Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket
Which Is The Top Ecommerce Platform In Japan?
03 Jan, 2024 |
Currently, the Rakuten Ichiba platform outperforms all the other ecommerce platforms in the country. The platform is a local ecommerce platform that deals in a variety of goods from consumer electronics to fashion apparel. International giants like Amazon Japan and Yahoo! come behind Rakuten in the list of top ecommerce companies in Japan.
https://www.clickpost.ai/blog/...ecommerce-companies-in-japan#title_2
December 19, 2023
In this episode of The 5G Factor, our series that focuses on all things 5G, the IoT, and the ecosystem as a whole, The Futurum Group's Ron Westfall is joined by colleague and fellow analyst Todd R. Weiss for a look at the top 5G developments and what’s going on that caught their eye including the massive Ericsson AT&T $14.5 billion Open RAN deal and its implications for the North American and global 5G ecosystems, Nokia replacing Huawei as DT’s primary Open RAN supplier, and Germany’s 1&1 collaborating with Rakuten Symphony and Mavenir to operate Europe’s first fully virtualized 5G network based on Open RAN technology.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9vk9oebzms
https://rakuten.de/
By Eden Ezion
It’s a wrap for 2023 at Rakuten Viber, and what an exciting year it’s been! This last year we launched a record number of features and enhanced some of our core functionalities, with a focus on providing more ways to connect and get things done. Features such as Caller ID, and Viber Plus, give even more privacy and control over day-to-day communications.
The recently launched Self-Serve Business offering is built to empower small and micro business owners to connect with new customers and provide superior service, while Commercial Accounts serves large and enterprise companies. The redesigned chat UI has a modern look and feel, making it easier for users to navigate and access their media library. Payments on Viber, launched in 2022 in Greece and Germany, now enables group payments and supports over 1 million wallets. With all of these releases and improvements, we are proud to deliver a robust experience for businesses, and consumers alike – all within Viber.
Caller ID
The number 1 way to protect users from spammers and make it easy to identify important calls. Caller ID helps to recognize callers and identify spammers.
Viber Plus
An elevated Viber experience: unlimited stickers, invisible mode, personalization features, and more. Viber Plus gives users a premium Viber experience with a number of exclusive features.
New input field
A strategic redesign, making the chat space cleaner and easier to use. The new input field is a reorganization of the UI, making it more intuitive for users.
SMB
A unique way for businesses to connect with their customers right where they chat. Business accounts allow local businesses to have a presence on Viber, making it easy for them to attract new customers and communicate with existing ones.
Storage management
In response to user feedback, this feature allows Viber users to keep their phones running optimally by decreasing the space Viber takes up. Storage management is the fastest way for users to free up space on their phones by quickly deleting heavy media files on Viber.
2023 was quite the ‘super’ year for Rakuten Viber, and we look to make 2024 even more meaningful and impactful. This year, we look forward to paving the way for the next generation of super apps, releasing and improving features that truly serve our users’ wants and needs. Current features such as Payments and Self-Serve business accounts will continue to evolve and expand to new markets, while new and exciting features will be launched. We’re excited for users all over the world to be able to connect, pay, play, and grow with Rakuten Viber.
https://www.viber.com/en/blog/2024-01-10/2023-wrap-up/
TELUS is an organization that’s not afraid of innovation. In fact, Gedeon prides himself on driving innovation at the company. He noted how TELUS always like to do things first. Not for the sake of being first, but through a desire to avail the benefits of adopting the right technology. “We are not afraid to try things, and once we see the results for a little bit, we are all in,” he said.
Gedeon revealed just how far TELUS is in exploring Open RAN, AI and automation in its network. He highlighted a pilot program being conducted in Canada with live customers and traffic. TELUS is currently operating seven sites, each with a single radio per sector and three sectors per site, using a total of 21 Open RAN radios, he said. By the end of Q3, TELUS plans to have 84 radios and servers on the 7 sites but with multiple radios per sector, all deployed and powered by Rakuten Symphony.
TELUS is also implementing Rakuten Symphony’s Zero Touch Provisioning solution, which was trialed and proven in August 2022 by the two companies. Dabboussi noted that the solution removes human error by automatically turning the radio on and configuring it with all of its parameters to offer the services to customers.
