Tough Times Ahead As American Airlines Group Inc (NASDAQ:AAL) Seeks To Shrink The Legroom In Its Planes

American Airlines Group Inc (NASDAQ:AAL), which is as a matter of fact the biggest carrier in the United States of America according to a number of top trusted sources will soon move ahead to make the legroom in some of its economy-class rows even smaller.

This is of course one among the numerous important decisions it has been making lately which it hopes will help it a great deal in rising through the ranks to become an industry leader as well as uplift it in terms of delivering top-notch services to a large to all its passengers.

On its new Boeing 737 Max jets, due to debut later this year, the top airline is determined do all it takes to see to it that it succeeds in decreasing the distance between some seats .The distance is as a matter of fact set to range between 31 inches to 29.

The trusted airline’s passengers will of course have to put up with the new initiative that target offering them some 30inches of legroom, or “pitch.”

While speaking to travel outlet Skift, the American Airlines spokesperson said, “The seats we’ll use on the Max are designed to maximize personal living space while allowing more comfort, even in arrangements like this where the pitch is a little tighter,”

As a matter of fact, the eventual shrinking of the legroom will move a long way towards increasing the number of seats on flights from 160 to about 170.With that clearly outlined, it is important to point out the fact that the move may have been in the works for a little while. According to the company’s insiders, Robert Isom, American’s president had in the early days of last moth foretold the announcement which he did in an earnings call.

To affirm his deeply held beliefs about the company and its latest move, the top executive outlined, “We think that we have some density issues with our narrow body fleet that we will be addressing in the coming years as well that I think will have benefits in terms of overall revenue production and also will help us from a unit cost perspective as well,”

The company is at the moment thinking about other better ways that will help generate more revenues to help it maximize its revenues. The future looks bright, but we just have to wait and see!

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Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) Launches Instant Games On Messenger For Its 1.2 Billion Monthly Users

Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB)’s 1.2 billion monthly active subscribers will now have an access to Instant Games on Messenger. Having been launched in the US in November, the new “Instant Games” feature, which has close to 50 titles to play, was exclusively exposed to the view of developers at the annual F8 conference.

As the developers start engaging in the dynamism of the new features, they will have their creativity boosted and in return create a unique experience to the users. Other than just the single-player games that players experience, the Instant Games supports turn-by-turn games. As if this is not enough, developers will have the opportunity of making game bots that keep the players engaged and motivated on game options.

Instant Games played for over 1.5 billion times in the last 90 days

Facebook confirms that Instant Games is enjoying great play and for the last 90 days, they have been played for over 1.5 billion times. The most significant thing about the updated Instant Games on Messenger is that it will be accessible to both Android and iOS users across the world. It is expected to be a platform for good conversation for people waiting for replies to their messages from their friends.

Apparently, there are all indications that the new feature is introducing competition to the popularly known app stores given the access to no-download HTML5 Instant Games. Remember the feature has all the customization including tournaments and leaderboards.

No income yet from the Instant Games platform

Facebook says that a majority of users are inclined towards the turn-based gameplay while pointing out at Zynga’s Words with Friends being one of those games that will enjoy the features. The game allows simultaneous chat and it is also well positioned to accommodate a messaging app.

Nonetheless, the Instant Games platform is yet to bring in any money given that ads and in-game purchases are still not available. Notably, Facebook has for the longest time possible declined to provide surfaces for games but this is no more having already launched a desktop gaming platform known as Gameroom.

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Nokia Oyj (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) Completes Upgrade Works On Cosmote’s Network Using Long wave Microwave Technology

Nokia Oyj (ADR)(NYSE:NOK) has completed upgrade works on Greece’s largest telecom provider, Cosmote, networks, while using its long haul 9,500 Microwave Packet Radio. The upgrade will allow the service provider to meet growing demand for broadband services especially in rural areas across Greek Islands.

Nokia’s Cosmote Network Upgrade

Thanks to the new technology, Cosmote will now be able to deliver data at speeds of up to 1Gbps while serving both fixed and mobile networks. The upgrade also makes it possible for the telecommunications company to use its existing passive radio equipment.

 Cosmote should be able to provide fiber-like connectivity to remote locations thanks to the Nokia’s long haul microwave technology. In addition, the network will enjoy backhaul redundancy ensuring end customers get access to reliable network connections.

