• This is Goodnotes’ first investment in a start-up and marks the two companies’ joint effort to create a global digital paper ecosystem
• As a result of Goodnotes’ strategic investment, WeBudding secured a follow-up investment from Strong Ventures, a California-based venture capitalist firm.
  

LONDON, Sept. 25, 2023 /THETECHMUSK=TTM/ — Today, Goodnotes, the beloved AI-powered digital paper company and 2022 iPad App of the Year, invested USD1.9 million (KRW2.5 billion) into WeBudding, South Korea’s largest digital stationery platform.

Goodnotes, which participated as a Strategic Investor, is the world’s top note-taking app with more than 21 million monthly active users worldwide. Last year, Goodnotes users created a total of 1.9 billion digital notebooks. This investment swiftly follows last month’s launch of Goodnotes 6, which transformed the company into the world’s first AI-powered digital paper company with the industry first generative AI for handwritten text.

With WeBudding as Goodnotes’ first investment, the goal of this strategic alliance is to fuel the growth of a global ecosystem that supports a universally accessible digital paper. Regardless of the purpose and needs – whether planning a road trip, studying for an exam, building an editorial calendar, journaling, or anything in between – every Goodnotes user has access to a vast selection of useful and delightful paper templates, planners, stickers, and notebook covers from WeBudding.

“WeBudding is spearheading the newly emerging digital stationery market and has proven that it can attract thousands of talented content creators from around the world,” said Steven Chan, Founder and CEO of Goodnotes. “We see great synergy with WeBudding and trust that our investment and knowledge of the global tablet market will help WeBudding expand their footprint abroad.”

Said Steven Chan, Founder and CEO of Goodnotes

Currently, there are about 2,500 creators who are active on WeBudding, and they offer over 16,000 unique products. Due to the increasing popularity of Goodnotes and everyday tablet use, WeBudding has recorded a year-on-year sales growth of 220% from January to August, 2023.

“After confirming WeBudding’s overseas market growth potential through our collaboration with Goodnotes in the first half of this year, I am pleased that with this investment, we can establish a foundation for international expansion,” said Donghwan Shin, Co-founder and CEO of WeBudding and 2023 Forbes 30 under 30 winner. “We will continue our efforts to strengthen our partnership with Goodnotes, aiming to establish ourselves as an essential global digital stationery app for tablet users worldwide.”

Said Donghwan Shin, Co-founder and CEO

About Goodnotes

Goodnotes is the leading AI digital paper used by millions of users worldwide. Launched in 2011, Goodnotes started as an improvement to physical paper notes—introducing the ability to take handwritten digital notes, search handwritten text, and organize everything into a digital library. Today, Goodnotes is pioneering generative AI for digital handwriting in the productivity space. Goodnotes was most recently named Apple’s 2022 iPad App of the Year.

About WeBudding

Founded in November 2018, by Donghwan Shin, Donggyun Ko, and Chaeyoung Lee, WeBudding quickly gained popularity by creating innovative paper notebooks tailored for various majors. However, recognizing the shift towards digital notes and the rise of tablet usage among students, WeBudding launched a marketplace for digital note templates. With the accelerated transition to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, WeBudding became the leading digital stationery service in Asia, boasting over 16,000 content pieces.

The post Goodnotes invests USD1.9 million (KRW2.5 billion) in South Korea’s largest digital stationery platform, WeBudding, cementing a strategic partnership that gives Goodnotes users a more robust digital stationery selection! first appeared on TTM.

The Digital Quality of Life Index is an annual study that ranks 121 countries by their digital wellbeing based on 5 core pillars

Surfshark’s 5th annual Digital Quality of Life Index (DQL) ranks Bangladesh 82nd in the world, dropping by six places from last year. Out of the Index’s 5 pillars, Bangladesh performed best in internet quality, claiming 65th place, while facing challenges in e-security, ranking 85th. The nation ranks 73rd in e-government, 77th in internet affordability, and 84th in e-infrastructure. In the overall Index, Bangladesh lags behind India (52nd), but surpasses Pakistan (93rd). In Asia, Bangladesh takes 25th place, with Singapore the leader in the region.

“In many nations, ‘digital quality of life’ has merged into the broader concept of overall ‘quality of life’. There’s no other way to look at it now that so many daily activities, including work, education, and leisure, are done online. That’s why it’s crucial to pinpoint the areas in which a nation’s digital quality of life thrives and where attention is needed, which is the precise purpose of the DQL Index”, says Gabriele Racaityte-Krasauske, Surfshark’s spokeswoman.

Bangladesh’s internet quality is 5% lower than the global average.

• Fixed internet averages 53 Mbps in Bangladesh. To put that into perspective, the world’s fastest fixed internet — Singapore’s — is 300 Mbps. Meanwhile, the slowest fixed internet in the world — Yemen’s — is 11 Mbps.
• Mobile internet averages 20 Mbps. The fastest mobile internet — the UAE’s — is 310 Mbps, while the world’s slowest mobile internet — Venezuela’s — is 10 Mbps.

Compared to India, Bangladesh’s mobile internet is 73% slower, while fixed broadband is 31% slower. Since last year, mobile internet speed in Bangladesh has improved by 41%, while fixed broadband speed has grown by 23%.

The Internet is unaffordable in Bangladesh compared to other countries.

• Bangladeshis have to work 4 hours 26 minutes a month to afford fixed broadband internet. While this is less than average, it is 15 times more than in Romania, which has the world’s most affordable fixed internet (Romanians have to work 18 minutes a month to afford it).
• Bangladeshis have to work 1 hour 35 minutes 28 seconds a month to afford mobile internet. This is 6 times more than in Luxembourg, which has the world’s most affordable mobile internet (Luxembourgers have to work 16 minutes a month to afford it).

Bangladesh is 85th in the world in e-security — 10 places lower than last year.

The e-security pillar measures how well a country is prepared to counter cybercrime, as well as how advanced a country’s data protection laws are. Bangladesh lags behind India, which ranks 66th, but outperforms Pakistan (101st) in the e-security pillar. Bangladesh is unprepared to fight against cybercrime, and the country has no data protection laws.

Bangladesh is 84th in e-infrastructure and 73rd in e-government.

Advanced e-infrastructure makes it easy for people to use the Internet for various daily activities, such as working, studying, shopping, etc. This pillar evaluates how high internet penetration is in a given country, as well as its network readiness (readiness to take advantage of Information and Communication Technologies). Bangladesh’s internet penetration is moderate (77% — 77th in the world), and the country ranks 87th in network readiness.

The e-government pillar shows how advanced a government’s digital services are and the level of Artificial Intelligence (AI) readiness a country demonstrates. Bangladesh’s e-government is below the global average.

Globally, the internet is more affordable than last year.

• Fixed internet is 11% more affordable than last year — on average, people have to work 42 minutes less a month to afford it.
• Mobile internet is 26% more affordable than last year — people have to work 41 minutes less to afford it.

METHODOLOGY

The DQL Index 2023 examined 121 nations (92% of the global population) based on five core pillars that consist of 14 indicators. The study is based on the United Nations’ open-source information, the World Bank, and other sources. This year’s study includes four more countries than DQL 2022, reaffirming Surfshark’s commitment to global representation.

Bangladesh’s full profile in the 2023 Digital Quality of Life report and an interactive country comparison tool can be found here: https://surfshark.com/dql2023?country=BD 

The post Bangladesh Ranks 82nd in the World in Digital Quality of Life, Dropping by Six Places Since Last Year! first appeared on TTM.

Lomar’s newly launched corporate venture lab, lomarlabs, has announced its latest portfolio company and collaboration with Silicon Valley tech start-up Blue Dot Change. Together, they will work to develop, design, and test Blue Dot Change’s compact nature-based catalyst dispenser, which aims to accelerate the reduction of methane in the air.

lomarlabs invests in and supports companies that share its conviction for technological innovation as the only way for maritime shipping to grow in harmony with the environment, while still maintaining its competitive edge. Spearheaded by Managing Director, Stylianos Papageorgiou, lomarlabs utilises Lomar’s diversified fleet of vessels as ‘floating labs’ in a real-time marine environment, helping them hit their technical milestones and optimise their business models.

Stylianos Papageorgiou underlines: “lomarlabs is advising on the engineering and design of this transformative solution, adapting it to the realities of everyday shipping operations and providing industry insight and expertise. We are focused on catalysing new, environmentally driven technologies and believe this nature-centered approach has the potential to introduce systematic, gradual change in the way we remove methane from the air. We are very excited to work with the Blue Dot Change team and to ultimately help commercialise its technology for our industry.” 

Blue Dot Change Co-Founder & CEO, David Henkel-Wallace, says:

“We are delighted to be working with lomarlabs and Lomar, whose industry expertise, insightful comprehension of our technology and its challenges, has undeniably propelled our development forward. lomarlabs extends far beyond merely providing us with an initial platform for our technology; the scope of its effort surpasses our wildest imagination.  Together, we look forward to making a substantial impact on shipping’s net zero objectives while also providing a significant contribution to global climate repair.”

Advisor of Blue Dot Change, Capt. Steve Bomgardner, highlights:

“With the conclusion of MEPC80, as well as the updated 2023 GHG strategy, this collaboration further demonstrates how forward-thinking companies like Lomar focus on the ‘bigger picture’ of the industry’s greatest challenges. We have to precipitate action and invest in new technologies that can reduce harmful gasses in our atmosphere, so that we may leave this Earth in a better place for our future generations.”

