IF / News

Chipsets

Samsung will reportedly develop its own GPUs or graphics processor, according to a new rumored roadmap Samsung is going to start using its own GPUs with Exynos chipsets by 2017 or 2018. (Gizmo China, Extreme Tech, GSM Arena, Sam Mobile, Weibo)

MediaTek is mulling placing chip orders with Globalfoundries using the foundry’s 22nm FD-SOI process technology, according to Digitimes. MediaTek’s planned chips built using Globalfoundries’ 22nm FD-SOI process will be designed for mid-range and entry-level smartphones. (CN Beta, Digitimes, press)

Touch Display

Apple is planning to adopt advanced micro-LED display technology in its wearable devices, which could happen as soon as 2018. This fuels speculation about whether Apple will cut dependence on Samsung, the only company in the world that can make curved smartphone screens using advanced OLED technology.  (Asia Nikkei, Apple Insider, LED-100, EE Focus)

Apple is set to install official screen fixing Horizon Machines in around 400 third party repair centers around the world, including Best Buy in the US. The move will mean that third parties will now be able to repair iPhone screens without voiding warranties. (CN Beta, CNBC, Beta News)

In addition to building new mid-to-small sized panel fabs in US, Hon Hai’s subsidy Sharp is also considering building large-sized panel fabs. In particular, mid-to-small sized panels will make use of G6 production line with monthly production of 60K pieces, which is 2 times of Sharp’s Gumi fab, and plan to go into production in early 2020. Large-sized panels will start using Gen 10.5 technology, producing 65” or above TV use panels. (Laoyaoba, TechNews)

Japan Display Inc (JDI) is reportedly postponing acquisition of JOLED. The completion of acquisition will be postponed from originally planned Jun 2017 to Jun 2018. (TechNews, Money DJ, Digitimes, Nikkan)

EverDisplay (EDO) showcasing a few new AMOLED prototypes. The first one is a flexible OLED display, 5.5” FHD (402PPI), curve radius 20mm, and the whole panel thickness is only 0.3mm. (Laoyaoba, Sohu, China FPD)

Tianma is showcasing a 18:9 full display product, with left and right border width only 0.5mm, and bottom border width only 1.8mm. (Laoyaoba, My Drivers, HiAPK)

Memory

R.W. Baird’s Tristan Gerra reiterates an outperform rating on shares of DRAM and NAND flash memory-chip maker Micron Technology , writing that supplies of DRAM are “tightening” and pricing for both DRAM and NAND is “expected to increase in 1%-4% in 3Q17. (Laoyaoba, Barron’s, blog, Money DJ)

Connectivity

NTT DoCoMo, KDDI and SoftBank Group are expected to invest a combined JPY5T(USD45.7B) to roll out the 5G wireless communications services around the country. They first will commercialize 5G connections in parts of Tokyo and other limited areas in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. (CN Beta, Asia Nikkei)

In 2026, Ericsson foresees there will be a USD582B revenue opportunity for telecom operators addressing industry digitalization with 5G technology. The largest opportunity for revenues created or enhanced by 5G will be in the manufacturing and energy and utilities sectors. The forecast annual growth of current operator service revenues leading up to 2026 is 1.5%. (Ericsson, report, Laoyaoba)

Smartphones

ZTE aims to become a top tier smartphone seller across the globe “very soon”, fighting against giants such as Apple and Samsung. The company has adopted a twofold strategy to stir up competition in the market. Lixin Cheng, CEO of ZTE Mobile Devices indicates that the brand is focused on innovation and in hearing and delivering what consumers want. (Laoyaoba, CNBC)

Essential, a startup run by the creator of Google’s Android, added USD300M to its war chest as it looks to break into the highly competitive field of consumer electronics. The financing round valued Essential at USD900M~USD1B, according to an analysis by Equidate, which runs a market for private company stock.  (Laoyaoba, Android Police, Bloomberg, Equidate)

PCs / Tablets

Huawei consumer group leader Wan Biao indicates that PC’s strategy will follow smartphone’s focusing on high-end, and he also indicates that currently there is no plan to make PC chipset. (Laoyaoba, Sina, IT Home)

Wearables

Merge VR has announced a USD1M fund aimed at virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) developers to help them bring their ideas to reality. (Android Headlines, Android Central)

Apple’s AR glass project is called Project Mirrorshades. The glasses consist of a “Kopin NED Acetate frame, Polarisized or prescription lens with Zeiss smart optics, Bone induction modules Microphones (noise cancellation), Light sensor accelerometer for step tracking and head movement, app navigation Magnetometer for navigation, Capacitive Pavel Ceramic battery, Apple chipset, [and] Charging circuit BL5 Induction module.”  (Laoyaoba, BGR, The Verge)

Internet of Things

Samsung Electronics plans to invest USD300M to build an appliances factory in the United States. The plant in Blythewood, South Carolina, will manufacture products such as washing machines and gas oven ranges. (CN Beta, Reuters, Hankyung)