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A.I Augmented Reality Digital Business GAFABAT MBADMB Newtech

Le Métavers, l’innovation de tous les dangers ?

« Le Métavers est semé de grands dangers et l’humanité doit en prendre le contrôle avant qu’il ne soit trop tard » (David Reid). Courant décembre 2021, Guillaume Lieb écrivait un article (lire l’article) nous expliquant ce qu’était le Métavers. C’est un projet porteur d’opportunités pour notre société. J’aimerais aujourd’hui rebondir sur cet article car il est vrai qu’il représente une énorme révolution pour notre société. Il impactera pour sur de manière positive nos manières de vivre et de consommer. On tend beaucoup à parler des opportunités incroyables que pourraient nous offrir cette nouvelle innovation. En revanche, on ne parle pas des menaces et dangers qui pèsent sur ce projet. On ne parle pas non plus des conséquences néfastes qui pourraient en découler. Cet article vise à sensibiliser la population sur le Métavers car il présente des dangers non négligeables.

Qu’est-ce que le Métavers ?

Le Métavers est un monde virtuel fictif. Ce terme est régulièrement utilisé pour décrire une future version d’Internet où des espaces virtuels, persistants et partagés sont accessibles via interaction 3D. Son principal objectif est de permettre à la population de mener une vie complète tout en restant chez eux. Le concept est né en 1992 lorsque Neal Stephenson a écrit le livre : “La Samouraï Virtuel”. Ce livre fut la source d’inspiration des entrepreneurs de la Silicon Valley faisant ainsi du Métavers leur objectif principal. Les possibilités du Métavers sont énormes. En effet, demain on peut imaginer danser en boîte de nuit avec ses amis sous la forme d’un avatar, gravir le mont Everest à travers un casque de réalité virtuelle, voir un match de basketball ou football en direct depuis son salon ou encore faire des réunions et conférences dans des bureaux / salles de conférences numériquement reconstituées.

Une innovation dangereuse pour les minorités ?

Cependant, les aspects négatifs de cette technologie viennent fortement contrebalancer les aspects positifs de la technologie.

Le premier point qui inquiète concerne le harcèlement en ligne. C’est ce qu’explique le directeur des nouvelles technologies de Meta, Andrew Bosworth. Il affirme que pour le moment et avant même d’exister, le Métavers est incontrôlable sur le plan de la modération. Il alerte sur le fait qu’il pourrait devenir un environnement toxique pour femmes, enfants et minorités. Lorsque l’on voit aujourd’hui les dégâts que peuvent causer les réseaux sociaux en termes de harcèlement, on peut facilement comprendre les dégâts que pourrait causer le Métavers. En effet, il favorisera les interactions entre des personnes réelles plongées dans un monde virtuel. De nos jours, il est récurrent que des personnes créent de faux profils afin de pouvoir harceler ou avoir des comportements inappropriés.

Comment cela se passera-t-il lorsqu’on leur donnera un accès direct et en temps réel dans un monde virtuel. Le Métavers leur permettra d’instaurer un contact direct avec les minorités, les enfants et les femmes. La complexité du sujet vient du fait qu’à terme, il faudrait surveiller les interactions de millions voir de milliards d’utilisateurs. Cela sera difficilement réalisable et la régulation des contenus haineux ou de désinformation ne serait pas contrôlable à grande échelle.

Les dangers du Doxing 

La question de la lutte contre le doxing peut se poser quant à la création d’un Métavers. Le doxing représente la divulgation de données personnelles. Il consiste à rechercher et divulguer sur internet des informations sur l’identité et la vie privée d’un individu dans le but de lui nuire. Un article a été ajouté dans le code pénal pour lutter contre le phénomène mais il semble que cela n’a pas grande efficacité. Comment prouver qu’un auteur de doxing dans le Métavers agit en vue d’exposer les membres de sa famille à un risque direct d’atteinte à la personne ou aux biens. Les experts confirment que ce n’est actuellement pas possible.

