IT Brief Asia - Technology news for CIOs & IT decision-makers
Asia

Asian News

Waze adds motorcycle mode & Gemini navigation tools
Data Privacy

Waze adds motorcycle mode & Gemini navigation tools

Riders in seven countries will soon get hazard warnings and faster ETAs as the navigation app rolls out a motorcycle mode.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • 2 days ago
Hyundai Card launches Alphabet Card as standalone brand
Data Science

Hyundai Card launches Alphabet Card as standalone brand

Customers seeking more tailored rewards will now find Hyundai Card's niche products separated from its mainstream range under a new brand.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • 2 days ago
UMC signs imec silicon photonics deal for 12-inch wafers
Network Infrastructure

UMC signs imec silicon photonics deal for 12-inch wafers

Risk production of optical transceiver chips is slated for 2026 and 2027 as UMC moves silicon photonics onto 12-inch wafers.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • 2 days ago
Vietnam office landlords race to upgrade ageing stock
IT Industry

Vietnam office landlords race to upgrade ageing stock

Many older towers risk losing tenants and value as occupiers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City demand greener, healthier offices.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • 2 days ago
Samsung brings first Yongin chip fab launch forward to 2029
Semiconductors

Samsung brings first Yongin chip fab launch forward to 2029

Rising AI memory demand is prompting Samsung to speed up its first Yongin semiconductor plant, with output now slated to start in 2029.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • 3 days ago
MNL targets older Singapore estates for EV retrofits
Schneider Electric

MNL targets older Singapore estates for EV retrofits

Older condominiums could gain EV chargers without costly substation upgrades, easing a bottleneck as Singapore's car electrification accelerates.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last week
Siam Commercial Bank joins Citi's 24/7 USD clearing
Fintech

Siam Commercial Bank joins Citi's 24/7 USD clearing

Thai corporates can now move US dollars round the clock after The Siam Commercial Bank became Citi's first client for a combined tokenised clearing service.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
Hong Kong shoppers embrace AI, but not at checkout
Data Protection

Hong Kong shoppers embrace AI, but not at checkout

While discovery is already mainstream, 45% of Hong Kong shoppers still balk at letting AI complete purchases, the survey found.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
Singapore warnings on identity gaps after breaches
Data Protection

Singapore warnings on identity gaps after breaches

Breaches in Singapore and Japan are sharpening scrutiny of identity controls, as regulators eye tougher rules for data centres and cloud firms.

By Mark Tarre • 6 min read • Last week
Singapore investors use AI widely but still seek advisers
Digital Transformation

Singapore investors use AI widely but still seek advisers

Yet only 8% of investors in Singapore said AI drove their last major decision, underscoring demand for human validation.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
Nium acquires Cypher to expand digital assets push
Crypto

Nium acquires Cypher to expand digital assets push

The deal gives Nium specialist wallet and on-chain expertise as demand rises for payments that link cards, transfers and stablecoins.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Last week
AAMS launches Asia Admarcom Alliance across six markets
Marketing Technologies

AAMS launches Asia Admarcom Alliance across six markets

The pact is meant to ease fragmentation as marketers across Southeast Asia face common pressures from AI, content, data and skills gaps.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last week
Vendfun launches compact Nano-S hotel self-check-in kiosk
Digital Transformation

Vendfun launches compact Nano-S hotel self-check-in kiosk

Smaller hotels can now automate check-in in tighter lobby spaces, as Vendfun adds payment, ID scanning and loyalty enrolment to one unit.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Last week
China cloud market turns to compliance & resilience
Data Protection

China cloud market turns to compliance & resilience

Regulation, resilience and AI are now shaping Chinese companies' cloud choices as hybrid models dominate and vendor risk rises.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Last week
Keeper Security hits USD $225 million ARR on AI demand
Software-as-a-Service

Keeper Security hits USD $225 million ARR on AI demand

Rising demand for AI-era identity controls has lifted the cybersecurity group to USD $225 million in annual recurring revenue.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week
Connext opens Cebu office as revenue & hiring grow
Human Capital Management

Connext opens Cebu office as revenue & hiring grow

The new site widens Connext's offshore capacity for US clients, as first-half revenue rose 15% and headcount climbed to 2,620.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 3 min read • Last week
Ant Group takes 28% Boohee Health stake in AI push
Wearables

Ant Group takes 28% Boohee Health stake in AI push

The deal gives Ant Group a bigger role in everyday health services as it expands AQ's focus on weight management and AI-powered nutrition.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last week
Singapore firms best able to ride out supply shocks
Supply Chain

Singapore firms best able to ride out supply shocks

A new survey shows Singapore businesses are more prepared than peers to absorb supply shocks, with 23% able to run for up to six months.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • Last week
Mastercard unveils Singapore payments innovation circuit
Biometrics

Mastercard unveils Singapore payments innovation circuit

Financial institutions across Asia Pacific are being shown how AI agents, digital identity and tokenisation could reshape secure payments in coming years.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Last week