Dabboussi noted that the automated solution is helping TELUS and other operators to achieve tasks without human eyes and hands involved, and that by doing this, operators don't only reduce cost, they minimize the amount of human error that takes place. Speaking on why automation is critical to mobile networks, Dabboussi explained that most of network outages, and most of network issues stem from at least a source of human error, because humans are not perfect. But machines and scripts as you design them well, and as you improve them, they can become perfect and predictable.
For the Canadian operator, the opportunity with Open RAN is to showcase how mobile operators can change, build and deliver modern networks in a brownfield environment.
https://symphony.rakuten.com/blog/...-the-future-of-telecom-telus-cto
LONDON, UK — Global ecommerce giant Rakuten s going into 2024 planning to take its new connected TV advertising solution into new countries.
In October 2023, Rakuten Advertising launched CTVision+, a portfolio of inventory from European CTV providers, aiming to make it a single gateway for global ad buyers to buy ads across a fragmented market.
While the service launched initially in the UK, Chris Edwards, Director of Media at Rakuten Advertising, told me it would expand across the “EU 5”, the five key markets of Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom).
https://www.beet.tv/2023/12/...-ctvision-expansion-across-europe.html
Acknowledging the solvable complexities that come with introducing disaggregated radio kit into existing legacy networks, Dabboussi said Rakuten Symphony is still able to help customers navigate through and “deliver equivalent or better customer experience.”
Calling out brownfield experiences in Europe the Middle East, Africa, Asia and North America, he said, “The integration of an Open RAN radio and a cloud native mobile access network into an existing brownfield environment is not as difficult or as impossible as many people may think. It is challenging. There is a way to go about it, and we have done it multiple times…And this is where the rubber hits the road, where our radio expertise and our architects come into a very important play here to try and come up with a solution that fits into each environment for the adoption and the introduction of Open RAN into a legacy based Brownfield environment. And I have not seen any major challenges that keep us away from that.”
https://www.rcrwireless.com/20230926/open_ran/...te-open-ran-adoption
The Rakuten Advertising affiliate program is a popular choice for those in the Internet Marketing niche. With its wide range of products and services, this program offers a great opportunity for affiliates to earn commissions through their online promotions. Whether you're a seasoned affiliate marketer or just starting out, Rakuten Advertising provides the tools and resources you need to succeed.
By partnering with Rakuten Advertising, affiliates gain access to a network of top brands and merchants, allowing them to promote products and services that align with their audience's interests. With a user-friendly interface and advanced tracking technology, affiliates can easily track their performance and optimize their campaigns for maximum results. Joining the Rakuten Advertising affiliate program is a smart choice for anyone looking to monetize their online presence in the Internet Marketing niche.
The Rakuten Advertising affiliate program is a popular choice among Internet Marketing bloggers due to its competitive commission rates and cookie durations. Bloggers in this niche appreciate the program's attractive offerings, making it a favorite among many.
Program Categories:
•§Affiliate Networks
•Beginner
• Influencer §
•§Internet Marketing
Commission Rate:
•§3% - 7% Per Sale
Cookie Duration:
•§24 Hours
https://getlasso.co/affiliate/rakuten-advertising/
December 11, 2023
Hiroshi "Mickey" Mikitani, CEO of Rakuten, discusses the company's artificial intelligence efforts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQAfxPPqgnw&t=19s
JANUARY 12, 2024
Aramco Digital CEO Tareq Amin announced on social media his company has struck a partnership with Intel to establish the first open RAN development centre in Saudi Arabia in a move to foster digital technologies across the country.
Amin led the open RAN charge for Japan’s Rakuten prior to his abrupt exit in August 2023. He confirmed his new role to Mobile World Live on 17 October of the same year.
The announcement with Intel suggests Aramco Digital could deploy a 5G open RAN network in the region.
https://www.mobileworldlive.com/ranvendors/...centre-in-saudi-arabia/
Written by Sarah Saril; edited by Steven Cohen
Jan 11, 2024, 8:46 PM MEZ
https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/best-e-readers
The global E-Book Reader market size is estimated to be worth USD 25130 million in 2021 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 60680 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 12.9%
TOP COMPANIES/MANUFACTURERS Dominating the Global E-Book Reader Market are listed below:
•§- Amazon
•§- Rakuten Kobo
•§- Barnes & Noble
•§- Hanvon Technology
•§- Onyx Book
•§- PocketBook International
•§- Aluratek
•§- Bookeen
•§- ECTACO
•§- Ematic
•§- Arta Tech
•§- Wexler Flex
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/...t-2024-2032-unveiling-growth-klxff/
https://www.openranpolicy.org/...ffective-future-of-5g-with-open-ran/
We are currently witnessing the tangible results of the cost-saving efforts. Analysts from New Street Research recently conducted a report in response to Rakuten Mobile’s assertion that Open RAN offers a more cost-effective solution. The research findings indicate that, on a per-site basis, capital expenditures were 40% lower, and operational expenses were 30% lower.
