At the IBC show in Amsterdam last week, set-top box manufacturer, Humax, launched its first portable multimedia player (PMP), the Portable PVR HUP-1000. The small-footprint device (20mm thick and weighs less than 300g), which features a 4.3-inch LCD display with 16:9 ratio widescreen, allows end-users to store and watch movies; download and play music and videos; record and play back TV programs, using built-in PVR capabilities; and view digital photos. According to Humax, features of the new box include: a long-life battery, that allows end-users to view two movies or listen to 150 songs back to back and that can be charged via USB, a car adapter or an AC adapter; a mini-B USB device port with USB cable; AV Out to connect it to a TV or set-top; stereo sound; headphones and headphone socket; and 480x272xRGB pixel resolution.
Alternative Payment Methods (APMs) – comprising digital wallets, instant payments, and QR payment systems – are experiencing explosive growth that's reshaping the global financial services marketplace. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research , the combined global transaction value for APMs is projected to reach $142 trillion by 2030. What's particularly fascinating is the underlying driver behind this trend: a growing desire for financial sovereignty, with nations developing domestic payment ecosystems rather than remaining dependent on international financial networks. Payment Ecosystem Market Development In 2024, approximately 45 percent of the global population used digital wallets – a remarkable adoption rate for a technology that barely existed a decade ago. China leads this transition, with 95 percent of its population using WeChat's payment functionality. WeChat exemplifies the "super app" phenomenon, where payment capabilities are in...