Mitsubishi Regional Jet, the first aircraft that is designed and produced in Japan in over half a century recently had its debut official rollout on October 19th. According to the article, this midsize aircraft was created due to help from state as well as other companies such as Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways.

The new jet will have its first flight sometime next year and will have its first deliveries sometime starting in 2017.

So far 400 orders have been made worldwide for MRJ’s even some coming from United States airlines “which agreed  to pay up to [forty 70-90 seat aircrafts]”. JAL on the other hand has agreed to buy 35 for the intent of strengthening it’s domestic services and establishing fuel-efficient jets. MRJ which has a small capacity of 70-90 passenger is a likely alternative to the bigger aircrafts. In addition, smaller aircrafts are economical meaning the airlines will likely receive higher benefit during winter season.

All of this shows that Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is inventing a product that (although not original), is sustaining innovation and one that’s focused on lower cost.

Link to article and image:

Nagoya. “Japan’s First Homegrown Airliner Finally Unveiled.” Japan Times RSS. N.p., 18 Oct. 2014. Web. 23 Oct. 2014.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/10/18/business/japans-first-homegrown-airliner-finally-unveiled/#.VEmJ44tjMVh

The country of China has had a long history with video games. As evidenced in many other articles, including the official Wikipedia page, China is known to have a booming domestic video game industry such as arcades though not traditionally  in modern game consoles. In the year 2000, all video game consoles were banned allegedly due to “graphic violence these games contained and morally corrupt undertones”, which the government greatly cared for. In the January of this year, these restrictions were lifted as the country became continuously modernized and further embraced globalization.

The following article talks about the grand opening of Xbox One in China and interviews a man on his opinions on video gaming in China. Perhaps the big focus of this articles is not in the gaming culture of China but of the continuing expansion of Microsoft’s video game brand Xbox. The famous company, Microsoft is known to expand into large and countless territories in order to increase their total revenues and gather consumers.

The loosening of restrictions has created a terrific opportunity for the company to expand their operations and as Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, Microsoft puts it “We know there are millions of gamers there and lots of pent-up demand”. I believe that not only is Microsoft as a whole using these opportunities but also expanding their brand as well.

Link and Image:

Bass, Dina, Edmond Lococo, and Bruce Einhorn. “Microsoft Looks to China for an Xbox One Rescue.” Bloomberg Business Week. Bloomberg, 02 Oct. 2014. Web. 06 Oct. 2014.

<http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-10-02/microsoft-looks-to-china-for-an-xbox-one-rescue#r=nav-f-story>

Images:

CTHD:http://www.maactioncinema.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/film-crouching-ti.jpg

Netflix logo: https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/483716154498633729/VdpuuFke.png

Video-streaming company Netflix has signed a deal with a mini-major film studio Weinstein Company to distribute the company’s very first original motion picture, a sequel to the successful 2000 wuxia film “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon”.
The upcoming film which will be released in August 28, 2015 on both Netflix and selected IMAX theatres around the world is tentatively title “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend”. The move will mark the first time a video-streaming company would distribute mainstream motion picture similar event when Netflix startred to release original programming “House of Cards” and “Orange is the New Black”.

The move is one of many in recent years  made by video-streaming services like Hulu and Amazon Prime (the latter of which is also releasing their first web-series this fall) that is shifting focus of entertainment away from theatre and television into digital online environment. The early 2010’s also saw an increasing trend in streaming websites as well as decline in overall television viewing showing the capability of Netflix and other streaming companies making a wide emergence of digital entertainment services.

As Harvey Weinstein, the founder and CEO of Weinstein Company puts it “The moviegoing experience is evolving quickly and profoundly, and Netflix is unquestionably at the forefront of that movement.” 

Relating to my knowledge from the Comm 101, the following strategy could be a form of mixed cost or fixed cost for Netflix. Regardless, the news is yet one of many to signal the rise of digital cinema.