L’enjeu de la collecte de données

Le volume de données que va devoir collecter le Métavers pose également des questions. En effet, il aura un impact forcément négatif sur les sujets de protection de données et de l’environnement. En effet, le Métavers constitue et va constituer un espace inédit de collecte de données. Pour pouvoir être mis en place, le projet va requérir un flux monumental et sans précédent de données. Sur le plan technique, des questions vont se poser. Les projets qui seront proposés devrons fournir des garanties de cybersécurité. Il faut que monde puisse s’assurer que les données de chacun récoltées par le Métavers seront protégées en toute circonstance. Sur ce point précis, les Big Tech n’auront pas le droit à l’erreur. En effet, une seule faille de sécurité pourrait permettre à des hackers de corrompre l’ensemble du système.

Une question d’ordre juridique va également se poser à l’heure ou l’Europe, par exemple, est régit par les principes RGPD. Le Métavers pourra-t-il se confronter aux principes de RGPD ? Faudra-t-il ratifier de nouveaux principes relatifs à protection de données ? L’autre problème concernant la collecte de données nécessaire au fonctionnement du Métavers sera la pollution numérique. En effet, selon Hugues Ferreboeuf, “Ce métavers concernera 10 à 15 % de la population mondiale”. C’est un chiffre énorme et qu’il faudra prendre en compte. En effet, on ne peut plus se permettre de polluer notre planète qui souffre du réchauffement climatique.

Le Métavers : quels effets sur les humains et la société ?

Enfin, on peut se poser des questions sur les effets que pourraient avoir le Métavers sur nous les humains. Que ce soit sur le plan de notre santé ou de la société. Le vrai problème du Métavers est qu’on ne peut pas à l’heure actuelle quantifier et qualifier les risques. En effet, on peut imaginer que le Métavers pourrait avoir des répercussions psychologiques sur ses utilisateurs en altérant leur vision de ce qui est réel ou virtuel. Qu’en serait-il des personnes défavorisées, malades ou des seniors ? Comment auraient-elles accès à cette technologie ? Cela voudrait-il dire qu’une partie de la société sera condamné à vivre à l’écart de notre société ?

Entre menaces et opportunités, quel avenir pour le Métavers ?

Nous venons d’évoquer les menaces et dangers les plus importants mais ce n’est que la partie émergée de l’Iceberg. En effet, beaucoup d’autres menaces et dangers viendront certainement freiner l’avancée des projets. Tous les points et les questions que nous avons évoquées montre à quel point nous ne sommes pas prêts à accueillir le Métavers dans notre monde. La révolution de l’internet est en marche et on ne pourra pas l’empêcher. C’est pourquoi il faut ratifier dès à présent des règles pour encadrer le développement du Métavers. C’est le rôle des états et des organisations mondiales de s’assurer que les Big Tech ne brûlent pas les étapes.  Ils doivent s’assurer que le Métavers sera bénéfique et non pas un fardeau supplémentaire à porter pour notre société.

Bien-sûr, le Métavers ne représente pas que dangers et menaces. Si l’on prends l’exemple de la dernière pandémie, beaucoup d’enfants n’auraient pas eu cours s’il n’y avait pas eu la visioconférence. Le Métavers va ainsi ouvrir de nouvelles possibilités à la recherche qui feront certainement progresser la société.

 

Bibliographie

BEURNEZ, V. 2021. « Facebook : Le Métavers, environnement « toxique » et « pratiquement impossible à modérer ». BFM Business

HAAS, G. 2021. « Vers des Métavers souverains, Les dangers et opportunités ». HAAS Avocat

DOULIERY, O. 2021. « Métavers : On peut développer des sentiments pour des avatars ». Ladépêche.fr

TribuneOccitanie. 2021. « Le Métavers est-il sûr ? Cinq risques associés à cette technologie »

ELSENER, T. 2021. « Facebook, ce nouveau projet de Zuckerberg représente un danger terrifiant pour l’humanité ». Hitek.fr

WIKIPEDIA. 2022. « Métavers »

BERGOUNHOUX, J. 2021. « Métavers, De quoi parle-t-on ? ». L’usinedigitale

LABBE, P. 2021. « Métavers : ce qu’il faut savoir sur le futur de l’internet ». Meilleure Innovation

 

 

 

 

 

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Augmented Reality Digital Business GAFABAT Marketing MBADMB

