Author: web@subimpact.net

  • Netflix adds value for subscribers with paid account sharing and ad-supported tiers

    Netflix is making moves to add value for current subscribers and better monetize its existing membership base. The company recently rolled out paid account sharing and ad-supported tiers, as it aims to grow its subscriber base and stay ahead of the competition.

    In Q1 of 2023, Netflix added 1.8 million new subscribers, a significant improvement from the comparable period in 2022, when the company shed 200,000 subscribers. This growth is largely attributed to the company’s efforts to provide more value for its subscribers.

    By offering paid account sharing, Netflix is allowing its subscribers to share their accounts with friends and family for a fee, while also better controlling access to its content. Meanwhile, the addition of ad-supported tiers provides another option for viewers who want to access content at a lower price point.

    According to CFO Spencer Neumann, there is a huge market opportunity for Netflix. There are over 1 billion broadband households and roughly 450 million to 500 million connected TV households, while Netflix has roughly 230 million paying members as of now. This suggests that there is still room for significant growth in the streaming market.

    While Netflix’s moves to add value for its subscribers are commendable, the company also faces challenges in maintaining the quality and relevance of its content offerings. With increasing competition from other streaming services and the ever-changing tastes of viewers, Netflix will need to continue to innovate and evolve in order to remain a leader in the industry.

  • Risks of Using Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools for Confidential Information

    As companies increasingly turn to generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT for their customer service and content creation needs, a new report has warned about the potential risks involved. According to an Israel-based venture firm, Team8, the widespread adoption of new AI chatbots and writing tools could leave companies vulnerable to data leaks and lawsuits.

    One of the major fears associated with the use of AI chatbots is that hackers could exploit them to gain access to sensitive corporate information or perform actions against the company. This risk is particularly acute for chatbots that are not built with proper security protocols in place. Companies may be inadvertently exposing confidential customer data and trade secrets to potential data breaches.

    Furthermore, there are concerns that confidential information fed into the chatbots now could be used by AI companies in the future. As these companies collect more data, they could potentially use this information for other purposes, which may not be in line with the original intent of the data sharing.

    Despite these risks, the benefits of using AI chatbots and writing tools cannot be ignored. These tools can provide significant improvements in efficiency and productivity, enabling companies to handle large volumes of customer queries and create content at a faster pace than ever before. However, it is crucial for companies to approach the adoption of these tools with caution and implement appropriate security measures to ensure the protection of confidential information.

    The use of generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT can offer significant benefits for companies. However, it is important to recognize and mitigate the potential risks associated with their use, including data leaks, lawsuits, and the exploitation of chatbots by hackers. By implementing proper security protocols, companies can ensure that the benefits of these tools are enjoyed without compromising the protection of confidential information.

  • Cashless Payments on the Rise in Malaysia with Cross-border QR Code Payment Linkage

    Cashless payments have been gaining popularity in Malaysia, and a recent development is set to boost this trend further. Singapore and Malaysia have launched a cross-border QR code payment linkage that is expected to increase the number of cashless transactions between the two countries.

    This new payment system allows users to make instant transactions via their mobile phones. It is a more efficient payment method for smaller businesses as they can receive payments immediately without the need to wait for the funds to be transferred to their accounts.

    The QR code payment option also benefits customers who can easily make small transactions without worrying about carrying excessive amounts of cash. With this payment system, they can simply scan the QR code and pay even for transactions involving just a few ringgit.

    This development is a significant step forward in the digital payment landscape of both countries, and it is expected to promote economic growth by making cross-border transactions more accessible and convenient. It will also pave the way for other countries in the region to develop similar cross-border payment systems.

  • Intel to Discontinue Blockscale Bitcoin Mining Chips in Efforts to Cut Costs

    Intel, a major US-based technology company, is reportedly set to discontinue its line of Blockscale Bitcoin mining chips in a move aimed at reducing costs. According to a Reuters report, Intel will stop taking orders for the Blockscale 1000 Series ASICs by Oct. 20 and end shipping roughly in April 2024. This decision is part of Intel’s strategy to prioritize the manufacturing of certain chips to outside customers, cutting overall costs.

    The Blockscale mining chips were launched in April 2022, with each chip capable of a hash rate of up to 580 gigahash per second, and could be combined and merged into a single mining unit. The technology was integrated into the operations of mining firms like Argo Blockchain, Block, Hive Blockchain Technologies, and GRIID Infrastructure.

    This move by Intel will have implications on the Bitcoin mining industry, as the company was one of the largest players in the space. The decision to discontinue the Blockscale mining chips is a clear indication of Intel’s strategy to focus on certain areas of its business and streamline its operations.

