, UNISOC is a Chinese semiconductor company. The specific SoC used is the UNISOC Tiger T610 which is an octa-core processor. It’s a 12nm chip with two high-performance Cortex A75 cores and six high-efficiency Cortex A55 cores clocked. The caveat, if you haven’t picked up on it just yet, is that the cores are relatively dated. The A75s were last used in Qualcomm’s 2017 flagship Snapdragon 845. However, that may be a boon to Nokia’s new tablet as it’s definitely a factor in keeping the price down.

The processor is complemented with either 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage or 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. If you need extra memory, there’s support for a microSD card. On the display side of things, the Nokia T20 comes with a 10.4-inch LCD with 2000×1200 pixel resolution and a 5:3 aspect ratio. It has “toughened glass” for protection. It supports Wi-Fi 5 (802.11b/g/n/ac) and Bluetooth 5.0. There is also a 4G LTE variant that supports 4G connectivity. On the camera front, it has a 5-megapixel selfie camera and an 8-megapixel main sensor. The Nokia T20 is powered by an 8,200mAh battery capable of 15W fast charging through a USB-C cable. It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack.

  • Nokia T20 Landscape Side RHS
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  • Nokia T20 Flipcover d001

The tablet itself will have an aluminium back which should give it some added durability. HMD is claiming that the battery will be able to last up to 15 hours on a single charge. The company has also committed to three years of security updates and 2 years of major Android updates for the tablet. The Nokia T20 will launch with Android 11.

Pricing & Availability

The Nokia T20 will be making its way to select markets starting on October 6, 2021. It will be priced at €UR199 (MYR961.49) for the Wi-Fi only version. The 4G LTE version will be priced at €UR239 (MYR1,154.78).

It will only be available in Nokia’s signature Ocean Blue colour.

Gaming, Lifestyle, News

Twitch Has Been Breached – Here’s What You Need to Know

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Big tech and data breaches are becoming inseparable. We’ve been getting news of breach after breach since early this year. Nearly every tech space from Facebook to Neopets has been breached in the recent past. The latest platform added to that list is the popular streaming platform – Twitch.

Twitch’s data breach could be one of the largest to date. A whopping 125GB of data was uploaded to a (now removed) thread on 4Chan by an anonymous user. The data contained within the files date back to the early beginnings of Twitch. Everything from the platforms source code to their most recent Git commits has been uploaded. Together with this, payout information to the platform’s largest creators since 2019 have also been uploaded.

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Photo by Caspar Camille Rubin on Unsplash

In addition to this data, the leak also contains data on Twitch’s network backbone which runs on AWS. It apparently contains some proprietary SDKs (Software Development Kits) and also information on “Every other property that Twitch owns” including IGDB and CurseForge. It seems like an unannounced competitor to Steam called Vapor for Amazon Game Studios is also contained within the files. Basically, it seems like everything and anything related to Twitch is within the 125GB.

Some users who have been looking through the data have also found that encrypted passwords and user information. So, it goes without saying that you should change your Twitch password if you have an account and activate two-factor authentication. You can do this in the privacy settings on Twitch itself.

Screenshot 2021 10 06 at 17.43.13
Source: Ars Technica

The leaker made their motives crystal clear in their post. Noting, “Their community is also a disgusting toxic cesspool, so to foster more disruption and competition in the online video streaming space, we have completely pwned them.” The hackers also ended the post with #DoBetterTwitch. More worryingly, the 125GB of data was labelled as “part one” which indicates there could be more incoming.

It’s probably apt to mention that the leak comes in the wake of the #ADayOffTwitch protest by creators who are trying to get the platform to take hate raids more seriously. The platform has been plagued by users who have used the Raid and tags features to actively harass others. While Twitch has been trying to be proactive, the most it has done is provide streamers with tools to try to control raids and even sue perpetrators.

The breach has since been confirmed by Twitch itself on Twitter.

A cybersecurity firm, Acronis, has chimed in calling the breach “one of the most severe data breaches of late”. In fact, they say that there is, “a lot more damage now in store for Twitch”. Candid Wuest, Vice President of Cybersecurity Research at Acronis, also noted that “While [it is] yet unclear how the breach happened, it’s already harming Twitch on all the fronts that count – revenue, operations, users, influencers, market positioning.” He also noted that Twitch could be at greater risk as the availability of the source code will make it easier for malicious actors to attack the site. More importantly, the company is advising that users be wary and change their passwords as well as activate two-factor authentication on their accounts.

