Meet Pi: Rakuten Viber and Inflection deliver friendly personal AI services to Filipino chats

 In a collaboration that embraces the belief that “conversation is the new interface”, Rakuten Viber, the leading global platform for private and secure messaging and voice-based communication, has partnered with AI studio Inflection to bring its cutting-edge conversational AI expertise to Viber’s users in the Philippines. Filipino users will have direct access to Pi, enhancing their messaging experience through advanced conversational capabilities. 

With a name that stands for personal intelligence, Pi brings an exceptionally empathetic and supportive personality to conversations with users. It is powered by Inflection’s in-house-built Inflection-2.5 large language model which is competitive with the world’s best foundation models on key industry benchmarks. 

Pi combines world-beating EQ with smart IQ to help users with all their questions. Viber users can ask for advice, up-to-date information, or just chat. Pi will help them organize their thoughts, make clear plans, and act on them whether they’re changing jobs, trying to get healthier, learning a new skill, wanting to know the latest news, or just in the mood for a chat. Now, Pi is available to Viber users around the clock, so they always have a friend to turn to.

Alongside their new personal AI, Pi-inspired stickers are available to all users on the platform for the next three months to use in both personal conversations with friends and chats with Pi. Users can bring positive messages to their chats with friends through the stickers, featuring expressive, supportive, and friendly lines, like “I can help”, “Let’s talk”, “Hi friend” and even “Love you.” 

Rakuten Viber has joined the League of Super Apps, offering its Filipino users an array of versatile services and functions from essential calling and messaging features to entertaining channels like Backstage Pass to an endless collection of stickers, gifs, and chatbots enhancing users’ conversations and empowering business growth especially for the micro, small, and medium enterprises or MSMEs. The expansion of the AI capabilities on the platform has been an essential component of Viber’s evolution and growth during the past few years, and this coincides with increasing interest in AI among Filipinos, with a LinkedIn survey finding about 70% are keen to learn about AI. 

Now together with Inflection, backed by $1.5 billion of investment from major investors including Microsoft, Nvidia, Bill Gates, and Eric Schmidt, the messaging app dares to envision a future where users can leverage the power of artificial intelligence seamlessly and effectively at their fingertips. 

“Rakuten Viber has always been committed to democratizing access to powerful and at the same time easy-to-use communication capabilities for smartphone users around the world. By welcoming Pi on our platform, we are taking another important step in this journey - to introduce powerful and highly conversational AI assistants to millions of users for the first time in their lives,” comments Atanas Raykov, VP of Global Marketing & Growth at Rakuten Viber. 

Rakuten Viber celebrates MSMEs with Shop Local, Love Big Valentine's Day Sale

 Valentine’s Day is all about expressing your love. Make it more meaningful by giving something that celebrates Filipino creations! Rakuten Viber is spreading local love by teaming up with micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) for a special seasonal sale. The MSME champ takes the hassle out of Valentine’s shopping with an easy and hassle-free experience, so you can fully embrace the season of love without having to deal with long lines and sold-out items.

Simply type “Valentine” on the Rakuten Viber app’s search bar and pick from any of the 22 cool shops that pop up under “Business”. This easy process opens up a world of can’t-miss treasures from proudly local enterprises including heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, delicious sweets, fresh bouquets, lovingly made handicrafts, and personalized tees that’ll delight your special someone. Plus, every purchase you make also comes with a freebie from the same shop for a limited time only!

A long-time supporter of MSMEs, Rakuten Viber hopes this Valentine’s Day campaign can generate more business for Filipino micropreneurs, especially data from a 2021 study reported that Filipinos spent an average of P1,421 on Valentine’s gifts. 

David Tse, Senior Director for APAC at Rakuten Viber, expresses his excitement, "We are thrilled to support Filipino microentrepreneurs this Valentine's season. Our users are at the heart of everything we do, and this campaign is a testament to our dedication to making their experiences more seamless and enjoyable. It's also a wonderful opportunity for them to discover and cherish incredible offerings from our local partners."

This Valentine's Day, express your love by choosing locally crafted items that show how much you care while celebrating the creativity of small local enterprises. 

Shop Local, Love Big, and check out the Rakuten Viber app for meaningful Valentine’s Day gifts throughout February.

juan karlos, BINI, PLAYERTWO, and Sugarcane share lighthearted chat exchanges with their fans

Rock sensation juan karlos, rising P-Pop stars BINI, hit hip-hop act PLAYERTWO, and folk pop ensemble Sugarcane, pictured here with Senior Director of Viber APAC David Tse

 It was a typical Tuesday work/school night, but that didn’t stop the most avid fans of rock sensation juan karlos, rising P-Pop stars BINI, hit hip-hop act PLAYERTWO, and folk pop ensemble Sugarcane from beating the December rush to have a good time with their ults at the Backstage Pass Live gig by Rakuten Viber. 

