Alibaba: The Giant of e-Commerce

[mpk1988]

tunneling is already used in flash memory lol. what did you think that "tunneling oxide" is for?

and??? any kid with google or elementary high school education knows that..
Not just flash memory, but also tunnel oxide, STM etc. utilize tunneling.
So, Again, your point would be???

 

[FairAndUnbiased]

and??? any kid with google or elementary high school education knows that..
Not just flash memory, but also tunnel oxide, STM etc. utilize tunneling.
So, Again, your point would be???

many of the concepts you talk about are already used.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

I thought D-Wave already had a 1000 qubit machine and Google and NASA were involved with them
NASA And Google Partner To Work With A D-Wave Quantum Computer

 

[cirr]

I thought D-Wave already had a 1000 qubit machine and Google and NASA were involved with them
NASA And Google Partner To Work With A D-Wave Quantum Computer

D-Wave is NOT considered a quatum computer：

In early 2011, a Canadian company called D-Wave Systems Inc. developed what it claimed was “the world’s first commercially available quantum computer,” calling it D-Wave One. A year later, the more advanced D-Wave Two was released. Google, the U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin, and other companies bought models of the computer for U.S.$10 million each.

Many scientists have argued that the D-Wave is not a real quantum computer, based on the speed of its computations. They say the model does not significantly accelerate computing over traditional supercomputers.

 

[TaiShang]

Alibaba Places Bet on Quantum Computing, Pledges to Invest 30 Million Yuan Annually
| Sep 05, 2015 07:43 AM EDT

• 

Quantum computing research has been the focus of tech labs worldwide. (Photo : Reuters)

To create a quantum computer that processes data at tremendous speeds--trillions of times quicker than the world's fastest computer, China's supercomputer Tianhe-2--is the target of a prospective game-changing scheme introduced by Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

If the venture becomes successful, the effect of having a China-based lightning-speed computer could make all modern technological developments worldwide during the past 50 years look like baby steps.

Researchers at tech firms, such as Microsoft Corp., International Business Machines Corp. and Google Inc., as well as governments around the globe, have invested on quantum computer technology in recent years.

Alibaba has been the first Chinese tech firm to join the worldwide quest for commercial uses of accelerated computational capacity on a large scale. Alibaba broadcast in late July that Aliyun, its cloud-computing arm, had signed a 15-year partnership with CAS, a top government research entity, to open the Shanghai-based Alibaba Quantum Computing Laboratory.

Lab supporters anticipate not just the ground-breaking computing power of the next-gen computer, but also its potential for foolproof cryptography. A quantum computer could also be of great help in fine-tuning weather forecasting, stock market analysis, astronomical research, and other major applications.

The e-commerce tycoon committed to support the lab with an annual 30 million yuan over the next five years.

Pan Jianwei, a well-known quantum physics scientist, was hired to be the lab's head scientist.

By 2030, the science lab is expected to have created a generic-purpose quantum computer prototype with 50 to 100 "quantum bits," also known as "qubits," the basic units of quantum information.

Lu Zhaoyang, a lab researcher at the Alibaba-CAS and a quantum physics professor at the Hefei-based University of Science and Technology of China in Anhui, said that a quantum computation that utilizes 45 qubits would be equal to the calculation prowess of the Tianhe-2. This implies that a quantum computer able to process hundreds of qubits or more would leave a regular supercomputer in the dinosaur era.

Commercial Interest

Compared to the investments of other giant firms, Alibaba's investment is much lower. IBM, for example, has spent $3 billion since 2014. However, Alibaba's involvement in a cutting-edge scientific research is China's biggest-ever investment in a major scientific venture by a private company.

Corporations worldwide that have placed their bets on quantum computing have encountered a variety of hurdles, the most major being money and time.

Research on quantum computing not only costs a huge amount of money, but also requires a lot of time. University of London's computer science professor Peter Bentley told the press after the introduction of the Google-NASA lab that Google might have to invest billions of dollars and support scientists for a number of decades before reaping any actual benefits related to quantum computing research.

