Conversations in Asia Pacific Trending Towards Transaction Experience and Merchant Engagement
Kuala Lumpur, 24 February 2014 – MasterCard and Prime Research today released the second annual global MasterCard Mobile Payments Study, which tracked more than 13 million social media comments across Twitter, Facebook, Online Blogs and Forums around the world.
In the Asia Pacific region, the study found that while merchants account for just 11 percent of conversations, they are also beginning to engage. It’s an encouraging sign in light of the fact that merchant availability and acceptance is the second most discussed topic across the region and carries a 78 percent positive rating. The only topic discussed more frequently is the transaction experience. Mobile payments convenience is the next most popular topic and carries an 84 percent rating.
Globally, the study shows improved sentiment toward mobile payments and rapid growth in consumer use and merchant acceptance. Merchants carry an 88% positive rating with many conversations touting mobile acceptance as a competitive advantage. As consumers increasingly turn to mobile options, merchants reluctant to accept these payments may find themselves locked out of the segment.
The research points to 2013 as the year mobile payments transitioned from concept to adoption. “Adopters,” or those who have used mobile payments, drove 81% of conversations in 2013. This finding is a reversal from 2012 when only 32% of those discussing mobile payments had used a product. 2014 may be the year when long-term mobile brand and shopping allegiances are formed, which means those considering mobile payments may be well served getting involved.
Furthermore, sentiment towards mobile payments among adopters improved significantly from 2012 (58%) to 2013 (74%), with even non-adopters staying positive (79% in 2013, 76% in 2012). This demonstrates that the user experience, technical quality and acceptance network is improving for consumers.
Acceptance at merchant outlets was the most visible topic, generating 15% of the total conversation and 48% of merchant conversation specifically. The research shows that both consumers and merchants are supportive of mobile payments (86%), which will likely lead to more merchant adoption in 2014. In fact, availability of mobile payments when shopping with merchants was the most often discussed positive topic overall in 2013.
“This type of research offers us valuable insight on how ready consumers are to adopt mobile payments in making their lives easier. It also offers a good indication of how consumers will perceive and embrace emerging technologies”, said Nagesh Devata, group head, Acceptance Development, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, MasterCard.
“Particularly encouraging is the level of conversation and engagement that is starting to take place around merchants which speaks to the effectiveness and importance of merchant communications in the overall consumer experience.”
SCCyberworld
Monday, February 24, 2014
Mobile Payments Trending in 13 Million Social Conversations: MasterCard Research
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
BlackBerry World Top Apps in 2013 in Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur, 28 January 2014 – BlackBerry, a world leader in mobile communications, has released information on its top downloaded apps across Asia Pacific for 2013 revealing that BlackBerry users are most concerned with productivity and connectivity when it comes to choosing mobile applications.
Social networking is extremely important to BlackBerry users who are constantly trying to keep in touch while on the go with Facebook for BlackBerry 10, being the most in demand app across the region and appearing in either number one or number two slots in almost every market from Malaysia to Singapore and Australia.
The second most popular app across the region was BlackBerry Maps which kept BlackBerry users moving. Other networking apps in the top ten most downloaded list include BBM, LinkedIn, Skype, WhatsApp, WeChat and Twitter. Next to connectivity, BlackBerry users looked for apps to aid their productivity. Apps like Connect to Dropbox, Adobe Reader, Box, Documents To Go, Stocks for BlackBerry 10 and Money Plus featured heavily in the top ten count across the region.
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In 2013, Malaysians got in touch with their inner child through Angry Birds Star Wars, the popular puzzle video game based on the intergalactic Star Wars movie franchise. The app received the highest number of purchase revealing that Malaysians are not just “all work and no play”. Socializing proves to be a top priority for Malaysians with FaceFlow Video Chat unveiled as the number two most adopted app. Priding itself for offering “the best video chat service on BlackBerry”, it’s no surprise that the app is slowly charting its way up the top paid apps list in Malaysia.
Elsewhere in the region, BlackBerry users showed their national colors by downloading a unique selection of marquee apps outside of the productivity and connectivity category that kept them going throughout the year. One of the few countries in the region to feature a fitness app in the top 15 downloads was Hong Kong who kept fit with Runtastic Pro for BlackBerry 10, and refueled after workouts with OpenRice, the country’s most popular restaurant guide. Filipinos aimed for world domination with Despicable Me: Minion Rush as the 14th most downloaded app of the year.
With passports at the ready, BlackBerry users in Taiwan kept organized with BlackBerry Travel and were prepared for what awaited them when they touched down with BeWeather 10 Pro as the 14th most downloaded overall and 2nd most popular paid apps, respectively. In Vietnam, BlackBerry devices were used as more than just a productivity tool with people downloading Flashlight Free to light their way. In Thailand, BlackBerry users cast their eyes and their device skyward with StarTracker making it into to the top ten for paid app downloads.