https://www.openranpolicy.org/...ffective-future-of-5g-with-open-ran/
Trusted By Over 500,000 SMBs, Bluevine Is Now On Par With The Top 20% Of FDIC-Insured Banks and Savings Institutions Ranked By Deposit Volume
Jersey City, N.J., December 1, 2023 — Bluevine, the one-stop digital banking platform specifically designed for small businesses, today announced it has surpassed $1 billion in managed deposits by its small business banking customers. This significant asset threshold has largely been attracted by Bluevine Business Checking, the company’s unique no monthly fee,1 high-yield SMB checking account with a growing suite of built-in business applications, launched only three years ago – and now puts Bluevine on par with the top 20% of FDIC-insured banks and savings institutions2 ranked by deposit volume, according to the most recent FDIC quarterly report.
Over the past decade since its inception, Bluevine has built a market-leading digital banking platform that has served over 500,000 business owners and delivered more than $14 billion in loans to help simplify financial operations and facilitate access to growth capital for its customers, which have been historically underserved by traditional banks.
https://www.bluevine.com/newsroom/...llion-in-small-business-deposits
BlueVine grows with $60m series E
Jun 6, 2018 • Thierry Heles
BlueVine, backed by Rakuten and Citi, will use the money to expand its product offering and accelerate recruitment of its research and development team.
BlueVine, a US-based online small-business finance platform backed by financial services firm Citi and e-commerce and financial technology company Rakuten, raised $60m in a series E round yesterday.
https://globalventuring.com/corporate/...ine-grows-with-60m-series-e/
Bluevine, a leading online provider of everyday financing to small businesses, announced Wednesday it has closed $49 million in funding. The Series D funding round was led by existing investors, including Lightspeed Venture Partners, Menlo Ventures, 83North, Citi Ventures, Rakuten FinTech Fund and Silicon Valley Bank.
https://www.bluevine.com/newsroom/...evine-raises-49-million-series-d
Bluevine is growing! Today, Bluevine announced our Series C funding that will allow us to continue to improve our product and fund more small businesses; cash flow needs. Read the full press release below or here.
Fintech Startup Bluevine Grows 12x in 2015, Raises $40 Million in Funding Led By Menlo Ventures
•§ Tyler Sosin of Menlo Ventures joins Bluevine’s board of directors
•§ Bluevine increases its maximum credit line from $150,000 to $250,000
•§ Rakuten FinTech Fund joins round as new investor; Oskar Miel to join as board observer
PALO ALTO, Calif. (January 20, 2016) – Bluevine, a leading online provider of working capital financing to small businesses, announced today it has closed $40 million in funding, bringing the company’s total funding to $64 million to date. This Series C funding was led by an investment from Menlo Ventures, with additional participation from new investor Rakuten FinTech Fund, follow-on investments from Lightspeed Venture Partners, 83NORTH, Correlation Ventures and private investors, as well as a new debt facility from Silicon Valley Bank.
https://www.bluevine.com/newsroom/...ws-12x-in-2015-raises-40-million
December 06, 2023
Tadhg Kenny, President of Global Strategic Accounts and Partnerships at Druid Software, talks about the benefits of Druid software and Rakuten Symphony Symcloud platform for enterprise customers deploying private cellular services.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNd6kr2WQxg
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2024/01/13/...kkei-surge-40000/
And Rakuten will additional strong outperform the Nikkei
Viber hatte laut einem Quartalsbericht von September 2022 1,4 Milliarden (unique) registrierte Nutzer:innen weltweit und verzeichnet 2023 einigen externen Schätzungen zufolge rund 820 Millionen monatlich aktive Nutzer:innen (MAU). Nach eigenen Angaben liegt die Anzahl der MAU 2023 innerhalb der EU bei 45 Millionen Nutzer:innen.
