https://www.scmp.com/rss/330769/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com This article originally appeared on ABACUS A few years ago, Facebook introduced Safety Check, a feature that lets users let their friends know they’re safe during an emergency. Now a province in China is introducing a similar feature using QR codes in popular Chinese apps while also trying to offer a potentially life-saving tool. Zhejiang’s new “safety QR code” helps users mark themselves safe during natural disasters. It comes as the province prepares for hurricane season, which regularly... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3087703/flood-prone-chinese-province-tests-qr-code-based-safety-checks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3087703/flood-prone-chinese-province-tests-qr-code-based-safety-checks?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Jun 2020 06:47:15 +0000 A few years ago, Facebook introduced Safety Check, a feature that lets users let their friends know they’re safe during an emergency. Now a province in China is introducing a similar feature using QR codes in popular Chinese apps while also trying to offer a potentially life-saving tool. Zhejiang’s new “safety QR code” helps users mark themselves safe during natural disasters. It comes as the province prepares for hurricane season, which regularly causes floods in the region. But one significant... https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/flood-prone-chinese-province-tests-qr-code-based-safety-checks/article/3087665?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/flood-prone-chinese-province-tests-qr-code-based-safety-checks/article/3087665?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Jun 2020 06:47:13 +0000 Using an app on your smartphone to track whether you’ve been in close contact with people who have contracted Covid-19 seems – at first glance – like a perfectly plausible way to use new technology to help tackle a global health crisis that has sickened millions and brought the world economy to its knees. There’s just one problem – data privacy. Tracing the whereabouts of infected patients has become a central plank in government efforts around the world to contain the spread of the novel... https://www.scmp.com/tech/privacy-concerns-have-led-more-cautious-approach-contact-tracing-west-compared-china/article/3087548?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/privacy-concerns-have-led-more-cautious-approach-contact-tracing-west-compared-china/article/3087548?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Jun 2020 21:00:19 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Whenever Li Xin wants to take a stroll through a local park in Shanghai, she needs to pull out her phone and show a QR code. If it’s not the right color, she won’t be allowed in. The same goes for entering her office. Her code was even checked when she was enrolling her child in kindergarten. Color-based health codes have become China’s most widely used method of trying to keep the spread of Covid-19 under control. With the danger having subsided in... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3087437/china-wants-keep-health-codes-after-pandemic-users-arent-so-sure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3087437/china-wants-keep-health-codes-after-pandemic-users-arent-so-sure?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Jun 2020 13:24:19 +0000 Whenever Li Xin wants to take a stroll through a local park in Shanghai, she needs to pull out her phone and show a QR code. If it’s not the right color, she won’t be allowed in. The same goes for entering her office. Her code was even checked when she was enrolling her child in kindergarten. Color-based health codes have become China’s most widely used method of trying to keep the spread of Covid-19 under control. With the danger having subsided in most of China, the QR codes have also started... https://www.scmp.com/tech/china-wants-keep-health-codes-after-pandemic-users-arent-so-sure/article/3087398?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/china-wants-keep-health-codes-after-pandemic-users-arent-so-sure/article/3087398?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 03 Jun 2020 13:24:15 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Health codes were introduced in Hangzhou to help combat the spread of Covid-19. But now it looks like the codes might outlive the virus, with city residents being scored and ranked based on their health status, according to a proposal by local government officials. Since February, people in cities across China have been assigned QR codes on their smartphones that come in either red, yellow or green. Each color is supposed to indicate the likelihood... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3086024/chinese-city-introduced-health-codes-wants-track-drinking-and-smoking?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3086024/chinese-city-introduced-health-codes-wants-track-drinking-and-smoking?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 May 2020 21:00:15 +0000 Health codes were introduced in Hangzhou to help combat the spread of Covid-19. But now it looks like the codes might outlive the virus, with city residents being scored and ranked based on their health status, according to a proposal by local government officials. Since February, people in cities across China have been assigned QR codes on their smartphones that come in either red, yellow or green. Each color is supposed to indicate the likelihood someone had contact with the new coronavirus,... https://www.scmp.com/tech/chinese-city-introduced-health-codes-wants-track-drinking-and-smoking/article/3085913?