23. July 2009
Shanghai-based language learning social network, italki, has accounced the first business member of its Language Marketplace: English training company, Eleutian Technology. The service offers one‐on‐one internet tutoring with US‐certified school teachers and Eleutian's SpeakENG product, which incorporates Pearson's (PSO) English Language Learning and Instruction SystemTM to italki's members. Prospective students can visit www.italki.com and register for an eight‐minute trial...
07. July 2009
Two interesting developments in the East Asian Internet scene came up early this July: Our friends at Web20Asia.com and Asiajian report that Korean Search Giant Naver has opened its new Japanese version to 5,000 beta testers. The company had previously tried to crack the Japanese market but gave up on their first attempt in 2005. Naver is by far Koreas most popular search engine with way over 70% domestic market share. The company is regarded as a true pioneer in search and developed many...
28. April 2009
The Chinese Ministry of Culture just issued a new regulation on the import of online games. Key points worth noting are: Companies that want to import online games to China have to apply for a license from the Ministry of Culture Preliminary testing (e.g. Beta Versions) is limited to 20.000 active users Without appropriate license, imposing user fees, engaging users in business cooperations or posting advertisement is illegal In case of a significant change in the nature of existing business, a...
20. April 2009
Robin Lee, CEO of leading Chinese search engine Baidu, is currently attending the Boao Forum for Asia. He there announced that his company is planning to heavily expand its international business, hoping to generate 70% of its revenues from foreign markets by 2025 at the latest. Key markets will be the US and Japan, said Lee. The Boao Forum is an annual conference for Asia's most influential leaders in government, business & academia.
04. March 2009
Our friend Chang Kim recently pointed out an interesting article by the Economist regarding the international expansion plans of the Korean search giant Naver. According to the report the company plans to launch several more culturally specific search engines, such as “Naver California”, “Naver Korean-American” or “Naver Chinese-American”. Read the full post from Chang on his blog Web 2.0 Asia here and the original Economist interview with Navers CEO Mr. Chae here.