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The latest business news in the Philippines.

Netflix Philippines is increasing price with the new 12% Digital VAT

May 6, 2025

Netflix Philippines has informed its subscribers that the streaming giant will increase its prices to accommodate the 12% value-added tax (VAT) on digital services provided by foreign companies.

In the email that Netflix Philippines sent to its subscribers, it stated: “As required by Republic Act No. 12023, which imposes a 12% Value-Added Tax (VAT) on digital services, Netflix will raise its subscription costs in the Philippines as of June 1, 2025.”

The new monthly prices are as follows:

  • Monthly Mobile Plan: ₱169 (previously ₱149)
  • Monthly Basic Plan: ₱279 (previously ₱249)
  • Monthly Standard Plan: ₱449 (previously ₱399)
  • Monthly Premium Plan: ₱619 (previously ₱549)
  • The extra member slot fee for Standard and Premium plans will also go up, from ₱149 to ₱169 per month

Netflix currently has more than 2.7 million subscribers in the Philippines, and the additional 12% VAT is projected to give the government over ₱924 million in tax revenue from Netflix alone. Republic Act 112023 was signed into law late last year.

CAAP airports to implement higher terminal fees starting April 21st

April 22, 2025

Here’s some bad news for the frequent flyer, sincce the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), through Memorandum Circular 019-2025, has announced that they will be increasing Passenger Service Charges (PSC) or terminal fees for the first time in about 20 years.

The adjustment will take effect for tickets purchased on or after April 21, 2025. Previous rates will apply for tickets bought before April 21st. CAAP explained that the increased fees will be use to fund necessary upgrades and improve passenger experience at CAAP-managed airports nationwide.

Below are the updated PSC/Terminal fees;

  • ₱900.00 – International Departures from International, Principal Class 1, and Principal Class 2 Airports
  • ₱350.00 – International Airports
  • ₱300.00 – Principal Class 1 Airports
  • ₱200.00 – Principal Class 2 Airports
  • ₱100.00 – Community Airports

CAAP said that the adjustment, driven by inflation and rising costs, will enable them to maintain safety standards and enhance airport facilities, especially in regional areas crucial for tourism and economic growth. Childen under 2 years old, OFW, Transite passenger and those who are denied entry are excempted from paying terminal fees.

Source: @caaphilippines

Tesla opens its first showroom and service center in Saudi Arabia

April 12, 2025

Tesla has officially launch its showroom and service center in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Located in Bujairi Terrace in historic Diriyah.

In an article on AP, “The facility will offer models, including Model 3, Model Y and the Cybertruck, and pop-up stores are also opening in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.”

Just like in the Philippines, Tesla KSA will initially offer the Model 3 and the Model Y crossover in the country. The Model 3 is the EV sedan, while the New Model Y is the crossover EV.

Image: Tesla Model 3 via Tesla.com/en_sa

Model 3 will available 4 variants; the Rear–Wheel Drive, Long Range Rear–Wheel Drive (RWD), Long Range All–Wheel Drive (AWD) and Performance AWD.

The base model for the Model 3 (RWD) will have an estimated range of 513km, top speed of 201 km/h and with an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 6.21 secs.

Model 3

  • Rear–Wheel Drive – SAR 169,990.00
  • Long Range Rear–Wheel Drive (RWD) – SAR 189,990.00
  • Long Range All–Wheel Drive (AWD) – SAR 199,990.00
  • Performance All–Wheel Drive (AWD) – SAR 224,990.00
Image: Tesla Model Y Launch Series via Tesla.com/en_sa

The Model Y on the other hand will be available in 3 variants; Rear–Wheel Drive, Long Range Rear–Wheel Drive (RWD) and Long Range All–Wheel Drive (AWD).

The base model for the Model Y (RWD) on the other hand will have an estimated range of 455km, top speed of 217km/h and with an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 6.9 secs.

Model Y

  • Rear–Wheel Drive – SAR 199,990.00
  • Long Range Rear–Wheel Drive (RWD) – SAR 219,990.00
  • Long Range All–Wheel Drive (AWD)) – SAR 299,990.00

Tesla KSA offers Cash, Lease or 50/50 Lease when buying any of their offerings.

This article was originally published on allthingsev.net as Tesla opens its first showroom and service center in Saudi Arabia.

₱7.5-B Solar Project in Cebu starts construction

March 20, 2025

The construction for the ₱7.5 billion Daanbantayan Solar Power Plant has begun in Cebu last March 16th. This Cebu-based Solar Power Plant is a 176 Megawatt (MW) renewable energy project and part of the government’s “green lane” initiative.

