Lichi Wu: I’m a mobile monetization whiz at Millennial Media. Ask me anything

Lichi Wu is the director of global monetization solutions at Millennial Media, a publicly-traded global mobile ad platform. He helps publishers and developers monetize their mobile apps and sites effectively. Prior to Millennial Media, Lichi worked for Google in the US and Singapore and was part of AdMob APAC’s landing team. He also spent two years working at Singapore startups. Mobile ad monetization may sometimes feels like a mystery. There are companies who made their fortune via in-game purchases. But for every success story there are likely thousands of failures. And then there are reports that the mobile advertising market is skyrocketing. Advertisers from global brands to local names are increasingly spending boatloads of advertising dollars on mobile. It’s estimated that the mobile advertising spend will be US$18 billion in 2014 and around US$42 billion in 2017. Ultimately, a big chunk of that goes to publishers and developers because that’s what advertisers spend money for – to connect with end users like you and I. So how can you successfully deploy mobile advertising as part of your monetization strategy? What do advertisers want and how do you take advantage of that?

Source: TECHINASIA

Jones Lang LaSalle European Commercial Real Estate. Market Indicators 2014: Retail,Office & Warehousing

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El Consorcio Kuntur Wasi,ganó la licitación para construir el Aeropuerto de Chinchero en Cusco.

El Consorcio Kuntur Wasi,  conformado por Corporación América y Andino Investment Holding, ganó la licitación para construir el Aeropuerto de Chinchero en Cusco, anunció Pro Inversión.

Kuntur Wasi le ganó la partida a los otros dos consorcios: Aeropuerto Chinchero y Aeropuerto Imperial debido a que propuso un financiamiento de US$ 264.7 millones, menor al máximo de US$ 458 millones que fijó el Estado.

Los consorcios que perdieron proponían más financiamiento público: el Consorcio Aeroportuario Chinchero –conformado por las empresas VINCI Airports, VINCIConcessions y Graña y Montero– pidió US$ 411 millones; y el Consorcio Aeroportuario Imperial –intregado por el Grupo Odinsa y Mota Engil Perú– planteó un monto de US$ 348 millones.

El ministro de Transportes y Comunicaciones, Carlos Paredes, señaló que se ha superado largamente la “cifra histórica de concesiones con US$ 12 mil millones a la fecha”.

JJL: Global Real Estate Markets Gaining Traction

Source: Jones Lang Lasalle

The world's dominant commercial real estate markets have moved into 2014 in better shape than at any time since the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-2009. Capital markets are exhibiting remarkable strength and the disconnect, that has emerged over the past two years between a more cautious occupational market, is showing signs of narrowing.

This latest edition of Global Market Perspective presents an encouraging picture of a global real estate market that is regaining its pre-crisis vigour:

• The global economy is steadily improving, GDP growth is accelerating, and higher business confidence and perceptions of fewer downside risks are spurring corporations to spend again. Crucially, the U.S. economy and real estate market look finally to be gaining some traction.
• The real estate investment market is displaying exceptional liquidity in both the equity and debt markets, with a huge weight of money chasing commercial property, as evidenced by:
• Full-year 2013 sales transactions up 21% to US$563 billion
• Q4 2013 volumes hitting nearly US$200 billion; a level not seen since mid-2007
• 24 countries achieving in excess of US$1 billion in transactions during Q4
• Several major markets registering record transaction levels in 2013, including China, Australia, Canada and Singapore
• Further prime yield compression and an acceleration in capital value growth, increasing by an average of 7.5% year-on-year for prime office assets

• Very strong competition for a limited stock of core assets is forcing investors up the risk curve, into 'non-core assets in core markets' and 'core assets in non-core markets'. For example:
• Global investment volumes in the hotel sector were up a massive 40% in 2013, while industrial transactions in Europe grew by 70%
• Second-tier cities, such as Seattle, Atlanta, UK regional cities and Osaka, are capturing a greater proportion of real estate capital
• Investors are seeking out markets that until recently were considered 'out of bounds', notably in Southern Europe where there has been a rapid change in sentiment
• Investors are also targeting value-added opportunities and moving into development in order to access product

Survey: Commercial property sales will reach 10-year high by 2016

    According to a forecast report based on a survey by 39 of the industry’s leading economists and analysts, commercial real estate property transaction volume will reach a 10-year high by 2016. The report, produced by the Urban Land Institute and EY, predicted that transaction volume will reach $430 billion by 2016, exceeding the volume of 2006.

