IF / News

Chipsets

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is expected to post 5%-10% revenue growth in 2017, outperforming the global semiconductor industry’s growth of 4%-5%, according to Morris Chang, chairman for the pure-play foundry.  (Laoyaoba, 51Touch, Digitimes, press)

Combined revenues of Taiwan’s top-3 foundries: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), United Microelectronics (UMC) and Vanguard International Semiconductor (VIS), are estimated at USD8.91B in 1Q17, down 7.6% sequentially but up 20.5% on year, according to Digitimes Research. (Digitimes, press)

[MWC2017] Samsung has showcased standalone VR headsets, which is powered by the Samsung Exynos 8895 chipset. (Android Headlines, Softpedia, Next Powerup, 163, Baidu VR)

[MWC2017] Ben Hur, vice president of marketing at Samsung’s system LSI business indicates that the aim for the Exynos brand is to expand its reach into more products and device categories and not just to power the latest Samsung smartphone.  (Aivanet, Pocket-Lint)

Xiaomi mobile SoC Surge S1 is reportedly to heat up competition in AP market. The S1 is suited for entry-level and mid-range smartphones. Huawei reportedly has increased its pull-in orders for chips from MediaTek and Spreadtrum in 4Q16 before giving more orders to HiSilicon in 1Q17. (Digitimes, press, 163, OfWeek)

Touch Display

A trademark application filed by Samsung at the United States Patent and Trademark Office mentioned the “Infinity Display” technology. (Android Headlines, Socialite Life, Phone Radar, Softpedia, 163)

Apple’s patent for “Electronic devices with retractable displays” describes a design allows for two elongated, barrel-shaped housings into which are crammed the retractable screen, processing unit, cameras and other components. (Phone Arena, Apple Insider, USPTO, Tencent)

The tiny Pixel 2.0 is basically an Arduino board wedded to a tiny 1.5” 128×128 color OLED screen. It can be stuck inside a wearable and address the screen directly from the Arduino board. (TechCrunch, Kickstarter)

Camera

OPPO VP Wu Qiang indicates that in 5G market, high-definition photo and video are the core demands of consumers. In the future, under a better network, smartphone usage demand will be further increased, and this will change their demand of using photos and videos for social media. (Laoyaoba, Sina)

Biometrics

Apple has reportedly selected neither Synaptics’ Natural ID touch fingerprint sensor nor Qualcomm’s Sense ID fingerprint technology for its new OLED iPhones, and decided to use its own Authentec algorithm combined with Privaris glass identification technology to redesign a new fingerprint ID solution. (Laoyaoba, Apple Insider, Digitimes, press)

Goodix has unveiled its new in-display fingerprint technology, which is capable of transforming a defined part of the display into a fingerprint sensor.  Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 reportedly to use the in-display fingerprint technology and also would be launched in 2H17. (Gizbot, Gizmo China, Android Headlines, Weibo, Elecfans, 52RD)

Connectivity

According to a report by Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), the number of internet users in India is expected to reach between 450M-465M by Jun 2017. (CN Beta, Media Nama, India Times)

Indian telecom operators will start adopting 5G technology, which in present form can deliver up to 1000Mbps download speed, from 2017, says Huawei India CEO Jay Chen. (Laoyaoba, C114, India Times)

[MWC2017] Far EasTone Telecommunications (FETnet) and HTC signed “FETnet, HTC 20 year anniversary collaboration strategy plan”, to work on promoting 4.5G network services and developing future 5G technologies. (Laoyaoba, China Times)

Smartphones

According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), In 2016, China produced 2.1B mobile phones, up 13.6% year on year. Smartphone output reached 1.5B in 2016, accounting for nearly 75% of total phone production and rising 9.9% from 2015. China plans to channel CNY1.2T into information infrastructure projects, mainly broadband and mobile network improvement, from 2016 to 2018. (MIIT, press, ZOL, Laoyaoba, CN Beta, Xinhuanet)

According to IDC, thanks to the alleviation of tight supply of display, memory and other components in 4Q16, global smartphone production has increased 21% compared to 3Q16. Looking into 2017, because of fierce competition among vendors, the corresponding ODMs compete with the same customers. Additionally, they expand overseas production to win tax-reduction advantage offered in emerging markets, and China local government subsidies, risk management is an issue that cannot be overlooked. (IDC, press, Laoyaoba)

While growth is expected to remain in the low single digits, IDC predicts shipment volumes to grow 4.2% in 2017 and 4.4% in 2018 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8% over the 2016-2021 forecast. Shipments are forecast to reach 1.53B units in 2017 and grow to 1.77B in 2021. (IDC, press, EE Times, 163, Tencent)

Russian smartphone maker Yotaphone, posted a comment on the firm’s official Instagram account to confirm a 3^rd iteration of the unique dual-sided smartphone. (Gizmo China, TechRadar, Neowin, 163)

Intex Aqua Strong 5.1 is announced – 5” FWVGA display, Spreadtrum SC9832A processor, 5MP + 2MP cameras, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, Android 6.0, LTE (VoLTE), dual-SIM, 2000mAh battery, INR5490. (GizChina, Gizbot, BGR)

Wearables

Valve is presenting a new, still unnamed SteamVR compatible headset prototype, built by LG. LG’s headset is a development kit. It uses 3.64” 2560×1440 LG display. (CN Beta, The Verge, ISRTV)

VR vendors are aggressively pushing to increase their sales, and thanks to their effort, it has helped supply chain such as Nuvoton, Winbond, and C-Media benefiting from the VR trend.   (Laoyaoba, China Times)

The South Korean startup Dot has spent the past 3 years developing a smartwatch that promotes inclusivity and accessibility for the visually impaired. Dot allows people who can read Braille to use social media, texting, and GPS apps, and send simple replies using buttons on the side of the watch.  (CN Beta, Aplus, Mashable)

Internet of Things

China bike-sharing company ofo has raked in USD450M in series D financing led by DST. The round also involved the participation of China’s leading taxi hailing service Didi Chuxing and Matrix China and CITIC, who have infused capital into Didi before. Also, Didi had invested in Ofo through a financing deal in 2016. (TechNews, Tech Portal, Mashable)