Acciona Energia Global partnered with Cebu provincial government for the solar power plant, this public-private partnership will provide generate around 280 gigawatt-hours of clean energy to 300,000 people and reduce 259,000 tons of carbon dioxide emission annually.

“This project highlights the tangible impact of the Green Lane program, showcasing its success in attracting investors, particularly in renewable energy. It serves as a meaningful milestone, paving the way for more projects that advance our mission to promote green investments and create job opportunities for Filipinos,” Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary and BOI chairperson Ma. Cristina Roque said.

Acciona Energia Global’s project, the largest solar plant under construction in the Visayas and has a peak capacity of 176 MW, the solar plant is slated to begin operations next year.

Acciona chairperson and chief executive officer José Manuel Entrecanales Domecq said “This plant is Acciona Energia’s first plant in the Philippines, and as you know, as have been repeated, the biggest under construction in the Visayas archipelago. This project supports the government’s goal of increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix, ensuring energy security, and promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth.”

This article was originally published on allthingsev.net as ₱7.5-B Solar Project in Cebu starts construction.

Philippine Airlines investing ₱10 million to support aspiring Women Pilots

March 12, 2025

Philippine Airlines (PAL) just announced that they will be investing ₱10 million to “support aspiring women pilots” thru their “Fly With Her” Program (the “Program”) in partnership with PAL Foundation. With the “Fly With Her” Program, PAL aims to close the gender gap in the aviation industry, specially within their ranks since there are currently over 80 women pilots fly for PAL, which is just 9% of our pilot roster.

Here’s the full text of PAL’s official statement;

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Airlines (PAL) seeks to address the gender gap in aviation through its Fly With Her program, which helps women pursue their dream of flying for the nation’s flag carrier. It recently pledged P10 million to the PAL Foundation, which oversees the scholarship program for women pilots.

“As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we reiterate our support to women who dream of flying for and even assuming top positions in the PAL organization,” said Alvin M. Miranda, PAL Vice President for Marketing.

Apart from the P10 million pledge, PAL will release a film inspired by a real-life story of a young girl who dreamed of becoming a pilot.

“When little girls see women take on leadership roles, it inspires them to do the same and possibly go beyond,” said Lilybeth T. Ng, PAL Assistant Vice President for Pilot Affairs.

The gender gap in aviation remains significant, with only around 6% of pilots worldwide being women.

An Ally of Women in Aviation

PAL has long been a staunch supporter of women in the airline industry. In 1989, its very own Captain Aimee Carandang-Gloria became Southeast Asia’s first woman commercial airline pilot to fly a commercial flight. She broke barriers again in 1993, by becoming the region’s first woman airline captain. PAL continues to lead the way in opening doors for women in the male-dominated industry.

PAL continues to work for clearer and more inclusive skies in aviation, on the strength of its signature service of #CareThatComesFromTheHeart.

Know more about the Fly with Her Program and PAL’s advocacy towards women in aviation by visiting https://www.philippineairlines.com/FlyWithHer

For those interested to joint the “Fly With Her” Program you can visit the FLY WITH HER PROGRAM for details like Eligibility Criteria, Selection Process and, where and how to apply.

Saudi Government officially uveil the currency symbol for Saudi Riyals

February 23, 2025

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially unveil the symbol for the Saudi Riyals.

In a press release by Saudi Central Bank (SAMA);

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, approved today, February 20, 2025, the Saudi riyal symbol; a historic move that will reinforce the Saudi currency’s identity.

The Governor of the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), H.E. Ayman M. Al-Sayari, extends his profound appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for launching the Saudi riyal symbol.

Al-Sayari noted that this decision reinforces Saudi Arabia’s financial identity, locally, regionally, and internationally. He indicated that the implementation of the new symbol will be gradual for financial and commercial transactions, with coordination across all relevant entities.​​​

Saudi Riyal Symbol

The agency explained that “the Saudi riyal symbol, developed to the highest technical standards, embodies the Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage, carrying the name of our national currency “Riyal” in a design derived from Arabic calligraphy. The symbol will streamline the representation of the Saudi riyal in local, regional, and international contexts, making it suitable for use in referring to the Saudi riyal in all financial and commercial transactions.”

Before the announcement of the Saudi Riyals symbol, SAR, SR or the Arabic equivalent ريال or الريال السعودي, is the one being used.

Watch this Nike Super Bowl Ad Featuring Women Basketball stars Caitline Clark, A’ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu and Juju Watkins

February 10, 2025

There’s one guarantee in sport. You’ll be told you can’t do it. So do it anyway.

You can’t win. So Win.