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Blue Dot Change’s simple, cost-efficient dispenser aims to accelerate the pace of nature’s existing methane removal process from the air by releasing iron-rich particles that contain chloride into the air, which is then converted into vapor. Sunlight then irradiates these particles, producing chlorine radicals. These, in turn, can drive reactions that convert methane into two water and one carbon dioxide molecule in the atmosphere.

Ships are an ideal testing ground for this unproven and potentially transformational technology, as they already operate in an ideal environment for breaking down methane. The catalyst is independent of the ship’s emissions, whatever they may be, and will only be emitted when the meteorological conditions are optimal for it to work efficiently.

Blue Dot Change’s innovative technology aims to alleviate the shipping industry’s methane footprint as there are no geological barriers to the wind blowing in an oceanic environment. With ample access to wind, the catalyst permeating the atmosphere will increase the ability to naturally speed up the methane removal process. If enough commercial ships were to adopt this technology the tech innovator hopes to cut rising temperatures by a third through methane removal from oceanic air.

lomarlabs and Blue Dot Change will be collaborating on the design and development of this prototype system, combining Lomar’s maritime know-how with the technical skill-set that the Blue Dot Change team delivers. In addition, they will be orchestrating additional pilots to responsibly test the mechanical deployment of their dissipation system, as well as a weather station aboard one of Lomar’s vessels to collect useful data to enrich the model. Preparations to install and deploy the first fully operational system on a Lomar vessel will take place sometime in late 2024 or early 2025.

Methane reduction as an approach is still in a very early stage of development and one where there are more questions than answers.

Lomar CEO Nicholas Georgiou adds:

“Lomar is committed to exploring technologies that will unlock maritime innovation and propel both our company and our industry towards a sustainable, greener future. We are very proud to support lomarlabs and Blue Dot Change’s collaborative efforts in the pursuit of safer, cleaner oceans and will do whatever we can to aid this cutting-edge technology solution into a market that is ever-changing and evolving.”

The post LomarLabs Joins Forces with Blue Dot Change to Combat One of the Most Powerful Greenhouse Gasses in the Atmosphere! first appeared on TTM.

CHANGSHA, China, Sept. 18, 2023 /THETECHMUSK=TTM/ — SANY Group (“SANY”) has been named “China’s Best Employer” in 2023 by Forbes China, winning the distinguished title for three years in a row. SANY is also the only Chinese equipment manufacturer on the list. This year, SANY has been honored as “China’s Best Employer in Innovative Practices for 2023”.

Forbes China has partnered with global leading consulting firm Rawson Consulting in launching what’s one of the most influential rankings on employer branding in the region, about 500 companies participated in this year’s annual assessment which surveyed approximately 100,000 people through open applications and questionnaires.

The accolade is a recognition of SANY’s continuous efforts in boosting the influence of employer branding and outstanding accomplishments in innovative practices, as well as promoting employee development, social responsibility, and sustainability development.

Promoting innovation, digitization, and intelligent transformation

As people rethink the definition of employer leadership in the era of ever-evolving digital transformation and innovation, the scope of employers’ decision-making is expanded to cover strategic planning, team performance, and talent development.

Forbes China’s survey showed that 83.5 percent of participants said their employers are providing digital technology training to keep up with the latest tech and application trends.

Being recognized as “China’s Best Employer in Innovative Practices” echoes SANY’s significant achievements in digitalization and intelligent transformation, and high investments in R&D and innovation. About 5 percent of SANY’s annual sales revenue is dedicated to R&D. Its No. 18 Factory in Changsha is the second certified Lighthouse Factory in the global heavy industry and a benchmark heralding the future of China’s heavy machinery industry.

SANY has set an ambitious blueprint, that by 2025, it will boost the production value from 170 billion to 300 billion yuan, downsizing the industrial workers from 30,000 to 3,000 while increasing the number of engineers from 5,000 to 30,000.

Building a positive environment

SANY is committed to inspiring all employees to bring up innovative ideas, and advocating cross-departmental cooperation to promote the sharing of creative knowledge. The group is building an open, inclusive, and united corporate culture to encourage employees to try new things and break new ground, giving full play to their talent and creativity.

Fostering talents and innovation

SANY’s talent-driven strategy includes new employee integration, global elite talent project, all-around skill camp, talent team building, and more to motivate talent to innovate, be entrepreneurial, and create greater values, which keeps the company innovative.

Building a better future as a responsible enterprise

SANY not only provides premium products, services, and solutions for global customers, but also fulfills corporate social responsibilities centering on achieving sustainable development of the industry, society, and individuals.

Its “Blue Envelope” pen-pal initiative focuses on providing psychological support for left-behind children in remote rural areas, the volunteers maintain regular mail communication with the children, and in 15 years, SANY has supported children in 893 schools across China, with more than 1 million letters sent.

The post SANY Named “China’s Best Employer” for Third Consecutive Year by Forbes China! first appeared on TTM.

SINGAPORE, Sept. 15, 2023 /THETECHMUSK=TTM/ — BingX, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, recently announced its sponsorship of Hackathon events in Vietnam and Taiwan, aimed at fostering talent development in the rapidly evolving Web3 space. With a strong commitment to supporting technological advancements and blockchain innovations, BingX has partnered with NEO and Taiwan Builder House to sponsor these Hackathon events, and attended as judges and advisory panels.

Hackathon, also known as codefest, is a social coding event that brings computer programmers and other interested people together to collaboratively work on software or hardware projects. They are usually centered around a specific theme, problem, or challenge. Participants form teams to create innovative solutions, often within a limited timeframe, and present their projects to judges or a panel of experts at the end of the event.

In Vietnam, BingX joins forces with Neo APAC Hackathon, an open-source, community-driven blockchain platform, to organize a Hackathon event, aiming to harness the immense potential of the Vietnamese developer community and encourage them to explore and contribute to the Web3 landscape. This programming competition is hosted in Ho Chi Minh City as the second stop in the 2023 APAC Hackathon series. By doing so, BingX helps promote the growth of Web3 talent in Vietnam’s emerging crypto market, as well as contribute to the prosperity of the local Web3 community.

As a diamond sponsor, BingX recently wrapped up its participation in the Taiwan Builder House blockchain event. This Hackathon event gathered the region’s brightest minds to brainstorm and develop innovative solutions in the Web3. The competition encompassed themes of Trading, DeFi, GameFi, SocialFi, and NFT, offering participants an opportunity to engage closely with top-notch projects and fulfill conference-related tasks. Additionally, Josh, BingX’s Director of Business for the Asia-Pacific region, served as a judge for this hackathon.

Megan Nyvold, Head of Branding at BingX, stated: “We are proud to sponsor these meaningful events in Vietnam and Taiwan, where we believe future experts of the blockchain industry will emerge. We believe in nurturing talent in the Web3 space and driving innovation within the blockchain industry. These hackathons exemplify our commitment to fostering creativity and problem-solving among developers and entrepreneurs in the APAC region. We are excited to see the incredible projects and ideas that emerge from these events and to continue supporting the growth of blockchain technology.”

BingX’s support of these Hackathon events marks the beginning of an exciting journey towards talent development in the Web3 landscape. As it witnesses the incredible potential and innovation that these events inspire, BingX is committed to extending its support beyond APAC and promoting blockchain advancements on a global scale.

About BingX

BingX is a leading crypto exchange that offers spot, derivatives, copy, and grid trading services to over 100 countries and regions worldwide with over 5 million users. BingX continues to connect users with expert traders and the platform in a safe and innovative way. Please visit https://bingx.com to learn about BingX.

 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/bingx-sponsored-hackathons-in-apac-for-web3-talent-development-301928988.html

SOURCE BingX

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BASINGSTOKE, England–(THETECHMUSK=TTM)–Juniper Research, the foremost experts in telecommunications markets, today launched the telecom industry’s most comprehensive customer interaction platforms research subscription. This offering is designed to provide operators and service providers with the tools to leverage the billion-dollar opportunity presented by:

“Customer interaction platforms enable businesses to facilitate seamless and personalised customer experiences – a newfound necessity given today’s tough trading conditions. This new portfolio is designed with platform vendors in mind, giving them the tools to stay ahead of customer expectations and leverage the latest opportunities within omnichannel communications.”Tweet this

• CCaaS (Contact Centre-as-a-Service)
• Chatbots
• Conversational Commerce
• CPaaS (Communications Platform-as-a-Service)
• Customer Data Platforms
• OTT Business Messaging
• RCS Business Messaging

Subscribers to the Customer Interaction Platforms Market Intelligence Centre, which already includes several leading operators and engagement solutions vendors, benefit from access to:

• Highly granular data and forecasts – Over 550,000 statistics for key industry metrics, covering 60 countries and 8 key global regions.
• Unparalleled industry insight – Market and trend analysis, together with analyst insight and strategic assessment.
• Detailed competitive analysis – Competitor appraisal and market positioning for over 60 leading solutions vendors via Juniper Research Competitor Leaderboards.

Unlock Your Competitive Advantage with Industry-leading Expert Support

Subscribers to the Customer Interaction Platforms Market Intelligence Centre enjoy complimentary access to harvest, a proprietary online data platform that allows users to explore and analyse the latest market data.