With the wide variety of apps available in BlackBerry World from productivity apps to games, news to social networking apps, BlackBerry users in Malaysia will be spoilt for choice in deciding what to download in 2014.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Get ‘Start-ed’ on the internet with free tablets from DiGi
Free Android tablets for customers who sign up for the new DiGi Tablet Plan at only RM45 per month
SHAH ALAM, 26 November 2013 – DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd (DiGi) is enabling more Malaysians to ‘Start’ their first internet experience and enjoy a rich mobile internet lifestyle, with its latest offer of an affordable tablet plan bundled with a free 7” Start Android tablet at only RM45 per month.
“According to GFK , an average of 90,000 tablets are sold every month particularly 7” tablets and entry-level tablets. This indicates that Malaysians are looking for more affordable ways to enjoy the internet. We believe this new affordable tablet bundle will lower the barriers of owning a tablet and provide easier access to the internet for more Malaysians, with relevant digital services they desire,” said Praveen Rajan, Head of Products - Internet & Services.
The new DiGi Tablet Plan is now available nationwide at selected DiGi outlets and on the DiGi Store Online.
For more information on the new tablet bundle, visit digi.my/freetablet and more on the Start tablet at: www.jomstart.my.
* Terms and conditions apply
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
“Twitter’s IPO is creating excitement”
OVUM COMMENT
Eden Zoller, Principal Analyst, Consumer, Telecoms, Ovum
“Twitter’s IPO is creating excitement”
“Investors see social media and mobile as sweet spots and it is therefore no surprise that Twitter’s IPO is creating so much excitement and is oversubscribed. Twitter’s valuation just ahead of its IPO stands at US$17.4 billion at the upper end, and this is high given that Twitter is still not profitable and has a much smaller user base than Facebook did at the time of its IPO. It is critical for Twitter to move quickly and effectively post IPO to address the challenges it faces in achieving growth and profitability. Twitter needs to step up and deliver on the expectations that are fuelling its valuation, and show that it has what it takes to provide a sustainable business model.
The two foremost challenges Twitter needs to address are linked: how to keep users engaged while driving advertising revenues. To achieve these objectives Twitter will need to innovate in both services and advertising, but the format constraints that make Twitter such a dynamic and immediate service also limit its ability to innovate compared to a much broader platform like Facebook. Twitter has a difficult balancing act whereby it must introduce new ad formats into the Twitter stream without compromising the user experience. If it fails to get this right it will jeopardize user engagement and with it advertising spend. At the same time, investing in new service and advertising features will also push up costs, which if not carefully controlled will further impact Twitter’s ability to generate profits.
Twitter must also build advertising revenues as a matter of urgency outside of the US. 77 percent of Twitter’s user base is outside of the US but advertising is not keeping pace, with only 26 percent of advertising revenues generated from international markets. We expect to see continued strong growth in Twitter’s international user base and it literally cannot afford not to monetize this base.
Mobile will be a key metric to watch once Twitter goes public and from a mobile advertising perspective this is one area where Twitter is further ahead of the curve than Facebook was at its IPO.
Twitter’s filing revealed that over 75 percent of Twitter’s 218 million users interact with the service via mobile and that over 65 percent of the company's advertising revenues are generated from mobile devices. This is promising and Twitter must ensure it builds momentum behind mobile. But this will not be easy as Twitter faces competition from an increasing number of home-grown social network and instant messaging services, particularly in Asia where the likes of WhatsApp, Kakao and Line are very popular.”
Thursday, July 25, 2013
PageUp People adds Apply Anywhere to recruitment platform to address mobile talent base
Recruiters for multinational firms can now reach candidates on the go inemerging and developed markets
Singapore, 25 July 2013 -- PageUp People, a leading multinational talent management solutions provider, today announced the upcoming integration of mobile-based recruitment solution Apply Anywhere to its unified talent management suite. Designed to help global organisations reach job applicants anywhere, anytime via their mobile devices, the service makes it easier for companies to engage, attract and recruit talent from multiple touch points.
Available on any kind of mobile device, whether feature phones, smartphones or tablets, Apply Anywhere lets companies connect with a deeper pool of candidates across levels and job descriptions, delivering value for companies that are expanding in emerging markets where mobile is highly popular.
“Mobile is becoming a critical tool for talent managers particularly in emerging markets where mobile adoption is rising at an unprecedented rate. The best talents out there may not always be sitting in front of a personal computer, but they may very well be checking their mobile phones every five minutes,” said Karen Cariss, CEO of PageUp People.