Here are the athletes featured in the ad (alphabetically);

  • Indiana Fever Guard Caitlin Clark
  • American Gymnast Jordan Chiles
  • New York Liberty Guard Sabrina Ionescu
  • USC Guard JuJu Watkins
  • Portland Thorns Forward Sophia Wilson
  • Las Vegas Aces Center A’ja Wilson
  • Barcelona Midfielder Alexia Putellas
  • American Sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson
  • Belarusian Tennis Player Aryna Sabalenka

Looks like Women’s sports is on the rise!

Apple to open its first retail store in Saudi Arabia

December 9, 2024

Apple announced plans to expand in Saudi Arabia, starting with the launch of an online store in summer 2025 and opening physical stores in 2026, including a flagship location in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The expansion includes existing investments in the country, including the Apple Developer Academy in Riyadh, which opened in Riyadh in 2021 in partnership with the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tuwaiq Academy, and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University. The program has trained nearly 2,000 aspiring feamale coders, designers, and entrepreneurs. Apple hosted the country’s first coed Apple Foundation Program. A monthlong course for students from across the country to learn the fundamentals of coding and app development, with a focus on gaming. Apple plans to further expand the coed Foundation offerings, with the next cohort planned for spring 2025.

Apple has emphasizes its commitment to Saudi Arabia, highlighting investments, job creation, and the growth of the app economy, with developer earnings increasing up over 1,750 percent since 2019. Apple Pay is also gaining traction in the country, with Riyadh being the first city in the Middle East to offer Express Mode for transit payments.

Jollibee to acquire Tim Ho Wan for ₱892.29M

November 6, 2024

Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) to acquire full ownership and control of Tim Ho Wan, a Hong Kong-based dim sum restaurant.

In an article on BusinessWorld, the deal to acquire Tim Ho Wan is worth S$20.2 million or around ₱892.29 million, which is only for the remaining 8% participating interest held by the other investors in Tim Ho Wan (Titan Dining LP).

Before this transaction, Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. (JWPL), already owns 92% participating interest in Titan Dining LP, since January 2024.

Once done, the ownership and management of Tim Ho Wan (Titan Dining LP) will transfer to Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. (JWPL), the fast-food operator said in a statement to the stock exchange on Tuesday. Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. is a subsidiary of Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC).

Orignated in Hong Kong, Tim Ho Wan, has around 80 stores across 11 countries and will be the Jollibee group’s flagship brand for high-end Chinese cuisine market.

Aside from Tim Ho Wan, Jollibee Foods Corps, also have other Chinese-Style Resto brands under its umbrella like Chow King, Panda Express, Hong Zhuang Yuan and Yonghe King.

Converge announces Netflix and Fiber X bundle

October 10, 2024

Converge, one of Philippines leading ISP, announced “the new Converge Netflix Bundle, where new and existing FiberX customers will be able to have both an internet and Netflix plan, all in one. The new offering aims to provide countless entertainment options and a better streaming experience for FiberX users.”

The new Converge Netflix Bundle will include a FiberX plan that offers 325 Mbps speeds, a Netflix subscription with a lock-in period of 36 months, a new WiFi-6 Next Gen Modem, and a Converge Xperience Box with Freemium Channels — all put together into one subscription for the convenience of the customer.

The new Converge Netflix Bundle starts at Php 1,798 per month, inclusive of a Converge FiberX plan with boosted speeds of 325 Mbps, a WiFi6 modem, a Converge Xperience Box, and a Basic Netflix subscription that can support one HD stream at a time. Customers can avail of more premium bundles that can support multiple devices streaming at the same time and can offer additional Boost Modes with speeds of up to 200 Mbps. For existing subscribers, the Converge Netflix Bundle is available as an exclusive add-on starting at Php 298 per month.

Qualcomm Approached Intel About a Takeover in Recent Days   

September 22, 2024

Lauren Thomas, Laura Cooper and Asa Fitch, reporting for WSJ;

Chip giant Qualcomm made a takeover approach to rival Intel in recent days, according to people familiar with the matter, in what would be one of the largest and most consequential deals in recent years.

A deal for Intel, which has a market value of roughly $90 billion, would come as the chip maker has been suffering through one of the most significant crises in its five-decade history.

This is big in so many different levels!

In a report by NY Times, “Qualcomm has not yet made an official offer for Intel.”

Tupperware files for bankruptcy as its colorful containers lose relevance   

September 19, 2024

Rappler;

Tupperware Brands Corp. and some of its subsidiaries filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Tuesday, September 17, giving in to dwindling demand for its once-iconic food storage containers and mounting financial losses.

The company’s struggles resumed after a short-lived pandemic boost, when increased home cooking briefly drove demand for its colorful, airtight plastic containers. A post-pandemic jump in costs of raw materials such as plastic resin, as well as labor and freight, further dented Tupperware margins.

I can still remember those all those sales agents that goes to our house trying to sell us different sets of Tupperware.