The invite-only gig at Baked Studios had an intimate vibe where the artists and a small crowd of lucky fans could instantly connect. Think handshakes, high fives, fist bumps, and of course, all the sing-alongs! The show served as a celebration of all their interactions on Backstage Pass Channel, the messaging app’s popular music channel that gives fans a virtual backstage experience through exclusive content and updates directly from their faves on their Rakuten Viber chat. How fun is the Backstage Pass Channel? juan karlos, BINI, PLAYERTWO, and Sugarcane revealed some of their favorite moments: 

“We really enjoyed the energy we felt in the group chat when we were featured on the Backstage Pass Channel,” shared folk pop band Sugarcane. “It’s thanks to Backstage Pass that we really felt we got a better relationship with our fans, to the point na halos naging family na rin.”

 

juan karlos and his millions of jowa. The Ere singer praised Rakuten Viber for understanding the value of the superfans. “As an artist, it’s great to be able to reach out to people with the Backstage Pass Channel and even perform with other artists during the live gig,” said juan karlos. “Parang siyang jowa actually, kasi bawat galaw ko ina-update ko talaga ‘yung fans, even literally what I was doing backstage during shows. It’s nice because it was a safe, intimate setting and that’s the kind of environment artists love.”

Blooms “mentoring” BINI. BINI knows that all eyes are on them, scrutinizing their every move—and apparently, even their fans, also known as Blooms, aren’t afraid to call them out! “Sulit po yung Backstage Pass  experience kasi open talaga yung relationship namin sa Blooms,” explained BINI member Maloi. “Blooms were able to talk to us openly and even tell us if we’ve made any mistakes when performing. Na-appreciate namin ‘yun since sila talaga nag-aangat sa amin.”

 

PLAYERTWO and the ulam roll call. For a new group like PLAYERTWO, their time on Backstage Pass was a chance to introduce themselves in a personal way. “A lot of our fans didn’t even know we were Filipino at first,” quipped PLAYERTWO rapper-producer Wave P. “We enjoyed how they were able to send super simple questions like ‘Ano ulam n’yo?’  to the channel and just have a chill interaction off that.”

Sugarcane finding a family with Sugarfolks. The Leonora hitmaker understands that an up-and-coming band who got their big and unexpected break this year needs all the support they can get to pursue their dreams. “It’s thanks to Backstage Pass that we really felt we got a better relationship with our fans, to the point na halos naging family na rin,” shared Sugarcane keyboardist Luis Beato.

For juan karlos, Rakuten Viber’s Backstage Pass Channel became a constant companion for him, emphasizing that the platform made him feel safe. “As an artist, it’s great to be able to reach out to people with the Backstage Pass Channel and even perform with other artists during the live gig,” he says.

“We knew artists could already interact with fans through social media, but it could also be difficult to manage. We created a secure, healthy environment for artists on the come up to have conversations with their fans and translate those digital interactions into real life experiences,” shared David Tse, the Senior Director for APAC at Rakuten Viber, adding that the success of Backstage Pass is part of their superapp offerings. 

To elevate the overall Backstage Pass experience, Rakuten Viber launched the Backstage Pass Chatbot where fans can join exclusive promos and contests for event tickets, buy exclusive merch, and enjoy more surprises from their favorite artists. “Music is an effective tool to reach people. If we do this right and successfully promote up-and-coming artists locally, we might even soon be able to help promote them on a global stage. There’s a lot to look forward to in 2024,” Tse added.

Viber continues to champion MSMEs and empower their businesses as it allies with online tax filing and payment platform Taxumo

 Starting a business has always been challenging. For micro, small, and medium enterprises or MSMEs, the burden of ensuring business success falls on a few individuals and, in some cases, just one. For most entrepreneurs, taxes take time and attention better spent focusing on operations.

 

Leading messaging and conversational commerce app Viber continues to champion MSMEs and empower their businesses as it allies with online tax filing and payment platform Taxumo.

 

Launched in 2016, Taxumo, an affordable online tax compliance tool, offers solo entrepreneurs, self-employed individuals, professionals, and even corporations its real-time tax calculation and automated tax filing. It also includes multiple online payment channels so business owners can skip long lines at the bank.  

 

With its partnership with Rakuten Viber, Taxumo now has its own verified Viber Channel where it shares tax management tips, key dates and reminders on filing, brand announcements, and other useful content related to running a business. And because tax conversations don’t always have to be a heavy matter, Taxumo is also launching its own Viber stickers.

 

As a treat for members of the vibrant MSME Channels FoodPH and Raket PH, Viber’s newest partner is giving away two-year plan subscriptions to the winners of Pinoy Dream Negosyo and to select merchants of the two Channels. First-time Taxumo users can also enjoy a 30% discount on their subscriptions using an exclusive code shared on their new Viber Channel.  