But Alibaba continued to join the initiative because it saw this blossoming technology as a huge opportunity for the future, Alibaba's chief technology officer Wang Jian said.

"We know quantum computing is feasible," he said. "But nobody knows what a quantum computer will look like."

 

[TaiShang]

Alibaba makes Beijing a hub
September 25, 2015


Visitors experience Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's virtual magic face-changing tech at an international information technology expo in Beijing. [Photo/China Daily]

E-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd is making Beijing its second headquarters in China to gain a stronger foothold in the country's northern areas, a move that is expected to heat up competition with its biggest online shopping rival JD.com Inc. Alibaba, which was founded 16 years ago in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, announced on Thursday its so-called twin-hubs strategy, which makes Beijing its new base to aggressively advance its business development as well as strategy execution in northern regions of the country.

The company said in a statement, "Only with the synergy between Hangzhou and Beijing, consumers in North China or even across the whole country can be better served."

Analysts said the strategy appears to be a response to slower growth momentum and the goal is to grab more market share from its rival, the Beijing-based JD.com Inc.

The Hangzhou-headquartered Alibaba dominates the e-commerce market in China's Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta. Even Alibaba's vendors and delivery partners are in close proximity to these markets, said Lu Zhenwang, an independent Internet expert and the chief executive officer of the Shanghai-based Wanqing Consultancy.

For example, online shoppers in Zhejiang province, Jiangsu province and Shanghai can enjoy free delivery of a lot of goods they buy on Alibaba's online platforms, given the company's cluster effect in the region.

"However, in North China, especially in Beijing, JD.com is more popular among online shoppers with its fast delivery service and its offerings in consumer electronics," said Lu.

Alibaba and JD.com have nothing in common in terms of business models. Alibaba's market share is still significantly bigger than JD's. But Lu said with China's overall online shopping growth momentum slowing, Alibaba needs to work harder in North China and compete harder with JD.com, in order to improve future performance.

China's online shopping market grew 39.6 percent year-on-year to 872.5 billion yuan ($136.7 billion) in the second quarter of this year. In the same quarter last year, the market grew 46.1 percent year-on-year, said iResearch Consulting Group.

Alibaba said in its statement that it will invest unlimited resources in northern markets in China, including its online business-to-consumer shopping service Tmall, and Cainiao Logistic Services. It will also integrate online and offline resources from its shopping mall partners Suning Commerce Group Co Ltd and Intime Retail (Group) Co Ltd.

"Apart from gaining a new growth point in e-commerce, Beijing as a second hub can also bring Alibaba other benefits because as the capital city of China, Beijing has a critical position in politics, media and talent," said Wang Xiaoxing, analyst with Analysys International.

"To be honest, Hangzhou is not that attractive to lure some of the country's best talent to work for Alibaba," he said.

 

[AndrewJin]

For example, online shoppers in Zhejiang province, Jiangsu province and Shanghai can enjoy free delivery of a lot of goods they buy on Alibaba's online platforms, given the company's cluster effect in the region.

haha, 江浙沪包邮！
Zhejiang-Jiangsu-Shanghai free delivery!

"However, in North China, especially in Beijing, JD.com is more popular among online shoppers with its fast delivery service and its offerings in consumer electronics," said Lu.

JD.com is similar to Amazon, not Taobao.
Both JD and Taobao/Tmall are good.
JD offers faster delivery though, can be only half a day.
It has a logistics centre in my city.

 

[TaiShang]

haha, 江浙沪包邮！
Zhejiang-Jiangsu-Shanghai free delivery!


JD.com is similar to Amazon, not Taobao.
Both JD and Taobao/Tmall are good.
JD offers faster delivery though, can be only half a day.
It has a logistics centre in my city.

I wonder when China's online shopping companies will start drone delivery.

I remember Alibaba started a pilot project.

 

[Edison Chen]

NEW DELHI—Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. said Tuesday that it is investing in an Indian mobile payments company in its latest investment in the South Asian nation’s booming startup industry.

