IF / News

Chipsets

SUMCO, a Japan semiconductor silicon wafer giant, has indicated that in addition to expecting the silicon wafer prices will continue to increase throughout 2018 and 2019, the wafers are also expected to be in tight supply until 2021. Thanks to the cost up of 8” and 12” wafer in 1Q18, the 12” wafer cost has increased to USD100. (Laoyaoba, China Times)

Horizon Robotics has announced a new generation of self-driving processor Journey 2.0 architecture and Matrix 1.0 processor, which is based on Journey 2.0. Matrix 1.0 targets at L3 / L4 self-driving solution. The company plans to develop chipset for millions of smart camera. (EEO, Laoyaoba, Asia One, People)

Touch Display

Japan Display Inc (JDI) has announced the development of a 3.25” 1001ppi low temperature polysilicon (LTPS) TFT LCD specifically-designed for virtual reality (VR) head mount display (HMD) applications. JDI plans to start commercial shipments by the end of Mar 2019, and will accelerate the design of even higher resolution displays for VR-HMD applications in the future. (Ubergizmo, VentureBeat, Japan Display, Sohu, Yivian)

Camera

Xiaomi allegedly will set up a camera department in Xiaomi. According to CEO Lei Jun’s statement in an internal mass email, after Xiaomi established the camera department, it must continue to accumulate technology and must take the image quality of Xiaomi’s smartphones to one of the best in the world. (Gizmo China, GizChina, Huxiu, Caijing)

Sensory

MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) has developed a new system that allows self-driving cars to drive on roads they have never been on before without 3D maps. Called MapLite, the system combines simple GPS data Google Maps with a series of sensors that observe the road conditions. (The Verge, MIT, Tencent)

Biometrics

Samsung allegedly will delay its “finger on display” or in-display fingerprint sensor technology until its Galaxy S10 (to be launched in 1Q19).  Samsung has reportedly completed core development on the technology, but requires more time to improve its accuracy.  Samsung is planning to use it in other products — such as home appliances, IOT devices, and vehicles. (Android Authority, Chosun, CN Beta, Phone Arena, Sam Mobile)

Connectivity

Wi-Fi Alliance introduces Wi-Fi CERTIFIED EasyMesh, which  delivers a standards-based approach to deploying adaptable networks comprised of multiple access points from different vendors, extending uniform Wi-Fi coverage and enhancing performance throughout a larger service area than is possible with a single access point.  (CN Beta, Wi-Fi Now, Globe News Wire)

Phone

U.S. President Trump has tweeted he wants to give embattled smartphone company ZTE “a way to get back into business, fast.” He has posted that he is working with China’s president Xi Jinping to help save ZTE. He has added that he instructed the U.S. Commerce Department “to get it done!” (Android Authority, Android Central, Reuters, CN Beta)

Names for a bunch of released and unreleased Xiaomi devices have just surfaced on the Eurasian Economic Commission’s website—Mi 7 lite, Mi S1, Mi S2,  Mi S3, Redmi S1, Redmi S2, Redmi S3, Mi Mix 3s, Redmi Note 6, Redmi Note 6A, Redmi Note 6a prime, Redmi Note 6 prime, Redmi 6a plus, Redmi A1 and Redmi A2. (Android Headlines, Beebom, BGR, Killer Features, CNMO)

Wearables

Alphabet company Verily is apparently working on a prototype device that functions primarily as a smartwatch, but is able to draw blood in a non-invasive fashion. (Android Headlines, Ubergizmo, CNBC, SlashGear, 163, Sohu)

Artificial Intelligence

iFlyTek has raised not more than CNY300M funding through the non-public offerings of not more than 108M shares. Majority of the fund will be used on artificial intelligence (AI) segment, including smart voice and open platform projects, as well as new generation of awareness and recognition technologies development. (CN Beta, Laoyaoba)

Fintech

Facebook is reportedly exploring the creation of its own cryptocurrency, a virtual token that would allow its billions of users around the world to make electronic payments. (Ubergizmo, Cheddar, Laoyaoba)