“Providing a network across a spread of islands provides its own unique challenges. Nokia first demonstrated the capabilities of the 9500 MPR in a demanding live field trial, and we are pleased to work with Cosmote as it evolves its network in this commercial deployment,” said, Konstantinos Koroneos head of the Cosmote account at Nokia.

 Nokia’s Resurgence

Nokia boosting Cosmote’s network coverage comes on the heels of news it has inked a deal to help T-Mobile US Inc. (NASDAQ:TMUS) develop its 5G network slated for release in 2019. While the upgrade of Cosmote network is good news its partnership with T-Mobile is big news given that it affirms its credentials when it comes to building telecommunication networks. 5G network is set to be a big deal in the coming years as it is seen as a direct replacement for the 4G LTE technology.

The slate of new deals on the telecommunication-equipment side of the business is helping turn around the Finish Company’s fortunes, which for long have been on a downward trend. For the first three months of the year, the company reported slower sales decline compared to the previous quarters an indication its turnaround is gaining momentum faster than initially thought.

Nokia stock was up by 1.21% in Tuesday trading session ending the day at highs of $5.84 a share.

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Baidu Inc. (ADR) (NASDAQ:BIDU) Unveils AI Powered Home Robot

Baidu Inc. (ADR) (NASDAQ:BIDU) has turned to Artificial Intelligence as it looks to reinvigorate its growth prospects, after reporting a decline in profits in the recent quarter. Its first offering in the fast emerging tech spectacle is a voice controlled home robot that uses its operating system DuerOS, to help parents take care of their children.

Baidu’s Xiaoyu Robot

Dubbed Xiaoyu or ‘small fish,’ the robot seeks to expand Baidu presence in the internet of things as it moves to compete with the likes of Amazon Echo and Google Home. The search giant bills Xiaoyu as a family friendly home assistant that will eventually be scaled in a bid of making it a global product.

“Home is an important field for Baidu to put artificial intelligence technology in people’s everyday life, “said Baidu Chief operating officer Lu Qi.

The robot comes with video chat capabilities as well as streaming capabilities that parents can use to monitor their kids. While the robot is mostly dedicated to parents, kids can also use it as an early learning tool to master songs and other languages. However, it comes with a hefty price tag of CNY 3,299 or $478.

In addition to the home robot, the company has already leveraged the capabilities of AI on its search and advertising products.

Betting Big On AI

Baidu focusing on smart home devices does not come as a surprise given that China has more than 700 million people connected to the internet. The fact that people and businesses are aggressively embracing new technologies all but makes it easy for the tech giant to pursue the AI market with vigor.

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:BABA) and Tencent Holdings Ltd (OTCMKTS:TCEHY) betting big on artificial intelligence and expanding into Baidu’s mobile base has all but forced the search giant to look elsewhere for growth.

The launch of the new robot marks the first step in Baidu’s push that has seen it pay more attention on artificial intelligence away from the core business. Revenues stagnating in the recent past and profits plummeting have made it inevitable for the tech giant to pursue such technologies as it looks to maintain its edge in the industry.

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This is What Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Should To Topple Play Station Empire

 The best console ever, out of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) studio, could be on its way as the tech giant looks to take on Play Station that continues to run a monopoly when it comes to gaming. The Xbox Scorpio believed to be the next generation of the Xbox product line is slated for release this holiday season paving the way for one of the fiercest battles for market share in the recent past.

 Xbox Scorpio

The Xbox team is reportedly planning to release the most powerful gaming console able to play different types of games at various quality levels. The premium video game console will be four times powerful than Xbox one and should cost a fortune according to emerging reports.

 However, that might not be enough for Microsoft which has for years struggled to topple Sony’s Play station as the apex of gaming. Its dream of rising to the top could be thwarted earlier than expected by the mere fact that the company is only promising few major exclusives. All is however not lost for the tech giant if it really wants to push Play station to the edge when it comes to competition for gamers.

 Making Xbox Scorpio Mobile

Going a step forward and making it possible for people to play Xbox games while on the go or at home docked, is something that Microsoft might have to consider if it’s serious about taking over the gaming business. The only thing that AAA fans have ever yearned is a platform that does not restrict them on how and where they get to play their favorite titles.