The semiannual Real Estate Consensus Forecast is more optimistic than the previous one from October 2014. Although survey respondents moderated their expectations for the housing sector – the latest forecast projects housing starts will remain below the 20-year annual average through 2016 – the overall industry outlook remains positive. The issuance of commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), a key source of financing for commercial real estate, is expected to continue its rebound with consistent growth through 2016. Hotel occupancy rates are expected to continue improving, while vacancy rates are expected to decrease modestly for office, retail and industrial properties. In addition, the forecast expects a turnaround in 2014 with retail rental rates, turning positive for the first time since 2007.

“Respondents to the Consensus Forecast survey project consistent growth in the real estate industry, bringing some key factors back to pre-recession levels and others moderating to long-term averages,” said Anita Kramer, vice president, ULI Center for Capital Markets and Real Estate. “Fundamentals beyond multifamily continue to improve with the retail sector now joining in. This overall outlook for real estate is supported by expected ongoing improvements in the economy.”

The Consensus Forecast expects the overall economy to continue expanding at a rate equivalent to the 20-year average. Gross domestic product is expected to grow by 2.8 percent in 2014 and then 3.0 percent in both 2015 and 2016. Survey respondents predict that employment will grow by over 7.5 million jobs in the next three years. The unemployment rate is expected to fall to 6.3 percent by the end of the year, 6.0 by the end of 2015, and 5.8 percent by the end of 2016.

Prices and total returns for commercial real estate investments are projected to increase at moderate rates. Institutional real estate assets are expected to provide total returns of 9.4 percent in 2014, moderating slightly up to 8.5 percent by 2016. NCREIF total returns in 2014 are expected to be fairly consistent across property types with retail and industrial at 10 percent, followed by office and apartments at 9 percent. Total office returns are expected to remain at 9 percent by 2016, while retail, industrial, and apartments are all expected to moderate downward.

The Consensus Forecast survey findings, by commercial property type, are listed below:

Apartments – The Consensus Forecast expects end-of-year vacancy rates to rise slightly to 5 percent in 2014, 5.2 percent in 2015, and 5.3 percent in 2016. Apartment rental growth rate, which slowed in 2013 after two years of significant growth, is expected to slightly increase in 2014 to 2.7 percent and then moderate to 2.3 percent in 2015 and 2.2 in 2016.

Industrial/warehouse – Decreases in the industrial/warehouse sector are expected to continue but at a slower pace. Vacancy rates are projected to go from 11.3 percent in 2013 to 10.7 percent in 2014, 10.3 percent in 2015, and 10.1 percent by the end of 2016. According to CBRE, the sector’s rental growth rate was strong in 2013 at 3.6 percent. The Consensus Forecast projects continued growth of 3.8 percent in 2014 and 3.7 percent in 2015 before moderating to 3.0 percent in 2016.

Office – Office vacancy rates declined for the third straight year to 14.9 percent in 2013 and are expected to continue at the same pace, decreasing to 14.3 percent in 2014, 13.7 percent in 2015, and 13.1 percent by the end of 2016. Survey respondents foresee a healthy and continued growth in office rental rates through 2016. According to the Consensus Forecast, office rental rates will increase by 3 percent in 2014, 3.9 percent in 2015, and 3.6 percent in 2016.

Retail – Retail availability rates decreased in 2013; however, the Consensus Forecast anticipates modest improvements over the next three years, with availability rates expected to decline to 11.5 percent by 2014, 11.1 percent by 2015, and 10.8 percent by 2016. CBRE reported a decline in retail rental rates for the past six year; however, survey respondents foresee a turnaround in 2014 with rental rates increasing by 1.9 percent, 2.5 percent in 2015, and 3 percent 2016.

Hotel – Hotel occupancy rates are expected to continue their steady improvement, with the 2016 projection surpassing the pre-recession peak in 2006. The Consensus Forecast projects that hotel occupancy rates will continue to strengthen, rising to 63.1 percent in 2014, 63.6 percent in 2015, and 63.8 percent by 2016. The strong growth in hotel revenue per available room (RevPAR) of the last four years is expected to continue, remaining above the long-term average annual growth rate but decelerating, with growth of 5 percent in 2014, 4.7 percent in 2015, and 4 percent in 2016.