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/chinese-city-introduced-health-codes-wants-track-drinking-and-smoking/article/3085913?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 May 2020 21:00:13 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Normally when you want to message a new person on WhatsApp, you first need to add the contact to your phone’s address book. Now WhatsApp is testing a new feature that lets you add someone directly within the app by scanning that person’s personal QR code. The update, reported by WABetaInfo, is currently available to beta testers. The QR code can be found in the Settings section of WhatsApp. You can either present your code for a new friend to scan, or... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3085920/whatsapp-trials-letting-people-add-new-contacts-qr-code?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3085920/whatsapp-trials-letting-people-add-new-contacts-qr-code?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 May 2020 07:12:15 +0000 Normally when you want to message a new person on WhatsApp, you first need to add the contact to your phone’s address book. Now WhatsApp is testing a new feature that lets you add someone directly within the app by scanning that person’s personal QR code. The update, reported by WABetaInfo, is currently available to beta testers. The QR code can be found in the Settings section of WhatsApp. You can either present your code for a new friend to scan, or scan your friend’s code. You can also choose... https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/whatsapp-trials-letting-people-add-new-contacts-qr-code/article/3085907?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/whatsapp-trials-letting-people-add-new-contacts-qr-code/article/3085907?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 May 2020 07:12:13 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS There have been occasional efforts to bring back the QR code over the years, but the awkward little black-and-white square remains pretty unpopular most places. Now it looks like Apple wants to give it another try. Leaked files from the upcoming iOS 14 reveal that Apple may introduce a new augmented reality app called Gobi that can read QR codes, according to former TechCrunch reporter Josh Constine. If you’re wondering what AR has to do with QR codes,... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3085125/chinas-beloved-qr-code-may-make-global-comeback-through-apple?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3085125/chinas-beloved-qr-code-may-make-global-comeback-through-apple?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 May 2020 14:04:34 +0000 There have been occasional efforts to bring back the QR code over the years, but the awkward little black-and-white square remains pretty unpopular most places. Now it looks like Apple wants to give it another try. Leaked files from the upcoming iOS 14 reveal that Apple may introduce a new augmented reality app called Gobi that can read QR codes, according to former TechCrunch reporter Josh Constine. If you’re wondering what AR has to do with QR codes, the files offer some hints. One of the... https://www.scmp.com/tech/chinas-beloved-qr-code-may-make-global-comeback-through-apple/article/3085097?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/chinas-beloved-qr-code-may-make-global-comeback-through-apple/article/3085097?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 May 2020 14:04:31 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Many commuters were in for a shock on Wednesday when they found they were unable to get on the subway because of a malfunctioning health code on their smartphones. The issue occurred in Hangzhou, where people were returning to work after China’s five-day Labor Day holiday. Local media reports describe messy lines caused by health codes failing to load in a mini program on Alipay. Lines formed in subway stations and outside hospitals and airport boarding... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3083145/no-health-codes-creates-chaotic-morning-commute-hangzhou?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3083145/no-health-codes-creates-chaotic-morning-commute-hangzhou?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2020 08:27:07 +0000 Many commuters were in for a shock on Wednesday when they found they were unable to get on the subway because of a malfunctioning health code on their smartphones. The issue occurred in Hangzhou, where people were returning to work after China’s five-day Labor Day holiday. Local media reports describe messy lines caused by health codes failing to load in a mini program on Alipay. Lines formed in subway stations and outside hospitals and airport boarding gates. The Hangzhou government, which runs... https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/no-health-codes-creates-chaotic-morning-commute-hangzhou/article/3083086?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/no-health-codes-creates-chaotic-morning-commute-hangzhou/article/3083086?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2020 08:27:06 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS One tool in China’s fight against the spread of the coronavirus is a color-based QR code system that helps track people by determining where they can go. But now police have found that the system might have other unintended benefits. This week, a man surnamed Shi showed up at a police station in the eastern city of Hangzhou and said he wanted to turn himself in, according to local media. The report says that when asked what he did, Shi broke down crying... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3082933/murderer-run-china-turns-himself-because-he-doesnt-have-health-code?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3082933/murderer-run-china-turns-himself-because-he-doesnt-have-health-code?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 May 2020 08:33:31 +0000 One tool in China’s fight against the spread of the coronavirus is a color-based QR code system that helps track people by determining where they can go. But now police have found that the system might have other unintended benefits. This week, a man surnamed Shi showed up at a police station in the eastern city of Hangzhou and said he wanted to turn himself in, according to local media. The report says that when asked what he did, Shi broke down crying and told the police that he had been on... https://www.scmp.com/tech/murderer-run-china-turns-himself-because-he-doesnt-have-health-code/article/3082905?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/murderer-run-china-turns-himself-because-he-doesnt-have-health-code/article/3082905?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 May 2020 08:33:29 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS With caution still high during the coronavirus pandemic, you can’t just walk into any neighborhood you want without showing a health code in China -- not even if you’re a fully armored superhero. A man dressed up as Japanese superhero Kamen Rider tried to enter a residential community in the eastern city of Hangzhou on Saturday, according to local channel Zhejiang TV. When asked to present his health code, a digitally-generated QR code assigned to... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3082802/kamen-rider-almost-didnt-make-it-home-without-coronavirus-health?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3082802/kamen-rider-almost-didnt-make-it-home-without-coronavirus-health?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2020 11:06:56 +0000 With caution still high during the coronavirus pandemic, you can’t just walk into any neighborhood you want without showing a health code in China -- not even if you’re a fully armored superhero. A man dressed up as Japanese superhero Kamen Rider tried to enter a residential community in the eastern city of Hangzhou on Saturday, according to local channel Zhejiang TV. When asked to present his health code, a digitally-generated QR code assigned to citizens to indicate their health status, he... https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/kamen-rider-almost-didnt-make-it-home-without-coronavirus-health-code/article/3082764?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/kamen-rider-almost-didnt-make-it-home-without-coronavirus-health-code/article/3082764?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2020 11:06:54 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Remember last year when Apple launched its own credit card in the US? Now Huawei is following suit with the Huawei Card in China. Just like Apple Card, Huawei Card is both a physical and digital credit card. Users can apply in minutes via Huawei’s mobile wallet and receive cash rebates for purchases made with the card. Backed by Chinese finance giant UnionPay, the card supports paying by NFC and QR codes, China’s favorite payment method. To ease privacy... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3079263/huawei-introduces-its-own-credit-card-apple-card?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3079263/huawei-introduces-its-own-credit-card-apple-card?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2020 10:52:43 +0000 Remember last year when Apple launched its own credit card in the US? Now Huawei is following suit with the Huawei Card in China. Just like Apple Card, Huawei Card is both a physical and digital credit card. Users can apply in minutes via Huawei’s mobile wallet and receive cash rebates for purchases made with the card. Backed by Chinese finance giant UnionPay, the card supports paying by NFC and QR codes, China’s favorite payment method. To ease privacy concerns, Huawei says biometric data... https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/huawei-introduces-its-own-credit-card-apple-card/article/3079215?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/huawei-introduces-its-own-credit-card-apple-card/article/3079215?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 Apr 2020 10:52:40 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS As a result of the Covid-19 epidemic, Tencent is rolling out a QR code system on WeChat, China’s largest social network, to track people using public transportation. Passengers entering a bus, subway or taxi can submit their information through Tencent’s "ride registration code" and the system will synchronize their real names with the vehicle’s license plate, boarding time and other information. When a passenger is discovered to have been infected,... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3064978/tencent-rolls-out-qr-code-tracks-potential-covid-19-carriers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3064978/tencent-rolls-out-qr-code-tracks-potential-covid-19-carriers?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2020 07:12:05 +0000 As a result of the Covid-19 epidemic, Tencent is rolling out a QR code system on WeChat, China’s largest social network, to track people using public transportation. Passengers entering a bus, subway or taxi can submit their information through Tencent’s "ride registration code" and the system will synchronize their real names with the vehicle’s license plate, boarding time and other information. When a passenger is discovered to have been infected, other passengers who might have been exposed... https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/tencent-rolls-out-qr-code-tracks-potential-covid-19-carriers-public-transportation/article/3064948?