Erica Ho is a contributor to Time magazine’s technology blog, Techland, and has also lent her writing talent to AOL and Gizmodo. Erica attended the University of Texas and then moved to San Fransisco to write for Gizmodo. She has been living in Hong Kong for the past two years, and Heavy Chef got a chance to speak with her about her tech experiences there. She also shared her views on the Android vs. Iphone debate.
Hi Erica, tell us a bit about yourself and your background.
Originally, I attended The University of Texas in Austin, studying English and Government. After my time there, I moved to San Francisco where I joined the gadget blog Gizmodo, covering tech news. I’ve worked for Lifehacker, AOL and Time since then, but it was really in tech news where I got my start, probably due to the fact that I’ve always been interested in playing with the latest gadgets as a kid. Since I came from a family full of engineers, we were also encouraged to explore and experiment in an tech savvy environment.
So how did you find your way to Techland and Hong Kong?
For a period of time when I was freelancing for AOL, I took up a friend’s offer to come out and visit Beijing, which proved to be a life changing experience. I returned because I was fascinated with Asia, which quickly led me to Hong Kong and also Techland.
Digitally speaking, what differences did you notice between Hong Kong and the United States?
There is not much difference. The internet is open, unlike mainland China. Although Hong Kong is under Chinese jurisdiction, it has its own laws, system and currency. It’s considered a special autonomous region. So it is not censored like China is.
What are some popular websites and mobile apps in Hong Kong?
In many ways, what is popular in the States is popular in Hong Kong as well. It’s interesting to see globalization really pervade culture. I mean, people love their Facebook here in Hong Kong just as much as they do in the States. Same with Angry Birds. I guess that’s universal.
What are some personal favourite websites, and why?
Some of my personal websites include thedailywh.at and The New York Times, along with longer focused reporting pieces. I also enjoy reading The Awl. Obviously the New York Times and some other publications are stellar at what they do, which is real reporting. But I also prefer to mix it up with blogs and general pop. In this day and age there should be more than one kind of definition for what should be considered real news.
In South Korea, Tesco Homeplus launched a virtual subway store to make life easier for busy commuters. Does Hong Kong have it’s own digital innovations that make life more convenient for the masses?
Perhaps the most convienent solution for masses in Hong Kong is really the Octopus card. I think San Francisco is just starting to implement something similar now, but its a transportation card that can be used for subways, buses, ferries, fast food, convenience stores and many other places. It acts like a debit card, and most card readers will recognize and deduct the transaction immediately.
The media usually shows Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea as places that are heavily reliant on technology. How true is this in reality? How has technology changed everyday life in Hong Kong?
I think to a degree, it’s not that different from the United States and other places around the world. People just might be more wired here than other places in the world. Things are certainly much more efficient, above all else. And with so many people and devices, I think more than anything else people in Hong Kong are much more stimulated than in other places in the world, precisely due to the concentration of things. But one could argue that’s also a product of culture and environment. Hong Kong is a hectic city by nature, and extremely dense, so efficiency is key.
How has technology impacted traditional industries like publishing in Hong Kong?
Barely, if at all. The media sector has definitely lagged behind the digital trend. Especially in the local papers, you can tell there’s a disconnect with the print segment and online. It’s nearly archaic. However, it is definitely interesting as Hong Kong has some of the most profitable papers around, like the South China Morning Post.
How does the Android vs Iphone debate fair in Hong Kong?
Without a question, iPhone. It’s offered for free in Hong Kong in many places with a plan, and thus you’ll see almost everyone on the streets with the latest iPhone.
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