You can read the official statement from Tupperware here.

NagaTech announces NAGATECH LAKAN, the company’s first gaming laptop   

September 17, 2024

Cristina Joy Valerio, writing for Yugatech;

The NagaTech LAKAN features a 15.3-inch QHD+ IPS display with 240Hz refresh rate and 2560 x 1440 resolution. It comes with either a Ryzen 7 8845HS or a Ryzen 9 8945HS processor with two GPU options: either the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 or the RTX 4070.

For storage, it has either a 16GB or 32GB RAM that is configurable up to 64GB while having a 512GB SSD storage that can be upgradable. Windows 11 Home or Pro comes in the laptop.
The NagaTech LAKAN has a starting price of PHP 69,995.

This is the official announcement as posted on NagaTech’s official Facebook page;

Introducing: The NAGATECH LAKAN.
Our first step towards gaming and high performance laptops.
Quick Specs:
QHD+ 2560x1440p 240hz 15.3″ IPS Display
Ryzen 7 8845HS / Ryzen 9 8945HS
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8GB / RTX 4070 8GB
512GB SSD / Upgradable
16 / 32GB DDR5 5600mhz RAM / Up to 64GB
1080p IR Camera + Per-Key RGB Backlit Keyboard
Windows 11 Home / Pro
1-Year full coverage local warranty (parts + labor) + 7 day returns
Starting price: PHP 69,995 (4060/Ryzen7/512/16)

NagaTech, is a Philippine-based laptop maker. The company said that units for their laptops “are arriving end of Sept/start of Oct for local techies to give in-depth reviews.” and they plan to sell “online (directly through our Website) and Shopee this December.”

Last August, the company announced NAGA SIPAG, a high-performance productivity laptop with the following specs;

Intel Core Ultra 5
512GB PCIe Gen 4 SSD
16GB DDR5 RAM
14” 2880x1800p 120hz 100% sRGB Display
100w PD Charger + 1080p Webcam

Maya to let Grab users loan up to P30k   

September 16, 2024

Benise Balaoing, writing for ABS-CBN News;

Maya is partnering with Grab to give users of the ride-hailing and food delivery app access to loans up to P30,000.
….
Aside from this, Grab users can now use Maya Easy Credit to top up their Maya Wallet and easily pay for Grab rides or food deliveries.

It’s interesting that Grab is partnering with Maya to offer loans to its users, even though Grab a offers similar finance service/features called Grab Pay, and it competes with Maya in some markets.

NNIC takes over NAIA, hits the ground running   

September 16, 2024

San Miguel Corp;

The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) has officially taken over management and operation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and with it, the task of modernizing the 76-year-old gateway.

NNIC, the consortium that includes San Miguel Corporation (SMC) and Incheon International Airport Corporation, has committed to spend P170 billion to execute its phased but ambitious plan to elevate NAIA to world-class standards. This includes plans to increase passenger capacity from 43 million to 62 million annually and air traffic movements from 42 to 48 per hour.

The government stands to gain about P1 trillion in revenues from the PPP project over the 25-year concession period. This includes the 82.16-percent revenue share to be remitted to the government yearly.

Travelers can expect business as usual, with flights, check-ins, and other services proceeding as normal. The plans for NAIA’s modernization, including terminal reassignments and infrastructure upgrades, will be implemented gradually and strategically in the coming months and years.

NNIC has assured the public that the transition will be seamless, with no disruptions to airport operations.

The things that SMC listed for the Immediate Improvements are things that are supposedly being done by the previous management.

Globe now offers Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold6 on Postpaid Plans

August 5, 2024

Globe telecom just announced that Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold6 is now available thru their postpaid plans.

The new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 will be available thru their GPlan 1799; a device cash-out of ₱40,600 for the 256GB model of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 and ₱47,600 for the 512GB variants. If the cash-out is too big for you, you can available of the 0% installment for the device, which will be spread throughout the 24 months lock-in period of the plan in addition to the ₱1,799 price of the plan;

  • ₱1,692 per month for 256GB model
  • ₱1,983 per month for 512GB model

For the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6, this will be under the GPlan 2499 and Platinum GPlan 4999.

Under the GPlan 2499 there will be a device cash-out of ₱63,700 for the 256GB model, ₱70,700 for the 512GB and ₱83,700 for the 1TB model. Just like with the Z Flip6, you can also available of the 0% installment (in 24 months) for the device in addition to the ₱2,499 price of the plan.

  • ₱2,654 per month for the 256GB model
  • ₱2,946 per month for the 512GB model
  • ₱3,488 per month for the 1TB model

As for the Platinum GPlan 4999, the device cash-out will be much smaller; ₱49,200 for the 256GB model, ₱56,200 for the 512GB and ₱69,200 for the 1TB model. If you will go to the 0% installment (in 24 months) route for the device in addition to the ₱4,909 price of the plan.