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/tencent-rolls-out-qr-code-tracks-potential-covid-19-carriers-public-transportation/article/3064948?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2020 07:12:04 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Shanghai is now asking subway passengers to scan a QR codes on train windows to record people’s phone numbers and and identify the train compartment they’re riding in. It “provides strong data support for tracing people in close contact with suspected patients,” Shanghai Metro posted on Weibo. The Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission said that the QR codes will be used in all of the city’s 6,000 subway train compartments. When the new system... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3052880/shanghai-introduces-qr-codes-subway-track-potential-contact?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/news-bites/article/3052880/shanghai-introduces-qr-codes-subway-track-potential-contact?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Feb 2020 08:17:49 +0000 Shanghai is now asking subway passengers to scan QR codes on train windows to record people’s phone numbers and and identify the train compartment they’re riding in. It “provides strong data support for tracing people in close contact with suspected patients,” Shanghai Metro posted on Weibo. The Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission said that the QR codes will be used in all of the city’s 6,000 subway train compartments. When the new system rolled out on Friday, some Weibo users said that... https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/shanghai-introduces-qr-codes-subway-track-potential-contact-coronavirus/article/3052806?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/china-tech-city/shanghai-introduces-qr-codes-subway-track-potential-contact-coronavirus/article/3052806?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Feb 2020 08:17:48 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS China is set to soon assign citizens QR codes that will indicate whether they’re at risk of contracting the new coronavirus and need to self-quarantine. Millions of people in Hangzhou, the city southwest of Shanghai where this system has already started, have effectively been guinea pigs for the new system that some people say has introduced both solutions and new problems for life during the Covid-19 outbreak. The coronavirus has upended life in China,... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3051245/chinas-qr-health-code-system-brings-relief-some-and-new-problems?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3051245/chinas-qr-health-code-system-brings-relief-some-and-new-problems?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Feb 2020 21:00:11 +0000 China is set to soon assign citizens QR codes that will indicate whether they’re at risk of contracting the new coronavirus and need to self-quarantine. Millions of people in Hangzhou, the city southwest of Shanghai where this system has already started, have effectively been guinea pigs for the new system that some people say has introduced both solutions and new problems for life during the Covid-19 outbreak. The coronavirus has upended life in China, and a hodgepodge of policies from... https://www.scmp.com/tech/chinas-qr-health-code-system-brings-relief-some-and-new-problems/article/3051020?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/chinas-qr-health-code-system-brings-relief-some-and-new-problems/article/3051020?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Feb 2020 21:00:09 +0000 When it comes to many of Apple Inc.’s latest services, iPhone users in China are missing out. Podcast choices are paltry. Apple TV+ is off the air. News subscriptions are blocked, and Arcade gaming is nowhere to be found. For years, Apple made huge inroads in the world’s most populous nation with hardware that boasted crisp displays, sleek lines and speedy processors. It peddled little of the content that boxed US internet giants Google and Facebook Inc. out of the country. But now that Apple is... https://www.scmp.com/tech/censorship-china-bogs-down-apples-pivot-services/article/3036847?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/censorship-china-bogs-down-apples-pivot-services/article/3036847?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 Nov 2019 04:04:52 +0000 Imagine taking the subway during rush hour in a major metropolitan area. After making your way through the crowd, fighting your way to the turnstile, you’re stopped by a single person fumbling with a phone and holding up other disgruntled commuters. The holdup has become a common scene in many of China’s cities because of an important piece of technology central to mobile payments in the country: QR codes. The ubiquity of mobile payments in China means that when it comes time to pay, most people... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3021409/qr-code-payments-make-long-commutes-even-longer-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3021409/qr-code-payments-make-long-commutes-even-longer-china?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 05 Aug 2019 01:50:15 +0000 Imagine taking the subway during rush hour in a major metropolitan area. After making your way through the crowd, fighting your way to the turnstile, you’re stopped by a single person fumbling with a phone and holding up other disgruntled commuters. The holdup has become a common scene in many of China’s cities because of an important piece of technology central to mobile payments in the country: QR codes.   