 

“Taxumo has always believed in empowering business owners to focus their time and energy on their passions and businesses instead of worrying about taxes,” says Ej Arboleda, Chief Executive Officer at Taxumo. “We’re delighted to partner with Rakuten Viber, which shares our vision of helping Filipino entrepreneurs achieve business success and stability and create real inclusive growth.”

 

“In recent years, Rakuten Viber has closely worked with MSMEs in the Philippines. We’ve seen how inspiring and passionate Filipino entrepreneurs are in growing their businesses. We also realize that tax compliance is a topic that they want to learn more about,” explains David Tse, APAC Senior Director at Rakuten Viber. “It makes sense to partner with Taxumo because this allows us to  continue supporting MSMEs as they grow their business and contribute significantly to the economy.”

 

With Taxumo, MSMEs can access simplified tax compliance in an easy and affordable way. Stay updated on tax-related news and enjoy exclusive perks by subscribing to its Viber Channel today. 

Zack Tabudlo is taking over Viber’s Backstage Pass Channel

 Filipino singer-songwriter and producer Zack Tabudlo is taking over Viber’s Backstage Pass Channel, just in time for the launch of his anticipated sophomore album, Z∀CK: FOR ∀LL, on Valentine’s Day.

 

Backstage Pass, with now over 1.2 million subscribers, is a space where artists like Zack and their fans can have a good chat. It gives music enthusiasts access to never-before-seen photos, videos, and other content that’ll allow them to get to know their favorite stars better. It’s where fans can ask their ults questions and get messages straight from them too!

 

As part of the takeover, fans of the 2021 hit song Binibini music genius can expect not only to exchange messages with him, but they also get to enjoy exclusive sticker pack and custom Viber Lens. The musician is also expected to hold a group video call event with his fans through Backstage Pass.

 

Zack is one of the top artists of UMG Philippines that serves as a regional branch of multinational music corporation, Universal Music Group (UMG). At only 21, he has been crowned as the most streamed local artist in the Philippines on Spotify with 7.5 million monthly listeners and the third overall, trailing behind global pop behemoths Taylor Swift and BTS.

 

Known for his melancholic songs and tunes about falling in and out of love, Zack got his big exposure as a contestant in the first season of The Voice Kids when he was 12. While he didn’t make it to the finals, he still pursued music and started a solo career in 2018, eventually signing with UMG to release his debut album, Episode, in 2021. His hits include Nangangamba, Habang Buhay, Asan Ka Na Ba, and Pano.

 

Z∀CK: FOR ∀LL marks a new era for Zack, offering music that fans haven’t heard from before. Fashioned with 70s soul, R&B, funk, and a bit of pop, the 10-track album serves as an ode to the artists he grew up listening to. As a writer and producer who has poured his heart and soul in each track, Zack hopes that his new sound will get listeners dancing and grooving.

 

“I’m happy to connect with my fans in new ways through Viber’s Backstage Pass, especially now that I have released my second album,” says Zack. “The fans have been part of my journey as an artist so it’s great to keep this connection going. Thankful to Viber for making this happen.”

 

“Viber has always been rooted in connecting people. Backstage Pass is a channel created specifically for our music-loving Viber users,” adds David Tse, Senior Director APAC at Rakuten Viber. “We’re excited to have Zack Tabudlo on board. As one of the brightest stars of Filipino music today, we know that he has been a favorite among Viber users. We’re glad that we’re able to provide a platform where the artist and his fans can deepen their connection and create fun memories together.”  

 

Get all the updates about Zack and his new album drop, subscribe to Backstage Pass Channel on Viber now!

Rakuten Viber has announced its new storage management function

Rakuten Viber, the global leader in private and secure messaging and voice-based communication, has announced its new storage management function, allowing Viber users to conveniently control their storage and free up space when needed. Users with devices that have limited storage will be able to use the Viber app more efficiently.

 

Since media messages have massively increased in size due to videos, AR Lenses, images, and other forms of interactive communication, it makes it challenging for older versions of mobile devices to handle the data. According to statcounter GlobalStats, approximately 40% of mobile and tablet Android users use version 11.0 or lower, leaving a significant amount of people affected by low storage.   

 

Viber’s new storage management functionality allows users to clean the cache from their entire Viber app or choose which chats need space cleared. As a mobile-only feature, storage management helps users see how much space Viber takes up on their device; how much total storage space they have; how much free storage space is left; and how much each chat uses.

 

Users can delete unnecessary files by selecting the files they wish to remove per chat. This will delete any media content from the chat, such as videos, images, or files, for just the user performing the action, while the media files for the other participants in the chat will be unaffected. If users have already downloaded the files received on the app, those files will remain safely stored on the user’s device. 