There were 1.2 billion unique mobile subscribers in the Asia-Pacific region at the end of 2012, according to GSM Association’s recently published report ‘Mobile Economy: Asia Pacific 2013’.
GSMA expects the high growth of mobile in Asia-Pacific to continue over the next few years, estimating 1.9 billion unique mobile subscribers by 2017, which would account for nearly half of the predicted global total of 3.9 billion.
“Some of the world’s top employers such as Accenture, PepsiCo, and Orange have already integrated mobile into their recruitment strategies. We expect more global companies, especially in industries like mining, retail, transportation and logistics where talents are frequently on the move or in remote worksites, to follow suit and fully optimise mobile technologies for greater flexibility and reach in talent acquisition,” said Bryce Dunn, Senior Vice President for Global Product Management, PageUp People.
In a market like Singapore, with a high mobile penetration of smartphones, recruiters are going a step further to engage potential candidates who have an affinity for the brand. Smiggle, the world’s hottest stationery brand has even tried QR codes on posters in store to try and boost the numbers of applications. “Being able to apply online at any time is fast, efficient and attracts great talent”, says Marta Newport, Human Resources Manager.
Some of the key features of Apply Anywhere are:
Mobile Application Forms – which enable candidates to apply for jobs by simply filling in mobile application forms on their smartphones or mobile devices;
Social Connectivity – where candidates can apply for jobs, using their social media accounts (Facebook, Linked In, Twitter);
SMS Apply – where candidates receive job alerts and updates through short messaging service (SMS), by simply subscribing to the service. They can also apply for jobs through text messaging.
Apply Anywhere is an enhancement to PageUp People’s industry-leading Recruitment Management system which provides secure end-to-end management of the entire recruitment process for large organisations that are operating in multi-markets. “Apply Anywhere was designed for simplicity, flexibility and efficiency. It can be tailored to the needs of recruiters and to suit conditions in different markets and industries,” Dunn added.
Apply Anywhere is set for launch in Q4 2013.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Twitter v10.2 Now Available for BlackBerry 10 Smartphones!
Twitter v10.2 for BlackBerry 10 smartphones is now available on the BlackBerry® World™ storefront as a free download. Twitter version 10.2 makes it easier than ever to express yourself and stay connected on the globally popular social network while on the go.
Twitter v.10.2- New Features
The new Twitter app (version 10.2) for BlackBerry 10 smartphones includes:
Multiple Accounts – With Twitter 10.2 you can now have multiple Twitter accounts within the app.
Direct Message – Twitter 10.2 allows you to view, reply and send Direct Messages right within the app.
Improved Refresh – Improved refresh maintains your current location in the timeline.
Discover – Twitter 10.2 offers a new Discover page which delivers a stream of Tweets, accounts to follow and more. Simply pull to refresh or scroll to see more and discover even more fascinating people to follow. Plus the Activity page provides a view into what the people you are following are doing on Twitter including who they’re following and what tweets they’re favoring.
Updated Photo Save – With Twitter 10.2 you can save pictures being shared on Twitter directly to your BlackBerry 10 smartphone.
Search Improvements – Now you can view your recent and saved searches, and with Type Ahead, search suggestions are provided to you as text is entered in the search field.
Refreshed UI – A wider timeline in all parts of the app offers a fresh new design and makes it easier to browse.
Helpful Links:
Download it now on the BlackBerry World storefront: http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/20322189
Monday, July 15, 2013
SOCIAL MEDIA-DRIVEN CSR INITIATIVE FOR A CLEANER KL
KUALA LUMPUR, July 11, 2013 – Social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, LinkedIn or Instagram ensure better success of Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) campaigns as they are able to create broader awareness and, more importantly, drive actions, said Tengku Farith Rithauddeen, Group CEO of SKALI.
“Social media can communicate the results and performance of a CSR campaign in real time allowing key audiences to engage with the company in their own terms and time, as opposed to an annual CSR report that captures only a certain period of time,” added Tengku Farith.
Tengku Farith said this during a gotong royong by SKALI staff recently to clean-up the areas surrounding Menara Sentul where their office is situated at.
The event, participated by around 100 staff was the kick-off of SKALI’s one month-long CSR activity called ‘A Cleaner KL’, where the company will respond to reports made by the public via the social media - regarding cleanliness-related issues such as garbage being dumped along roadsides or at bus-stops, etc.
Held as part of the recent World Environment Day celebrations, the campaign would also be collecting as many reusable items as possible to help the local authority in its recycling campaign.
“Apart from reporting the situation to us via the designated social media, the public would also need to indicate the GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinates so that we could quickly inform DBKL or any other related agencies for their immediate actions or for us to organise another round of gotong royong if needed be at a later stage,” said Tengku Farith.