The ubiquity of mobile payments in China means that when it comes time to pay, most... https://www.scmp.com/digital-life/qr-code-payments-make-long-commutes-even-longer-china/article/3020786?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/digital-life/qr-code-payments-make-long-commutes-even-longer-china/article/3020786?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Aug 2019 13:47:31 +0000 Everyone’s waiting longer to upgrade their phones these days, so Apple has been focusing on bolstering services to boost earnings. The strategy seems to be having some success. The company’s latest quarterly earnings show services revenue grew 13% year-on-year. Looking at Apple’s array of services, it’s easy to see how this strategy works in the West. But what about China? Is Apple’s pivot to services an effective move in a country that doesn’t have access to the iTunes Movie store and isn’t... https://www.scmp.com/big-guns/apple-pivoting-services-will-work-china/article/3020754?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/big-guns/apple-pivoting-services-will-work-china/article/3020754?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 31 Jul 2019 14:36:39 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Everyone’s waiting longer to upgrade their phones these days, so Apple has been focusing on bolstering services to boost earnings. The strategy seems to be having some success. The company’s latest quarterly earnings show services revenue grew 13% year-on-year. Looking at Apple’s array of services, it’s easy to see how this strategy works in the West. But what about China? Is Apple’s pivot to services an effective move in a country that doesn’t have... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3029512/apple-pivoting-services-will-work-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3029512/apple-pivoting-services-will-work-china?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 31 Jul 2019 14:36:39 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Users are finally getting their hands on Apple’s iOS 13 update -- and it’s full of goodies for China. Apple released the first public beta builds for its next iPhone operating system on Monday. The headline features include more privacy options, improvements to the photo app and a dark mode. iOS 13 was trending on Weibo on Tuesday as Chinese users saw some of the features tailored towards them. Here’s five of them! 1) Better QR code scanning The QR code... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3029440/five-ios-13-features-will-make-chinese-users-very-happy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3029440/five-ios-13-features-will-make-chinese-users-very-happy?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Jun 2019 11:53:06 +0000 Users are finally getting their hands on Apple’s iOS 13 update -- and it’s full of goodies for China. Apple released the first public beta builds for its next iPhone operating system on Monday. The headline features include more privacy options, improvements to the photo app and a dark mode. iOS 13 was trending on Weibo on Tuesday as Chinese users saw some of the features tailored towards them. Here’s five of them! 1) Better QR code scanning The QR code is king in China. Most mobile payment apps... https://www.scmp.com/big-guns/five-ios-13-features-will-make-chinese-users-very-happy/article/3015978?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/big-guns/five-ios-13-features-will-make-chinese-users-very-happy/article/3015978?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Jun 2019 11:53:06 +0000 China's tech industry has undergone a rapid expansion in the past decade and created a brace of giant companies that dominate the home market. Some of these companies are also making their mark globally, from DJI's consumers drones to smartphones by OnePlus and Xiaomi. Now you can navigate this world through this interactive city, created and hosted by our sister tech site, Abacus. Check out China Tech City https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3014962/learn-about-chinas-tech-industry-through-interactive-world-featuring?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3014962/learn-about-chinas-tech-industry-through-interactive-world-featuring?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Jun 2019 04:19:16 +0000 It’s annoying when any app crashes on your phone, but most of the time it’s just a minor inconvenience. What happens when the app is an integral part of your life, though? Some Chinese commuters learned the hard way Monday morning. In the southwestern metropolis of Chengdu, frustrated subway riders took to Weibo to complain that a transport payment app called Tianfu Tong wasn’t working. Given the size of the city and the popularity of mobile payments in China, a disruption such as this can lead... https://www.scmp.com/digital-life/crashed-app-causes-chaos-during-rush-hour-commute-one-chinas-largest-cities/article/3005159?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/digital-life/crashed-app-causes-chaos-during-rush-hour-commute-one-chinas-largest-cities/article/3005159?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Apr 2019 12:44:56 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS It’s annoying when any app crashes on your phone, but most of the time it’s just a minor inconvenience. What happens when the app is an integral part of your life, though? Some Chinese commuters learned the hard way Monday morning. In the southwestern metropolis of Chengdu, frustrated subway riders took to Weibo to complain that a transport payment app called Tianfu Tong wasn’t working. Given the size of the city and the popularity of mobile payments in... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3029269/crashed-app-causes-chaos-during-rush-hour-commute-one-chinas-largest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3029269/crashed-app-causes-chaos-during-rush-hour-commute-one-chinas-largest?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Apr 2019 12:44:56 +0000 It’s hard to visit a supermarket without seeing barcodes. But soon, shoppers at Kroger will run into another type of scannable codes -- one that’s already ubiquitous in China. Kroger Pay, the grocery chain’s brand new payment app, uses QR codes.   At the checkout line, a customer enters a personal PIN on their phone -- or scans their fingerprint or face -- to bring up a unique code. Hold it up, and the cashier will scan the code with a handheld reader. Money is then drawn from any debit or... https://www.scmp.com/digital-life/coming-retailer-near-you-chinas-favorite-mobile-payment-technology/article/3000819?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/digital-life/coming-retailer-near-you-chinas-favorite-mobile-payment-technology/article/3000819?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Feb 2019 13:50:30 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS It’s hard to visit a supermarket without seeing barcodes. But soon, shoppers at Kroger will run into another type of scannable codes -- one that’s already ubiquitous in China. Kroger Pay, the grocery chain’s brand new payment app, uses QR codes. How the QR code conquered China At the checkout line, a customer enters a personal PIN on their phone -- or scans their fingerprint or face -- to bring up a unique code. Hold it up, and the cashier will scan the... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3029158/coming-retailer-near-you-chinas-favorite-mobile-payment-technology?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3029158/coming-retailer-near-you-chinas-favorite-mobile-payment-technology?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Feb 2019 13:50:30 +0000 Mr. Kwok hadn’t even finished paying for his meal when he received an SMS on his phone, saying that 999 yuan (US$148) was just deducted from his electronic wallet. What’s more, even though he was at a restaurant, the money was sent to a billiard hall, according to Shaanxi Television. Kwok, a police officer, asked to check the surveillance footage. The culprit turned out to be someone who surreptitiously photographed Kwok’s phone screen, which was showing his personal QR code on Alipay --... https://www.scmp.com/digital-life/chinas-favorite-mobile-payment-technology-has-security-problem/article/3000602?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/digital-life/chinas-favorite-mobile-payment-technology-has-security-problem/article/3000602?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Jan 2019 13:45:51 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Mr. Kwok hadn’t even finished paying for his meal when he received an SMS on his phone, saying that 999 yuan (US$148) was just deducted from his electronic wallet. What’s more, even though he was at a restaurant, the money was sent to a billiard hall, according to Shaanxi Television. Kwok, a police officer, asked to check the surveillance footage. The culprit turned out to be someone who surreptitiously photographed Kwok’s phone screen, which was... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3029126/chinas-favorite-mobile-payment-technology-has-security-problem?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3029126/chinas-favorite-mobile-payment-technology-has-security-problem?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 25 Jan 2019 13:45:51 +0000 In China, you can use your face to buy food, thanks to facial recognition, QR codes, and WeChat Pay. But is the convenience worth the loss in privacy? We go to Shenzhen to explore this technological development and understand how close China is to becoming a cashless society. https://www.scmp.com/videos/buying-food-facial-recognition-china/article/3000389?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/videos/buying-food-facial-recognition-china/article/3000389?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Jan 2019 02:00:06 +0000 China loves QR codes. China loves mobile technology. But do Chinese students love mobile technology enough to scan a QR code every time they want to take a shower? Hunan’s Changsha University of Science and Technology rolled out a new shower system, according to local media reports. It requires that users connect their phones to a smart water meter via Bluetooth. Then they have to scan a QR code before they shower, and scan again after they finish. It’s supposed to allow the university to know... https://www.scmp.com/digital-life/smartphone-shower-chinese-college-wants-students-scan-qr-codes-washing/article/2176916?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/digital-life/smartphone-shower-chinese-college-wants-students-scan-qr-codes-washing/article/2176916?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Dec 2018 12:21:13 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS China loves QR codes. China loves mobile technology. But do Chinese students love mobile technology enough to scan a QR code every time they want to take a shower? Hunan’s Changsha University of Science and Technology rolled out a new shower system, according to local media reports. It requires that users connect their phones to a smart water meter via Bluetooth. Then they have to scan a QR code before they shower, and scan again after they finish. It’s... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3029030/smartphone-shower-chinese-college-wants-students-scan-qr-codes-washing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3029030/smartphone-shower-chinese-college-wants-students-scan-qr-codes-washing?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Dec 2018 12:21:13 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS In China, cash doesn’t get you very far. On a recent trip to an amusement park resort in Zhuhai, I stood in front of a vending machine for 30 seconds trying to find a place to insert some money. And then I realized that the only way to buy a bottle of water was to pay with my smartphone. China has embraced paying with smartphones faster than anywhere else: More than 65 percent of the population were already using it by the end of 2017. It is the world’s... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/who-what/what/article/3028233/how-qr-code-conquered-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/who-what/what/article/3028233/how-qr-code-conquered-china?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Oct 2018 09:35:33 +0000 To celebrate our official launch this week, Abacus just rang the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange! Executive Producer Ravi Hiranand and Head of Product for Abacus and the South China Morning Post Malcolm Ong rang the bell to start the trading day at the NYSE. Be sure to follow the day’s events on our Twitter account or with the hashtag #AbacusNYSE. Our mission at Abacus is to show you what’s happening in China tech now and why it matters to you. You can read Ravi’s welcome note to... https://www.scmp.com/abacus-ringing-opening-bell-new-york-stock-exchange/article/2137474?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus-ringing-opening-bell-new-york-stock-exchange/article/2137474?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Mar 2018 07:00:30 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS To celebrate our official launch this week, Abacus just rang the opening bell of the New York Stock Exchange! Executive Producer Ravi Hiranand and Head of Product for Abacus and the South China Morning Post Malcolm Ong rang the bell to start the trading day at the NYSE. Be sure to follow the day’s events on our Twitter account or with the hashtag #AbacusNYSE. Our mission at Abacus is to show you what’s happening in China tech now and why it matters to... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3028376/abacus-ringing-opening-bell-new-york-stock-exchange?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3028376/abacus-ringing-opening-bell-new-york-stock-exchange?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Mar 2018 07:00:30 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Congratulations for being curious! We weren’t sure if everyone would try to scan the QR code… but I’m glad you did. QR codes are everywhere in China. Unlike the one you just followed, they’re not just links; instead, they power the country’s vast mobile payment system. Everyone from supermarkets to street vendors can take payments via phones thanks to QR codes. Unlike the US, mobile payments don’t use NFC (the technology behind Apple Pay). NFC requires... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3028324/welcome-abacus?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3028324/welcome-abacus?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Feb 2018 10:30:30 +0000 Congratulations for being curious! We weren’t sure if everyone would try to scan the QR code… but I’m glad you did. QR codes are everywhere in China. Unlike the one you just followed, they’re not just links; instead, they power the country’s vast mobile payment system. Everyone from supermarkets to street vendors can take payments via phones thanks to QR codes. Unlike the US, mobile payments don’t use NFC (the technology behind Apple Pay). NFC requires special hardware -- but all you need for a... https://www.scmp.com/welcome-abacus/article/2133052?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/welcome-abacus/article/2133052?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Feb 2018 10:30:30 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS The world has changed so much over the last decade that it’s almost quaint to remember when China’s only role in the tech industry was to make things for everyone else. Things are different now. China’s tech giants aren’t just local titans, they’re global. They stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the rest of the world. But thanks to local culture, the sheer size of its population -- and of course, regulations restricting foreign competitors -- China’s tech... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3028308/welcome-abacus?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3028308/welcome-abacus?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Feb 2018 19:00:15 +0000 The world has changed so much over the last decade that it’s almost quaint to remember when China’s only role in the tech industry was to make things for everyone else. Things are different now. China’s tech giants aren’t just local titans, they’re global. They stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the rest of the world. But thanks to local culture, the sheer size of its population -- and of course, regulations restricting foreign competitors -- China’s tech scene has evolved in very different... https://www.scmp.com/welcome-abacus/article/2131754?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/welcome-abacus/article/2131754?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 Feb 2018 19:00:15 +0000