In addition, new in-depth market reports are regularly added to the subscription, ensuring that no matter how fast the industry moves, subscribers never have to worry about being left behind.

“Customer interaction platforms enable businesses to facilitate seamless and personalised customer experiences – a newfound necessity given today’s tough trading conditions. This new portfolio is designed with platform vendors in mind, giving them the tools to stay ahead of customer expectations and leverage the latest opportunities within omnichannel communications.” – Tony Crabtree, Founder & CEO, Juniper Research

Tony Crabtree, Founder & CEO, Juniper Research

The Customer Interaction Platforms Market Intelligence Centre offers the most cost-effective use of an organisation’s budget; delivering enterprise-wide licencing, expert support, and quarterly forecast updates at an unbeatable price. To learn more, visit the website or contact the team to request a free sample or demonstration.

Juniper Research has, for two decades, provided market intelligence and advisory services to the global telecommunications sector, retained by many of the world’s leading network operators and communications platforms.

Contacts

Sam Smith, Press Relations
T: +44(0)1256 830002
E: sam.smith@juniperresearch.com

The post Juniper Research Launches Comprehensive Subscription Service for the $59bn Customer Interaction Platforms Market! first appeared on TTM.

London, United Kingdom, September 12, 2023 (THETECHMUSK=TTM): Dunhill Family Office Partners with Mocha Ventures, a regulated asset management company, to spearhead EUR 30M digital fund to back early-stage blockchain companies.

Dunhill Family Office, a renowned name across global family offices, and their advisory arm Dunhill Ventures, a leading boutique provider of bespoke structured finance solutions, are thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with Mocha Ventures, a pioneering force that empowers innovation and accelerates transformation within Web3 capital markets. As a long-term commitment testament to fostering and investing in pioneering technologies,

Dunhill Family Office anchors a new digital fund for Mocha Ventures with an impressive EUR 3M investment. Additionally, Dunhill Family Office will assist Mocha Ventures in closing the EUR 30M funding round through a curated selection of private family office events managed by Dunhill Ventures.

Its extensive experience in wealth management and impact investing will help provide invaluable insights to further support the new digital fund for Mocha Ventures.

“We are delighted to join forces with Mocha Ventures in fueling the growth of innovative global startups that are aligned with our own core values,” stated Piers Dunhill, Principal at Dunhill Family Office. “This partnership underscores our dedication to identifying transformative technologies and supporting visionary entrepreneurs who are reshaping the future generation.”

The partnership between Dunhill Family Office and Mocha Ventures represents a union of expertise, passion, and resources. Together, they will drive innovation forward with a shared vision, creating positive change while supporting startups focused on disruptive technologies.

Mocha Ventures operates under the Liechtenstein Blockchain Act, one of the most advanced digital securities laws across the EU. To protect the digital assets of their investors, partners, and clients, Mocha Ventures strictly complies with international financial regulation. Regulated and audited by international auditors, Mocha Ventures is proud to empower innovative entrepreneurs on a journey to unlock the full potential of blockchain technology.

“We are extremely excited to have Dunhill Family Office as our anchor investor and partner,” said Renato Brioni, Founder and General Partner at Mocha Ventures. “Their strategic guidance, passion for disruption, and financial support will undoubtedly catalyze our ability to unearth, nurture, and scale the next generation of digital innovators.”

After experiencing turmoil, the crypto market is set to provide tremendous opportunities for data-driven investors, making Mocha Ventures a perfectly positioned and regulated partner to back digital projects solving real-world problems.

The post Dunhill Family Office Partners with Mocha Ventures, a Regulated Asset Management Company, to Spearhead EUR 30M Digital Fund! first appeared on TTM.

New Zoho Desk integration expands partnership: provides customer service teams with robust two-way messaging platform to manage all customer interactions in one place.

DENVER, Colo. and STOCKHOLM, Sept. 11, 2023 /THETECHMUSK=TTM/ — Sinch (Sinch AB (publ)) (XSTO: SINCH), which powers meaningful conversations between businesses and their customers through its Customer Communications Cloud, today announced its global launch of SMS for Zoho Desk, which extends Sinch MessageMedia’s industry-leading, two-way SMS capabilities. Deepening existing, highly-rated integrations with the Zoho Suite — SMS for Zoho Desk by Sinch MessageMedia enables customer service teams to easily manage and quickly address customer inquiries from a centralized platform, cutting down on response times and improving customer satisfaction.

“Customer service teams are integral to the success of a business — no matter the size. They shouldn’t be bogged down by siloed messaging channels, which makes it harder to support customers and frustrating for everyone involved,” said Sean O’Neal, President, SMB, Sinch. “We are proud to add to our robust portfolio of over 85 integrations with SMS for Zoho Desk by Sinch MessageMedia, fulfilling service teams’ need for centralized, real-time conversational messaging and supporting the full customer journey — from marketing and sales, to service and support.”

Said Sean O’Neal, President, SMB, Sinch

Customer service interactions can make or break customer relationships or a brand’s reputation, with direct impacts to companies’ bottom lines. Research from Sinch MessageMedia finds that customers are 82% more likely to have a favorable impression of a brand simply by being able to engage in two-way conversations.

SMS for Zoho Desk by Sinch MessageMedia empowers businesses to take their customer support to the next level. Seamless, one-to-one conversational messaging directly within Zoho Desk eliminates the need for support teams to juggle multiple platforms, and instant, automated responses free agents up to focus on more complicated customer queries. The result: reduced strain on staff and faster ticket times.

To learn more about Sinch MessageMedia’s capabilities, visit the team at Zoholics (Booth 5) in Toronto, September 12-13, 2023 or explore the website here.

CONTACT:

For further information, please contact:

Marcel Kay

PR Director

Marcel.Kay@sinch.com 

The following files are available for download:

The post Sinch MessageMedia Launches new SMS service to improve customer experience! first appeared on TTM.

As we explore the future of work through the lens of technology, we’ve gathered five insightful perspectives from SEO consultants and operations managers. From the revolution of content auditing with SurferSEO to the unprecedented computational power unleashed by Quantum Computing, discover how these advanced tools are shaping our professional landscape.

• SurferSEO: Revolutionizing Content Auditing
• 3D Printing: Transforming Manufacturing and Design
• AR Glasses: Enhancing Real-World Work
• VR: Immersive Simulations for Future Training
• Quantum Computing: Unleashing Unprecedented Computational Power

SurferSEO: Revolutionizing Content Auditing

One of the best new technologically advanced tools that I have used recently is SurferSEO. Its AI-powered Natural Language Processing (NLP) feature has already changed how we work here by enabling us to quickly audit existing web content and check that NLP phrases are incorporated into the content. Google’s own search algorithm uses NLP to determine the relevance, quality, and credibility of content, so SurferSEO provides an analysis similar to Google’s own when evaluating content. 

Even better, SurferSEO also has an AI-powered content generator (including a plagiarism checker) that generates content based on the current Top 10 ranking content for any given keyword group.

Michelle Symonds, SEO Consultant, Ditto Digital

3D Printing: Transforming Manufacturing and Design

3D printing is developing the work of the future by enabling rapid prototyping, decentralized manufacturing, and personalized product development. This technology allows businesses to create complex and customized objects with ease, reducing costs, improving design flexibility, and accelerating production processes. For example, in the automotive industry, 3D printing is used to fabricate car parts with higher strength-to-weight ratios, improved aerodynamics, and reduced lead times. 

Additionally, in healthcare, 3D printing has enabled the production of personalized medical implants and prosthetics tailored to individual patients. Overall, 3D printing is transforming industries by offering new possibilities for innovation and efficiency.

Ben Lau, Founder, Featured SEO Company

AR Glasses: Enhancing Real-World Work

AR glasses revolutionize work by overlaying digital information onto the real world. They enhance productivity, training, and visualization in fields like engineering, architecture, and manufacturing. 

AR glasses also provide real-time, contextual information, allowing workers to access data hands-free while performing tasks. For example, an engineer wearing AR glasses can visualize and interact with 3D digital models overlaid on a physical object, facilitating design iterations and reducing errors. Additionally, AR glasses enable remote collaboration, where experts can guide field technicians by visually annotating their view, improving efficiency and reducing travel. 

The subtle benefit of AR glasses lies in their unique blend of real-world integration and digital augmentation, unlocking new possibilities for the future of work.

Roy Lau, Co-Founder, 28 Mortgage

VR: Immersive Simulations for Future Training

Virtual reality (VR) is transforming the work of the future by providing immersive simulations for training purposes. 

Companies can enhance employee learning experiences, reduce costs associated with physical training environments, and improve knowledge retention. For example, in healthcare, VR can simulate surgeries, enabling medical professionals to practice complex procedures in a safe and controlled environment.

In remote education, VR can create interactive learning environments, allowing students worldwide to engage with educational content in a more immersive way. VR’s potential in revolutionizing training and education is often overlooked but holds significant benefits for the workforce of the future.

Jason Cheung, Operations Manager, Credit KO

Quantum Computing: Unleashing Unprecedented Computational Power

Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize data analysis, cryptography, and optimization problems. 

By leveraging quantum phenomena, such as superposition and entanglement, quantum computers can solve complex calculations exponentially faster than traditional computers. This enables businesses to tackle previously unsolvable problems, explore new frontiers in scientific research, and optimize various processes, including financial analysis and logistics. 