A dedicated Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ACleanerKl) and Twitter (@acleanerkl) accounts have been created to allow the public to make their reports and also post photos to make it easier for SKALI and the related authority to access the situation.
“Social media will allow companies to engage with a following of people on a personal level, allowing them to monitor performance and share relevant information on issue related to the CSR campaigns that would allow for expansion and improvement.
“It provides companies with an influential, built-in network of passionate people that become followers of what they are doing and in order to build and keep them involved is by making the social media active, always with updated and transparent information, and deploying a fun, creative way for them to participate and share with their online friends.
“Thus social media should be at the forefront of any CSR campaign strategy as through such social forums, members of the public can feel truly connected and engaged with the CSR efforts,” said Tengku Farith.
Speaking on SKALI’s ‘A Cleaner KL’ initiative, Tengku Farith said that apart from fulfilling its social obligation, the company is executing this to showcase how an IT company is utilizing its social media capability in doing CSR.
“We are looking at covering as many places in Kuala Lumpur as possible and also get as many relevant authorities to be involved.
“We sincerely hope that our contribution will help maintain the good image of Kuala Lumpur and at the same time would appreciate the co-operation of the public to keep the city clean by reporting to us on any uncollected rubbish or dirty areas that need immediate attention,” said Tengku Farith.
社交媒体宣传企业社会责任活动，打造干净的吉隆坡
（吉隆坡12日讯）SKALI集团首席执行员Tengku Farith Rithauddeen指出，社交媒体如面子书、Twitter、优管 (Youtube)、Linkedln和Instagram是现今宣传企业社会责任活动的渠道，皆因社交媒体能够提倡醒觉和鼓催行动。
他指出：“比起公司的企业社会责任活动年度报告，社交媒体能够即时宣导企业社会责任的效果和讯息，让公众更能了解公司。”
Tengku Farith出席了由SKALI集团主办的Menara Sentul和周围地区大扫除运动时，如是指出。
这项大扫除是SKALI集团鼓催长达一个月的“打造干净吉隆坡”活动，获得100名SKALI旗下100名员工参与。该公司透过社交媒体收集公众意见，要求公众呈上公共卫生差强人意的报告，例如垃圾随处可见的马路和巴士车站。
该项活动是配合世界环境日的其中一环，活动也向公众收集可回收用品，协助地方政府的资源回收运动。
“公众除了透过社交媒体提供投诉地点，也需附上全球卫星定位点，方面我们向吉隆坡市政局或相关部门提供资料，采取应对措施，方面我们物色下一个大扫除地点。”
SKALI开设了指定的面子书(https://www.facebook.com/ACleanerKl)和Twitter (@acleanerkl)户口，让公众针对举报投诉，上载照片，方面SKALI和其他政府机构采取行动。
“社交媒体允许企业公司更深一层接触公众，监督表现和提供相关企业社会责任活动资讯，改善和提升这些活动内容和性质。”
“社交媒体让公司发挥影响力，邀请网络跟随者参与活动，提供最新和透明化讯息，打造更有趣的方式，让网友分享这些讯息。”
Tengku Farith说：“社交媒体应该是主导企业社会责任运动的最前线，透过这些社交平台，公众将全程参与企业社会责任运动。”
针对SKALI集团旗下的“打造干净的吉隆坡”，Tengku Farith指出，作为科技公司，SKALI集团履行社会责任之余，也展示如何透过科技善用网络媒体的能力，达致成功的企业社会责任活动。
“我们正在探讨如何将范围扩大至涵盖吉隆坡地区，并且邀请更多地方政府机构参与。”
他说：“我们衷心希望透过这些的活动，打造一个干净的吉隆坡，我们同时也呼吁公众保持城市的清洁和卫生，举报卫生欠佳的地方和垃圾堆积处，以便当局立即采取行动。”
Thursday, April 18, 2013
MAXIS LAUNCHES HOTLINK SOCIAL EDITION FOR SOCIAL MEDIA BUFFS
• First telco in Malaysia to launch a social media-based starter pack
• First telco in Malaysia to offer 3 social networking sites in one pack
• First telco in Malaysia to offer unlimited free access to Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp
Kuala Lumpur, 18 April 2013.
Social Media enthusiasts can now tweet, share, like and connect with one another with greater freedom, with the nationwide launch of Hotlink Social Edition today. The latest prepaid plan from Hotlink, Malaysia’s no. 1 prepaid service from Maxis Berhad ("Maxis"), is the first 3-in-1 social media prepaid plan to be launched in the market, with free unlimited access to Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp. The Hotlink Social Edition is also catered to existing Hotlink customers, where they can purchase the Social Edition Hot Ticket to enjoy the services and more. The launch, which took place in the presence of over 300 Hotlink dealers and the media in Kuala Lumpur, was simultaneously orchestrated at five other major locations in Peninsular Malaysia, namely Penang, Johor Bahru, Ipoh, Kuantan and Alor Setar.