Dates clés des métavers

Dates clés des Métavers

Cette année a été une année phare pour ce qui est des métavers. Facebook a investis 10 milliars de dollars dans la création de son métavers. Un monde digital nouveau se présentera à nous dans les prochaines années. Une copie conforme de notre monde et de ses institutions dans un univers non tangible accessible uniquement par le biais d’outils digitaux comme la réalité virtuelle et augmentée notemment avec son avatar personnalisé. Mais avant de rentrer dans cette optique digitale, qu’elles ont été les années clés lorsque l’on parle de métavers? Et bien dans cette infographie nous y répondons, en citant les dates clé des Métavers incontournable dans ces mondes non tangibles.

Comme vous pouvez le voir les dates clé des métavers sont étandues, mais durant ces dernières années le mouvement c’est accéléré. De plus en plus de groupes investissent dans les métavers. Évidement nous somme encore dans une phase hybride entre notre monde actuel et le monde digital de demain. Mais vous pouvez être certain que durant cette décennie, les métavers vont boulverser nos habitudes et nos méthodes de consommations. Reste plus qu’à savoir quand ? et comment s’y préparer ?

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COVID-19 GAFABAT Marketing

Meta, aujourd’hui qu’est ce que c’est ?

Meta, aujourd’hui qu’est ce que c’est ?

Meta, qu’est ce que c’est ?

Depuis que Facebook a troqué son nom pour Meta en Octobre 2021, il peut être difficile de comprendre l’écosystème et les enjeux du géant américain. En effet, le groupe a gardé ses 8 entreprises, dont Facebook mais marque un tournant pour le futur. Selon son fondateur, Mark Zuckerberg, l’évolution d’internet se fera au travers de “metavers”, des univers virtuels connectés.

Le groupe n’a que peu souffert de la crise de la Covid-19, puisqu’en 2021 son nombre d’utilisateurs avoisine les 3 milliards, toutes plateformes confondues, dans le monde entier et souhaite progresser d’avantage en ouvrant les portes de sa “metavers”.

Cette infographie a pour but d’éclaircir ce que représente Meta, ses réseaux sociaux, ses utilisateurs, sa “metavers”. 

Pour plus d’informations sur le groupe Meta, cliquez ici.

Sources :

https://about.facebook.com/fr/meta/

https://www.proinfluent.com/chiffres-reseaux-sociaux/

https://www.parismatch.com/Actu/International/Le-groupe-Facebook-change-de-nom-et-devient-Meta-1766391

https://www.daily-vr.com/les-casques-meta-quest-representent-desormais-41-des-utilisateurs/

https://www.journaldunet.fr/web-tech/guide-de-l-entreprise-digitale/1443868-facebook-workplace-c-est-quoi-et-quel-est-son-prix/

Retrouvez également mon article sur Linked In

www.linkedin.com/in/chloé-evangelista
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A.I Alibaba Augmented Reality BAT Digital Business eCommerce entertainment GAFABAT Jack Ma Marketing New Retail Retail Strategy

New retail: the phygital revolution in China

New Retail : A phygital revolution

Economic development and a rising middle class consumer have made emerging markets an enticing location for many change-makers. Therefore, replacing the patterns of consumption in these regions has prompted retailers and shoppers alike to change their buying habits.

Already the world’s largest e-commerce market, China’s e-commerce will reach $1.1tn at the end of 2021. However, there is still plenty of room for growth with just 38% of China’s total population shopping online. Indeed, China’s online retail sales are expected to increase steadily at an 8.5% compound annual growth rate through to 2022.

Taking these factors into account, Alibaba’s founder (Jack Ma) has embarked on a “phygital revolution” dubbed “New Retail” recognizing that the future of the retail scene was not a matter of platform, but of experience.

 

New Retail disruption

Chinese expect to have a unique experience across all the brand’s interconnected platforms with a multiplication of online and offline touchpoints. Thereupon, it was in response to this growing demand that the phygital ecosystem is born, with New Retail as its first concept.

This disruptive-looking term actually hides a very important social factor, which relates to the way people have consumed and experienced a growth boom, particularly for the past 20 years. Chinese have gone through a brutal transition. Indeed, it brought the smartphone and the IOT to the center of their concerns.