  • Malaysia’s Data Center Market Booms as Cloud Service Providers Invest Billions

    The technology industry has recognized the rapid growth of the Asia-Pacific (APAC) data center landscape, fueled by cloud computing, big data, and e-commerce demands. In recent years, tier 2 markets have become popular locations for data center development, with cloud service providers prioritizing dedicated cloud regions over major hubs like Singapore and Tokyo. Malaysia is emerging as one of the most dynamic data center markets in the APAC region, with the impressive growth of its data center industry occurring in two primary regions – Greater Kuala Lumpur and Johor.

    Over the past decade, Malaysia’s data center market has seen significant growth, fueled by increased interest in cloud services, government-backed initiatives, and the Singapore data center moratorium. The initial data centers in Malaysia were established within Kuala Lumpur’s Central Business District and were relatively small. However, as global data center operators and cloud service providers begin to establish a presence in these markets, their standings are anticipated to shift in the upcoming years.

    The Knight Frank SEA-5 Data Centre Opportunity Index (SEA-5 Index) analyzes key markets within the SEA-5 and provides insights into each country’s data center rankings compared to its peers. Malaysia’s impressive growth in the data center industry is reflected in its strong rankings in the SEA-5 Index, which is set to increase as global data center operators and cloud service providers invest billions in the country’s cloud infrastructure market.

    One such example is AWS’s recent announcement to invest US$6 billion in the Malaysian cloud infrastructure market by 2037. This highlights the cloud service provider’s commitment to hosting Malaysian data within the country, as opposed to other key data center hubs in the region, such as Tokyo and Singapore. The locations offer a less constrained power grid and increased geographical diversification compared to Cyberjaya, providing enhanced redundancy for data center clients looking to distribute computing loads across multiple locations.

    Overall, Malaysia’s data center market is booming, with cloud service providers investing billions in the country’s cloud infrastructure market. The country’s strong rankings in the SEA-5 Index demonstrate its potential for continued growth and expansion in the region.

  • Curve Launches New Crypto Rewards Transfer Feature to Enhance Digital Asset Flexibility

    Curve, a leading fintech company that allows users to combine their existing debit, credit, and rewards cards into one all-in-one payment card, has announced the launch of a new feature that enables its customers to transfer their crypto rewards from merchant transactions to their own digital wallets. This move recognizes the growing importance of providing customers and the crypto-curious with even more flexibility over digital assets.

    The new feature allows Curve users to “supercharge” their money by earning rewards with the Curve app or card and then converting those rewards into one of 10 different cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. This latest offering enhances the flexibility of digital assets and enables users to take greater control over their financial transactions.

    With the continued growth of the cryptocurrency market, many consumers are looking for more ways to invest and manage their digital assets. Curve’s new feature addresses this demand by allowing users to easily and securely transfer their crypto rewards to their own digital wallets, providing them with greater control and flexibility over their digital assets.

    To use this new feature, Curve customers simply need to earn rewards with the Curve app or card and then select the option to convert those rewards into cryptocurrency. The rewards can then be transferred to the user’s digital wallet of choice, giving them the freedom to manage and invest in their digital assets as they see fit.

    Curve’s new crypto rewards transfer feature is a significant step forward in providing customers with more flexibility and control over their digital assets. By combining the convenience of an all-in-one payment card with the flexibility of cryptocurrencies, Curve is leading the way in the fintech industry and empowering consumers to take greater control over their financial future.

  • Samsung Could Dump Google for Bing: A Shocking Move?

     

    In recent news, it has been reported that Samsung is considering dropping Google as the default search engine on its smartphones in favor of Microsoft’s Bing. This potential move has sent shockwaves through the tech industry, as Google has long dominated the search engine market and is widely regarded as the default search engine for most people.

    According to the New York Times, Samsung’s potential switch to Bing is being driven by Microsoft’s AI-powered search technology, which promises more accurate and relevant search results. Samsung has already integrated Microsoft’s AI assistant, Cortana, into its devices, so it makes sense that the company would consider Bing as a replacement for Google.
    This news has no doubt caught Google off guard, as it has been working on its own AI-powered search technology to compete with rivals like Microsoft. In fact, Google has launched an initiative called “Magi,” which aims to protect its $162 billion search business from competitors that are leveraging AI chatbot technology. The company plans to eventually release an all-new search engine and make AI-related tweaks to its current search product in the meantime, according to internal documents seen by the New York Times.
    So, what would this move mean for Samsung users? Well, it’s hard to say for sure, but there are a few potential implications. For one, Bing may offer more accurate and relevant search results thanks to its AI technology. This could be a big selling point for Samsung, as users are always looking for ways to quickly and easily find what they’re looking for online.
    On the other hand, Bing is not as widely used as Google, and some users may be hesitant to switch to a new search engine. Additionally, there are concerns about privacy and data collection when it comes to search engines, so Samsung will need to reassure users that their data is being handled responsibly if they decide to make the switch to Bing.
    Overall, it’s still unclear whether Samsung will actually make the move to Bing or not. The company has not yet made an official statement on the matter, and it’s possible that negotiations are still ongoing. However, if Samsung does decide to make the switch, it could be a major shakeup in the search engine market, and it will be interesting to see how Google and Microsoft respond.