Suren J Amarasekera, Maxis’ Joint Chief Operating Officer said, “Social media has taken the world by storm and in Malaysia alone, we have seen an explosive growth in the number of social network users with the country now boasting more than 13 million Facebook users, and over two million Twitter users1. Research has also shown that Malaysians spend one third of their time on social media2. These are remarkable statistics and clearly show the continuing surge in social media networking, and that users cut across a multitude of segments, from the young to the old!
“With customers increasingly accessing their favourite social network sites such as Facebook and Twitter using their smartphones, the Hotlink Social Edition is an ideal plan that will cater to users of different age groups. It will give them better access to stay connected and communicate with their friends, look up the latest news and developments, stay ahead in business or even enjoy the rich content on the popular social network platforms,” added Suren.
How the Hotlink Social Edition Works
At just RM10, the Hotlink Social Edition pack offers customers the following services that have a combined value of RM18:
• A New SIM
• Free UNLIMITED access to Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp;
• RM5 of airtime for calls & SMS to all local networks, as well as all International Direct Dialing (IDD) calls, all day long; and
• All day data of up to 50MB for internet browsing.
To activate the new Hotlink Social Edition SIM card, customers just need to dial 122 from their mobile phones to enjoy the services. These services come with a 5-day validity period.
Meanwhile, for existing Hotlink customers, all they need to do is purchase the special Hotlink Social Edition Hot Ticket, also for RM10, to enjoy the following services that have a combined value of RM20:
• Free UNLIMITED access to Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp;
• RM7 worth of airtime to all local networks;
• All-day data of up to 100MB
• 1GB of data between 2am and 7am.
The above services also come with a 5-day validity period.
The free access to Facebook and Twitter is only available via the Facebook Java Application or across all mobile browsers via m.facebook.com, m.twitter.com and pic.twitter.com.
“With a customer base of over 14 million, Maxis continues to innovate and the launch of Hotlink Social Edition is yet another milestone in our journey to enrich our customers’ lives by offering them a service that is relevant to their mobile and social lifestyles,” concluded Suren.
The Hotlink Social Edition is an innovative prepaid offering from Maxis that follows the successful launch of its New Hotlink Plan back in April last year. The new Hotlink plan is the only all-in-one prepaid plan that gives customers access to the lowest rates in all five categories – Voice Calls, SMS, Surfing, IDD and Roaming. Hotlink also rolled out a special edition of the prepaid plan for customers in Kelantan and Terengganu as well as customers in Sabah and Sarawak last year.
To learn more about Hotlink Social Edition, customers can visit their nearest Hotlink dealer or visit www.hotlink.com.my.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
DiGi partners with global Internet players to drive mobile Internet adoption
Introducing new postpaid plans supporting digital services for a richer mobile experience
SHAH ALAM, 4 March 2013 – In conjunction with its Internet For All ambition, DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd (“DiGi”) has enjoyed a strong take-up rate of DG SmartPlans and bundled smart devices in 2012 due to high demand for a better mobile Internet experience. To enable a richer mobile experience with relevant services that are desired by customers, DiGi is working with global Internet players like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and Opera Software to create new DG SmartPlans with a better Internet experience offered at best value.
Effective today, customers, who sign up for a DG SmartPlan from as low as RM58 per month, will enjoy a richer mobile experience. They would be able to share and connect with loved ones and their communities on Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp with a higher Internet quota up to 4GB as well as unlimited surfing via Opera Mini browser.
DiGi customers can download the DiGi-Opera Mini browser directly to their phones from http://m.opera.com or SMS “OPERA” to 2000 for the download link. For more information about the new plans, log on to http://www.digi.com.my/smartplan
Monday, February 25, 2013
DiGi in collaboration with Twitter
First to offer free Twitter via Opera Mini browser for DiGi Easy Prepaid customers
SHAH ALAM, 25 February 2013 – DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd (“DiGi”) continues to deliver a richer mobile experience to customers via its latest collaboration with global real-time information network provider, Twitter. Effective today, DiGi becomes the first Malaysian telco to offer FREE Twitter via the DiGi-Opera Mini browser.
Open to new and existing DiGi Easy Prepaid customers, this latest feature complements the existing social proposition of the plan that offers 24-hour FREE calls and SMS for customers to interact with their three (3) Buddyz™, among others.
Twitter has 200 million monthly active users globally. The Oxford Internet Institute reported that Malaysia is the second largest Asian country to generate content via Twitter in 2012, and the sixth largest country in the world to do so. With a growing Twitter community in Malaysia, DiGi is leveraging on Malaysians’ love to share and connect with people of similar interests, with the aim of delivering its Internet For All ambition.
