Entertainment Updates: 'Crying' toy goes viral in China after production error at factory

Source:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DTZj2fLEcPE/?igsh=MTBoMXJzdXJ3Zng2bA%3D%3D

ChatGPT:

What began as a manufacturing mishap at a Chinese factory has unexpectedly turned into a viral commercial success. The incident involved a plush toy horse created for the upcoming Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. Originally, the toy was designed with an upturned, cheerful smile to match festive expectations. However, due to a stitching error at a factory in Yiwu, the horse left the production line with a noticeably downturned mouth, giving it a sad, pouting expression.

Rather than being discarded as defective stock, the toy’s fate changed when a customer who received the flawed version shared photos of it online. The images quickly spread across social media platforms, capturing the attention and imagination of netizens. Users affectionately nicknamed it the “cry-cry horse”, and what was once a production mistake soon became the toy’s defining feature.

Demand surged almost immediately, with consumers specifically requesting the “accidental edition”. Many buyers, particularly office workers, said the toy resonated deeply with them. The horse’s forlorn pout was widely interpreted as a symbol of modern working life—projecting calm and professionalism on the outside while silently enduring stress, fatigue and pressure within. This emotional relatability transformed the toy from a novelty into a cultural expression.

Recognising the sudden opportunity, the Yiwu factory moved swiftly to capitalise on the trend, pivoting its production line almost overnight to intentionally replicate the once-unwanted design. Despite the spike in popularity and orders, the company announced that it would keep the retail price unchanged at US$4.60, reinforcing the toy’s mass appeal and accessibility.

The “cry-cry horse” phenomenon highlights how social media, emotional resonance and rapid manufacturing agility can turn an error into a hit. It also reflects a broader consumer appetite for products that capture shared feelings, even when they arise by accident rather than design.

Comments:

Expect the unexpected sometimes. Just like Life 😁

Technology Updates: ‘Are You Dead?’ is now the top paid App Store app in China

Source:

https://9to5mac.com/2026/01/12/are-you-dead-is-now-the-top-paid-app-store-app-in-china/

ChatGPT:

A morbidly titled app, “Are You Dead?”, has surged to become the top paid app on China’s App Store, reflecting growing social changes among urban residents—particularly young people living alone. The app’s premise is deliberately simple: users must check in every one or two days by tapping a large button to confirm they are alive. If they fail to do so, the app automatically alerts a pre-selected emergency contact that something may be wrong.

Although the app launched quietly in May last year, its popularity has exploded in recent weeks. According to the BBC’s Stephen McDonell, the spike is closely tied to China’s rapidly increasing number of one-person households. Researchers estimate that by 2030, China could have around 200 million people living alone, a demographic shift driven by urbanisation, delayed marriage, and changing lifestyles. The app’s success highlights both practical safety concerns and underlying social anxieties faced by individuals without close daily contact.

The app’s Chinese name is a wordplay on a popular food delivery service, “Are You Hungry?”, with similar-sounding phrasing that adds a darkly humorous tone. This blend of humour and functionality appears to have resonated strongly with users.

Outside China, the app is available under the name Demumu and has also gained traction internationally. In the US App Store, it currently ranks among the top paid apps, priced at US$0.99, suggesting the concept has global appeal beyond China’s unique social context.

The rise of “Are You Dead?” has also sparked discussion about platform-level solutions. Some observers speculate that Apple could expand iOS’s existing Check In feature in Messages to include regular, automated wellness confirmations. Overall, the app’s popularity underscores how technology is increasingly stepping in to address loneliness, safety, and the realities of modern urban living.

Comments:

Simple but yet practical? 😋

Technology Updates : China’s first robot doctorate student to study in theatre & film PhD programme

Source : 

https://mustsharenews.com/robot-doctorate-student/

Apple Intelligence : 

China’s first robot doctorate student, Xueba 01, received admission to Shanghai Theatre Academy’s Drama and Film programme. Designed by Professor Yang Qingqing, Xueba 01 will explore the intersection of traditional opera and artificial intelligence, merging theatre, computer science, and cognitive science. The programme aims to digitally transform drama education through partnerships with Zhiyuan Technology.