Candid Wuest Acronis
Candid Wuest, Vice President of Cybersecurity Research, Acronis

“Leaked data could contain nearly the full digital footprint of Twitch, making it one of the most severe data breaches of late. The 125 GB of data leaked so far might just be the start, according to the comments of the attacker. Internal network plans and marketing plans for future products could now be misused by attackers or sold to competitors. If the source code is exposed, we will see a spike in vulnerabilities discovered in related software. Having access to the source code makes it easy to find weak spots.“

Candid Wuest, Vice President of Cybersecurity Research, Acronis

PR Newswire

Smart asks Globe to fix its MNP porting issues

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MANILA, Philippines, Oct. 7, 2021 — Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), a subsidiary of PLDT, Inc., has asked Globe Telecom, Inc. (Globe) to remedy and resolve the serious and persistent concerns affecting Globe customers wanting to port in or transfer to Smart but have been unable to do so seamlessly and without fault or difficulty, due to Globe’s system-readiness issues and general unpreparedness to implement the Mobile Number Portability Act (Republic Act No. 11202) or the MNP Law.

The MNP Law guarantees customers the ease of switching network within the mandatory period of 48 hours without the need of changing their mobile number starting September 30, 2021, and prohibits the denial or withholding of, or delay in providing, the benefits of the law to a qualified customer.

Smart’s move comes a day after Smart formally asked the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to look into why Globe’s mobile service provider GOMO had failed to take part in the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) launch last September 30th. Globe had advised customers on September 29th that MNP will be available on GOMO only this month, due to "unavoidable technical issues".

In a letter to Globe copied today to NTC Commissioner Gamaliel A. Cordoba, Smart Regulatory Affairs’ Manager Atty. Kenneth E. Regañon wrote, "Globe’s constructive denial of its customers’ choice to switch to Smart seamlessly without the hassle of changing their mobile number, which seemingly stem from system errors and the apparent general unpreparedness of Globe sales force to implement the MNP Law, ultimately compromise, if not maim the spirit of the law, which is to honor and protect the customers’ choice of their preferred network. Given all the serious shortcomings in the first 72 hours, carried over and magnified in the first week of implementation of the MNP Law with no committed timelines for permanent fixes, the pressing issues are beyond just ‘hiccups’."

Smart has substantiated its concerns in three separate letters over the past week, submitted to the Telecommunications Connectivity Inc. (TCI), the joint venture of the mobile service providers that provides number porting services under the MNP Law.

Smart has listed the following Globe acts and omissions that frustrate the exercise by Globe customers of their right to switch to Smart seamlessly without changing their mobile number:

1)  The rejection by the Globe system of the "porting" or transfer request of a Globe customer with a Globe-issued valid unique subscriber codes (USCs). A USC constitutes proof that the customer has been pre-cleared by Globe for transfer to Smart. However, when the Globe customer comes to Smart stores to transfer to Smart, Globe’s system rejects the request due to "bundled services".  Globe has admitted that this is a system error and that the customer is entitled to port in to Smart, but has failed to fix the system error to date. After one week, Globe’s system continues to generate the same error to the frustration of its customers wanting to transfer to Smart.

"Globe has since attempted to apply a fix on October 4, but unfortunately, the invalid rejects continued even after the attempted fix. Globe also offered a workaround or interim solution but unfortunately, when we attempt to re-trigger or re-encode the port in requests into our system, some requests still end up getting rejected by Globe. On top of that, the workaround is very tedious for the Smart frontliners and inconvenient for the customers as well."

As of October 5, Smart logged a 38% rejection rate by Globe due to "technical issues". The "data fix" is not generating the results Smart needs to complete the porting in of Globe customers to Smart. "We demand a firm commitment on timelines so we can handle appropriately and cascade with our store frontliners accordingly," said Regañon. "Globe’s shortcomings are seriously putting a strain on our own resources as we implement extraordinary measures to bridge the serious gaps that Globe’s issues have created, and keep ported customers digitally connected. These shortcomings reveal a failure on the part of Globe to give its customers the freedom to keep their mobile numbers when they choose to switch to their preferred mobile network. Moreover, there is no urgency to commit to defined timelines for permanent fixes." 

2) While the GCash functionalities continue to work after porting, ported customers are unable to buy load using their GCash, resulting in a less than seamless transfer for Globe customers.

In contrast, Smart customers that ported out to Globe continue to enjoy the full functionalities of PayMaya, including buying load using PayMaya, because Smart anticipated this issue and addressed it in time for the MNP launch.  In the meantime, Smart is providing all the assistance to Globe customers that have transferred or ported in to Smart by offering them PayMaya as an alternative loading wallet.

Globe has yet to provide a timeline to resolve this critical issue but, in what appears to be a statement oblivious of the hardships being suffered by former Globe customers that ported in to Smart, and with a hint of righteousness, Globe said in its letter dated October 3 addressed to TCI:

"There should be no reason for Smart to fret on PayMaya’s momentary advantage of being able to be a top up channel for ported numbers. Moreover, there are other available channels for topping up ported numbers."

