Latest news with #Taobao
International Business Times
20 hours ago
- Business
- International Business Times
Alibaba Enters Smart Eyewear Market with Quark AI-Powered Glasses
Chinese e-commerce giant, Alibaba, has finally made an official entry into the smart eyewear market by announcing its new Quark AI glasses. The company showcased the product at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai. These glasses are designed to be compatible with Alibaba's expanding AI ecosystem. X The smart glasses are able to translate in real time, make hands-free payments, scan products, and provide turn-by-turn navigation. You can scan QR codes to pay for things on Alipay, compare the prices on Taobao, or get around using Amap. They feature music playback, live transcription, hands-free calls, and an integrated camera. This is the first major step of Alibaba into AI wearables. Local players like Xreal and Rokid have already had comparable products. Global brands like Meta are also competing with smart glasses, like the Ray-Ban Meta. Alibaba is using its own AI models, apps, and platforms to power the glasses. Quark AI glasses are built around Qualcomm's Snapdragon AR1 chip, which was designed for augmented reality. A second chip with low power handles lighter jobs. The glasses are also powered by Android and RTOS (Real-Time Operating System). The appearance of the design has also been upgraded. The glasses have arms 40% thinner than the usual ones. The frames are lightweight, making them suitable for daily use. The price and launch date have not been confirmed, but Alibaba said the product is ready for market and will be sold in China by the end of 2025. Alibaba also teamed up earlier this year with RayNeo, an AR glasses manufacturer. This partnership also allows for more wearable devices to utilize Alibaba's AI tools. The glasses will be powered by Alibaba's artificial intelligence assistant Quark, which has evolved from a simple app into a full assistant that operates much like ChatGPT or Google Gemini. Alibaba is also betting big on AI, with plans of investing $53 billion in AI infrastructure over three years.
India Today
2 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Alibaba joins smart glasses race, takes on Meta with Qualcomm-powered Quark AI glasses
Alibaba has introduced its first pair of AI-powered smart glasses — the Quark AI glasses, named after the company's AI assistant. The smart glasses were shown to the public for the first time at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai. While the company hasn't revealed a launch date or price yet, it did say the product is fully developed and expected to go on sale in China later this year. The glasses are designed to work closely with Alibaba's growing AI ecosystem and offer features like real-time translation, hands-free payments, price comparisons and even turn-by-turn navigation — all directly through the is Alibaba's first attempt at making smart glasses, and the timing is no coincidence. Local competitors like Xreal and Rokid have already launched products, and global tech giants like Meta are also in the mix, with their Ray-Ban smart glasses. Rather than sitting on the sidelines, Alibaba seems ready to compete by leaning on its own strengths — AI models, software platforms, and existing services like Alipay and Taobao. The company has already confirmed that the Quark AI glasses will use Qualcomm's Snapdragon AR1 platform, a chip made specifically for augmented reality wearables. There's also a second low-power processor inside, and the glasses run on a dual operating system setup — Android and a Real-Time Operating System (RTOS), which handles light and immediate tasks has been gradually expanding its AI presence over the past year. Back in February, it announced a $53 billion investment into AI infrastructure over three years. It's also reorganised internal teams to better focus on both AI models and real-world products. This includes the development of its own large language models under the Qwen name, which power various features in Quark, its AI assistant. Earlier this year, Alibaba turned Quark into a more versatile tool, evolving it from a simple search and cloud storage app into an all-in-one assistant with capabilities similar to what you'd expect from ChatGPT or Google Gemini. The company's partnership with AR glasses maker RayNeo earlier this year also shows it's thinking long term. That deal involved integrating Alibaba's AI tools into RayNeo's products, laying the groundwork for future collaboration or tech terms of features, the Quark AI glasses aren't just about looking futuristic. You'll be able to scan QR codes to make payments via Alipay, identify and compare prices on Taobao (China's largest online marketplace) by pointing the glasses at items, and get real-time directions while walking or cycling using Amap, Alibaba's navigation app. The glasses also include hands-free calling, live meeting transcriptions, music playback, and a built-in design of the Quark AI glasses has been tweaked for comfort too. According to the company, the glasses' arms are 40 per cent slimmer than the usual industry standard, making them more practical for daily use. The frames are also lightweight and designed to house all this tech without looking mentioned above, there's no official word on pricing or international availability just yet. Stay tuned to India Today Tech for all the latest on Alibaba's Quark AI glasses.- Ends
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
QuickCheck: Are scammers using fake group chats to impersonate an online shopping platform?