  • ₱2,050 per month for the 256GB model
  • ₱2,342 per month for the 512GB model
  • ₱2,883 per month for the 1TB model

Globe will be giving freebies worth up to ₱33,765 to those who will order the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 and up to up to ₱15,889 for Galaxy Z Flip6. To know more about Globe’s offering of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold6, you can go here.

Ad agency and Wellspring issue Public Apology for the “Gil Tulog” Marketing Stunt

July 30, 2024

The ad agency and company behind the controversial “Gil Tulog” marketing stunt has issue an apology, this is after Puyat Clan files complaint against the ad agency for doing ‘Gil Tulog’ campaign.

Gigil, the ad agency behind the “Gil Tulog” campaign, said “Even as all the necessary permits and clearances were secured, our approach had resonated differently and so the campaign was immediately discontinued.” The agency ended their statement with “Our agency will be putting in place more stringent measures to ensure this does not happen again.”

Wellspring, who commissioned the marketing agency, also issued an apology saying;

We made a misstep in our campaign and we are sorry.
We recognize and deeply regret the insensitivity of our execution and we offer our sincerest apologies to the Puyat family, the Makati City government, and the public.
We have learned from this mistake and are committed to doing better.

Gigil is not new to viral videos and trending topics, since they are the company behind some of the most viral ad like the RC cola’s commercials and this Grab Ph Ad. And if you believe that there is not bad publicity, then Wellspring got their money’s worth for doing the marketing stunt no matter how short it is, they will forever be connected to Gil Tulog a.k.a. Gil Puyat Ave.

CCN Philippines to shut-down this 31st of January 2024

January 29, 2024

After all the reports, CNN Philippines has confirmed that the network will shutdown its operations on all media platforms this January 31, 2024. The company released their official statement on all their social media accounts as well an official statement published on cnnphilippines.com.

Here’s the full text of CNN Philippines’ official statement;

It is with deep regret that the management of Nine Media Corporation (NMC) announces the discontinuation of its news and production operations on all media platforms, branded as CNN Philippines (CNNPH), effective 31 January 2024. The decision follows significant financial losses sustained over the past years, despite rigorous efforts to adapt and innovate in a rapidly evolving and challenging media landscape.

We are aware of the impact of this closure on our valued employees and talents, we assure all affected staff will be provided with severance packages.

We express our deepest appreciation to our dedicated team for their unwavering commitment over the years that has elevated CNNPH as a trusted source of news and information in the Philippines.

With the conclusion of CNNPH’s operations, we would like to extend our profound gratitude to our partner, CNN Worldwide/Turner Broadcasting Corporation for their support and understanding.

To our loyal viewers, thank you for giving us purpose. We are honored to have served you.

Again, we would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to our employees, partners, and stakeholders. Thank you for the trust.

It’s unclear what will happen to its employees and talents, but it will be a big blow to the country’s “the future of journalism in the Philippines”, as well as the news media landscape.

Reaction – 2 drinks, 3 tables: Bacolod cafe sends away non-paying customers, gets mixed

December 12, 2023

via Philippine Star Life;

A coffee shop in Bacolod received an outpour of support after a group of 10 customers review-bombed it when they were asked to leave as its non-paying members filled other tables. Owners of other cafes, however, have a different take on the issue.

SLO_BAR Cafe took to Instagram to lament how 10 people bought only two drinks but occupied three tables. They were asked to leave to give way to other paying customers.

The staff of the coffee shop is in the right when they asked the people to give way to paying customer, especially if the those group of people are occupying 3 tables and just bought 2 drinks.

For Nikaela Cortez of Sibs Cafe, which has a seating capacity of six, non-paying customers who decide to stay lead to an “opportunity” to market the business and spread awareness.

“Though they may only buy two drinks, and even if ten of them choose to stay, that specific moment can be a chance to attract more customers in the future,” Cortez told L!fe. “They are still customers at the end of the day.”

She, however, said that once a paying customer arrives, that’s the time her cafe would politely ask the non-paying ones to share the table.

“We encourage an environment where our customers get to experience a sense of sharing while enjoying their stay in our cafe,” she added.

This comment is holds a lot of weight, of course if you are a non-paying customer in a cafe, then we have to give way to customer who are actually paying to enjoy their drinks. And yes… customers are not always right… for this case, we need to educate the customers, so next time they will know what is right.