As a result, companies have adopted the same pattern allowing unprecedented agility in developing their sales methods. New Retail is an integral part of these new practices. Theyare not really democratized in Europe, but they have become the new standard in recent years in China.

If you would like to know more about “New Retail”, I invite you to read my LinkedIn article.

 

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Digital Business GAFABAT Strategy

Google 2021: Its new update of Page Experience

This time, Google informs us about its next Page Experience Update. In May 2021, user experience will become a criteria for natural referencing.

Google Page Experience Update measures the overall user experience on a website page. The optimization of the different elements of interaction with a web page, allows Internet users to enjoy a more pleasant user experience. By optimizing this experience, users will therefore be more engaged. Thus, offer more user-friendliness on websites. The user experience goes through criteria such as mobile-friendly site or if it runs on HTTPS for example.

We now find a new criteria, which is the loading time of a website’s page. Indeed with the Core Web Vitals, which is composed in 3 parts:

  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP)
  • First Input Delay (FID)
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS)

If you want to know more, I invite you to read the full article on my LinkedIn.

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Apps Business China GAFABAT Gaming General Life in China Lifestyle Marketing Mobile News platforms Shanghai Tech News Tips WeChat

WeChat Mini Programs & 5 Useful Cases

WeChat is the power app in China. Anything can be done with WeChat. Recently the platform reached more than 1 billion monthly active users. To simplify life even further, in early 2017, Tencent came out with Mini Programs, and they have become a Chinese mobile sensation. Below is an overview of WeChat mini programs and some of the best case studies out there.

What are WeChat Mini Programs?

As digital marketing agency 31Ten puts it, “mini programs are ‘lite’ apps embedded in WeChat meant for disposable O2O interactions, at the fraction of the cost of a traditional app (20-40%)”. Basically, mini programs are like apps within WeChat, but that you don’t need to download, as they are already available and enabled within WeChat. We all have so many apps on our phone nowadays, so not having to download a new one is a truly a blessing. With the addition of mini programs, WeChat wanted to create its own ecosystem of apps that would replace native apps. Below is an example of bike-sharing platform Mobike, with the WeChat mini program on the left, and the native app on the right (ChinaChannel).

These mini programs have very good UX and are more simplistic in their design, with fewer pages and high-quality visuals. This is because mini programs are purpose-driven. You you them when you need them, leave the mini program and then come back to it later. This makes fewer steps and excellent design a must, and is also why the time to create a mini program is much shorter than that to create a native application.

Mini programs have a different “signature.” The standard square QR code is what is used to identify individuals or companies on WeChat. Mini programs look different, as they have a rounded QR code with the green mini program “logo” in the corner. The four dots and the green accent give it away as a mini program. This is an example of a mini program. This is actually the Tencent Demo for mini programs, so if you scan it, you can see the various functions you can have from standard buttons, to geolocalization, which is highly useful and used by developers when creating mini programs.

 

5 Most Useful Mini Programs

There are so, so many mini programs nowadays, and its quite hard to filter through all of them and identify the ones that can benefit you. So, below, I’ve compiled some of the ones that I have actually used and swear by. These are not necessarily the coolest in design, but they are definitely the most useful when it comes to daily life in China. Here they are, In no particular order. Enjoy!

 

1. Tencent Surveys 腾讯投票

This is such an underrated mini program!! If you want to create a poll or a short questionnaire, you can use this mini program and it will generate one for you. Super useful to organize events, answer quick questions, and gather quick statistics. There is a range of survey organization you can pick, and you can have multiple choice answers or a simple “yes” or “no” answer choice, depending on your preference. Scan the code below and see for yourself!

2.  Sleepy Sounds 小睡眠

If you have trouble falling to sleep at night, then this is the mini program you need. It essentially has a huge selection of noises and soundtrack to make you fall asleep. The ones shown above are cat’s purring and birds chirping. This is one of the top ranking mini programs, so check it out and sweet dreams!