Source: Daily Reporter

72% of Chinese Mobile Music Users were Aged 21-30 in 2013

There were 313 million mobile music app users in China in 2013, while an estimated 912 million users ever consumed digital music through mobile phones during the year, according to the annual report released by iiMedia, a Chinese mobile market research agency.

43.1% of users were of age group 21-25, 29.2% of group 26-30 — that’s 72.3% of 21-30, while only 12.4% are over 30.

According to the estimation by iiMedia, China’ s mobile music sales in 2013 increased 6.1% to RMB39.7 billion (roughly USD6.5 bn).

Mobile music apps are more used for playing songs saved locally, streaming, downloads and searches, instead of creating or sharing playlists, or watching music videos.

The “mobile music” iiMedia refers to include both the mobile Internet-based and music consumed through SMS or MMS. So the majority of the total revenues were made by the three Chinese telecom operators through mobile ringtone sales and other offerings, while a minor fraction was generated from independent online music services.

The major revenue source of most mobile music apps’ was advertising which hadn’t brought them significant income yet. As of the end of the year, paid offerings include paid downloads, membership subscriptions or music data plans. Major digital music services such as Xiami launched data plans partnering with telcos during the year.

At the end of 2013 there were acquisition rumors that Alibaba had acquired TTPod and Kugou bought Kuwo. iiMedia concludes consolidation was thanks to the fact that many services were struggling to survive.

Some milestones that happened during the year,

• Duomi, one of the leading music apps in China, announced 180 million installs as of the end of 2013, a 20% increase.
• Douban FM, a Pandora-like music discovery service, announced ten million unique visitors in June 2013.
• Mobile Taobao, the mobile marketplace ran by Alibaba Group, added a music channel by integrating music offerings by Xiami, an online music streaming and download service that was acquired by Alibaba less than one year ago.
• Qianqianjingting, a music playing software acquired by Chinese search giant Baidu, was renamed Baidu Music.

China Mobile, the largest Chinese telco, has been one of the biggest players in terms of mobile music users and revenues. Migu, its mobile music brand , reached 450 million users with over 50 million monthly subscribers as of 2013.

Apart from working with musicians helping them publish and promote original songs or events, and reach users, China Mobile also offers business-facing services, charging for usage of APIs, user data analysis, among others. China Mobile counts on music videos, high quality music and in-car music services as 4G is coming around.

A few new mobile music apps, however, were working on new business models. Changba, a mobile Karaoke app, began monetization through virtual gift sales in 2013.

Source: TechNode

CNET: Digital storage basics.

When it comes to computer storage, judging from many questions friends and readers send me, there's quite a bit of confusion among general users as to what it actually is. And it's not your fault; digital storage can be as messy as my desk. This is the reason for this series, where I sort out the basics and more, in layman's terms.

That said, some information in this might be too basic for advanced users. Home and novice users, however, give yourself some uninterrupted time and dive in. You'll survive.

1. Understanding the units

No matter how boring this is, you can't grasp digital storage without know its measurement unit, which is byte.

Byte (symbol: B): Byte is generally the smallest unit in digital storage. You can think of 1 byte as one character in a document. For example, we actually need to use 4 bytes to store just the word "byte." In real life, we use larger units, including kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte, and terabyte.

Kilobyte (KB or kB): By general definition, one kilobyte is 1,024 bytes. In many cases, for the sake of simplicity, 1 kilobyte is understood as 1,000 bytes.

Megabyte (MB): By general definition, 1 megabyte is 1,024,000 bytes. Similarly, it can also be understood as 1,000,000 bytes.

Gigabyte (GB): By general definition, 1 gigabyte is 1,000,000,000 bytes.

Terabyte (TB): By general definition, 1 terabyte is 1,000,000,000,000 bytes, or 1,000GB.

Currently, the largest 3.5-inch hard drive (commonly found inside a desktop computer) offers 4TB of storage space. Most computers come with drives with capacities of somewhere between 120GB and 2TB. Most mobile devices, such as tablets or smartphones, offer between 8GB and 120GB of storage space.