Amazon partners with Hyundai to Sell Cars Online with Alexa built-in and AWS

November 19, 2023

Amazon just announced that it has entered a broad strategic partnership with Hyundai Motor Company. The partnership will allow Hyundai auto dealers to sell the automaker’s vehicles online in Amazon’s U.S. store in 2024. Then there’s the AWS part, since Hyundai has selected Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its preferred cloud provider to accelerate its digital transformation. In connection to the selling cars on Amazon, starting 2025, Alexa will be built-in to Hyundai’s next-generation vehicles.

You can read the full text of Amazon and Hyundai’s announcement below;

As shared by Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, Amazon and Hyundai Motor Company have announced a broad strategic partnership.

“Hyundai is a very innovative company that shares Amazon’s passion for trying to make customers’ lives better and easier every day,” said Amazon CEO Andy Jassy. “Our broad, strategic partnership should do just that, from changing the ease with which customers can buy vehicles online to making it simple to use Alexa in Hyundai vehicles for entertainment, shopping, smart home adjustments, and calendar checks to enabling Hyundai to transform their customer experiences and business operations by moving to AWS. We look forward to inventing together for many years.”

José Muñoz, global chief operating officer for Hyundai and president and CEO of Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America, and Marty Mallick, Amazon’s vice president for Worldwide Business and Corporate Development, revealed three key pieces of the announcement at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Here are three key pieces to know about this announcement.

1. In 2024, auto dealers for the first time will be able to sell vehicles in Amazon’s U.S. store, and Hyundai will be the first brand available for customers to purchase.
This new digital shopping experience will make it easy for customers to purchase a new car online, and then pick it up or have it delivered by their local dealership at a time that works best for them. Customers will be able to search on Amazon for available vehicles in their area based on a range of preferences, including model, trim, color, and features; choose their preferred car; and then check out online with their chosen payment and financing options—all within the Amazon experience they already know and trust. This new shopping experience will create another way for dealers to build awareness of their selection and offer convenience to their customers.

2. Hyundai has selected Amazon Web Services (AWS) as its preferred cloud provider to accelerate its digital transformation using broad and industry-leading AWS capabilities—from compute, storage, database, and analytics to artificial intelligence (generative AI) and Internet of Things (IoT).
As part of a new multiyear agreement, Hyundai will become a more data-driven organization with a cloud-first technology strategy, migrating its current on-premises applications—which support everything across research, product engineering, and customer engagement—to AWS. Hyundai will prioritize business cases like manufacturing and supply chain to help optimize production and minimize costs, security, and disaster recovery for resiliency, and connected vehicle development to bring new features to drivers around the globe. In addition, AWS and Hyundai designed and implemented a Master Builder training and certification program to train Hyundai engineers in critical cloud skills.

3. Next-generation Hyundai vehicles will be even more responsive and interactive with Alexa Built-in.
Starting in 2025, customers who purchase Hyundai’s next-generation vehicles will be able to access the hands-free Alexa experience they have at home, while in their car. Hyundai drivers will be able to ask Alexa to play music, podcasts, or audiobooks; set reminders; update to-do lists; and check calendars. Customers will also be able to control their smart home from the road, such as asking to warm up the house on their way home, double-checking doors are locked, and managing smart lighting and Alexa routines. Drivers will also be able to ask Alexa for up-to-date traffic updates or weather reports, and use voice-control with the in-vehicle media player or navigation system—with certain Alexa features accessible even when internet connectivity is intermittent or unavailable.

“We’re excited to be working with Hyundai—the third-largest carmaker in the world and a leading innovator in the industry,” said Mallick during the onstage press conference in LA. “Together, we will provide customers with more of the buying experiences they want—and support dealers with an efficient and effective selling platform.”

“This is a transformational journey we are on together, and we look forward to a very productive long-term relationship with Amazon,” said Muñoz.

Arm to acquire minority stake in Raspberry Pi

November 5, 2023

Arm announced that it had acquired a minority stake in Raspberry Pi. This investment is a significant development in the partnership between the two companies, which has been ongoing since 2008. Raspberry Pi has used Arm-based CPUs in all of its single-board computers (SBCs), and the two companies have collaborated on a number of initiatives, including the development of the Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller.

The acquisition of a minority stake in Raspberry Pi is seen as a strategic move by Arm. Raspberry Pi has sold over 40 million SBCs to date, making it one of the most popular platforms for IoT development.

The partnership will benefit to both companies; Arm gains access to Raspberry Pi’s large and active community of developers, which can help to accelerate the adoption of Arm-based chips in IoT devices, Raspberry Pi, in turn, benefits from Arm’s expertise in chip design and its global reach.