3. Ofo 小黄车官方版

This is more self-explanatory one. If you need to get around Shanghai, the two main options you have are Ofo and Mobike. I prefer Ofo just because I found the registration process much simpler than with Mobike, and the locking/unlocking function to be more secure. But in all honesty, whatever floats your boat. They are pretty much the same. I’m a sucker for yellow, and seeing the color instantly brightens up my day, so maybe that’s also a reason for all I know.

Don’t bother downloading the app, just use the mini program and you’ll save space on your phone and time!

4. Kering 开云集团创新奢侈品实验室

This is a really cool mini program that Kering came out with last year. With more people paying attention to brands that emphasize CSR and are more respectful of the environment, Kering created this mini program that gained great fame. After imputing all the details of the material and origin of your clothing or accessories, you’ll see an environmental footprint that is generated. Using carbon emissions, air and water pollution and more, a monetary number is produced, that translate into a monetary number based on manufacturing, logistics, sourcing, and production.

Play around with the functions below. You’ll see it’s certainly very eye-opening.

5. Jump Jump 跳一跳

This is for those long bus or metro rides in the morning. If you don’t know what to do, play this game. It’s super addicting and it went viral recently due to the fun nature of the game and the number of people playing. All it consists of is pressing on your smartphone screen and making a little figure jump from one block to another. Super simple in concept, super addictive in the long run. See for yourself and jump, jump!

 

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Business China Digital Business eCommerce GAFABAT Marketing Mobile News platforms Strategy Success in China Tips WeChat

WeChat Official Account Guide & Top 5 Digital Marketing Accounts to Follow

There are so, so many WeChat Official Accounts available for people to join. Today, shops, individuals, and brands all have official accounts. It can be hard and stressful to find the most useful ones.

Most people don’t know that there are different types of official accounts. These vary in functions and purposes. Below, the types are explained clearly so that you can identify which one is suited best to your needs.

I have also made a list of the top 5 digital marketing WeChat Official Accounts everyone should follow! They are all in English, don’t worry. If anyone is interested in a Chinese version of this list, let me know and I’ll make one ASAP!

 

Types of WeChat Official Accounts

The are 3 types of WeChat Official Accounts. The two main types are a Subscription Account and Service Account, along with an Enterprise Account.

Subscription Account

A Subscription Account is found in the Subscription Folder within WeChat. All Subscription Accounts are held within this folder, as shown below.

With a Subscription Account you are allowed 1 message per day, but no push notifications. The red dot you see in the corner signalizes a new message. However, accounts are all inside the folder, so you do not see which account has a new message.

 

Image credit: http://www.wechat-help.com/official_account/

 

Individuals and businesses can both create a Subscription Account. Usually, news, media-based sources, and magazines all tend to be Subscription Accounts. This is precisely because they can post new content every day.

Finally, a Subscription Account can be converted into a Service Account, which is important to note.

 

Service Account

A Service Account, on the other hand, offers more advanced features and can post messages 4 times a month. A Service Account can also push notifications because it is listed as an independent friend in your chat list.

 

Image credit: http://www.wechat-help.com/official_account/

 

In a Service Account, you can integrate payment. This makes them a popular option for e-commerce businesses. There are also options to communicate with users, which is very helpful.

There are numerous more features on Service Accounts so consider this when choosing.

 

Enterprise Account

An Enterprise Account is, as the name suggests, for internal company management. A unique feature of Enterprise Accounts is that both users as well as the account individual(s) must authorize each other. Content on this type of account cannot also be published to authorization users. So, it is a good tool for management information and news within a company.

 

Top 5 Digital Marketing Accounts to Follow

(in alphabetical order)

1. ChCh

WeChat ID: China-Channel

China Channel specializes in everything WeChat. The posts range from upcoming trends, to useful tools and resources. My personal favorites are their WeChat User Reports, and their WeChat Trends Reports.

The China Chat Conference is also run by China Channel, where numerous WeChat related topic are addressed. These range from KOLs to E-Commerce.

 

2. ChoZan

WeChat ID: chozanhk

ChoZan are the ones to go to for Chinese social media platforms WeChat and Weibo. They post articles on WeChat content management, resources, and frequently discuss other apps, providing useful comparisons.

My personal favorites are the various lists they post of various ways to generate traffic. This is done via WeChat content, successful brand campaign suggestions, as well as apps and platforms that everyone should be aware of.