SHOPPING online should be a safe and secure experience. Recently, unsettling reports have surfaced of scammers impersonating a well-known shopping platform by creating fake group chats. These fraudsters are allegedly using deceptive promotional links to lure unsuspecting users. Could it be true that these scams are tricking people into revealing personal information? Verdict: TRUE Chinese online shopping platfor, Taobao Malaysia, issued a warning on their X account on July 18 that scammers have been impersonating them online. "Recently, we've discovered scammers impersonating 'Taobao' by creating group chats and sending fake promotional links to commit fraud," the statement revealed. They emphasised that Taobao Malaysia's official team does not initiate unsolicited group chats. Taobao Malaysia advised users to exercise caution and not to click on suspicious links or join unknown groups. "Please do not disclose sensitive information such as verification codes," they urged. This scam aims to exploit personal information and financial details, undermining the safety of the shopping environment. "If you encounter any suspicious activity, please report it to Taobao's official customer service immediately," the statement read. blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> [Important Notice | Scam Alert] Recently, we've discovered scammers impersonating "Taobao" by creating group chats and sending fake promotional links to commit fraud. Please note that Taobao Malaysia's official team has never initiated any group chats. Please do not… — Taobao Malaysia (@Taobao_MY) July 18, 2025
CNA
2 days ago
- Business
- CNA
As furniture buyers turn to Shopee and Taobao, local brands struggle to compete
SINGAPORE: When first-time home owners Nurasheila Abdul Razak and Syakir Sabirin were searching for furniture to match the Japanese wabi-sabi theme they had in mind for their new flat, time was in short supply. Working different shifts as technicians while caring for their toddler, the couple found it difficult to shop for furniture. That changed when they discovered Chinese e-commerce platform Taobao. 'On Taobao, we can just sit at the table, browse and everything will come at the same time,' said Mr Syakir, 33. Despite the language barrier – they relied on Google Translate to navigate the site – the couple ended up buying about 90 per cent of their furniture on Taobao. They are part of a growing group of younger home owners in Singapore who are buying most of their furniture from online platforms for their lower prices, greater convenience and wider selection. Taobao, owned by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, has seen rising interest from Singaporeans for its home and furniture products, said Ms Miko Tse, the head of marketing at Taobao Singapore. While she did not disclose specific figures, she said the category has seen 'strong double-digit year-over-year growth', helped by the launch of the site's English version. Shopee Singapore has also seen rapid growth in the category. Its director, Mr Chua Kel Jin, said furniture and home living is now one of the platform's fast-growing segments. Over the past five years, buyer numbers have doubled and sales have tripled, he said, without revealing exact figures. TOUGH COMPETITION Prices on e-commerce platforms are often significantly lower – sometimes up to three times cheaper than local brands, home owners told CNA. Ms Nurasheila said a customisable electric sofa she bought on Taoabo cost about S$1,200 (US$940) before shipping. A similar item in a local store had a price tag of over S$3,000, the 29-year-old pharmacy technician said. Even after paying for shipping and hiring a handyman to assemble the pieces, the couple estimated they spent just S$6,000 to furnish their home. Local furniture brand Cellini said such pricing could lead to a 'race to the bottom' and put immense pressure on Singapore companies that struggle to meet these cost expectations. 'The pie of furniture sales is no longer exclusively divided among local brick-and-mortar stores but is now significantly shared with online powerhouses,' said its marketing manager Kerine Yong. Mr Joshua Koh, CEO of homegrown furniture brand Commune, said that the increased access to platforms like Taobao has changed the retail landscape. 'In the past, factories sold to retailers who would sell the furniture at a markup. But now, the factories have bypassed that middleman and gone online and started selling direct to consumers,' said Mr Koh, who is also the president of the Singapore Furniture Industries Council. Adding to the challenge, retailers in Johor Bahru are also aggressively courting Singapore consumers, with lower prices enabled by lower operating costs, he said. 'So we are being hit by many fronts, not only the Chinese e-commerce supply.' BIG SPACES, HIGH RENT Local furniture companies said they have to grapple with high rental costs for their warehouses and showrooms, even though most of them have offshored their manufacturing process to neighbouring Southeast Asian countries. Mr Ahmad Habshee, 36, the founder of woodworking brand Urban Salvation, runs a 4,000 sq ft studio and showroom in an industrial estate in Tampines. He recently downsized to one unit to cut costs. 'The location that I have is very secluded, because it's cheaper here. To survive longer, you cannot have high rent,' he said. Professor Lawrence Loh, who teaches policy and strategy at the National University of Singapore, said many local furniture brands are now in a 'precarious position'. 'Many might actually end up being free showrooms for people who want to go online,' he said. 'People can get a look and feel of what type of furniture they want. Then they check the dimension … and just go online and replicate,' he said. Account manager Lim Huiyi, 30, and her husband did exactly that when they were furnishing their new home a year ago, using local stores for inspiration before doing reverse image searches on Taobao. 