Markets

Alibaba’s Ali Small Number, a virtual number service launched in 2014, is shutting down due to security concerns and misuse for spam and illegal activities. The service allowed users to obtain virtual numbers without a physical SIM, offering privacy and protection from harassment. The closure has sparked frustration among users who relied on it for managing online accounts. Users are advised to identify and update accounts linked to their virtual numbers before the service is discontinued on October 31st. Official support offers limited assistance.

Travelzoo (TZOO) is offering U.S. Club Members exclusive travel deals, including an Ireland vacation for $599, a Mexico 5-star getaway for $999, and up to 75% off Hamptons beachfront stays. Other deals feature a Paris trip with flights for $499 and a Caribbean all-inclusive package for $399. These curated offers, vetted by Travelzoo’s experts, provide significant savings on coveted experiences. Availability is limited, encouraging prompt booking.

Elon Musk has voiced concerns about losing control of Tesla, citing his current 12.8% stake as insufficient to secure his position, especially with the company’s future robotics focus. He refuted claims of using Tesla stock as loan collateral. Musk aims for a 25% share to maintain strategic influence, highlighting the impact of stock option taxation on his voting control. His apprehension stems from the possibility of being ousted by activist shareholders after Tesla produces “millions of robots.”

Ella Rosa’s “Weapon” music video has garnered significant attention on Bilibili, nearing 700,000 views. The suggestive content has sparked online discussion, ironically interpreted by some viewers. This viral video marks a potential resurgence for Sony Music’s visibility on the platform, contrasting with engagement statistics of many of the label’s 231,000 uploads, though still dwarfed by Rick Astley’s 93.39 million views. Sony Music China represents the corporation’s Asian market.

AOL, once a major internet player, will terminate its 34-year-old dial-up service on September 30, 2025, marking the end of an era for the company and a small number of remaining users. The shutdown also includes the AOL Dialer software and AOL Shield browser. Despite its decline, AOL’s dial-up still had approximately 250,000 users in the US, mainly in areas lacking broadband infrastructure. This move reflects AOL’s struggles to adapt to modern technology after past successes.

A former Motorola CEO discussed the difficulties of reviving US manufacturing, citing the company’s failed 2013 attempt to assemble Moto X smartphones in Texas. Despite employing 4,000 workers, the factory closed within a year due to disappointing sales. Challenges included a fragmented supply chain reliant on Asian components, leading to high transportation costs. Crucially, talent acquisition proved difficult, with extensive training needed and a prevailing sentiment that factory work isn’t desirable, hindering recruitment and retention.

Huawei is expected to unveil a significant AI inference technology at an upcoming forum, potentially reducing China’s reliance on High Bandwidth Memory (HBM). HBM is crucial for AI inference due to its high bandwidth and capacity, enabling faster access to large language model parameters. However, HBM supply constraints and export restrictions are pushing Chinese companies to seek alternatives. This innovation could improve the performance of Chinese AI models and strengthen the Chinese AI ecosystem.

A video of a cyclist calmly responding to a traffic incident in Suzhou, China, has gone viral, igniting debate about personal responsibility and communication strategies. The cyclist, confronted by a woman traveling against traffic who filmed him and demanded accountability, repeatedly stated he would defer to the police. The police reportedly found the woman at fault. The cyclist’s friend claims she posted the video without permission and is now facing potential legal action. Online commentators praise the cyclist’s composure and strategic restraint in avoiding a manipulated narrative.

Apple closed its Dalian Parkson Centennial Shopping Center store on August 9th, marking its first directly-operated retail closure in China. The store opened in 2015. Online footage showed staff and customers bidding farewell after a decade. Apple cited the shopping center’s declining retail presence as the reason, stating that employees would be offered positions elsewhere. The shopping center has faced financial difficulties and a change in management.

Shanghai Xingshang Micro-Assembly, established in February 2025, has delivered its 500th advanced packaging lithography system, marking a significant achievement for China’s semiconductor equipment industry. Its core product excels in resolution, overlay accuracy, and exposure field. Holding a 35% global market share and a dominant 90% in China, the company’s systems cater to technologies like Flip-chip and 2.5D/3D packaging. The 500th system will be deployed at JCET’s Shenghe Microelectronics, supporting wafer-level packaging for high-performance chips.