Most importantly, the content they post is super PRACTICAL and interesting to read.

 

3. Curiosity China

WeChat ID: premiumlife

Curiosity China provides quality articles and content on lifestyle, retail, and luxury brands. They post interest reports on Luxury Brands and the success of past campaign strategies. Curiosity China focuses on Social CRM and digital marketing through their own in-house tool called CURIO.

Like ChoZan, I really enjoy their lists where they showcase the Best Luxury WeChat Campaigns and demonstrate success stories in digital marketing in China.

 

4. Walk the Chat

WeChat ID: walkthechat

The Walk the Chat Team is an expert in everything WeChat. Everything from opening an Official Account to KOL advertising, and store management is available. Their articles are clear, well-written and useful.

My favorites are the recent China Digital Luxury Report for 2018 and the WeChat Mini Program Statistics for 2018.

In general, they provide concise articles and are always up to date with the information provided!

5. 31Ten

WeChat ID: thirty-one-ten

Last but not least, is 31Ten, which is definitely a personal favorite. What I most appreciate from them is their Case Studies and exhaustive design and marketing related articles. But they also post video tutorials!

My absolute favorites are the Baidu Marketing video, their impressive list of E-Commerce Tactics, and their most famous piece, the WeChat Bible. This is a must for anyone learning or interested in digital marketing in China.

 

Honorable Mentions

  • KAWO focuses on WeChat and Weibo media management
  • ParkLU is a KOL/Influencer Platform
  • Pltform品牌管理 posts bilingual content on platform and media management
  • TMO Group is an e-commerce agency specialized in e-commerce and O2O
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CsjBot, Performance of Industrial Robots in China

NEW ROBOTS FOR OUR FUTURE 

After a visionary Class in February 2018 with ESSCA #MBADMB team, I am pleased to give you more information about Csjbot Strategy in China & abroad.

Through Artificial intelligence (AI), robots can is a huge market in China. In our coming future, robots will be more and more present in our companies, not only to replaces employees but also to support them in their work.

That is why to visit the Team of Csjbot was amazing to have because our MBA team learned a lot about robots and what they do.

Screen-Shot-2018-02-01-at-17.16.47

What Csjbot Robots are powerful in China and abroad?

In China

  • Robot can help companies to increase their turn over becoming more and more by industrialisation of products.
  • Robots can be used in Services sectors and there is a ROI (Return On Investment in China).
  • Robots are  online selling & promotions on WeChat ALIBABA, TAOBAO (Chinese e-commerce plateforms)  related to their website : www.csjbot.com. WeChat Mini Programs in China
  • New jobs to support the robots too develop more technically.
  • China is huge market for robots and robots efficiency will become one day very helpful for world wide firms. Even today robots are assets for servicing and industrialisation business sectors.

Out of China

  • Csjbot have partners in the US markets and in Europe (Spain, Italy and Romania) to sell their robots and it is starting to be a success overseas.
  • New skills for experts in Digital Marketing & Business can be created in the future to increase the development of industrial and servicing companies.
  • To develop a robot you have different partnerships with Europe and US. So when a robot is manufactured, you have world wide competences in one robot.
  • Even you have less than 5 % of companies who use robots assets, it will be become more and more inside of international firms in the coming 20 years
  • Robots will support the  company team to be more and more efficient.

What Csjbot Robots can be funny to use?

  • Robots can dance : The 540 robots dance performances even applied for the Guinness Book of Records! In recent years, artificial intelligence has gradually come into people’s daily life from distant highs, by giving the audience an eye-opener on the rapid development of artificial intelligence today.

The example of Csjbot is really important because with their 2 robots :

  • “Amy Robot” who is dealing services like in a restaurant area to serve your customers who orders to the robot what he/she wants for meals.
  • “Samy Robot” who is programming to give you a human exchange

CsjBots interviews by Florence Rouchy, following the Discovery class of our MBA in Digital Marketing near Shanghai on February 2nd, 2018

 

Please see more about Robots

 

 

 

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A.I BAT GAFABAT Marketing

Google and Tencent made an agreement to share patents

A win-win agreement ! 