Says Praveen Rajan, Head of Products – Internet & Services: “DiGi understands how essential it is for youths today, and the young at heart, to always stay connected and share experiences at the exact moment something happens as well as receiving breaking news as it happens. By offering free Twitter via Opera Mini, we aim to drive higher generation of content via Twitter, and subsequently, the mobile Internet adoption rate, by making it easy and convenient for customers to tweet about their interests and share their pivotal moments at zero cost.
“With over 80% of mobile users in Malaysia being on prepaid, it makes sense to introduce free Twitter under our DiGi Easy Prepaid plan. It contributes towards creating greater awareness about the advantages of a mobile Internet lifestyle to people. We will continue to offer many more relevant mobile services in the future that will further enrich our customers’ mobile experience.”
DiGi is leveraging on the Opera Mini browser to make mobile Internet accessible to everyone, irrespective of which mobile device or platform used. Since DiGi first introduced the browser in May 2011, many have found it to be a more affordable, easier and faster way to access the Internet via their mobile phones. As of September 2011, DiGi’s market share in terms of Opera Mini users has grown from 32% to 38%
Customers can download the DiGi-Opera Mini browser directly to their phones from http://m.opera.com or SMS “OPERA” to 2000 for the download link. To start using Twitter over Opera Mini, customers can opt for the 1 Hour Free Twitter or 1 Day Twitter at RM1.00. For more information, log on to http://www.digi.com.my/dep
Friday, February 17, 2012
The Flickr Android App speaks 9 more languages!
Since its initial launch 5 months ago, we’ve seen people all over the world turn to the Flickr Android app to upload and share their pictures. We're thrilled we can extend the Flickr Android app to even more members across the globe with the latest update, which now includes 9 new language options! German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese and Bahasa Indonesia to be precise.
Starting today, you can take photos directly from the app, enhance them with filters, and quickly send pictures to Flickr, Facebook, Twitter and elsewhere in these 9 languages.
If you already use one of these languages as the default language setting on your Android phone, your Flickr Android App will “automagically” update to match your phone settings with this new version (1.3). If you ever want to change the language in your Flickr Android app, you can do so by adjusting the language settings option on your mobile.
Don't have the Flickr Android App installed on your mobile? Go download it at the Android Market.
Looking forward to seeing more of your photos on the go!
Android Store Text:
What's in this version:
9 New languages! German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese and Bahasa Indonesia.
If you use one of these languages as the default language setting on your mobile phone, your Flickr Android App will automatically update to match your phone settings.
If you’d like to change the language in your Flickr Android app, you can do so by adjusting the language settings option on your mobile.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
State of the Mobile Web: The mobile Web’s top 10 sites in 2011
Oslo, Norway — December 20, 2011
In the last State of the Mobile Web report for 2011, web browser company Opera Software takes a quick look at the most popular websites people are surfing from the world’s most used mobile web browser, Opera Mini.
2011 was the year of user-created content for Opera Mini users. Already very popular in the top 10 charts before 2011, websites like Wikipedia and Blogger saw an increase in their number of unique visitors and crept even higher on the charts. With more than 144 million Opera Mini users each month worldwide, the top-ten lists are somewhat static, but even a small change in list rankings can signify a huge shift in usage patterns.
Firmly at the top of the lists are the search, social network and video sites Google, Facebook and YouTube. Some sites that moved down or out of the list include app stores and older social sites like Orkut.
The world’s most popular websites on Opera Mini 2011 are:
1. google.com
2. facebook.com
3. youtube.com (up 1)
4. vkontakte.ru (down 1)
5. odnoklassniki.ru
6. yandex.ru
7. wikipedia.org (up 4)
8. my.opera.com
9. yahoo.com (down 2)
10. twitter.com (up 2)
(Data is from number of unique users in November 2010 through November 2011. Change from November 2010 is in parenthesis.)
Read the full list at http://www.opera.com/smw/2011/11/.
The growth champion
After a long period of rapid growth in Asia, 2011 saw a new champion for Opera Mini usage: Latin America. This has become the new growth region, with an increase in unique users per month to 247 percent of that in 2010. This compares to 145 percent growth in rising star Africa and 138 percent in former regional champion South East Asia.
In November 2011, there were over 144.6 million Opera Mini users, a 3.3 percent increase from October 2011. Since November 2010, the number of unique users has increased 80.6 percent.
The number of pages viewed on Opera Mini has nearly doubled over the last year, increasing 98.2 percent since November 2010.