Aktuell ist Viber in 190 Ländern aktiv und Nutzer:innen verschicken im Schnitt 30 Nachrichten pro Tag und öffnen den Messenger zwölf Mal täglich.
Zum Vergleich: WhatsApp verzeichnet weltweit zwei Milliarden MAU. In Osteuropa und Russland ist Viber bei den Nutzer:innen aber beliebter als WhatsApp.
https://engage.sinch.com/de-de/blog/...icht,Nutzer%3Ainnen%2520(MAU).
8 hours ago
Rakuten Technology Conference 2023, brought together tech luminaries, engineers, researchers and enthusiasts from around the world to Rakuten’s Tokyo HQ to explore the future of technology, centered on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI).
With the theme of “AI-nization,” the event included three simultaneous tracks of speaker sessions, as well as a Kids Park for families, for a total of 19 different sessions over the course of the day. But the conference wasn’t just limited to Tokyo, Rakuten offices in multiple countries hosted their own events, with local sessions and content.
All about AI
For the 15 edition of Rakuten Technology Conference, AI-centric sessions were held on a number of intriguing topics such as “Sustainable Computing in the AI Era” and “Security in the Age of AI,” featuring an impressive speaker list that included Google Cloud Director of Product Management and Customer Activation Erwan Menard, Ampere Computing Chief Evangelist & Vice President of Business Development Sean Varley and more.
Several of the event’s discussions and presentations also delved into the symbiotic relationship between Generative AI and the future of technology, illustrating its potential to revolutionize tech realms such as cloud computing, e-commerce, fintech and mobile tech.
AI innovation in action
The event’s keynote was delivered by Rakuten Group Chairman and CEO Mickey Mikitani, who emphasized AI’s ability to empower society.
“AI is no longer just going to be one of the tools (we use), AI is going to be dead center in our ecosystem, and will be as important, or even more important, than our point ecosystem in the future.”
Sharad Sriwastawa, Co-CEO and CTO of Rakuten Mobile, shared insights on the intersection of mobile technology and AI, including his take on the different ways that artificial intelligence can streamline telco operations and improve customer service.
Joined by with Handelsblatt’s Martin Koelling for a fireside chat on “AI Operations in a Next Generation Network,” Sriwastawa emphasized that AI is only as good as your data. “Our biggest advantage is the uniqueness of our network,” he said. “The ability to combine all this data where data sets can interact with each other is our biggest advantage and it’s crucial for generative AI.”
Another highly anticipated session was “Navigating the challenges of AI” hosted by Rakuten’s Chief Data Officer Ting Cai, who was joined on stage by Google Cloud’s Erwan Menard. During the discourse with Cai, Menard stressed the importance of keeping rapidly evolving AI technologies human-centric and safe.
“We need to do this responsibly,” Menard told the audience – “We need to be mindful of privacy. We need to be mindful of these new frontiers that are being pushed by AI.”
Throughout the day, Rakuten leaders such as Yasufumi Hirai, Akihito Kurozumi and Rohit Dewan also took to the stage to touch on different elements of AI innovation, providing further insights into how Rakuten is leveraging AI technology for the advancement of its businesses and society.
Fostering an environment for future discoveries
Continuing its annual tradition, the conference closed with the announcement of the Rakuten Technology Excellence Awards for 2023, recognizing individuals and organizations which have contributed to innovation in society through advanced technologies. This year, the Rakuten Technology Excellence Award was presented to three parties: LLM-jp, a research development group for large language models (LLM) established in Japan; rinna Co., Ltd., an AI startup working on research and development of Open Domain Conversational Technology; and Asuka Nakajima, who has been researching cyber security for more than 10 years, with her research recognized at Blackhat Briefings, a renowned global security industry conference.
This year’s winners were selected for their achievements, based on the theme of “AI-nization.”
Also continuing its annual tradition, The Kids Park at Rakuten Technology Conference 2023 brought high tech excitement to young minds, offering hands-on experiences with cutting-edge tech. Participants were able to learn about power generation while pedaling on stationary bicycles, fly drones in the “drone flying challenge” area hosted by Rakuten Drone Academy and learn about robotics through a fun and educational showcase hosted by the Rakuten Robot Club.
Offering attendees a full day of insights and activities, Rakuten Technology Conference was, without a doubt, a highlight of tech exploration and constructive conversation for Rakuten in 2023.
https://rakuten.today/blog/rakuten-technology-conference-2023-2.html