Alibaba and its financial-services affiliate, Zhejiang Ant Small & Micro Financial Services Group—known as Ant Financial—are jointly investing in India’s One97 Communications Ltd., which runs Paytm, India’s dominant mobile-payments service.

Alibaba and Ant Financial wouldn’t disclose the value of the deal or how large a stake they own in One97. In February, Ant Financial said it was buying a 25% stake in One97 for an undisclosed amount.

Two people who have knowledge of the latest deal but don’t want to be identified said the investment gives Alibaba and Ant Financial a combined 40% stake in One97. One of these people said the companies have invested a total of around $680 million for the One97 stake.

Alibaba, which runs China’s largest e-commerce empire, has been looking to get a foothold in India’s budding online retail market as it faces increased competition and slowing revenue growth at home.

Last month, Alibaba invested $200 million in Snapdeal, one of India’s largest Indian e-commerce companies.

One97 said it plans to use the funds to reach its goal of getting 500 million Indians to use its services. Close to 100 million Indians already use One97’s services, the company said.

—Gillian Wong in Beijing contributed to this article.

Alibaba Investing in Indian Mobile Payments Company - WSJ

 

[Spectre]

Goes on to show commerce has no borders. Indian companies can learn a lot from their more established Chinese Peers.

Nice move by Alibaba to get a toehold in Indian E-Commerce which has immense potential.

 

[Aepsilons]

View attachment 261265

NEW DELHI—Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. said Tuesday that it is investing in an Indian mobile payments company in its latest investment in the South Asian nation’s booming startup industry.

Alibaba and its financial-services affiliate, Zhejiang Ant Small & Micro Financial Services Group—known as Ant Financial—are jointly investing in India’s One97 Communications Ltd., which runs Paytm, India’s dominant mobile-payments service.

Alibaba and Ant Financial wouldn’t disclose the value of the deal or how large a stake they own in One97. In February, Ant Financial said it was buying a 25% stake in One97 for an undisclosed amount.

Two people who have knowledge of the latest deal but don’t want to be identified said the investment gives Alibaba and Ant Financial a combined 40% stake in One97. One of these people said the companies have invested a total of around $680 million for the One97 stake.

Alibaba, which runs China’s largest e-commerce empire, has been looking to get a foothold in India’s budding online retail market as it faces increased competition and slowing revenue growth at home.

Last month, Alibaba invested $200 million in Snapdeal, one of India’s largest Indian e-commerce companies.

One97 said it plans to use the funds to reach its goal of getting 500 million Indians to use its services. Close to 100 million Indians already use One97’s services, the company said.

—Gillian Wong in Beijing contributed to this article.

Alibaba Investing in Indian Mobile Payments Company - WSJ

Good to see Alibaba take up a transformative role and tapping into the high human resource capital in developing markets. Alibaba's recent move to invest further in Japan is also a welcome move. Mr. Ma is truly a phenomenal transformative leader of his organization ! I like it, let's keep it up.

Goes on to show commerce has no borders. Indian companies can learn a lot from their more established Chinese Peers.

Nice move by Alibaba to get a toehold in Indian E-Commerce which has immense potential.

Indeed, my friend, smart of Alibaba Corp to tap into the growing human resource capital in India. The goal is to ride the wave, not fight against it.

 

[TaiShang]

As long as there is money and opportunity to grab it, go for it.

Nobody cares which regime or what people.

 

[TaiShang]

Alibaba opens 2nd data center in US
By Yan Pei

​

Alibaba's second US data center. [Aliyun.com]


Alibaba Group Holding Ltd's cloud computing unit announced Friday the launch of its second data center in Silicon Valley in the United States, as part of the company's ambitious plan to be a global cloud service provider.

The data center is Aliyun's ninth data center in the world, and the third overseas data center launched this year. Aliyun is the cloud computing unit of Alibaba Group.

According to Aliyun, this second U.S. data center is estimated to meet the needs of western America's cloud computing market in the coming three to five years.

