NewsBytes 2019 #15 - Nokia 2.2 in Android 1, #HLBDigitalDay, Bitmoji Tennis, and multiple new partnerships

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Can you believe that it's already July? We are now entering the second half of 2019 and...there isn't a lot going on except for many 7.7 sales, especially on Shopee's platform. Aside from that, another worthy sale promotion that's going on is Huawei's Online IT Fair which is offering a 2-year warranty and up to RM400 discount on its mobile phones now, Samsung is also teaming up with MBO offering Malaysians a Buy 1 Free 1 promo for movie fans, and the Galaxy Note 10 will officially be UNPACKED on 7 August 2019

So....yeah I think I'm talking here. Told you there isn't much going on haha. Anyway, the most exciting part is probably looking out for sales on Shopee's 7.7 Orange Madness campaign so do standby if you're planning to buy anything. Anyway, onto this week's NewsBytes. 

Nokia 2.2 Now Part of The Android One Family

As of 26 June 2019, Nokia 2.2 is now part of the Android One Programme and it will offer users the latest full Android experience. Shipping with Android 9 Pie, Nokia 2.2 is will receive two years of OS upgrades and three years of monthly security updates, ensuring access to all the latest innovations from Android. The Nokia 2.2 will be available at all Nokia authorised dealers nationwide at a recommended retail price of RM399 starting on Friday, 28 June 2019.

 

Grab and Splyt partner to make it easy to get a ride anywhere in the world

Like, anywhere in the world? How does that work? Well, you can still use Grab as they and Splyt already allow international travellers to book Grab rides across 336 cities in 8 Southeast Asian countries through their preferred apps. As for payment, Ctrip and AliPay customers visiting Southeast Asia can already take Grab rides through their own apps, via a solution powered and enabled by Splyt. Splyt is also working with Booking Holdings to integrate ride-booking into their OTA platforms. Booking.com consumers will be able to book Grab rides through the Booking.com app by Q3 2019.

On top of that, Grab also plans to add features such as in-app travel tips, restaurant reviews and attraction recommendations, to offer an even richer travel experience to its users. To learn more information, you visit the Splyt website right here.

 

U Mobile partners with UnionPay International

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Speaking of going global, you probably heard about U Mobile's latest GoPayz and GoBiz digital service, U Mobile has successfully signed an agreement with UnionPay International. This will allow GoPayz e-wallet users to perform local and cross-border payments close to 10 million UnionPay QR code merchants in 29 countries including Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand and the USA. Cool! For more information, visit www.gopayz.com.my!

 

The #HLBDigitalDay Cashless Sale

In another cashless promotion, Hong Leong Bank is hosting a 7-Day Bye-Bye Cash Frenzy and The #HLBDigitalDay Cashless Sale in conjunction with its third annual Digital Day. It will start from 7 July 2019 onwards which includes Cashless Promos across Credit Card and Debit Card products; Deals both online and ion the branches at the Bank; special promotions for SMEs that include Digital Business Solutions, guidance and support in establishing Official WeChat accounts, and All-In-One Merchant Terminals. Key promotions at the roadshow also include:

  • The 7-Day Bye-Bye Cash Frenzy

Perform any eligible cashless transaction (minimum RM7) using HLB services and stand to get cash back, every hour of every day for seven (7) days beginning July 7, 2019. 150 x winners an hour / 24 Hours a day / 7 straight days! / RM 7 per winner. This is in partnership with Mastercard, VISA, MyDebit and WeChat Pay.

  • HLB Cashless Sale

Partnering with a host of brands and services both online and at retail stores to offer consumers benefits, discounts and more. Brands include Expedia, DirectD, Zalora, Guardian, Shoppee, TaoBao, Baskin Robbins, Krispy Kreme, Harvey Norman, Jaya Grocer, Giant, dahmakan.

  • 7.7.19 One Day Online Exclusives

Grab exclusive one-day online banking offers including eFixed Deposit/ at 4.07% p.a. for 3 months with a minimum placement of RM10,000; Enjoy a flat interest/profit rate of 3.70% p.a. when you apply for a Personal Loan/Financing on Connect Online Banking; or apply for a Hong Leong credit card online and enjoy 50% cash back up to RM700 on your weekend retail spend!

