JD.com

Chinese tech giant Lenovo targets US$16 billion in sales of new AI-powered computers, smartphones via e-commerce partner JD.com

by

The two Hong Kong-listed partners are targeting 120 billion yuan (US$16.6 billion) in sales over the 2024-2026 period via JD.com’s online and offline channels, covering Lenovo’s next-generation AI PCs, AI-powered smartphones, tablets and other “AI-oriented infrastructure such as servers”, according to a statement published on Sunday by both companies on their respective WeChat accounts. That … Read more

ByteDance-owned Douyin launches stand-alone shopping app in China, heating up the competition against Alibaba, JD.com, PDD

by

Douyin Mall was launched last week as a downloadable app for Android users in mainland China, the world’s largest smartphone market. An Apple iOS version of the app was not released as of Tuesday. The new app serves “as an extension of the Douyin platform, designed to elevate the overall shopping experience of [its] existing … Read more

Alibaba adds 11 apps to Huawei’s HarmonyOS, bringing Xianyu, Fliggy and more to China’s Android rival

by

Alibaba Group Holding is partnering with US-sanctioned Huawei Technologies to develop native versions of the e-commerce giant’s apps for the smartphone maker’s operating system HarmonyOS, which is meant to take on Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS in mainland China. Eleven applications under Alibaba Group – including second-hand trading platform Xianyu, online travel platform Fliggy, courier … Read more

Apple to expand applied research labs in Shanghai and Shenzhen as iPhone sales weaken in world’s largest smartphone market

by

Apple is enlarging its applied research operations in mainland China, as the US technology giant’s iPhone sales slow in the world’s largest smartphone market amid increased competition from Huawei Technologies and other major domestic handset vendors. Cupertino, California-based Apple plans to expand its research centre in Shanghai to support all of its product lines and … Read more

Alibaba tests generative AI tools for Taobao and Tmall merchants as new tech arms race heats up China’s e-commerce sector

by

The generative AI tools provided by Huiwa, operated by Alibaba subsidiary Hangzhou Lianfan Information Technology, enable merchants to create both text and graphics content. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post. A merchant, for example, can input a brief description of a product, which prompts the tool to create customised content for marketing and promotion. … Read more

Chinese tech hub Shenzhen to expedite adoption of apps built on Huawei’s HarmonyOS across various industries in 2024

by

The Shenzhen municipal government intends to boost the number of its native apps built on HarmonyOS and push for their adoption across several major sectors, according to a 2024 action plan published on Sunday by the city’s Industry and Information Technology Bureau. Under that initiative, HarmonyOS-based apps would be adopted in sectors that include government … Read more

JD.com considers takeover bid for UK electronics retailer Currys as China’s e-commerce giants look overseas

by

JD.com, founded by Chinese billionaire Richard Liu Qiangdong in 1998, is considering a bid for UK electronics retailer Currys as China’s e-commerce giants continue to look for overseas growth amid stagnant demand and rising competition at home. JD said on Monday it is “in the very preliminary stages of evaluating a possible transaction that may … Read more

China approves 14 large language models and enterprise applications, as Beijing favours wider AI adoption across industries

by

A total of 14 LLMs and enterprise applications were recently given the green light by authorities for commercial use, according to local media reports and company announcements including those from smartphone giant Xiaomi, AI specialist Beijing Fourth Paradigm Technology Co and Beijing-based tech unicorn 01.AI, founded by venture capitalist Lee Kai-fu. This new batch includes … Read more

Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com bets big on Lunar New Year gala amid heated competition

by

Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has inked a partnership deal with the 2024 Spring Festival Gala, aired by state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), to give away gifts and “ digital red packets”, as domestic tech companies continue to leverage the show’s popularity to attract users. JD.com will be the “exclusive interactive partner” of this year’s … Read more

China’s internet giants must step up opening their ‘walled gardens’, state media says, ahead of Tencent flagship game’s return to Douyin

by

“In the future, internet companies need to be more open-minded and inclusive to promote truly win-win cooperation in the industry,” the Securities Times article said. Increased collaboration between China’s major internet companies are expected to not only benefit consumers, but help further expand the industry, according to state media. Photo: Shutterstock While China’s gross domestic … Read more