“Arm and Raspberry Pi share a vision to make computing accessible for all, by lowering barriers to innovation so that anyone, anywhere can learn, experience and create new IoT solutions,” said Paul Williamson, SVP and GM, Internet of Things Line of Business, Arm. “With the rapid growth of edge and endpoint AI applications, platforms like those from Raspberry Pi, built on Arm, are critical to driving the adoption of high-performance IoT devices globally by enabling developers to innovate faster and more easily. This strategic investment is further proof of our continued commitment to the developer community, and to our partnership with Raspberry Pi.”

“Arm technology has always been central to the platforms we create, and this investment is an important milestone in our longstanding partnership,” said Eben Upton, CEO, Raspberry Pi. “Using Arm technology as the foundation of our current and future products offers us access to the compute performance, energy efficiency and extensive software ecosystem we need, as we continue to remove barriers to entry for everyone, from students and enthusiasts, to professional developers deploying commercial IoT systems at scale.”

The acquisition of a minority stake in Raspberry Pi is also seen as a sign of Arm’s commitment to the open-source community. Raspberry Pi is a popular platform for open-source software development, and Arm has stated that it will continue to support the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s commitment to open source. Financial details of the deals was not disclose.

Xeleqt AI wins the Grand Prize at the Start-up Innovation Challenge at the PH Digicon 2023

October 19, 2023

Xeleqt AI, a startup that develops artificial intelligence-powered solutions for the financial industry, has won the Grand Prize at the Start-up Innovation Challenge at the PH Digicon 2023.

Xeleqt AI is an IoT-enabled business-to-employee platform that helps businesses automate their operations, improve productivity and services. The company’s platform is already being used by a number of leading companies in the Philippines and around the world.

Together with Xeleqt AI, Mylo Speech Buddy and Vison Technologies won the contest, placing 1st and 2nd runner-ups, respectively.

The winners of the Start-up Innovation Challenge receive a number of prizes like; cash prizes of Php250,000 (1st), Php200,000 (2nd) and Php150,000 (3rd); mentorship, and access to resources and support from PLDT Enterprise and Smart Communications.

The PH Digicon is the largest digital technology conference in the Philippines. The conference brings together leaders from the government, industry, and academia to discuss the latest trends and developments in digital technology.

Microsoft acquires Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion

October 15, 2023

Microsoft has officially acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion, the deal has now been finalized after a lengthy regulatory review. The announcement was made by both company and published official statement on their respective website. Bobby Kotick will continue to serve as CEO of Activision Blizzard, and he and his team will maintain their focus on driving efforts to further strengthen the company’s culture and accelerate business growth. Once the deal closes, the Activision Blizzard business will report to Phil Spencer, CEO, Microsoft Gaming and will be part of Microsoft’s Xbox Team.

Activision Blizzard is one of the largest and most successful video game companies in the world. It is the publisher of popular franchises such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Candy Crush, and Diablo. Microsoft is already a major player in the gaming industry with its Xbox console and Xbox Game Pass subscription service. However, the acquisition of Activision Blizzard gives Microsoft a significant boost in market share and makes it the third-largest gaming company in the world, behind Tencent and Sony.

When the deal was first announced, it faced regulatory pushback and was delayed due to concerns about competition in the cloud gaming market. To address these concerns, Microsoft made several concessions, including giving consumers in the European Economic Area free licenses to stream their Activision Blizzard games. Microsoft also signed agreements with console rivals Nintendo and Sony, promising them access to Call of Duty games for 10 years.

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) was the last regulator to approve the deal. The CMA stated that the concessions made by Microsoft were a “game-changer” that would allow for competitive prices and better services.

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer and Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, write a letter/email to announced the acquisition.

Delivery Hero to sell FoodPanda Business in South East Asia

September 25, 2023

On September 20, 2023, Delivery Hero, the parent company of Foodpanda, announced that it was in talks to sell its Foodpanda business in Southeast Asia. The move comes as Delivery Hero is facing increasing competition from other online food delivery platforms in the region, such as Grab and Gojek.

The potential sale of Foodpanda is significant, as the company is one of the leading online food delivery platforms in Southeast Asia. Foodpanda operates in eleven Southeast Asian countries, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. The company has over 10 million users and over 60,000 restaurants on its platform.

The potential buyer of Foodpanda is reportedly Grab, the Singapore-based ride-hailing and super-app. Grab is already the leading ride-hailing platform in Southeast Asia, and it is also expanding into other verticals, such as food delivery, payments, and financial services.

The sale of Foodpanda would create a dominant player in the Southeast Asian online food delivery market. Grab would have access to Foodpanda’s large customer base and network of restaurants. This would give Grab a significant advantage over its competitors. The sale of Foodpanda would also have implications for consumers, since this will lessen the competition, which could potentially raise prices or reduce discounts after acquiring the food delivery company.

