IF / News

Chipsets

TSMC’s 7nm reportedly might be moved up from originally planned 1Q18 to 4Q17. This indicates that Apple might use TSMC’s 7nm to produce processors for iPhone 8. Apple’s 7nm processor orders might be exclusively owned by TSMC. (CN Beta, Sohu, East Day)

Nvidia’s market share increased 2.2% from 2Q16 and 0.4% from 2Q15, Intel lost 1.6% market share from 2Q16, and AMD’s overall share decreased 0.6% from 2Q16, according to Jon Peddie Research for 3Q16.(199IT, CN Beta, Barron’s, Jon Pedia Research, press)

Intel announces AI strategy to drive breakthrough performance, democratize access and maximize societal benefits. Intel introduces industry’s most comprehensive data center compute portfolio for AI: the new Intel Nervana platform. Intel aims to deliver up to 100× reduction in the time to train a deep learning model over the next 3 years compared to GPU solutions. (eTekNix, Intel, CRN, Sohu, iFeng)

University of Wisconsin-Madison is creating computer chips that can be configured to perform complex calculations and store massive amounts of information within the same integrated unit—and communicate efficiently with other chips. They are called “liquid silicon”. (Digital Trends, Phys)

University of California has developed a new technique for dissipating heat across electronic devices which could give a massive speed and power boost to new and existing semiconductors. (eTekNix, Nature, Phys)

Camera

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that Apple will add OIS function to the telephoto CCM in order to enhance the selling points of new iPhone in 2017. He expects the telephoto lens will be redesigned to support OIS in the telephoto CCM. (Phone Arena, Mac Rumors, YeSky, Hexun)

Battery

Samsung has issued a pre-emptive statement on the batteries found in Galaxy S7 series of smartphones. Stating the company “stands behind the quality and safety of the Galaxy S7 family” the short note goes on to say that “there have been no confirmed cases of internal battery failures with these devices among the more than 10M devices being used by consumers in the United States.” (Android Authority, Samsung, Zaker, Pixel)

Ecotricity has unveiled plan for Britain to make its own gas from grass, grown on marginal farmland, of which Britain has enough to heat almost every home in Britain. It shows that green gas from grass could provide all of the gas needs for 97% of Britain’s homes, pump GBP7.5B annually into the economy. (CN Beta, New Atlas, Ecotricity)

Memory

China’s NOR Flash manufacturer Gigadevice announced acquiring Beijing Uphill Investment, which owned Summit View Capital-acquired Integrated Silicon Solution (ISSI), which is a US DRAM manufacturer. If Gigadevice merged with ISSI, with its already owned NOR Flash technology it will become a vendor with both DRAM and integrated memory. (Digitimes, press, TechNews, Huanqiu)

Beijing “Zhi Rui” Microelectronics is working with Institute of Microelectronics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMECAS) jointly announced the development of a new non-volatile memory technology (RRAM) product development strategy. Both parties will jointly develop embedded RRAM IP and verified products based on 28nm PolySiON / HKMG manufacturing processes. (EE Trend, Laoyaoba)

Samsung unveiled a 7nm static random-access memory (SRAM) using a next generation of extreme ultra violet, or EUV lithography technology in what the chip maker said is the industry’s first implementation of 7nm FinFET circuitry into SRAM chips. (iTer News, EE Times, TechNews, Laoyaoba)

Smartphones

Apple’s suppliers in its supply chain for iPhone have invested in expanding production capacity to meet the demand of 2017 iPhone 8, including Hon Hai Precision and TSMC. (CN Beta, iFeng, Sohu)

Tablets and PCs

According to Gartner’s 2016 survey with more than 9500 respondents in US, UK and AUS, overall, like-for-like buying intentions dominate among those who say they plan to purchase a device in the next 12 months. Buying intentions for new form factors are low overall, but seem to have reached a replacement rather than a first-time buyer phase. (Gartner report)

Internet of Things

McLaren Chief Executive Mike Flewitt has disclosed that his company has met with Apple, but the discussions never went as far as a bid. The comments would seem to refute earlier rumors, suggesting Apple started negotiations to purchase McLaren for between GBP1B~1.5B (USD1.3B~2B). (Reuters, Apple Insider, CN Beta)

Web camera and IP-based surveillance video recorder maker Vivotek reported consolidated revenues of NTD1.177B (USD37.3M), gross margin 44.75%, net operating profit NTD150.7M, net profit NTD104.8M. The company aims to hike the proportion to 50% in 2017, according to company chairman Chen Wen-chang. (Digitimes, press, MoneyDJ, China Times)