For example, in drug discovery, quantum computing can simulate and analyze large and intricate molecular systems, significantly speeding up the development of new drugs and saving lives. Quantum computing, although still in its early stages, offers unparalleled computational power that can reshape multiple industries and unlock unprecedented possibilities in the work of the future.

Yoana Wong, Co-Founder, Secret Florists

The post 5 Technologically Advanced Tools Shaping the Future of Work! first appeared on TTM.

To understand the profound impact of artificial intelligence on various industries, we sought insights from nine professionals, including CEOs and Content Heads. Their perspectives range from how AI shifts skill-set demands to how it transforms media monitoring and analysis. Dive into these nine insightful responses to discover how AI is revolutionizing different sectors.

• Shifting Skill-Set Demands
• Revolutionizing Customer Engagement 
• Disrupting Content Marketing Landscape
• Increasing Automation in Tax and Consulting
• Impacting Recruitment Processes
• Integrating into Copywriting and Design
• Enhancing Insurance Underwriting Processes
• Fueling Blogging and Self-Publishing Competition
• Transforming Media Monitoring and Analysis

Shifting Skill-Set Demands

Now, the skill of “writing text” is valued much less, and here are the qualities that come to the forefront.

The most vital skill is curiosity. Very rarely do AI systems know about other AI systems. But in my experience, the most interesting results come from combining multiple tools (here are some examples). Discovering these combinations and unlocking their potential is a uniquely human task, not for machines.

The most challenging blend of qualities is discipline and creativity. Working with AI triggers different parts of the brain. It’s a different type of workload, demanding adaptation from employees and attention from managers. Our onboarding has changed dramatically.

The demand for hard skills does not decrease, however. It may seem that now it’s enough to “persuade” the AI to do your job. But to provide it with the right data and, most importantly, to check the result, very deep expertise is needed.

Alexander Nadislau, Head of Content, MC Media Corp. Limited

Revolutionizing Customer Engagement

AI has been a game-changer by revolutionizing customer engagement through personalized experiences. 

By leveraging AI-powered insights from data gathered across operations, marketing, and technology, we’re now able to deeply understand user behaviors, preferences, and pain points. This enables us to craft tailored strategies that drive not only operational efficiency but also hyper-targeted marketing campaigns. 

Moreover, AI’s role in generative content creation has elevated SEO strategies, fueling organic growth. Infusing AI into these facets has amplified customer satisfaction, elevated brand loyalty, and propelled business growth to new heights, ultimately reflecting the powerful synergy between technology, operations, and human-centric strategies.

Jay Toy, General Manager, 88stacks

Disrupting Content Marketing Landscape

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly disrupted the content marketing landscape, mining vast amounts of data to unveil profound insights about consumer behavior and preferences. 

These insights are indispensable in crafting tailored content that truly resonates with the target audience, thereby enhancing engagement rates and conversion probabilities. AI-enabled tools, such as predictive analytics and customer segmentation algorithms, have provided an unprecedented capacity to develop hyper-personalized content and orchestrate its distribution based on dynamically evolving consumer tastes.

Precious Abacan, Content Marketer, Softlist

Increasing Automation in Tax and Consulting

In tax and consulting, AI technology has impacted our industry in a big way. By utilizing AI tools, we’re able to automate mundane tasks, such as data entry, reduce errors, and increase efficiency. This has allowed us to focus on more strategic and sophisticated services, which help our clients reach their goals faster.

Scott Orn, Chief Operating Officer, Kruze Consulting

Impacting Recruitment Processes

I can share that one welcome impact from artificial intelligence has been a renewed focus on unique cover letters. Disinterested candidates often turn to AI to write their introductions, providing a new and easy way to weed out less-than-creative applicants. 

Those who are truly passionate about the industry will never hand their cover letter over to a computer. It’s a time-saver that’s just not worth it. Recruiters can tell if you’re not writing your own cover letters, and they’re not usually impressed with what ChatGPT has to offer. 

If you’re a job seeker thinking about outsourcing this task, think again. It’s better to apply to fewer jobs but put your full effort into each of them.

Linn Atiyeh, CEO, Bemana

Integrating into Copywriting and Design

Our industry swiftly felt the influence of AI when agencies began offering copywriting alongside design services. Though our agency has provided product messaging for years, we integrated AI into our ideation process. 

This AI-generated content is refined by our copywriting team and validated through testing. The significance of AI in pinpointing impactful phrasing for product packaging is undeniable.

Jason Vaught, Director of Content, SmashBrand

Enhancing Insurance Underwriting Processes

One significant way I’ve seen artificial intelligence impact the insurance industry is through the enhancement of underwriting processes. AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately, helping insurance carriers assess risk more precisely. This has led to more personalized insurance policies and pricing for customers. 

Additionally, AI-driven chatbots and virtual assistants have improved customer service and streamlined claims processing, making interactions with insurance companies more efficient and user-friendly. 

Overall, AI has brought about greater efficiency, better risk assessment, and improved customer experiences in the insurance sector.

Brad Cummins, Founder, Insurance Geek 

Fueling Blogging and Self-Publishing Competition

AI is poised to increase competition in the realms of blogging and self-publishing, making it significantly easier for individuals to generate large volumes of content in shorter timeframes. This trend is already visible with the emergence of numerous AI-generated books on platforms like Amazon, which have been released relatively quickly. To respond to this strategy, more time and effort would need to be invested to produce high-quality, distinctive content that truly stands out.

Regarding blogging, more YouTube videos are being seen showing people how to produce a blog in ten minutes with AI. While a solution to counter this challenge may not be readily available, the approach is to consistently create unique content for the blog, complemented by distinct images and personal insights. 

This strategy aims to appeal to readers, as humans can often tell the difference between content created by a human and content generated by AI.

Al Tran, Realtor, Blogger, Author, DS Inspire

Transforming Media Monitoring and Analysis

Artificial intelligence has significantly transformed our industry, especially through AI-powered media monitoring and analysis. We can now monitor press coverage and social media content more efficiently. These solutions enable us to track media presence, identify key influencers, and gauge sentiment across online conversations. 

This valuable insight empowers us to swiftly adapt campaigns, and strategies based on public perception. By automating these tasks, AI frees up PR professionals to focus on strategic thinking and creativity, enhancing the overall effectiveness of our efforts.

Matias Rodsevich, CEO, PRLab

The post 9 Ways Artificial Intelligence is Impacting Industries! first appeared on TTM.

In the realm of software development, where innovation is king and efficiency is paramount, Microservices have emerged as a game-changer. They offer a treasure trove of benefits that can revolutionize the way your applications are built, deployed, and scaled. In this article, we’re going to embark on an exciting journey through the world of Microservices, uncovering their incredible advantages that empower businesses to thrive in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.

1. Scalability: Driving Business Growth at Your Fingertips

Scaling up your applications to meet growing user demands has never been easier, thanks to Microservices. Unlike monolithic applications that require scaling of the entire system, Microservices allow you to scale specific components independently. It means you can allocate resources precisely where they are needed, ensuring optimal performance and cost-efficiency. Whether you’re experiencing a surge in traffic or preparing for future growth, Microservices put the power of scalability in your hands.

2. Agility: Faster Development, Swift Market Entry

In today’s hyper-competitive market, agility is the key to success. Microservices enable development teams to work autonomously on individual services, dramatically reducing development cycles. Each team can choose the tools, technologies, and methodologies that best suit their service, accelerating the development process. Moreover, Microservices’ independent deployment model facilitates seamless continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices, allowing you to release updates swiftly without risking disruptions. Embrace Microservices, and you’ll be poised to respond rapidly to market demands and stay ahead of the curve.

3. Reliability: Guarding Against Catastrophic Failures

When it comes to reliability, Microservices shines. In monolithic applications, a single component’s failure can bring down the entire system. Microservices, however, are designed to be resilient. If one service encounters an issue, it doesn’t necessarily affect the rest of your application. This isolation enhances overall system reliability and fault tolerance. It means that even in the face of adversity, your application can continue to function, minimizing downtime and ensuring a seamless user experience.

4. Diverse Technology Stack: Embrace the Right Tools

Microservices liberate development teams from the constraints of a single technology stack. Each Microservice can use the programming languages, frameworks, and databases that are best suited for its specific function. This technology diversity fosters innovation and allows teams to stay at the cutting edge of technology trends. The freedom to choose the right tools empowers teams to deliver high-quality services efficiently.

5. Maintenance Made Easy: Hassle-Free Updates and Fixes

Maintenance can be a daunting task in monolithic applications, particularly when it comes to updates and bug fixes. Microservices simplify maintenance by breaking the application into smaller, manageable components. When a bug is detected or an update is required, you can focus on the specific Microservice without disrupting the entire system. This granularity not only streamlines maintenance but also makes it easier to test changes, ensuring that updates do not introduce unexpected issues across the entire application.

6. Enhanced Developer Productivity: Fostering Ownership

Microservices promote a sense of ownership among development teams. Each team is responsible for the development, deployment, and maintenance of its Microservice. This ownership fosters accountability and empowers teams to make decisions that align with the Microservice’s goals. Developers working on Microservices have a deeper understanding of their specific domain, which leads to more efficient troubleshooting and faster issue resolution. This sense of ownership and expertise enhances developer productivity and job satisfaction.