To read the full report, please visit http://www.opera.com/smw/.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Fortinet’s FortiGuard Labs Reveals 2012 Threat Predictions
Expected Threats Include Mobile Ransomware, Android Worms and Increased Hacktivism
MALAYSIA, 13 December 2011 ― Fortinet - a leading network security provider and the worldwide leader of unified threat management (UTM) solutions – today revealed FortiGuard Labs’ 2012 threat predictions, highlighting eight threats to watch out for next year.
Top 8 Security Predictions for 2012
1. Ransomware to Take Mobile Devices Hostage
“Ransomware,” an infection that holds a device “hostage” until a “ransom” payment is delivered, has been around on PCs for years. Mobile malware that utilize exploits have also been observed, along with social engineering tricks that lead to root access on the infected device. With root access comes more control and elevated privileges, suitable for the likes of ransomware. FortiGuard predicts we’ll see the first instances of ransomware on a mobile device in the coming year.
2. Worming into Android
Worms, malware that is able to quickly propagate from one device to another, have by and large remained absent from the Android operating system, but FortiGuard Labs believes that will change in 2012. Unlike Cabir, the first Symbian worm discovered in 2004, Android malware developers most likely won’t be using Bluetooth or computer sync to spread out because of their limited ranges. Instead, the team believes the threat will come from either poisoned SMS messages that include a link that contains the worm or through infected links on social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter.
3. Polymorphism Want a Cracker?
In the last year, FortiGuard Labs has seen Android malware use encryption, embed exploits, detect emulators and implement botnets. But what they haven’t seen yet is an example of polymorphism. Polymorphism is malware that is capable of automatically mutating, making it extremely difficult to identify and thus destroy. The team has previously encountered polymorphism on Windows Mobile phones and believes it’s only a matter of time before the malware appears on Android devices.
4. Clampdown on Network-Based Money Laundering
Using anonymous fund transferring services, human networks and payment processor safe havens, cybercriminal syndicates have pretty much operated with impunity for years. However, FortiGuard Labs believes more people will be tracked and captured in 2012. The recent arrest of ChronoPay CEO Pavel Vrublevsky's on the grounds of hacking Aerfolot's Website and preventing visitors from buying tickets, is a good example of the type of takedowns the team expects to see in the coming year.
5. Public-Private Relationships in Security
In 2011, FortiGuard Labs saw an increase in global collaborative botnet takedowns including Rustock and DNS Changer. Meanwhile, arrests were made against international members of Anonymous and LulzSec hacktivist groups. This crackdown will continue in 2012, and the team believes that much of it will be aided by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA’s) public defense initiative. DARPA was recently granted $188 million budget and plans to use part of the money on initiatives to build a cyber defense team in the private sector. It seems likely that in 2012 similar relationships will be formed worldwide.
6. SCADA Under the Scope
For over a decade, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition- (SCADA) based threats have been a concern, because they are often connected to critical infrastructure such as power and water grids, which are not always operating on a closed circuit. Many new human machine interface (HMI) devices that interact with these systems have Web interfaces for logging in that can be circumvented to access back end systems. Groups such as Anonymous have already found an assortment of Web-based vulnerabilities simply by picking targets and scouring code. In 2012, FortiGuard predicts new SCADA vulnerabilities will be discovered and exploited with potentially devastating consequences.
7. Sponsored Attacks
The FortiGuard team often talks about Crime as a Service (CaaS) to describe how criminal syndicates are offering though the Internet illegal and detrimental services, such as infecting large quantities of computers, sending spam and even launching direct denial of service (DDoS) attacks. In 2012, FortiGuard Labs expects to see CaaS leveraged for more strategic and targeted attacks on companies and individuals to include state or corporate sponsorship.
8. Hacking a Good Cause
While Anonymous formed on 4Chan.org in 2003, only in the last year have the loosely organized anarchists started using their power to attack large, high profile targets such as Sony or, like towards the end of the year, using their power for “good.” Case in point, they’ve recently threatened to unmask Mexican drug cartel members and they recently helped authorities break up a child porn ring. FortiGuard expects to see more examples of “hacktivist” justice meted out throughout 2012 along with a mix of attacks that border or cross the line of justice.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Sony Ericsson txt and Sony Ericsson Mix Walkman: Now in Stores Nationwide
• Sony Ericsson txt integrates full QWERTY keyboard with SMS shortcut key for faster messaging • Sony Ericsson Mix Walkman™ delivers best of music entertainment, including Zappin™- a new fun way to search your songs
8 November 2011, Kuala Lumpur – Sony Ericsson Malaysia today announced the local availability of two more models to its portfolio: Sony Ericsson txt, an entertaining messaging phone; and Sony Ericsson Mix Walkman™, which offers a new and fun way to listen to music.