On the otherhand, the sale of Foodpanda could also lead to improved innovation and efficiency in the Southeast Asian online food delivery market. Grab could use its resources to invest in new technologies and improve its services. This could benefit both consumers and restaurants.

The negotiations are in their preliminary stages and it is uncertain and subject to various open points whether this will lead to a definitive agreement. However, the potential sale of Foodpanda is a significant event that could have a major impact on the online food delivery market in Southeast Asia.

Disney+ and Hulu Subscription Price to Increase this October

August 15, 2023

Disney has announced that it will be increasing the prices of its streaming services, Disney+ and Hulu, in October. The ad-free version of Disney+ will increase from $10.99 to $13.99 per month, while the ad-supported version will remain at $7.99 per month. The ad-free version of Hulu will increase from $14.99 to $17.99 per month, while the ad-supported version will remain at $7.99 per month.

The price increase is effective for new subscribers starting on October 12, 2023, and for existing subscribers starting on November 1 2023.

Disney has cited rising content costs as the reason for the price increase. The company has been investing heavily in new content for its streaming services, including original series and movies, as well as live sports. The price increase is likely to be met with some resistance from subscribers, but it is not unexpected. Streaming services have been raising prices in recent years, as they compete for subscribers and content.

“The strong momentum of our ad-supported plans in the U.S. demonstrates the importance of providing consumers with choice, flexibility and value,” said Joe Earley, President, Direct-to-Consumer, Disney Entertainment. “We are excited to expand that offering in more markets across the globe, including in Europe and Canada, and to launch a new premium duo bundle of ad-free Disney+ and Hulu this Fall, as we take steps toward making extensive Hulu content available via Disney+ later this year for Bundle subscribers.”

PG Kyrie Irving signs 5-year deal with Anta

July 13, 2023

Kyrie Irving just signed a 5-year deal with Anta that includes a brand-new signature product line for Irving as well as serving as ANTA Basketball’s Chief Creative Officer, a position that will allow him to recruit basketball players and collaborate with independent brands and influential figures to create additional product lines under Kyrie’s signature line.

Under the deal, ANTA will launch the ‘ANTA x KYRIE Youth Basketball Training Camps’ in China and in the U.S. to jointly support the development and promotion of basketball and its culture.

The Kyrie Irving Anta signature shoes will debut in the first quarter of 2024, with the full range of products set to hit the market. The Anta deals comes more than 6 months after Nike terminated their deal with Kyrie Irving for promoting an antisemitic Film on social media.

Anta already have deals with Klay Thompson, Gordon Hayward, and Alex Caruso, the addition of Irving will will help the company capture a bigger slice of the basketball shoe market, which is dominated by Nike, Adidas and Under Armour.

Source: Anta

Apple launches online store on WeChat platform

July 11, 2023

Apple, the maker of the iPhones, reportedly opened a store on the WeChat platform, Tuesday, expanding the American company’s retail options in the second-largest economy in the world.

Users will be able to buy Apple products including iPhones, iPads, and Macs via the shop, according to an announcement made by WeChat, China’s most popular messaging app that also offers e-commerce, livestreaming, and payment services.

Apple’s move comes as Chinese consumers increasingly use social media sites like WeChat and ByteDance’s Douyin, the country’s version of TikTok, to shop online. Requests for additional comment from Apple and Tencent were not immediately fulfilled.

Apple currently runs a store on Alibaba Group’s Tmall online marketplace in addition to its own stores and website. In May, Apple attempted to advertise its products in China for the first time through a webcast of an hour-long performance. Together with the online stores, Apple have more than 40 retails stores in China.

Riyadh Air unveil designs for their planes and new promotional video

June 5, 2023

Riyadh Air unveil the first of two design of their fleet which blend of cutting-edge technology and timeless elegance. The name Riyadh Air can be seen across the plane and features a lavender colors with stripes design.

Together with the new planes, Riyadh Air also release a 51 secs promo video that teases the public regarding an event on June 12th.

Public Investment Fund (PIF) first announce Riyadh Air in March of this year, explaining that the airline is expected to add US$20 billion to non-oil GDP growth, and create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Public Investment Fund (PIF) launches Riyadh Air, a new national carrier to expand Saudi’s local and global aviation industry

March 15, 2023

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) just announced the launching of a new national airline Riyadh Air. Wholly owned by PIF, Riyadh Air will leverage Saudi Arabia’s strategic geographic location between the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe, enabling Riyadh to become a gateway to the world and a global destination for transportation, trade, and tourism.

Riyadh Air will be chaired by His Excellency Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of PIF, while Tony Douglas, will be its Chief Executive Officer. Douglas brings more than 40 years of experience in the aviation, transportation and logistics industries.

The newly established airline is expected to add US$20 billion to non-oil GDP growth, and create more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.