 Xbox One in mobile form is the last piece of the puzzle that Microsoft needs to tackle as a way of bridging the gap on Play Station at the top. Xbox Scorpio with an option that allows players to dock it in TV sets and play using a standard Xbox one gamepad should be more than enough in getting many players excited. The same would allow people to play their favorite games in tablets while on the go something that is not possible at the moment.

Making Xbox Scorpio highly mobile is the only way Microsoft can be able to live up to its slogan of ‘Play anywhere’.

Microsoft stock was unchanged in Friday trading session having risen by $0.19 to close the week at $68.46 a share.

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Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:BABA) To Provide Credit Services In Brazil

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:BABA) has announced that they are planning to include credit services in Brazil.

Credit services in Brazil

Jack Ma the executive chairman of the company announced the news during Wednesday’s edition of the O Estado de S. Paulo. The e-commerce giant introduced a credit line in China to take care of finances on its website. Ma said, “We want to invest in e-commerce, logistics and inclusive financing.”

the executive however did not give more information about the type of credit operation the company is planning to introduce in Brazil.

The operation in Brazil commenced in 2014 but they experienced challenges on the logistics as well as the monitoring of product authenticity on their website. The executive acknowledged the errors and they reported they are working on improving the situation. According to Ma, the company has a business-to-customer and a business-business type of operations in Brazil. Representatives from the company were not available to confirm Ma’s remarks which he stated on Tuesday at the United nations in Geneva.

Introduction of credit services by the company

The finance arm in Alibaba launched the credit system in China amid efforts by the government to increase financing to small businesses and the consumers. They project labeled ‘Sesame Credit Management’ marked the most recent development in the financial services by the company.

The policy makers were hoping to enhance the flow of credit to privately owned firms which are the major contributors to economic growth in China as well as job opportunities.

Sesame Credit is mainly focused on those with little credit history and may have never obtained any bank loans or even applied for a credit card. However, these people should be active internet users and often shop online, e-pay in time their utility bills, have been using their phone numbers for a long time and have a reliable residential status.

Other players in the market

Alibaba is among 10 other companies which have obtained approval to have privately owned banks aimed at the smaller borrowers. Other companies include rivals such as Tencent and even Fosum International.

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Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Develops Project Owl To Settle Fake News And Problematic Content

Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) acknowledges they have a problem in search quality.

Project Owl

This is a concern that has faced the company since November last year about fake news, offensive search suggestions and disturbing answers appearing first in the list of its suggestions. The company has therefore launched ‘Project Owl’ as bid to counter these issues.

It is equipped with three main actions including, a new feedback form meant for ‘Featured Snippets’ responses, a new feedback form specifically for search suggestions and formal policies outlining why the suggestions may be removed and a new emphasis on the authoritative content meant to enhance the search quality.

The problematic searches

Project Owl is the company’s internal name as it seeks to fight back on the search quality problem. Google said that they settled on the word owl for no particular reason. They added, “However, the idea of an owl as a symbol for wisdom is appropriate.” The company’s efforts hopes to direct wisdom in areas where it is sorely required.

Problematic searches is a term give to situations where the Google is dealing with consequences of post truth world. User are consistently producing content which is a reaffirmation of a specific world opinions or views regardless of the actual facts. People are increasingly searching in large volumes for urban myths, rumors derogatory topics or slurs which are impacting the search suggestions offered by Google in dangerous and offensive ways.

The problematic searches are considered as such as they cannot be classified in the clear-cut areas where the firm has taken action. Google has long settle the search spam where users attempt to manipulate the results beyond the acceptable practices to earn monetary gains.

Solving the search quality issues

Google has implemented the Autocomplete in a bid to speed up the searching process. The suggestions are usually from the popular things people search and are related to the first few characters typed.

These can sometimes reflect unsavory beliefs that users are may have or the problematic topics they are searching for. This is because they are based on what most users are looking for. Hence theyneed for Google to intervene. People came out to help with the process of solving the search quality issues which gave the company great morale as reported by Pandu Nayak, a Google fellow.

Alphabet’s stock closed at $888.84 on Tuesday after a rise $9.91 or 1.13%.

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