'We will just snap a picture … and then put it on Taobao,' she said. 'Sometimes, it looks like basically the same thing for a fraction of the price.' Apart from a TV console that they purchased from Johor Bahru, all their movable furniture was purchased online. Affordability, variety and convenience are key draws for shopping online, home owners said. 'You can search for so many things, and you can see so many different options at once, versus in Singapore, when you go to a furniture store, you are pretty much bound to how much it can feature in that little space,' said Ms Lim. Getting to furniture showrooms, which are often in remote areas, can be expensive and inconvenient, she added. Another home owner who wanted to be known only as Ms Tan said she and her husband browsed local shops but couldn't find anything that caught their eye. 'Everything was very repetitive … We wanted to have something more unique,' the 32-year-old said. Buying online did not mean compromising on quality either, said Ms Tan, who works in sales. Having lived with mostly Taobao furniture for the past two years, she said the quality has exceeded her expectations. BUY AND THROW AWAY Ms Faezah Shaharuddin, co-director of family business Gamar Furniture, said younger buyers are more trend-focused, which platforms like Shopee and Taobao cater to. She added that slow furniture brands like hers have to 'straddle the line' between quality and trends. 'There's a sustainability aspect to it too. We don't want to become like fast furniture, because we do think it's a bit wasteful, and it's also very expensive and exhausting trying to keep up with the trend cycles,' she said. Mr Ahmad said brands like his that champion circularity are struggling to survive a "buy and throw" mindset. Still, he understands why people shop online. 'Renovation is expensive in Singapore. House is expensive in Singapore. Furniture is just pure aesthetics for some people. Can use can lah, right?' he said. Mr Morgan Yeo, director of family-owned furniture brand Roger&Sons, said many buyers see furniture as temporary – tied to the lifespan of a BTO flat. 'To them, they don't think that they will stay there for a long time,' he said. 'So why spend the amount of money?' Yet this mindset leads to significant waste, he added. 'We only worry about the straws and the paper cups and the plastic bags,' he said. 'But we don't think about the waste we generate when we move into a house.' A HUMAN TOUCH Dr Seshan Ramaswami, associate professor of marketing at Singapore Management University, said retailers need to be "extremely service-oriented" and offer customers a one-stop solution for all their furnishing needs. Assistant Professor Soo Kim from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) business school said homegrown furniture brands have to offer customers something they cannot get from online shopping. Physical showrooms should not just be a place to browse and buy, but a destination with a "human touch", she added. Gamar's Ms Faezah said her brand retains loyal clients who appreciate face-to-face service. 'There's a warmth to shopping in person, and we have a lot of long-time clients that we built personal relationships with. That kind of thing can't really be felt online,' she said. Some brands are also investing in their online presence. At Cellini, Ms Yong said enhancing the online experience while maintaining physical showrooms has become essential. 'It's about delivering meaningful value and an exceptional experience. It's never just about a product,' she said. Roger&Sons, however, has no intention to move to the e-commerce space. Making quality furniture takes time, Mr Yeo said. 'The only way you can digitalise carpentry is if you mass produce the same type of chairs … Every chair that we do is different.' Home owners Ms Nurasheila and Mr Syakir said they remain open to "all options" for their future furniture choices – depending on price and convenience. But they are not planning to replace what they have bought anytime soon. 'We bought this furniture hoping it would last,' said Ms Nurasheila. 'That's still the goal.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
BofA Securities Affirms ‘Buy' Rating on Alibaba Group (BABA) on Food and Delivery Services Growth
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE:BABA) is one of the growth stocks that could double by 2027. On July 11, BofA Securities reiterated a 'Buy' rating on the stock but cut its price target to $135 from $145. The adjustment is in response to the Chinese tech giant increasing its investments in food and on-demand delivery services. Pieter Beens / Following the investments, Alibaba's food and on-demand delivery services have experienced significant growth. The orders have increased from 30 million per day to 60 million per day by June, following the launch of Taobao Insta-shopping. The increase has occurred amid a significant rise in traffic on the Taobao App and substantial consumer subsidies. BofA cut its price target on concerns that losses attributed to the investment have increased to RMB 10 billion. Nevertheless, Alibaba has announced plans to invest RMB 50 billion in food and on-demand delivery, seeking to accelerate growth in this segment. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE:BABA) is a Chinese multinational company that operates e-commerce platforms, connecting buyers and sellers in various ways. It enables business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions and also offers services in digital media, cloud computing, and fintech. While we acknowledge the potential of BABA as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Sign in to access your portfolio