7. Effortless Scaling for Peak Demand

High-demand scenarios, such as holiday sales or sudden spikes in user activity, can overwhelm a monolithic application. Microservices offer an elegant solution to this challenge. You can scale individual Microservices that experience high demand while keeping the rest of the system running smoothly. This elasticity ensures that your application can handle fluctuations in traffic without compromising performance. It’s like having a dynamic toolkit that adapts to your needs in real-time.

8. Streamlined Testing: Ensuring Quality

Testing is a critical aspect of software development, and Microservices simplify it. You can target and isolate individual Microservices for testing, making it easier to write comprehensive unit tests, integration tests, and end-to-end tests. Additionally, Microservices facilitate the implementation of testing best practices, such as test-driven development (TDD) and automated testing. This ensures that each Microservice meets quality standards, contributing to the overall reliability of the application.

9. Improved Fault Tolerance: Resilience in Challenging Times

Failures are inevitable in complex systems. Microservices embrace this reality and are designed with fault tolerance in mind. By isolating services and employing mechanisms like circuit breakers and retries, Microservices can gracefully handle failures. For example, if a Microservice encounters a database error, it can employ a circuit breaker to temporarily halt requests to the failing service, preventing a cascade of failures throughout the system. This resilience ensures that your application remains operational even in challenging conditions.

10. Cost-Efficiency: Optimal Resource Utilization

Cost efficiency is a key advantage of Microservices, particularly in cloud-based environments. You can allocate resources precisely where they are needed, scaling individual Microservices up or down as required. This optimization reduces infrastructure costs and eliminates the need for overprovisioning. In addition to resource optimization, Microservices save costs by enabling teams to select cost-effective technologies for each service, resulting in better resource utilization and budget management.

11. Future-Proofing Your Application: Staying Relevant

The technology landscape evolves rapidly. Microservices provide a level of future-proofing by allowing you to update individual services with the latest technologies while leaving others unchanged. This adaptability ensures that your application remains relevant and competitive in the face of evolving technology trends.

Conclusion: Harnessing the Power of Microservices

As we’ve explored the myriad benefits of Microservices, it’s evident that they’re not just a trend but a transformative approach to software development. Whether you’re aiming for scalability, agility, reliability, or cost-efficiency, Microservices offers a versatile toolkit to meet your goals. By embracing Microservices, you can unleash the full potential of your applications and position your business for success in today’s dynamic digital landscape. So, don’t wait; harness the power of Microservices benefits and embark on a journey towards a brighter, more efficient future.

The post Unleashing the Potential: Exploring the Advantages of Microservices first appeared on TTM.

SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 7, 2023 /THETECHMUSK=TTM/ — Asia Photonics Expo (APE) 2024, Asia’s Premier Photonics^[1] Event was announced at Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Centre, in conjunction with China International Optoelectronics Exposition. Hundreds of representatives from the optoelectronics^[2] industry including enterprises, associations, societies, research institutes and media attended the successful press conference.

During the welcome speech, Mr. Jianlin Cao, Former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, said: “As a witness to the growth and expansion of photonics related R&D, industry and application in China, Minister Cao believes that the Asian market plays a very important role in the R&D, production and application of the photonics industry. Singapore, as the trade and business hub in Asia, has a superior geographical location and is the ideal location for Asia Photonics Expo.” He said: “I have also visited Singapore several times as a scientist and a member of the Chinese government delegation, here I hope that Singapore can give more support to the Asia Photonics Expo, and also hope that China’s research and development, production, especially the enterprise peers can bravely go globally and communicate with the world. Finally, I wish the first edition of Asia Photonics Expo a complete success, and each edition will be better than the last.”

APE’s key strategic partners, LUX Photonics Consortium and European Photonics Industry Consortium, were also present at the press conference. “We are thrilled to partner Informa Markets to launch the Asia Photonics Expo (APE) in 2024. APE will bring together industry leaders, researchers, and potential buyers, creating a global platform in Asia for knowledge exchange and business collaborations. This will offer opportunities for companies to venture into new businesses and partnerships in emerging markets globally.” said Prof Tjin Swee Chuan, Chairman, LUX Photonics Consortium.

Similarly, Mr. Carlos Lee, Director General of the European Photonics Industry Consortium shared on Global Collaboration to Advance Technology:” Photonics is a key enabling technology, and its progress depends on working together. APE will gather companies from Asia, Europe, and the world to further advance the technology through business and collaboration.”

APE will be held at Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore from 6 to 8 March 2024. The inaugural event, organised by Informa Markets, will provide photonics professionals insight to the latest emerging trends shaping the future and offering the industry a valuable platform to explore, connect, collaborate with new markets in the region.

As Asia’s leading and influential event for photonics industry, APE is supported by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). Mr Yap Chin Siang, Deputy Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “We are delighted to host the inaugural Asia Photonics Expo in Singapore next year. The decision to launch the world’s leading photonic event in Singapore reaffirms the industry’s confidence in our country as the preferred destination for business events, as well as our position as gateway to the Asia Pacific region. We look forward to gathering entrepreneurs and forward-thinking industry partners from around the world to connect, collaborate and explore new business opportunities in tandem with the fast-growing developments in the photonics field.”

In the subsequent media Q&A session, the media exchanged views with APE’s organising committee and speakers on many aspects.

For the choice of APE’s location, Mr. Eric Yang, Secretary General of APE, said “Singapore, as a trade and business centre in Asia, gathers the resources of Southeast Asia and even the world. Also, as an international metropolis, Singapore’s convenient transportation, favorable government support for the exhibition industry and superior geographical location are very strong advantages for hosting exhibitions. We believe that hosting an exhibition in Singapore is the way to achieve global industrialization.”

For the reasons for STB to support APE, Ms. Toh Sork Lee, Area Director, Greater China, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “China is one of the most important markets for Singapore, and even during the pandemic, there were many business exchanges between China and Singapore. We are therefore delighted that the first edition of Asia Photonics Expo will be held in Singapore.”

Prof Tjin Swee Chuan, Chairman, LUX Photonics Consortium, has answered the question to the development of Singapore’s photonics industry: “The Singapore government is very supportive of the development of the photonics industry and has been invested a lot over the years. As the chairman of LUX Photonics Consortium, I also attach great importance to the industrialization of IP and R&D results. We are now bringing together enterprises and R&D institutions to solve the problems encountered in the development of the photonics industry and further promote the industrialization of our research and development results.”

APE is the one-stop photonics exhibition for industry players to technical communication, networking, and product sourcing. Mr. Eric Yang, Secretary General of APE, said:” APE is committed to empowering the photonics industry and application fields, building a high-quality communication, exchange and learning platform for global industry players, promoting the in-depth communication and business collaboration between the photonics upstream and downstream professionals. It will be your best channel to maximize brand awareness and expand new business frontier.”

For more details on APE, visit www.asiaphotonicsexpo.com

–  End of Release –

About Asia Photonics Expo

Organised by Informa Markets – the world’s leading tradeshow organiser, Asia Photonics Expo (APE) will be held at Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore from 6 to 8 March 2024. APE will focus on the latest cutting-edge innovative technologies and the emerging application markets in Asia, aiming to promote the in-depth communication and business collaboration between the photonics upstream and downstream professionals. It will cover the entire optoelectronic ecosystem to showcase the latest products in optical communication, precision optics, laser, infrared, sensor, and display fields, targeting the top-notched optoelectronic innovative technologies and solutions of nine major application areas in optical communication/information processing and storage, consumer electronics, advanced manufacturing, surveillance and security, semiconductor processing, energy, sensing and measurement, lighting and display, and medical. APE is the one-stop sourcing platform for industry players to find new products and technologies and follow market trends. With an exhibition area of 15,000 square meters, APE is expected to attract 400+ enterprises, and more than 5,000 visitors to attend the show. During the exhibition, APE will also hold a variety of concurrent events, such as academic conferences and industry forums for future trends, cutting-edge technologies, industry hotspots, etc., site tours to research institutes, R&D centres, and local companies, as well as high-end networking opportunities including one-on-one business matching.

The post Asia Photonics Expo 2024: Paving the Future of Photonics in Emerging Markets! first appeared on TTM.

Last week, an automation failure in the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) air traffic control system caused hundreds of thousands of people to have their flights delayed or cancelled. The chief executive of NATS said the failure was caused by flight data which its system didn’t understand and couldn’t interpret, leading air traffic controllers to revert to manual systems. 

Tech innovation is exciting, life-enriching, and time-saving – when it works. Yet even the biggest players in the industry can miss the mark when they fail to update or test their products. 

In the wake of one of the most significant air traffic control mishaps of the decade, leading UK software development firm, Propel Tech, highlights ten major tech failures over the past 10 years that left the public exposed, out of pocket or high and dry. 

NHS Test and Trace 

The 2020 £37bn NHS app was besieged with technical problems from the off, including speed, incompatibility, false notifications, and crashing. Fast forward to 2021, and a report released by the House of Commons’ Public Accounts Committee found the costly programme had failed to achieve its objective of cutting COVID-19 infection levels in the U.K.

Slack’s Public DM Feature 

In 2021, the popular messaging platform Slack rolled out a new feature to improve cross-organisational communications. Problems arose when it became apparent unsolicited messages could be sent before individuals had accepted a connection invite, raising concerns of abuse and harassment. The feature was swiftly pulled.  