Alphabet and Tencent, two of the most powerful and biggest Tech companies in the world, made a long-term agreement to share their patents on technological products.

Both companies will team up to develop the next new technologies.

For Google, It’s a way to improve its position within the Chinese market, and for Tencent to extend outside its leading market.

Google and the Chinese Market

Indeed, with its main products not available in China (like Google – for self-censorship reasons-, Gmail or Youtube), Alphabet is now coming back to The People’s Republic of China, by investing into projects, R&D centers, or sharing its artificial intelligence software tools.

In facts, Google announced in December 2017 the opening of its first AI Lab in Beijing. According to TechCrunch, “The Beijing-based team will work with AI colleagues in Google offices across the world, including New York, Toronto, London and Zurich.”

Also, the American firm has opened its third office in Shenzen (after Shanghai and Beijing) and invested into the streaming service Chushou, a mobile game streaming platform (see logo hereunder).

Tencent’s investments

Compared to other Chinese e-commerce giants like Alibaba or Huawei, Tencent has still some energy to deploy to increase its shares in West companies and to strengthen its position outside China.

Its biggest and most well-known investments outside China – in occidental companies –  are made in Snapchat (12%), Tesla (5%), and recently in Spotify (more information here). It’s important to mention that these investments were only made in 2017 and 2018.  On the other way, Tencent also recently invested in Indian companies like Flipkart, Practo, and Ola.

 

   

Snapchat and OlaCabs logos

Sam Xu, deputy general counsel and head of intellectual property at Tencent, announced: “We are pleased to advance the collaboration between two leading technology companies.”

The two objectives of this agreement for the future are:

  • to lead to a collaboration into technology creation!
  • to minimize patents infringements between the two corporations

Thereby, it’s not the first deal of this kind for Google. In 2014, the SiliconValley Giant signed a similar agreement with Samsung to cover existing patents and those filed over the next decade. Also, the search giant also signed a 1.1 billion dollars agreement with HTC in September 2017 to tap into its talents to develop Pixel phones.

This result-driven agreement will not fail to surprise us in the coming years!  So stay connected!

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BAT China GAFABAT Marketing News WeChat

Forget about your ID card, get a WeChat account!

Wallets are on the way to belong to the past in China thanks to WeChat.

In few months, the Chinese will no longer have to worry about having their identity cards with them, as long as they have a WeChat account (and basically, almost every Chinese has one!)

What is WeChat?

For those who are not really familiar with WeChat, it’s a Chinese multi-purpose social media mobile application software which has been developed by Tencent in 2011.

WeChat

WeChat users can do almost everything through this app, including play games, pay bills, make video calls, order food, read the news, book a doctor appointment, and more. It’s basically China’s version of Facebook, but way more developed.

Today the app gathers almost 1 billion users with 60% of them who are daily active on the social platform.

In a country were Facebook, Instagram and Google aren’t part of the daily landscape, WeChat is a major actor in the Chinese digital ecosystem.

Program pilot launched in Guangdong 

The first WeChat ID card was issued during a ceremony held in Guangzhou, South China’s Guangdong province, a few weeks ago. The service is on trial in Guangdong first and is expected to be launched nationwide during January.

First Wechat ID card in Guangzhou

The virtual identity card will function the same way as the traditional identity card issued by the state.

WeChat users will have to enter their names and ID numbers before logging in to the government network through a facial-recognition function to access an electronic copy of their ID card. Citizens can then display the “network card” on their phones to book accommodation and flights, among other transactions.

Tech giants’ war

BAT-in-China

This program was born from a common project between the Guangzhou Public Security Bureau, Tencent, China Construction Bank and 9 other anonymous institutions.

The WeChat ID program could give Tencent a significant advantage on the tech war against his historical rival Alibaba. Thanks to the program, Tencent could easily gather a lot of data on its users and re-use it again for marketing purposes.

With the crazy project, WeChat is set to become even more indispensable in the daily lives of many Chinese consumers and confirm his renown of one of the world’s most powerful apps.

If the series Black Mirror already pictured a similar future in some episodes, the consequences of such a program on the users’ private life can raise some debates.

 

Source: China Daily