Industry updates
Trends from Asia shows what is taking shape in Japan, South Korea and China: unusual apps, platform experiments, consumer tech and internet phenomena that often reach Europe months later. The reports come from English-language sources and are summarised for developers and technical decision makers, with attribution and a link to the original.
Young Koreans are using free websites that simulate food delivery and office smoking breaks without taking payment or delivering anything. Reporting connects this trend to stress, loneliness, and high living costs, while the best-known food service was reportedly created with ChatGPT's assistance.
HMD is reportedly preparing an updated Fusion for Europe with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor, up to 12 GB of RAM and a 120 Hz display. The modular phone may also gain optical image stabilization, while retaining its 5,000 mAh battery and 33 W wired charging.
Lawson is bringing back Mochido’s soft, squishy donuts across Japan. An earlier release offered two Mochibee varieties with powdered sugar or kinako coatings.