Blackberry 

Once the dominant player in the smartphone world until Apple took over in 2007, the brand’s attempt to re-engage its fanbase in 2013 with the BlackBerry 10 operating system and devices failed to catch on with consumers, leading the former comms giant to back out of the consumer market. 

Microsoft Band

This tech leader’s attempt at joining the smartwatch party in 2014 didn’t quite work out, largely due to an uncompetitive price point with little to differentiate it from its competitors. In 2016 Microsoft halted sales of the devices, and the Band’s app was decommissioned in 2019. 

Vine 

When it launched in 2013, everyone was talking about Vine’s six-second looping videos, but the app – owned by Twitter – was shelved in 2017. Discontent arose when it failed to support its content creators with a lack of monetisation options, and the launch of Instagram, with its appealing 15-second videos, was the final nail in the coffin.

Apple iPhone 12 Mini 

In 2020, Apple decided to add a mini version to its new iPhone 12 lineup. Sadly, the company overestimated the level of demand, and this, coupled with a battery that was reportedly below expectations, led to the short-lived phone being discontinued in 2022. 

Amazon Spark 

Spark was a ‘social commerce’ platform that folded in 2019 after just two years. The idea was that Amazon customers could upload content based on their purchases in a similar format to Pinterest and Instagram. However, the app, which was only available to Prime members, was deemed confusing and undiscoverable – it was hidden inside the Amazon app and wasn’t connected to the site’s product pages – and failed to gain traction. 

Google Glass 

Google’s wearable augmented reality glasses didn’t gain widespread adoption due to concerns about privacy, limited functionality and an unappealing price point. Google discontinued the consumer version of Google Glass in 2015.

Juicero 

The high-tech juicing machine that attracted $120m investment faced criticism when it was revealed that the $400 machine’s exclusive pouches could be manually squeezed with bare hands. Juicero shut down in 2017 after only 18 months of trading.

Obamacare 

The US launch of the highly anticipated healthcare.gov website, the primary platform for Americans to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, was plagued by technical issues and poor performance. This led to a significant public outcry and critical delays in enrollment.

Andy Brown, Co-Founder and Director at Propel Tech, which specialises in the development of bespoke software solutions whilst maximising existing legacy technology, comments: “A common theme running through all of these disappointing tech launches is lack of planning and, in many cases, eagerness to get the products to market – with larger businesses even relying on brand loyalty over solid market research and UX process. 

“Whatever tech investment a business – of any size – is making, be it hardware, software, a new website or app feature – a phased, multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach to planning and testing is critical to successful development and roll out. 

“This process may delay a launch and throw out challenges that marketers may not wish to hear, but if any of the organisations cited above had taken a step back to fully understand their product, its performance and role in the market, they may have saved millions.”

Global IT spending is expected to increase by 2.4% this year, reaching $4.5 trillion, according to Gartner, yet a reported half of all companies are still wasting significant sums of their IT budgets on misplaced decisions. As a specialist IT firm that works with several key sectors, including retail, manufacturing, real estate, and automotive, Propel Tech has developed the ultimate tech investment checklist; seven crucial questions companies should be asking themselves to avoid making similar the same mistakes as some of the biggest names in tech with their own investments and innovations. 

The post Ten Spectacular Tech Fails! first appeared on TTM.

Muslim Aid is delighted to announce the appointment of Khalid Javid as its permanent Chief Executive Officer, effective 1st September 2023. His appointment follows a successful tenure as Interim CEO since February 2023.

Khalid has over two decades of charity sector experience. He launched his fundraising career at Muslim Aid in 2007 before moving into the faith-based media sector with roles in Eman Channel and Islam Channel before taking up the UK Director role at Physicians Across Continents where he led international humanitarian initiatives in Cambodia, Bangladesh, Somalia, Sudan, Mauritania, and Nigeria.

Khalid’s recent focus has been on tackling the UK’s cost-of-living crisis, notably overseeing Muslim Aid deliver over 30,000 meals in Tower Hamlets during this year’s Ramadan Campaign. As CEO, his vision includes intensified efforts to help UK beneficiaries, which has recently seen a growing need, as well as expanding Muslim Aid’s international programmes.

While Khalid was Interim-CEO, Muslim Aid was named as the most loved Muslim Charity in the UK as well as the most loved charity in the humanitarian sector by an independent survey, a successful fundraising campaign during Ramadan and our most successful ever Qurbani Appeal.

One of the UK’s most loved charities, Muslim Aid has been guided by Islamic values in tackling poverty and providing relief since 1985. Our commitment is to serve humanity by delivering emergency aid, sustainable livelihoods, housing, education, and healthcare.

On his appointment, Khalid said: “I am honoured and genuinely excited to lead Muslim Aid into its next chapter. I truly believe in the power of Khidmah (Service) which is one of Muslim Aid’s values, to transform society. I will continue to make sure the prophetic example of service to humanity is at the centre of everything we do.”

Mustafa Faruqi, Chair of Muslim Aid, added, “Khalid’s longstanding passion for our mission and the positive impact he’s made on our staff, donors and beneficiaries during his interim tenure, makes him the ideal leader for the next phase of Muslim Aid’s development.”

The post Muslim Aid Appoints New CEO with Renewed Focus on UK Operation! first appeared on TTM.

BEIJING, Sept. 4, 2023 /THETECHMUSK=TTM/ — As the 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) kicked off Saturday in Beijing, the country has shown the world its unwavering commitment to wider opening up in the services trade sector and a firm determination to further promote global economic recovery.

Delivering a video speech at the Global Trade in Services Summit of the 2023 CIFTIS, Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday vowed to work with all countries and parties to advance inclusive development through openness, promote connectivity and integration through cooperation, foster drivers for development through innovation, and create a better future through shared services, in a bid to jointly get the world economy onto the track of sustained recovery.

Themed “openness leads development, cooperation creates a win-win future,” the 2023 CIFTIS takes place in the Chinese capital from September 2 to 6.

More inclusive environment 

Since it was launched in 2012, the CIFTIS has attracted a total of over 600,000 exhibitors from 196 nations and regions. This year, guests from 59 countries and 24 international organizations are taking part in the fair. Over 500 Global Fortune 500 companies and industry-leading enterprises are showcasing their accomplishments at the 2023 CIFTIS, taking the overall internationalization rate to 20 percent.

In his video speech, President Xi stressed that China will make its development environment more open and more inclusive.

“We will expand the globally-oriented network of high-standard free trade areas, actively engage in negotiations on the negative list for trade in services and investment, and open wider in such services areas as telecommunications, tourism, law and vocational examinations. Our national integrated demonstration zone for greater openness in the services sector as well as eligible pilot free trade zones and free trade port will be the first to align their policies with high-standard international economic and trade rules,” said Xi. 

Said Xi

He added China will widen access to its services sector, advance opening up of cross-border services trade in an orderly manner, improve the level of standardization of services trade, and steadily expand institutional opening up.

China’s State Council in mid-August unveiled guidelines containing 24 specific measures to further optimize China’s foreign investment environment and beef up foreign investment inflow.

These measures include expanding pilot areas to open wider in terms of services, encouraging foreign firms and their R&D centers to undertake major sci-tech projects, facilitating the travel of senior executives, technicians and their families, and enhancing the expertise of personnel in local government offices handling foreign investment.

Amid rising unilateralism, protectionism and de-globalization, China continues to deepen opening up and optimize its business environment, expanding its “friend circle” in trade services. China has service trade relations with nearly 240 countries and regions and has signed bilateral service trade cooperation agreements with 14 countries.

Path of innovation-driven development 

Over 60 enterprises and institutions will launch an array of new products and technologies at the 2023 CIFITS, spanning the fields of artificial intelligence, financial technology, medical and health care, and cultural creativity, injecting new vitality to the development of service trade.

Xi on Saturday noted China will improve the path of innovation-driven development.

“China will move faster to cultivate new drivers for the digitalization of services trade, roll out pilot reform on basic systems for data, and promote the development of digital trade through reform and innovation,” said Xi.

Said Xi\

He added China will push forward the integrated development of trade in services with modern services industries, high-end manufacturing and modern agriculture to unleash more vitality for innovation.

China has advanced trials for innovative development of trade in services across the board. For instance, the country has established pilot zones for Silk Road e-commerce cooperation and built national demonstration zones for innovative development of trade in services, in order to encourage innovation in trade and promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.

The digitalization of trade in services has been further accelerated. According to Chinese Ministry of Commerce, in the first half of this year, the country’s digitally-delivered service trade increased by 12.3 percent year on year, 3.8 percentage points higher than the growth rate of total service trade.

At the end of his remarks, Xi called on all parties to join hands together in upholding the hard-won free trade and multilateral trading regime, share in the historic opportunities in the development of global trade in services, and work together for an even brighter and more prosperous future of the world.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-09-02/Xi-addresses-CIFTIS-Global-Trade-in-Services-Summit-via-video-1mLoJsD8MKI/index.html

SOURCE CGTN

The post CGTN: CIFTIS kicks off, China committed to opening door wider to world! first appeared on TTM.

Unlock the hidden potential of your mobile device with these top 10 most useful USSD codes! Whether you’re an Android aficionado or an iPhone enthusiast, these secret codes will unlock a world of possibilities and give you unprecedented control over your phone. From checking battery health to troubleshooting network issues, we’ve got all the insider knowledge you need to make the most out of your mobile experience. So grab your smartphone and get ready to dial in some magic – it’s time to explore the fascinating realm of USSD codes!