A sister phone to the Sony Ericsson txt pro, Sony Ericsson txt comes with a full view QWERTY keyboard and a SMS shortcut key. The phone also features a “friends” application that enables users to see Facebook™ and Twitter™ updates at a glance from their top five friends. It is Wi-Fi™ enabled, comes equipped with a 3.2mp camera with video recording and feels comfortable in the hand with a rounded back.
Meanwhile, the Sony Ericsson Mix Walkman™ comes with Zappin™, a key to make it even easier and more fun to search for your favourite song. Simply press the Zappin™ key to preview the chorus of the next track and decide whether it is a favourite you want to listen to. A karaoke function also enables the vocal track from any song to be lowered instantly so you can sing along with your favourite tune. The look and feel of the phone can be personalised with different exchangeable colour bands that come with the phone.
The Sony Ericsson txt is priced at RM369 while the Sony Ericsson Mix Walkman™ retails at RM439. Both are now available at all Sony Ericsson exclusive stores nationwide.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
French hacker cracks into Twitter exposing millions of accounts, Sophos reports
Singapore. May 5, 2009 – IT security and control firm Sophos is advising that Twitter hardens its security as a French hacker claims he broke into Twitter's internal administration system, enabling him to access the accounts of millions of Twitter users - including Barack Obama, Britney Spears, Ashton Kutcher and Lily Allen.
The hacker - known as ‘Hacker Croll’ - claims that he was able to access Twitter’s internal administration system after stealing a password from a staffer at the micro-blogging website. It is alleged that by resetting the employee's Yahoo password after guessing his ‘secret question’, Hacker Croll found the information about the staffer’s Twitter login credentials.
Claims appear to be confirmed by screenshot images uploaded to a French blog, which give a glimpse into the micro-blogging site’s admin panel revealing that the likes of Kutcher and Allen have blocked other Twitter users, such as celebrity gossipmonger Perez Hilton, from contacting them. Amongst the private information accessible was the email addresses of compromised accounts, mobile phone numbers (if one was associated with the account), and the list of accounts blocked by the affected user.
“This is just the latest in a string of security issues at Twitter in recent months, and the website is surely in danger of losing the confidence of its users who will be rattled by yet another breach,” said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos. “Just like with the recent Twitter worm outbreaks, this is not so much a case of Twitter raising awareness amongst its many users about sensible online security, but learning a few lessons itself. Careless security by the micro-blogging site could potentially put millions of Twitter users at risk.”
Sophos advises that Twitter’s internal security could be improved if staff were forced to log in using authentication tokens that provide a randomly generated key upon login, meaning that even if a staffer’s username and password is compromised hackers would not be able to gain access.
“If a Twitter employee loses their password, it seems hackers can run riot on the site and cause all sorts of problems. By making staff adopt the kind of hardware authentication keys that many online banking customers now need to use to login online, Twitter would make it far less likely that an attack like this could succeed,” explained Cluley. “Let’s not forget, although many will blame Twitter for not ensuring that its staff followed sensible policies to better secure critical administrator accounts, the real criminal here is Hacker Croll.”
For more information, including screenshots of the hack attack, please visit:http://www.sophos.com/blogs/gc/g/2009/05/01/twitter-security-breach
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Flood Of Spam Slowing Down Twitter Today
F-Secure discovers two fraudulent accounts, warns of tinyurls
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 25 March 2009 – Wondering why Twitter is really slow today? A flood of spam has infiltrated the microblogging community. F-Secure today discovered a fake Twitter account that tricks users into a Google scam, by promising a free Range Rover.
Another example is Kristen Andrews’s account, whose latest tweet reads: “My boyfriend emailed me this site that has a $5000 slot tournament on april’s fool day and it’s free to enter”, followed by a URL.
Kristen Andrews claims to live in Miami/ Florida, and has more than 1,000 followers.
The links leads to a page asking you to download the file goldencasino.exe, a Casino game.
“Twitter is aware of the problem and deleted "follower" Kristen's account within 10 minutes but the problem is that new Twitter scams are popping up left, right and centre,” said Patrik Runald, chief security advisor at F-Secure’s Security Labs. “Tweeple should check who’s following them, and be cautious when clicking on URLs and tinyurls.”
The link promising a free Range Rover, posted by Nevada-based Jason (Terri962), takes us to a page talking about how we can make US$5,000 per month, by simply posting a link on Google.
Clicking on any of the links in the ad takes you (after a redirect via krovs.com) to onlinewizards.net where it says we can now make US$6,500 per month. Sounds too good to be true? Then it probably is. To become a Google Cash advertiser, you have to submit your credit card details and other personal information.
For updates on Twitter spam and screen shots of the fraudulent sites, visit F-Secure’s Weblog: www.f-secure.com/weblog/ or follow Patrik Runald on Twitter.