  • nfinity.io Revolutionizes Creator Economy with Cross-Platform Monetization and Fan Engagement

    nfinity.io is changing the game for creators and fans alike by offering a comprehensive platform that seamlessly integrates various social media platforms. This platform aims to foster a thriving creator economy by providing an environment that enables creators to monetize their content effectively, while offering fans a more meaningful way to engage with their favorite influencers.

    One of nfinity.io most notable features is its ability to support seamless cross-platform interaction. This means that users can easily connect with their favorite influencers on popular platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter, making content discovery and fan engagement much easier.

    The integrated approach to content aggregation that Nfinity.io offers helps creators to reach a wider audience. This allows them to monetize their content more effectively, while providing their fans with an effortless way to follow their favorite influencers without the need to switch between platforms.

    nfinity.io mission to revolutionize the creator economy is quickly gaining momentum, and it’s easy to see why. With its cross-platform support and innovative approach to content aggregation, this platform is changing the way creators and fans interact with each other.

  • Get Ready to Save Big with Apple’s High-Yield Savings Account

    Apple may soon launch a new Savings account service that will allow users to direct their Daily Cash rewards earned from Apple Card in Apple Wallet into a high-yield account. The service is already active on the backend, and the company is now taking the final steps to launch the service for users. The exact launch date of the Savings account is currently unknown, but it is expected that Apple may follow a similar pattern to the short testing period that it did with Apple Pay Later.

    The Savings account, provided by Goldman Sachs, is one of the last features announced in 2022 that has yet to release. Apple has not provided any official statement regarding the launch, but the fact that the service is active on the backend suggests that it is coming soon. The new service is expected to be seamlessly integrated with the Apple Card and Wallet, offering a convenient and user-friendly experience for customers.

    Apple’s high-yield Savings account is expected to provide customers with competitive interest rates that will allow them to earn more on their savings. With the growing popularity of digital wallets and mobile banking services, the new service is expected to attract a significant number of users who prefer to manage their finances through their mobile devices.

    The Savings account is not expected to be tied to a specific version of iOS, which means that Apple could launch it at any time. Once launched, users will be able to take advantage of the service by directing their Daily Cash rewards into the high-yield account, providing them with a seamless way to grow their savings.

    The upcoming launch of Apple’s high-yield Savings account is expected to be a game-changer in the mobile banking space. The new service is expected to offer customers a convenient and user-friendly experience while providing competitive interest rates. With the increasing adoption of digital wallets and mobile banking services, Apple’s Savings account is likely to be well received by customers looking to manage their finances through their mobile devices.

  • The Digital Payment Landscape in Asia: Thailand, Japan, and Vietnam Struggle to Keep Up

    The push towards a cashless society is happening globally, and Asia is leading the way. However, the region still faces challenges in fully embracing digital payments, with Thailand, Japan, and Vietnam lagging behind other countries in the adoption of cashless transactions.

    According to a recent report, in 2022, Thailand had the highest share of cash in in-person transactions, accounting for 56%, followed by Japan at 51% and Vietnam at 47%. Digital wallet usage in these countries was also relatively low, with Thailand leading the way at just 23%.

    Despite these challenges, the Asia-Pacific region is projected to lead in the use of digital wallets for in-person transactions by 2026, accounting for 59% of the total $36.7 trillion regional point-of-sales market. This is higher than other regions such as the Middle East and Africa, Europe, and North America.

    Japan, however, is expected to have the highest cash rate in the region by 2026 at 37%. This highlights the need for countries to continue to embrace digital payments and for businesses to offer more options for cashless transactions, especially as other economies in the region more quickly adopt digital wallets through superapps.

    The share of digital wallets used in online transactions is also expected to expand in the region, reaching 73% by 2026. This presents a significant opportunity for businesses to adapt to the changing landscape and cater to the growing demand for digital payments.

    As the world becomes more digital, the need for cashless transactions is only going to increase. While some countries in Asia are lagging behind in the adoption of digital payments, there is still significant growth potential in the region. It is up to businesses and governments to continue to work together to make digital payments more accessible, secure, and convenient for consumers.