What Is The Ussd Code For Mobile?

What is the USSD code for mobile? USSD stands for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, and it refers to a technology that allows users to access various services through their mobile devices. These codes are typically composed of asterisks (*) and numbers, and they can be dialled directly from a phone’s keypad.

USSD codes provide quick access to a range of features and information, such as checking your account balance, recharging your prepaid balance, activating or deactivating services, and more. They are often used by telecom operators to offer convenient self-service options to their customers.

Each USSD code serves a specific purpose. For example, *#06# displays the IMEI number of your device, while *123# provides an overview of your account details. Some codes even allow you to troubleshoot issues with your phone or network settings.

These codes are widely popular among mobile users due to their simplicity and accessibility. With just a few taps on your keypad, you can quickly obtain important information or perform essential tasks without needing internet connectivity.

USSD codes, or Unstructured Supplementary Service Data codes, are a set of numeric or alphanumeric sequences that can be dialled on a mobile phone to access various services or information from a mobile network operator. These codes are often used to check account balances, activate or deactivate services, and configure certain settings, including APN (Access Point Name) settings.

For SafeLink APN settings or any other mobile carrier’s APN settings, USSD codes are generally not used. Instead, you typically access and configure APN settings through your phone’s settings menu. 

What Does * * 7780 * * Do?

Have you ever wondered what that mysterious combination of numbers and asterisks does when you enter it on your mobile device? Well, wonder no more! The USSD code * * 7780 * * holds a powerful secret within its digits. When dialled, this code initiates a factory reset on your phone, erasing all data and settings back to their original state.

But why would anyone want to reset their phone to factory settings? There are several reasons why this might come in handy. Perhaps your device is experiencing software glitches or performance issues that just won’t go away. By performing a factory reset, you can wipe the slate clean and start fresh with a clean operating system.

It’s important to note that using this USSD code should be approached with caution. A factory reset will erase all personal data from your device, so make sure to back up any important files or information before proceeding. Additionally, some phones may require a confirmation prompt after dialling the code to prevent accidental resets.

So if you find yourself in need of a technological do-over or simply want to restore your phone’s original settings, give the * * 7780 * * USSD code a try – but remember to tread carefully!

What Is *# 9900 Used For?

Have you ever wondered what that mysterious combination of numbers and symbols on your mobile phone keypad does? Well, one such code that you may have come across is *# 9900. This USSD code actually serves a very useful purpose for Android users.

When you dial *# 9900 on your Android device, it takes you to the SysDump menu. This menu provides access to various system information and debugging options that can help optimise your phone’s performance.

Within the SysDump menu, you can find options like “Delete dumpstate/logcat” which clears out any diagnostic logs from your device. By doing this, you can free up valuable storage space and potentially improve the overall speed and responsiveness of your phone.

Another option in the SysDump menu is “Run dumpsys”. This command allows you to gather detailed information about running services on your device, which can be helpful if you’re troubleshooting an issue or trying to identify resource-hungry apps.

Overall, *# 9900 is a hidden gem for Android users who want more control over their devices’ performance. So next time someone asks what those cryptic USSD codes are all about, now you’ll know at least one of them!

What Is * 31 Used For?

* 31 is a widely used USSD code that allows mobile users to hide their caller ID when making outgoing calls. By dialling * 31 followed by the recipient’s number, your phone number will not be displayed on the receiver’s caller ID display. This can be useful in situations where you want to maintain privacy or simply prefer not to disclose your contact details.

Using * 31 can come in handy in various scenarios. For instance, if you are calling someone for the first time and don’t want them to have your personal number just yet, this code enables you to keep your identity anonymous temporarily. It can also be helpful when reaching out to businesses or service providers who may misuse or share your contact information without consent.

However, it’s important to note that some countries or mobile operators may not support this feature, so it’s always recommended to check with your provider beforehand. Additionally, while using * 31 hides your caller ID for most recipients, it does not work universally as some networks may still reveal the information.

What Does *# 0 *# Do?

Have you ever come across the *# 0 *# USSD code on your mobile phone and wondered what it does? Well, you’re in luck because we’re about to uncover its hidden secrets!

When you enter *# 0 *#, a secret diagnostic menu pops up on your screen. This menu allows you to test various hardware components of your phone, such as the touchscreen, camera, sensors, and even the speakers. It’s like having a mini technician right in the palm of your hand!

One interesting feature found within this menu is the “Vibration” test. By selecting it, your phone will vibrate continuously until you exit the test. Not only can this be surprisingly fun to play with, but it also helps identify any issues with your device’s vibration motor.

Another useful option is the “Sensor” test which displays real-time readings from different built-in sensors like accelerometer or gyroscope. You can tilt and move your phone around to see how these sensors respond.

The “Display” option lets you check for dead pixels by displaying different colors on your screen. If there are any faulty pixels present, they’ll stand out against their vibrant counterparts.

While exploring this secret diagnostic menu may not be necessary for everyday use of our smartphones, knowing about these features can certainly come in handy when troubleshooting or assessing any potential hardware problems.

What Is *# 21 On An Android Phone?

Have you ever wondered what the *# 21 code on your Android phone? Well, wonder no more! This USSD code allows you to check the call forwarding settings on your device. It’s a handy tool that can come in useful in various situations.

When you dial *# 21, it will display information about any call forwarding that may be enabled on your phone. You’ll be able to see if calls are being forwarded to another number or if there are any active divert options set up.

This feature is particularly helpful when you want to ensure that all incoming calls are directed to your phone and not being redirected elsewhere without your knowledge. By checking the call forwarding settings with this USSD code, you can have peace of mind and stay in control of your calls.

What Is *# 100 In Ussd Code?

One of the most useful USSD codes for mobile users is *#100#. This code allows you to check your account balance on your mobile device. Whether you’re a prepaid or postpaid user, this USSD code provides a quick and convenient way to stay updated on your remaining balance.

By simply dialling *#100#, you can easily access information about how much credit you have left on your phone. It’s especially handy if you’re trying to manage your expenses or keep track of your usage. With just a few taps, you’ll know exactly where you stand financially with respect to your mobile plan.

Knowing your account balance at all times can help prevent any unexpected interruptions in service and avoid overspending. So instead of fumbling through multiple menus and settings on your phone, simply use this USSD code for instant access to vital information about your account balance.

What Is Ussd Code 4636?

What is USSD code 4636 and why is it useful for mobile users? USSD code 4636, also known as the “Phone Info” or “Testing” code, provides detailed information about your phone’s network connectivity, software versions, battery status, and more. It allows you to access hidden menus and settings that are not typically available through the device’s regular user interface.

When you enter *#4636# on your phone’s dialer keypad and press the call button, a secret menu will appear. From there, you can explore various options such as Battery Information, Usage Statistics, Wi-Fi Information, Signal Strength Analysis, and more. This can be particularly helpful if you’re experiencing network issues or want to optimise your phone’s performance.

What Does ## 002 Mean?

To wrap up our discussion on the top 10 most useful USSD codes for mobile users, let’s take a look at one more code: ##002. This particular USSD code is used to deactivate all call forwarding settings on your device.

Call forwarding can be a handy feature when you need your calls to be redirected to another number. However, there may come a time when you no longer require this service or simply want to disable it temporarily.

By dialling ##002#, you can ensure that no calls are being forwarded from your device. This code deactivates any active call forwarding settings and brings your phone back to its default state.

Remember, USSD codes are an efficient way of accessing various features and settings on your mobile device with just a few simple keystrokes. They offer quick solutions and provide easy access to information that might otherwise be buried within menus or applications.

So the next time you find yourself in need of tweaking certain aspects of your phone’s functionality, try using these invaluable USSD codes! From checking balance and data usage to enabling or disabling specific features – these codes give you greater control over your mobile experience.

Now armed with the knowledge of these top 10 most useful USSD codes, make sure to bookmark or save this article for future reference. Whether you’re troubleshooting an issue, managing your account details, or simply exploring hidden capabilities of your smartphone – these codes will undoubtedly come in handy!

Unlock the potential of your device by utilising these convenient shortcuts and enjoy a seamless mobile experience like never before. Happy dialling!

The post Top 10 Most Useful USSD Codes for Mobile Users! first appeared on TTM.

Although the tech industry has seen a shocking number of job cuts last year, 2023 has been much worse. The massive wave of layoffs has shut down hundreds of thousands of workplaces, turning 2023 into the worst year the tech industry has ever seen.

According to data presented by AltIndex.com, tech companies laid off over 226,000 employees year-to-date, almost 40% more than in 2022.

More than 405,000 Job Cuts in Three Years

Facing an uncertain global economy, inflation, ongoing supply chain issues, and slowing revenue growth, the tech companies picked up the pace of layoffs in 2023, led by the industry`s giants, Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon. But hundreds of other smaller tech companies, from retail and crypto to the transportation market, have also been forced to make painful cost-cutting measures, resulting in the highest number of layoffs the tech industry has ever seen.

As our charts based on data from Layoffs.fyi shows, layoffs in 2023 have far outpaced last year`s cuts. Between January and December 2022, tech companies laid off 164,744 employees, almost eleven times more than 15,000 reported a year before.

