All posts tagged: Shanghai

Shanghai now: The city’s most stylish addresses

Shanghai now: The city’s most stylish addresses

Published by Sam Flores

Trip.com is a reliable booking platform for hotels, trains, tours and other services. Before your trip, download the messaging platform WeChat; the payment app Alipay; and a VPN service to access blocked websites, including Google. WeChat and Alipay host multiple other apps including those for using bike-sharing services or booking high-speed-rail tickets. They have English translation functions and can both be used for payments (some vendors may only accept either WeChat or Alipay). WeChat is often also used to make reservations, view menus and order food. Confirm that both apps accept your credit card before arrival. The ride-hailing service Didi can be used within both the WeChat and Alipay apps. The rides often cost only a few dollars for inner-city trips. Keep in mind that drivers aren’t allowed to stop on sidewalks marked by solid yellow. Drivers confirm your identity by asking for the last four digits of your phone number — a good excuse to learn some basic Mandarin. AMap is a navigation app that allows users to search for location names and addresses …

Apple’s 50th Anniversary Events Continue in Washington D.C., Shanghai, Tokyo, and Beyond

Apple’s 50th Anniversary Events Continue in Washington D.C., Shanghai, Tokyo, and Beyond

Published by skeptic

Apple is into its final days of hosting 50th-anniversary celebrations around the world, making stops in Washington D.C., Mexico City, Shanghai, Tokyo, and beyond. On Tuesday, March 24, actor Troy Kotsur and Gallaudet University president Roberta Cordano sat down for a discussion with Apple’s accessibility chief Sarah Herrlinger about how accessible technology helps to foster creativity. In 2022, Kotsur became the first deaf male actor to win an Academy Award for his performance in the Apple TV film CODA, while Cordano is the first deaf woman to be president of the Gallaudet University for the deaf and hard of hearing. The discussion was part of a special Today at Apple session held at Apple’s Carnegie Library store in Washington, D.C., and hundreds of other accessibility advocates also attended the event to reflect on what it means to have Apple products and technologies that work for everyone, including people with disabilities. On Wednesday, March 25, Apple brought together “some of Mexico’s most celebrated filmmakers, actors, and creators” for a conversation about creativity and storytelling at its …

No, McDonald’s Isn’t Deploying Humanoid Robots as Workers in Shanghai

No, McDonald’s Isn’t Deploying Humanoid Robots as Workers in Shanghai

Published by José Betancourt

Sign up to see the future, today Can’t-miss innovations from the bleeding edge of science and tech A video is making the rounds on social media, showing a uniformed robotic employee at a McDonald’s in Shanghai, China greeting a patron while seemingly taking their order. The stunt was a joint collaboration between the fast food chain and Keenon Robotics, an international company specializing in service robots, like the serving trays on wheels that are becoming an increasingly common sight at restaurants around the world. A McDonald’s in Shanghai has begun deploying humanoid robots (from KEENON Robotics) to serve customers. > These humanoid robots provide information, greet guests, and help enliven the atmosphere.> Food delivery robots serve meals to customers and collect used trays. in the… pic.twitter.com/IEFzucz3IE — CyberRobo (@CyberRobooo) March 18, 2026 After the video went viral, it was immediately followed by breathless coverage in the media about humanoid robots being tested “on the front line.” “McDonald’s experimenting with robot employees that look like humans — and even dress in uniform,” the New York Post …

The Moys of New York and Shanghai: A new generational history

The Moys of New York and Shanghai: A new generational history

Published by Jenni Sidey

Excerpted from The Moys of New York and Shanghai: One Family’s Extraordinary Journey Through War and Revolution by Charlotte Brooks, courtesy of the University of California Press. Copyright © 2026. Kay woke before dawn to the sound of rain rattling the windows. She rose, washed her face, and was just getting dressed when she heard a gentle rap on the apartment door. Han Ying had invited a matronly friend — selected because of her happy marriage and large family — to comb Kay’s hair from girlhood braids into a married woman’s bun. It was the first ritual of Kay’s wedding day, November 21, 1910. Earlier that year, Moy Sing and Han Ying had decided to find their oldest daughter a husband. They waited until Kay turned seventeen but saw no reason for further delay. After all, Kay was already three years older than Han Ying had been at the time of her own marriage. So Moy Sing asked local merchant Lee Weenom, an amateur matchmaker, to find Kay a suitable mate. The task was formidable, …

Amulet for luck in Year of the Horse at Shanghai temple : NPR

Amulet for luck in Year of the Horse at Shanghai temple : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

It’s the Year of the Horse, and for people born that year — watch out. According to Chinese mythology, those born in the years of the Horse, Rat, Ox and Rabbit will clash with Tai Sui, a heavenly general. Luckily, there are ways to appease Tai Sui. Shanghai’s Jade Buddha Temple sells kits: a red envelope stuffed with incense, paper offerings and amulet — like the one in this photo saying, “Wishing you peace and blessings throughout your zodiac year” — for 40 yuan ($5.80). On the envelope, a British friend of mine born a Horse writes down her name, birthdate and address. A Chinese friend suggests she add her passport number too (I guess in case there is another person with the same surname born a Horse). Then it’s time to light the incense and pray. My friend keeps the amulet for protection and leaves the rest of the kit for burning. Before year’s end, she must return to thank Tai Sui. Ignore the ritual at your peril. The year my zodiac clashed with …