 

"We are excited to announce our new storage management feature that will allow the Viber app to be even more accessible worldwide. We want all our users to be able to send as many messages as they want to family and friends without needing to have the latest high-tech devices," said Ofir Eyal, CEO of Rakuten Viber. "We believe this feature will be a game changer for our users and will provide them with a great experience in freeing up space on their device."

 

For more information, please review Viber Storage Management support article: https://help.viber.com/en/article/viber-storage-management

 

For iOS, the feature will be available starting version 19.3.0, and for Android, it will be available from 19.4.

 

 

Viber introduces Business Inbox and a Commercial Account to help improve customer experience and increase brand visibility

David Tse, Senior Director APAC, Rakuten Viber

Rakuten Viber, the global leader in private and secure messaging and voice-based communication, announces two major launches worldwide as a new stage in the evolution of brand-user interaction on the app. The new offerings include a Business Inbox and a searchable Commercial Account, which will become the next step in Viber’s long-term superapp strategy. 

According to research reports, 71% of consumers expect companies to deliver personalized interactions, and 82% of organizations plan to implement a strategy to deliver a better customer value through services. With both users and businesses in mind, Viber’s updates are a step toward providing a better customer experience and brand engagement.

Aiming to enhance brand-user communication, Viber introduces Business Inbox globally – a dedicated space for brand-user interactions, accessible directly from an individual’s regular Chats screen. The feature allows for all business messages from official brand accounts to be stored and organized in one folder (such as a bank notification, an order confirmation from a delivery service, a special offer from a store, etc.).

Business Inbox will be activated once the user receives their first business message. For users that have had conversations with businesses in the past, all the chats with businesses will move to Business Inbox automatically once the feature is released (for Viber version 18.0 and higher). Once the Business Inbox folder is created in the Chats list, all business messages will go there by default. Business Inbox will let users customize their Viber experience and organize their interactions with brands in a way that is most convenient to them:

● pin a specific brand's conversation at the top of the Business Inbox;

● move any brand out of the Business Inbox and into the main Chats screen;

● pin any business conversation to the top of the regular Chats screen.

At the same time, the latest updates from a business will be easier to find: the folder will be pinned to the top of the Chats screen by default and business messages will not mix with personal Chats. Business Inbox will enable more efficient communication between brands and users to improve customer service, increase brand engagement, and drive conversions.

 

 

Customizable Business Inbox on Viber

 

Another step towards better customer experience is a new Commercial Account, where users will be able to discover all of the ways to engage with a brand in just one place. It will host all business information, services, and Chats on Viber under a single searchable business entity:

● Users can search for these accounts (businesses) proactively by typing the name of the business into Viber's main search bar.

● Users who enter a Commercial Account will see the brand's title, logo, verification badge, description, contact information, and communication channels available on Viber.      

● Brands will be able to add up to three addresses, a website, a phone number, and a description of up to 1000 characters to make sure users can find all the information they are looking for.

 

The new searchable Commercial Accounts will give more power to the users: they will be able to find brands, not just be found, and initiate communication with brands proactively. Commercial Accounts will also improve customer experience: users who want to connect with a business on Viber will be able to choose the channel they prefer and enjoy a mini-website experience within the app. Meanwhile, brands will streamline their communication with customers and create seamless customer experiences. 

 

A searchable Commercial Account on Viber: user journey

 

Viber will continue to expand the capabilities of Commercial Accounts post-launch, adding more channels of communication to be available at users’ fingertips, more services under a single account, and extended features.      

With Business Inbox and Commercial Account, Viber aims to further increase user safety and trust when engaging with a business. All business messages from verified brands will go to Business Inbox by default, which will be inaccessible for private accounts trying to impersonate a business. A valuable addition is the "blue tick" that helps users identify verified brands. Commercial Accounts will display all business information in one place, where users can easily access and check it.

 

Lana Macapagal, PR Lead for APAC, Rakuten Viber

“The recent updates to Viber provide a strong foundation for the introduction of additional features as part of the company's superapp strategy,” says Cristina Constandache, Chief Revenue Officer at Rakuten Viber, who joins the media roundtable with the Philippine press launching the new features through a video call. “This strategy aims to improve the utility of the app for users and expand the ways in which brands can connect with their audience in a natural way, resulting in increased value for both parties. By adding more features, services, and communication channels, Viber is able to offer more value to both users and brands in a streamlined manner.” 

“Users are seeking efficiency and clarity in the way they communicate. Consumers want to have convenient access to communication with a business. More importantly, as trends show us, users are appreciating the power of mobile messaging,” adds David Tse, Senior Director APAC at Rakuten Viber. “Knowing and responding to these personal and business communication needs of our users has resulted in growth in the usage of new features and solutions. This growth tells us we are on the right track in always prioritizing our customers.” 

The two features are now available globally, including in the Philippines.