Generally, a typical photo taken by the iPhone 4 takes up about 2MB of storage space. A digital song uses about 5MB. A compact disc (CD), which has the capacity of 700MB, can hold about 350 iPhone photos or some 140 songs. The actual size of digital content varies a great deal, however, depending on the format and the compression level. The common rule is the richer (and/or higher quality) the content, the larger storage space it requires. A 10-minute audio podcast needs anywhere between 4MB and 10MB, but a 10-minute high-def movie requires a few hundred megabytes or even a gigabyte of storage space.

Storage vs. memory

These are two terms that are often mistakenly used for each another, though they are two very different things.

Storage, in a nutshell, is where the information (such as Word documents, photos, movie clips, programs, and so on) is stored. In a computer, the whole operating system itself, such as Windows 7 or Mac OS, is also stored on the internal storage device. Storage is nonvolatile, meaning that the information is still there when the host device (a computer, for example) is turned off and is readily accessible when the device is turned back on. It's like a book or a paper notebook that's always there, ready for you to read or write on.

Memory (aka system memory, random access memory, or RAM), on the other hand, is where information is being processed and manipulated. Data in the system memory is volatile, meaning that when the computer is turned off, it's gone; the memory becomes blank, as if nothing has been there before. It's somewhat like the short-term memory part of your brain, where images or ideas are being formed and processed when you read a book -- those that disappear the moment you stop reading.

Source:   by Dong Ngo, CNET.

Vietnam is now Apple’s fastest growing market in the world

If you know anything about Vietnam, you know that Vietnamese people are highly brand conscious. Brands are associated with status and status is everything. Vietnam is so brand conscious that a business person will not trust that you are successful unless you drive a nice Mercedes Benz. So it’s no surprise that Apple, which has been deemed the world’s number one brand, is seeing its iPhones and iPads flying off the shelves in Vietnam. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is experiencing a sales boom in Vietnam right now, according to Apple executives talking in the company’s earnings conference call this week. Reuters notes that in Apple’s fiscal first half of the year, Vietnam sales tripled – that’s five times faster than Apple’s sales growth in India. iPhone sales in Vietnam have doubled quarterly. Vietnam is now Apple’s fastest growing market. This seems bizarre when you look at Vietnam’s overall economy. In 2013, the annual income of of an average Vietnamese person was just below US$2,000. Vietnam’s economy has been sluggish since 2009. But that hasn’t dampened demand for smartphones. As Reuters’ Nguyen Phuong Linh notes, Vietnamese people are willing to spend more than they can afford just to have the appearance of status. A smartphone is the cheapest luxury item out there and it also has the highest visibility.

According to research group IDC, one of the key factors in Apple’s growth is its latest partnership with FPT, the tech juggernaut that does everything from manufacturing to internet services to outsourcing. FPT is an authorized distributor of Apple products and FPT Retail is an Apple Premium Reseller in the country. Retail channels in Vietnam accounted for 70 percent of the total iPhone shipments in the first quarter of 2014, while the telcos likes Viettel and Vinaphone accounted for the remaining 30 percent. Overall, Vietnam’s smartphone shipments reached 7.6 million units in 2013. That’s an increase of 89 percent from 2012. This growth will likely continue for many years to come.

Source:  TECHINASIA

AliPay Now Available on Another Japanese E-commerce Giant Rakuten

AliPay, the payment arm of Chinese Internet titan Alibaba, reached cooperation with Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten to added AliPay as a payment option for purchases on Rakuten Global Market, the cross-border e-commerce unit of the Japnese company. The service is currently available in 250 stores on the platform and will be expanded to all the stores in the future.

Rakuten is the second Japanese e-commerce service that AliPay announced cooperation this month. Last week, AliPay announced it will be added as payment option on Yahoo! Shopping Japan.

Japan has become a popular marketplace for Chinese netizens who want to purchase products overseas, largely due to the depreciation of JPY. The total consumption of Chinese online shoppers in Japanese e-commerce sites surged more than 300% YOY in 2013.

As of the first quarter of this year, AliPay is available in more than 100 Japanese e-commerce sites and more than 1,000 platforms globally, according to data from the company.

Source: TechNode