However, in 2023, the layoff numbers exploded. The Layoffs.fyi data show a shocking 75,912 people lost their jobs in January alone, almost half of all layoffs reported in 2022. February saw a decline with roughly 40,000 job cuts. Although the number of layoffs continued falling in the next three months, tech companies still reported almost 73,000 job cuts in this period. Since then, they have let go nearly 24,000 staff members, pushing the total number of layoffs to 226,117 as of last week.

The layoff figures for the last three years are even worse. Statistics show that tech companies laid off more than 405,000 people since the beginning of 2021.

Nearly One-Third of All Reported Job Cuts Came from only 10 companies

US tech giants had a massive role in the 2023 wave of layoffs. In fact, statistics show US companies made eight out of the ten largest job cuts reported this year.

Analyzed by the company, Google has made the biggest layoff not only in 2023 but since COVID-19 hit. The tech giant let go 12,000 members of its staff, two thousand more than Meta and Microsoft.

Amazon made the fourth-largest layoff this year, with 9,000 reported job cuts. Flink, Salesforce, and Dell follow with 8,500, 8,000, and 6,650 layoffs, respectively. Statistics show that nearly one-third of all reported job cuts in the tech industry this year, or roughly 79,000, came from only ten companies.

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The new partnership extends payment services for consumers and merchants

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Aug. 30, 2023 /THETECHMUSK=TTM/ — UnionPay International (UPI) has announced its alliance with Kiwibank, ensuring that as of 1st August 2023, Kiwibank eligible merchants can now accept UnionPay cards for in-person payments. In addition to offering EMV-compliant security chip payment, Kiwibank will also provide UnionPay mobile QuickPass to its customers.

The partnership expands UnionPay card acceptance across various sectors in New Zealand including food and drinks, accommodation, transportation, entertainment, shopping, and more.

The collaboration underscores UPI and Kiwibank’s dedication to broadening payment options and delivering a comprehensive, seamless customer experience. As a result, UnionPay card acceptance in New Zealand has soared to 95%, and contactless terminal acceptance rates have reached 75%.

According to Statista Market Insights, the value of digital payment transactions in New Zealand is expected to rise from 6 billion in 2017 to 22 billion by 2027. Notably, mobile POS payments are projected to see an increase from just under 1 billion to 4 billion during the same period.

“Our partnership with Kiwibank is a significant step in our global outreach,” said Carlos Li, Country Manager of UnionPay International New Zealand Branch. “We’re expanding payment options for merchants and enhancing New Zealand’s ties to global payment systems, introducing unparalleled payment experiences for local consumers. This collaboration will enrich the payments landscape in New Zealand, offering businesses and consumers more choices in the payment experience.”

Said Carlos Li, Country Manager of UnionPay

“The partnership with UnionPay International expands the acceptance opportunities for Kiwibank’s merchants who will now be able to accept UnionPay cards when presented for payment,” said Joanna Greaves, General Manager of Kiwibank Business Banking.

Today, UPI’s global presence is extensive, with its acceptance network covering 181 countries and regions. Beyond mainland China, UnionPay has marked its presence at more than 63 million merchants and 1.76 million ATMs. The company has issued over 200 million cards in 78 countries and regions outside of mainland China.

Furthermore, UnionPay’s mobile services, including QuickPass and QR code payment, are now accepted in 99 countries and regions, with over 16 million merchants outside mainland China. The company has also gained traction in the digital domain, with over 170 e-wallets across 30 countries accepting UnionPay cards and 22 million online merchants from 200 countries and regions outside mainland China integrating UnionPay as a payment method.

About UnionPay International

UnionPay International focuses on the international business of UnionPay, a global payment network that serves the world’s largest cardholder base.

About Kiwibank

Kiwibank is a purpose-led organisation that has modern, Kiwi values at heart and keeps Kiwi money where it belongs – right here in New Zealand. As a Kiwi bank, with more than a million customers, our trusted experts are focused on supporting Kiwi with their home ownership aspirations and backing local business ambitions, so together we can thrive here in Aotearoa and on the world stage. Kiwibank is the #1 bank in Kantar’s 2023 Corporate Reputation Index and the only bank in the top 20. To find out more about Kiwibank visit www.kiwibank.co.nz

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Hauppauge, NY, THETECHMUSK=TTM: Intelligent CloudCare, an IT services firm for small and medium-sized businesses, today launched CloudCare University, offering online cybersecurity training. The CloudCare University online courses are designed to educate and empower employees at all levels with the latest knowledge on cybersecurity threats and best practices to avoid them.

To get started with cybersecurity training, the Cybersecurity Myths course is available for free. In this online course, attendees will learn about the latest facts on cybersecurity, what they can do to improve their own security, and how the threat landscape is constantly evolving.

“Our training courses are designed to give employees the knowledge and skills they need to recognize and respond to common cybersecurity threats, from phishing attacks to ransomware attacks,” said Danny Aponte, Managing Director of Intelligent CloudCare. “The weakest link in cybersecurity is often an unsuspecting employee who clicks on a link in a phishing email and we want to help make organizations more aware and secure.  From multi-factor authentication (MFA) and safe data handling, our online courses cover a wide range of topics that are essential for staying safe online, making it easy to gain these skills.”

The CyberSecurity 101 online course ($97.99) features four modules including:

·       Phishing and Social Engineering -understand the tactics used by cybercriminals and how to identify and avoid them.

·       Authentication Best Practices (and MFA) -learn how strong authentication methods and multi-factor authentication can keep your accounts secure.

·       Safe Data Handling – protect sensitive information and reduce the risk of data breaches.

·       Recognizing Security Incidents and How to Best to Report Them – learn how to recognize and report security incidents to minimize the impact on your organization

Aponte added, “The benefits of training with CloudCare University are immeasurable, as it empowers employees with the knowledge and tools needed to identify and prevent security threats. Investing in cybersecurity training not only improves your organization’s security posture, but it also helps mitigate the potential damage caused by data breaches.”

In addition to its CloudCare University online training courses, Intelligent CloudCare helps companies and organizations manage their IT networks, including providing desktop support, server management, infrastructure analysis and web hosting.  It provides a range of IT services including: Infrastructure Analysis; Desktop Support; Server Management for on-premises servers; Cloud/Hybrid Hosting; Website Hosting; Business Continuity and Custom Solutions that enable peak performance for equipment and employees. 

The post Intelligent CloudCare Launches Online Cybersecurity Employee Training Courses! first appeared on TTM.

YOUYANG, China, Aug. 29, 2023 /THETECHMUSK=TTM/ — On August 20, the 2023 Youyang International Conference on Rural Development, jointly hosted by China Institute for South-South Cooperation in Agriculture (CRISSCA) of CAU, National Institute of Rural Revitalisation of CAU, and the People’s Government of Youyang County, was held in Hejiayan Village, Huatian Township, Youyang, Chongqing, where experts and scholars from around the world in the field of rural development, and leaders in the industry, convened to exchange views and ideas upon “From poverty eradication to rural revitalization — the international significance of China’s rural development”. The conference launched mutual exchanges from the global rural development of the great vision, magnificent ideas, and extraordinary patterns, discussing rural revitalization and talking about the picture of common wealth, contributing wisdom and empowering the global rural development. The conference released the “Rural Construction of Common Wealth – Youyang Practice of Promoting Rural Revitalization”, and identified Youyang as the permanent venue of the International Conference on Rural Development.

Du Taisheng, vice president of CAU, Zhou Song, deputy director of the Chongqing Rural Revitalization Bureau, and Chen Juhong, vice president of Tencent Group, delivered speeches respectively. Qi Meiwen, secretary of the CPC Committee in Youyang county, talked about the following points in his speech. Goals of self and others can be unified, thus the world can be harmonized. Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to accelerate the implementation of global development initiatives, cultivate new momentum for global development, and build a global development community. The conference gathered nearly 100 domestic and foreign experts, scholars and guest representatives to make better rural development and happier lives of the people as a common starting point, focusing on the practice of common wealth in the rural area of Youyang to discuss and exchange ideas, and answering the question of the times on the “rural development” from different cultural perspectives. Youyang adheres to consolidate and expand the results of poverty alleviation as the bottom line task, the revitalization of the rural area as the greatest potential, making the promotion of the accelerated development of the county as the main direction of endeavors in order to create a great ecological environment and to accelerate the creation of a new model of a beautiful place with enchanting scenery; Youyang aims to make every effort to develop the rural area and accelerating the construction of a new demonstration of rural revitalization across the country; make every effort to explore a new path of modernization that enriches the people in the mountainous areas. To revitalize the rural area, the county is the key. Youyang will fully take advantage of the results of this meeting, promote experts and scholars at home and abroad to carry out exchanges of ideas in a wider range of fields, accelerate the transformation of the utilization, and continue to open up new areas of new track, shaping the new momentum and new advantages for the development of the rural area in Chongqing, China and even to provide valuable insights into rural revitalization for application worldwide.

James Putzel, Professor of Development Studies and served as the Director of the Crisis States Research Centre of the London School of Economics and Political Science, Prof. Taro Hirai of Hirosaki University, Joshua Mugambwa, president of Makerere University Business School in Uganda have delivered keynote speeches on the significance of China’s rural transformation and development for the world, China’s development as seen by Westerners, Japan’s rural development experience, and the inspiration of China’s development experience for Africa.

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