Opinion : 

Is this really a good use of robots? 😅

Sports Updates : China’s “moving Great Wall” basketballer makes senior team debut

Technology Updates : Chinese AI-Powered Robots Show Off Fighting Skills

Investing Updates: China's Terrific Ten Are Beating Mag 7. Will the Current Momentum Carry On?

Source:

https://www.moomoo.com/community/feed/114019750576134?global_content=%7B%22promote_content%22%3A%22mm%3Afeed%3A114019750576134%22%2C%22invite%22%3A103096561%7D&is_recommendation=0&is_recommend_pos=1&futusource=news_headline_list

Apple Intelligence:

• Chinese Tech Stock Performance: The Hang Seng TECH Index surged by 23.08% since the start of the year, driven by the performance of major Chinese tech firms known as the ‘Terrific Ten’.

• Government Support: Chinese President Xi Jinping met with leading entrepreneurs, including Jack Ma, to boost entrepreneurial spirit and potentially fuel a long-term rally in Chinese tech stocks.

• Market Sentiment: Despite a slight drop in Hong Kong tech stocks on Monday, analysts view the meeting with President Xi as a positive sign for the sector.

• Government Support for Tech Industry: The meeting highlights the government’s strong backing for the tech industry as a key driver of economic growth.

• Positive Market Sentiment: The meeting is seen as a positive signal for the private sector, potentially leading to further AI-driven market growth and improved sentiment.

• Upcoming Drivers for Chinese Stock Market: Key drivers include the upcoming earnings season and the Two Sessions scheduled for March.

• Tech Giants’ Earnings Outlook: China’s top eight tech giants are experiencing a positive outlook for 2025, with earnings forecasts increasing by over 7% on average since mid-2024.

• Profit Growth Drivers: Industry leaders like Xiaomi, JD.com, and Meituan have raised their profit expectations, driven by factors such as Xiaomi’s robust EV sector and economic stimulus.

• Analyst Forecast Revisions: The initiation of fourth-quarter earnings could lead to upward revisions in analyst forecasts to align with recent price increases.

• Two Sessions Impact: China’s annual parliamentary meeting, the Two Sessions, starting on March 5, 2025, is expected to significantly influence the Chinese stock market due to discussions on policy goals and economic stimuli.

• Analyst Predictions: Deutsche Bank analyst Peter Milliken predicts a gradual elimination of the “valuation discount” on Chinese stocks in 2025, urging investors to reevaluate China’s competitiveness.

• DeepSeek’s Influence: Invesco’s Ma Lei highlights DeepSeek’s competitive AI performance at lower costs, suggesting it could catalyze a reevaluation of the Chinese stock market and benefit listed companies.

• Positive Market Sentiment: HSBC views DeepSeek positively, citing technological advancements and cost benefits.

• Growth Sectors: DeepSeek is expected to boost investment sentiment in Chinese growth sectors, particularly AI applications, computational power, and humanoid robots.

• Market Outlook: AI-related sectors are anticipated to be a highlight in the Chinese stock market during the first quarter of 2025.

Opinion:

Nice chart of Mag 7 vs Terrific 10.

Innovation happens when there's competition. 

Just hope there's more peace between the countries 😅

Technology Updates : ByteDance’s new AI model goes viral for its deepfake capabilities that animate photos

Source: https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3297500/bytedances-new-ai-model-goes-viral-its-deepfake-capabilities-animate-photos

Apple Intelligence:

• AI Model Capability: ByteDance’s OmniHuman-1 model can create realistic videos of people speaking, singing, and moving.

• Model Performance: The model significantly outperforms existing audio-conditioned human video-generation methods.

• Model Development: ByteDance researchers developed a novel training strategy that combines diverse data sets of text, audio, and movement.

• Video Generation Capabilities: Generates realistic videos with varying aspect ratios, body proportions, and detailed facial expressions.

• Realism and Applications: Features natural head and gesture movements, unlocking potential real-world applications.

• Competition in the Market: Chinese tech firms, including ByteDance, Kuaishou Technology, Zhipu AI, Shengshu Tech, and MiniMax, are competing in video generation.

Opinion:

Really realistic Albert Einstein deepfake.

Creations like these will definitely blur the lines between real and fake information.

I think there will be a desire for more deepfake detection tools.