In March, the company launched its first U.S. data center in the Silicon Valley, targeting the booming cloud computing market in North America. In August, its data center in Singapore was officially opened, serving the Asia-Pacific market.

Aliyun plans to set up more new data centers in Japan, Europe and the Middle East.

"We launched three overseas data centers this year. As a result, our overseas business has more than quadrupled since then," said Aliyun's vice president Yu Sicheng.

According to the International Data Corp (IDC), Aliyun was the largest provider of public cloud services in China in 2014, accounting for 29.7 percent of the market, exceeding the combined Chinese market shares of Amazon, Microsoft and IBM.

Alibaba's second US data center. [Aliyun.com]

 

[cirr]

Alibaba To Buy Out Chinese Video Site Youku Tudou In $3.5 Billion Deal

Posted 3 hours ago by Jon Russell (@jonrussell)

Alibaba, the New York Stock Exchange-listed Chinese e-commerce giant, is getting into video in a major way, after it announced plans to buy out Youku Tudou, one of China’s top YouTube-like services, in an all cash deal. Alibaba previously spent $1.22 billion on an 18.3 percent stake in the video firm, which claims to serve 580 million users each month.

Youku’s market cap is $3.8 billion, and Alibaba intends to pay US$26.60 per share — a decent markup on the most recent closing share price of $20.43. Thus, the deal values Youku at around $5.1 billion. Alibaba confirmed on an analyst call that, taking into account the cash on Youku’s books, its total offering is worth around $3.5 billion.

If the acquisition is success, Alibaba intends to take Youku private, according to a filing. Youku chairman and CEO Victor Koo will remain at the helm of the company.

To be clear, Alibaba is offering to buy the company and, while Koo and other founding shareholders have given their blessing to the proposed deal, it is still subject to shareholder approval.

Alibaba is intending to take full ownership of the company — which was created when rivals Youku and Tudou merged in 2012 — to supercharge its focus on digital entertainment.

Alibaba is best known for its e-commerce services — which include its Taobao marketplace and T-Mall site for brands — but it has also made big plays in content as part of a bid to be more present in Chinese Internet’s users’ daily lives. Aside from its investment in Youku, Alibaba owns a stake in microblogging site Sina Weibo (via a $586 million investment) and it has a burgeoning business in content creation, including Wasu Media (a company backed by Alibaba founder Jack Ma), and Alibaba Pictures, a movie content firm.

More tangible evidence of Alibaba’s media ambition can be found in Tmall Box Office, a Netflix-like service that it recently launched in China, and its move into the living room with smart TVs and set-top boxes. These devices, which are made by third-party manufacturers, run on Alibaba’s own operating system and include a suite of its products — allowing device owners to shop, pay bills, and more right from their big screen.

Clearly, there are further synergies for Youku and Alibaba said it plans to use its e-commerce, media and advertising platforms to “significantly accelerate” Youku’s growth.

That’s important because, to date, the company has struggled financially despite its huge and very active userbase. Youku and Tudou merged their businesses to save on common costs and expenses, but the financial good times haven’t exactly rolled in. Revenue in Q2 2015 grew 57 percent year-on-year to reach $259.6 million, but the company posted a net loss of $55.2 million for the three-month period.

Youku isn’t alone in battling it out for the attention of Chinese Internet users, either. Baidu’s iQiyi, Sohu and Tencent all compete in the video space, with Baidu and Tencent able to lean on their search engine and mobile messaging empires, respectively, to pull in viewers. Recent research suggested that there’s little to separate Youku and iQiyi (Tudou remains a separate site to Youku) as the largest video platforms in China.

Challenges aside, Youku is getting close to seeing half of advertising revenue come from mobile, but it looks like it might find a better fit as a private subsidiary of Alibaba, rather than a public listing, independent business. Well, that’s what going to happen anyway.

Alibaba To Buy Out Chinese Video Site Youku Tudou In $3.5 Billion Deal | TechCrunch

 

[AndrewJin]

Great news.
I am a member of Youku.com, only 15 yuan per month.
I have access to 1086P movies, not just domestic movies but nearly all hollywood movies.