China unicorn* announces top 10 rankings in the Google Play store for Wi-Fi crowdsourcing app

Source: Play Store.

WiFi Master Key, a free Wi-Fi hotspot-crowdsourcing app, is seeing a surge in popularity in Southeast Asia as it helps a growing community get online in the region.

When a user shares a Wi-Fi hotspot with the community, other users can use the shared information in the database to get online for free. To protect privacy and security, the app does not reveal any shared Wi-Fi passwords; instead, it encrypts and stores the shared information in its cloud database.

Wifi.com, the Shanghai-based startup, which lets users easily and safely connect to free Wi-Fi hotspots shared by other users, was ranked 10th on Google Play's tools app chart in the Philippines for the week of October 19. In Indonesia, it is also ranked 10th, for tools apps.

The app became the No. 1 tools app in Malaysia last month, while also becoming the No. 5 most popular free app in the country. In Vietnam, it became on September 22 the No. 1 tool app, and the No. 5 free app in general.

Wifi.com founder and CEO Chen Danian said in a recent speech that WiFi Master Key has become an important tool for many on-demand services in China. He said: "WiFi Master Key will help more and more people get online for free, while providing better mobile services as we dig deep into our expanding data pool."

Launched in September 2012, Wifi.com set the record of being China's youngest unicorn mobile Internet company to achieve a billion-dollar valuation earlier this year, after closing a US$52 million Series A funding. As of August 2015, the app has connected a total of 700 million users, 360 million monthly active users, and an average of close to 30 million connections daily. WiFi Master Key set up regional headquarters in Singapore in May to tap into fast-growing markets in the region. 

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*A unicorn is a startup which is valued at more than US$1 billion. The figure is fairly rare, just like the legendary unicorn.

Plantronics headsets to be controlled from Apple Watches and Android Wear wearables

Plantronics, an audio and wearable technology specialist, announced that the latest version of its Plantronics Hub for iOS and Android now supports the Apple Watch and Android Wear, broadening the company’s reach to include other devices within the growing mobile device ecosystem.

With the new smart watch extension, people can now manage the headset experience directly from their wrist. Plantronics Hub v3.5 for iOS and Android lets users manage, customise, and control premium Plantronics Bluetooth headsets, including Voyager Legend, Voyager Edge, and Voyager Focus UC. The controls include muting and unmuting the headset, volume control, battery status, and ending calls. 

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Plantronics Hub v3.5 for iOS and Android with smart watch support is free and available* now..

*Plantronics Hub for iOS requires iPhone 5, 5S, 5C, 6, 6 Plus and iOS 8.3; Plantronics for Android requires OS v2.3.3 and later

Ibis Hotels make a musical connection with Deezer

Source: Accor Hotels.

Economy hotel market player ibis Hotels, which is part of the Accor group, has announced an Australian campaign where guests can connect, discover and participate in a world of music following the brand’s partnership with Deezer, an international music streaming service.

Guests of ibis, ibis styles and ibis budget will have access to an exclusive microsite through the group’s partnership with Deezer, called ibis PLAY, which will grant guests access to regularly-updated geo-localised gig guides, tastemaker curated playlists, reviews, music community news, artist interviews, photo galleries and exclusive ibis Hotels content, while featuring Australian live acts.

Bridie Commerford, Vice President of Marketing & Communications for Accor Australia, said, “Our ibis hotels across Australia can now cleverly play the role of trip planner, enabler and host, while providing exclusive opportunities that no other hotel group can provide.”

Dona Inthaxoum, head of label relations for Deezer in Asia and Oceania, said: "This partnership with ibis is truly representative of our vision for Australia - to make music as accessible as possible so that it becomes an integral part of the everyday lives of Australians. On top of our catalogue of over 35 million tracks, our worldwide network of music editors has specially curated content for the ibis PLAY website – where guests at ibis can enjoy finding old favourites and discovering new tunes in the comfort of their hotel."

To celebrate the release of ibis PLAY and ibis Hotels partnership with Deezer, ibis Hotels are offering stays starting from A$109 per night. The offer is valid until 19 August 2015.

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