70% Of Chinese First-Time Internet Users Use Mobile

According to the China Internet Network Information Center, the overall penetration rate of China’s Internet has grown steadily to 42.1% since the end of 2012, with the majority of growth coming from mobile devices. At the current rate, the total number of Internet users in China will reach 800 million by 2015. Presently, 591 million Internet users reside in China, and 464 million of them are categorized as mobile users, which means that 78.5% of Internet users use a smart device when online. With a lot of recent talk about shifting advertising to mobile, these numbers lend credence to the opinion that mobile is expanding rapidly, and that companies ought to keep a close eye on the category.

Sony & Disney Begin Streaming Movies Still In Theaters

In a bold attempt to undercut piracy around the world, as well as retain command over their film brand images Disney and Sony began testing a new on-demand service in South Korea that offers movies to rent whilst still in theaters. Films such as Django Unchained, Wreck-It Ralph, and Brave have all been made available as part of the program. Such experiments have been met with derision and inter-company political skirmishes in the past, but the companies now recognize that times are changing, and new methods of content delivery are necessary for a changing digital world. 

Uber Rolls Into Singapore and Plans Further Asian Expansion

Popular car service Uber has rolled into Singapore, signaling the beginning of a planned expansion for the growing company into several Asian markets.  Early tests of the service reveal that they are differentiating from other mobile-enabled car services by offering a premium service at a higher price.  Similar start-ups are turning their eyes to Asia as well, as they begin to explore opportunities outside Europe and North America, seeing it as a tech and entrepreneurial hub ripe for massive growth.