2From left to right_ Charles Sik, Managing Director of Personal Financial Services and Domenic Fuda, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hong Leong Bank Berhad.JPG

Charles Sik (left), Managing Director of Personal Financial Services and Domenic Fuda (right), Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hong Leong Bank Berhad

For more information about Hong Leong Bank’s Digital Day 2019 promotions, kindly go to our website at www.hlb.com.my/DigitalDay.

 

Snapchat introduces Bitmoji Tennis Game for Malaysians

Wookay...so Snapchat just made a new mini-game called Bitmoji Tennis and it's exclusive on Snap games. In there, you can challenge other Snapchat players in a real-time multiplayer mode that is found within Chat. To give the game a try, you can follow the steps below:

  1. Open a Chat or Group Chat and tap the rocket icon in the Chat Bar to launch Snap Games. Tap ‘Bitmoji Tennis’ in the game drawer
  2. To kick off the match, tap to serve the ball and run left and right -- your racket will swing automatically when you’re near the ball.
  3. Tilt your device to aim your shot -- The first player to five points wins. 
  4. Tap ‘Stats’ in the main menu to view your win count, best streak, longest rally and more. You can also upgrade your tennis racket by watching a short ad between games. 

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And that's it! Good luck and have fun.

 

Lazada e-Logistics partners Nomads in going green

In another CSR initiative, Lazada eLogistics (LeL) joined hands with French company Nomads Surfing to instil good waste-management and other environmentally-friendly habits among its employees. The partnership is the first in series of green initiatives for Lazada Malaysia’s own end-to-end logistics arm with plans to extend greener eCommerce options to consumers.

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L-R: Alexandre Sorel, Member of the Sea Blue Sunday Organization; Thomas Cervetti, Co-Founder of Nomads Surfing; and French Ambassador to Malaysia, Mr. Frédéric Laplanche

“We need to change the way we produce and consume, and it is great to see top eCommerce platform Lazada Malaysia making a conscious effort to affect change within their organization and in their business operations. When people develop an appreciation for the environment and start to practice sustainable actions, they will, in turn, pass this knowledge on to their colleagues, friends and family eventually creating greater awareness across communities,” said Thomas Cervetti, Co-Founder of Nomads Surfing.

Several activities have been lined up for the rest of the year in which LeL employees will participate, enabled by EcoKnights, an environmental NGO dedicated to building bridges towards achieving sustainable development for communities and companies.

  • River Explorer - An inclusive, fun and informative experiential environmental education program for children aged between 4 and 12 years old. The activity promotes river conservation and allows youngsters to learn more about river ecosystems
  • Log Boom Clean Up - Volunteers divide into three groups to perform 3 key functions: Cleanup process, rubbish segregation and weighing of materials. The separated rubbish is identified as organic waste, plastics, paper, clothing, metal and others
  • Respect Our Ocean - To raise marine awareness to the general public through a series of activations

The Partnership kicked off with Sea Blue Sunday on 16 June 2019, a public fund-raising event held in Pisco Bar organized by Nomads Surfing, supported by LeL to drive awareness on living an eco-friendly lifestyle and the importance of actively practising greener habits. The event was graced by the presence of French Ambassador to Malaysia, Mr Frédéric Laplanche and saw approximately 300 adults and kids participating in all activities and workshops held.

Visitors were enlightened with talks on ‘living a zero-waste lifestyle” and given the chance to create plastic tiles repurposed from plastic waste with specialised machines. Green thumbs were enticed with a workshop that educated them on how to make self-watering planters as a way to reuse plastic bottles. The event saw RM10,000 collected in donations from participants by the end of the day. Great effort, bro.

 

Celcom celebrates Hari Raya with corporate partners and underprivileged children

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Finally, Celcom just threw a Hari Raya party with 100 underprivileged children, and its corporate partners at the end of June. It was held at Hilton Kuala Lumpur, where the children and the caretakers from Rumah Penyayang Darul Ilmi, Gombak were celebrated by the management team and employees of Celcom Axiata at the event. They all got duit Raya from Celcom too.

Other than them, corporate clients, business partners, media, stakeholders, as well as Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Rina Harun, Minister of Rural Development and many other renowned leaders from both corporate and government were at the celebration. Cool story, bro.

 

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