PR Newswire

ViewSonic and Hustle Fund Launch the Global “Acceleration for All” Awards for Entrepreneurs

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BREA, Calif., Oct. 7, 2021 — ViewSonic[i], a leading global provider of visual solutions, is partnering up with Hustle Fund, a pre-seed venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups, to launch the Acceleration for All Awards (The Affies). The initiative gives aspiring entrepreneurs and startups a jumpstart on their business ideas. Winners will have the opportunity to network with industry greats, win ViewSonic products, and funding. Submission starts on October 6, and ends on November 15, 2021, and is open to participants all over the world.

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"At ViewSonic, we are constantly innovating to create cutting-edge products, from monitors to digital display solutions, to enhance the business needs of everyday people. We believe in supporting passionate entrepreneurs and exciting startups with innovative devices and software to realize their dreams," says Oscar Lin, General Manager of the Monitor Business Unit at ViewSonic. "We hope that our partnership with Hustle Fund will give the movers and shakers a platform to shine and perform their very best."

"Starting a company can be incredibly lonely and challenging. But everyone who has built something great all started the same way – by just starting. At Hustle Fund, we appreciate the courage of founders and have made it a goal to unblock their talent with capital. We are excited to work with ViewSonic on The Affies as we share a similar mission to propel great founders with technology. This collaboration between our two companies will bring opportunities for entrepreneurs and startups to learn and grow together," says Eric Bahn, Co-Founder and General Partner at Hustle Fund. "We also hope to continue our partnership with ViewSonic to create more ways for upcoming businesses to thrive."

Available to early-stage and mature startups from various industries, The Affies is a program that seeks to invest and fund winning participants. To be part of the competition, keen participants have to submit details on their startup’s product, current progress, and more. Winners will be chosen by a panel of esteemed judges from ViewSonic, Hustle Fund, and Tech Crunch. The five categories include Best B2B, Best Consumer, Best Creator, Best Crypto, and the public-voted People’s Choice.

An exclusive online awards ceremony will be held on January 12, 2022 to announce the winners. The winning startups of each category can either choose to receive an investment of USD 10,000 funding at USD 2 million post-money[ii] valuation on a YC SAFE[iii], or participate in an exclusive six-week series of weekly one-on-one meetings with the Hustle Fund General Partners. 

The top-5 startups will also get their hands on brand new ViewSonic products worth USD 6,000 to enhance their productivity. The prizes include the following:

  • Business displays such as VG2440V equipped with an in-built web camera, VG2456 with versatile USB-C capabilities, and the ultra-wide VG3456 for seamless multitasking
  • Touch displays such as TD1655 and TD2456 for creating productive workspaces
  • Professional ColorPro monitors designed for creative work, which includes VP2756-2K, VP2756-4K, VP3481, VP3881

For more information on The Affies, interested participants may visit the campaign website.

About ViewSonic

Founded in California, ViewSonic is a leading global provider of visual solutions and conducts business in over 100 countries worldwide. As an innovator and visionary, ViewSonic is committed to providing comprehensive hardware and software solutions that include monitors, projectors, digital signage, ViewBoard interactive displays, and myViewBoard software ecosystem. With over 30 years of expertise in visual displays, ViewSonic has established a strong position for delivering innovative and reliable solutions for education, enterprise, consumer, and professional markets and helping customers "See the Difference". To find out more about ViewSonic, please visit www.viewsonic.com.

About Hustle Fund

Hustle Fund is a pre-seed/seed-stage fund based in San Francisco and Singapore founded in 2017 by Elizabeth Yin, Shiyan Koh, and Eric Bahn. From their combined experience as successful founders, tech employees, and investors, Hustle Fund’s General Partners learned that, despite entrenched stereotypes in the venture world, great founders look like anyone and come from anywhere. Hustle Fund’s core investment strategy is to invest in teams who demonstrate relentless speed and execution (defined as ‘hustle’) and has turned the VC model on its head. The investment team reviews over 600 deals per month, moves quickly to invest a modest initial check, and then works with the founder to monitor their speed/execution before qualifying startups for a larger, concentrated checks. Hustle Fund has developed an incredible global reputation with founders and investors alike.

[i] The awards is hosted and sponsored by ViewSonic International Corp., located in New Taipei City, Taiwan. ViewSonic International Corp. is a subsidiary of ViewSonic Corp. located in California, USA.

[ii] Post-money means that the company and the investor agree upfront on both the amount to be invested and the valuation cap of the round. The big advantage of a post-money SAFE is that it provides clarity on how much ownership of the company has been exchanged for the investment.

[iii] SAFE, or Simple Agreement for Equity, is an agreement between the founders of the business and the investor (in this case, it’s Hustle Fund). Under this agreement, both parties agree that the initial investment of USD 10,000 provides the investor the rights to future equity (i.e. shares of stock after going public) in the founders’ company.

 

Related Links :

http://www.viewsonic.com

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