IF / News

Chipsets

AMD and Baidu have announced the establishment of GPU technology joint laboratory, testing, evaluation and optimization of AMD Radeon Instinct accelerator, in the needs of analysis, performance optimization, custom development, and many other closely working to explore the AMD GPU technology used in Baidu data center. (CCID Net, Laoyaoba, Sina, My Drivers)

MediaTek is announcing a couple of new processors that are joining its mid-range Helio P series. The Helio P23 and Helio P30 retain the same octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU architecture but upgrading many other facets of the SoCs, including the GPUs and modems.  (Android Headlines, AnandTech, Sina, CN Beta)

Touch Display

Guangzhou OED Technologies has announced successfully developed the world’s first “graphene electronic display”. It is very flexible, scratch and scatter resistance, high transmittance, brightness, and can be rollable like paper, which is suitable for wearable devices. (Sohu, CNFOL, Laoyaoba, China Daily)

Sony is reportedly set to double its demand for OLED TV panels from LG Display (LGD) starting in 2019. Sony is reportedly planning to request more than 600K panels per year beginning in 2019 from LG Display’s planned Guangzhou. LGD plans to invest KRW1.8T (USD1.67B) in an 8.5G line for OLED panels at a plant in Guangzhou.  (Android Headlines, Business Korea, Money DJ)

According to WitsView, BOE and OLED Microdisplay maker OLiGHTEK as well as Kopin have announced a new joint-venture worth CNY1.15B to produce OLED microdisplays for the consumer VR and AR markets. The production line is planed at Yunnan, Kunming, with monthly production of 1M units. The plan includes 0.5” (800×600), 0.41” (800×480), 0.8” (1900×1200), 0.5” (1920×1080) micro OLED display. (Laoyaoba, China Times, Yahoo)

Camera

Apple’s newly granted patent covers their invention relating to systems and methods for electronic imaging, and specifically to methods of illumination for enhancing the quality of captured images. Apple further notes that “a projector may be used to cast a pattern of coded or structured light onto an object for purposes of 3D depth mapping. (Epoch Times, UDN, TechNews, Patently Apple)

Memory

Samsung has announced that it will be investing a grand total of USD7B into its NAND flash memory manufacturing operations in China over the next 3 years. Samsung’s Xian facilities produce 3D NAND flash memory chips whose demand is rapidly rising as mobile device manufacturers want chips with greater data storage space and faster processing capabilities. (Android Headlines, Reuters, Bloomberg, Korea Herald, Sina, CN Beta)

Sensory

The new sensors, created by South Korea’s Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology, and Northwestern University, consist of a silicone case that contains “50 components connected by a network of 250 tiny wire coils.” The silicone conforms to the body and transmits data on “movement and respiration, as well as electrical activity in the heart, muscles, eyes and brain.” (TechCrunch, New Atlas, CN Beta)

Smartphones

Coolpad has been pushed by 3 banks for CNY240M debt. On 15 Aug 2017, Coolpad announced that revenues till Jul 2017 is about HKD2.716B, 52% down on year. (Laoyaoba, Sina, Sina, China News, Yahoo)

Sony Mobile has tied up with Jolla to bring Sailfish X to its premium range of Xperia X handsets for EUR49.90. After a few failed attempts with Intex, Fairphone and TRI, the Sailfish OS is all set for a comeback with a new moniker Sailfish X. It will be offered as a paid software on Xperia X smartphones. (My Drivers, Jolla, Phone Arena, Phone Radar, IB Times)

Koh Dong-jin, mobile chief at Samsung, believes the Galaxy Note 8 is a worthy successor of the Note 7. The Note brand is here to stay and even if there were problems before, Samsung will remain committed to the customers.  (CN Beta, Android Community, The Investor)

PCs / Tablets

According to IDC, global shipments of personal computing devices (PCDs), comprised of traditional PCs (a combination of desktop, notebook, and workstations) and tablets (slates and detachables), are expected to continue a slight decline through 2021. The results show PCD shipments declining from 435.1M units in 2016 to 398.3M in 2021, which represents a 5-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.7%. (CN Beta, IDC, press)

Wearables

iOS 11 beta hints at a variety of new Workouts likely coming soon to Apple Watch. Among the new Workouts are American football, baseball, bowling, dancing, skiing and other modalities in the snow, skipping rope, various types of fights, and surfing. (9to5Mac, Engadget, iHelp, Phone Arena, CN Beta, Donews)

Dell has unveiled its Visor Mixed Reality headset at a cost of USD350. It will be using Microsoft’s Mixed Reality platform. It includes “well-cushioned” head and face padding, a cable-management clip that secures the cable to the back of your head, and a “weight-balanced” headband. (Android Headlines, The Verge, Digital Trends, CNET, CN Beta)

Camera and accessory maker Insta360 has debuted the One, a 4K 360º camera with “selfie-stick” eradication built into software for the device. It shoots 360º video at resolutions of 3840×1920 at 30fps, or 2560×1280 at 60fps. Stills are captured at 24MP (2912×3456) resolution. (Apple Insider, Insta360, CN Beta, 163)

Fitbit is officially getting into the smartwatch business with the Fitbit Ionic. It supports 3^rd party apps, GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, water-proof, and it is priced at USD299.95. (Fitbit, CN Beta, The Verge, Time, Ars Technica, Forbes)

Internet of Things

China Life and Baidu will form a CNY7B (USD1B) private equity fund, targeting internet and other technology investments. The Baidu Fund Partnership will be capitalized by China Life through a special partnership, which will contribute up to CNY5.6B. (Sina, IT Time, Reuters, VentureBeat)

Volkswagen is expanding a partnership with robot maker Kuka to develop what it calls “innovative solutions for parking and charging” electric cars based around robots. The research effort dovetails with Volkswagen’s ambitious plans to launch a barrage of new electric cars. (Laoyaoba, Reuters, The Drive)

Smart speakers are just taking off, but will have a “smartphone moment” at which point they become ubiquitous, said Oliver Lee, investment director at Old Mutual Global Investors, which manages USD37B in assets. Some 10.7M Amazon customers in the U.S. owned an Echo device at the end of the first quarter, up from three million a year earlier, according to Consumer Intelligence Research Partners. (Laoyaoba, Fox Business, Investopedia)

Fitbit has redesigned its Aria Wi-Fi scales, introducing the Aria 2 scales that bring improved accuracy, an improved display and easier setup. It is priced at GBP119.99. (Pocket-Lint, CN Beta)