IF / News

Chipsets

NVIDIA has confirmed that it would acquire chipmaker Mellanox for USD6.9B. With Mellanox, NVIDIA will optimize datacenter-scale workloads across the entire computing, networking and storage stack to achieve higher performance, greater utilization and lower operating cost for customers. (TechCrunch, CN Beta, Globe Newswire)

NVIDIA is cutting back on its support for its 3D Vision 3D glasses, and the GPU maker has quietly announced that its 3D Vision system will soon be no longer compatible with the latest graphics drivers. NVIDIA 3D Vision (previously released as Geforce 3D Vision) was released in 2008 as a way for gamers to use 3D glasses to play Direct3D games. (CN Beta, The Inquirer, PC Gamer, NVIDIA, WCCFTech)

Shortages of Intel’s CPUs are expected to worsen in 2Q19 compared to 1Q19 as demand for Chromebooks, which are mostly equipped with Intel’s entry-level processors, enters the high period, according to Digitimes Research. Digitimes Research expects Intel CPUs’ supply gap to shrink to 2%-3% in 1Q19 with Core i3 taking over Core i5 as the series hit hardest by shortages. (Digitimes, press, Digitimes, press, My Drivers)

Touch Display

Huawei consumer business group CEO Richard Yu has indicated that the price of foldable phones will eventually be less in 1~2 years, selling for about EUR1,000 and even some Chinese OEMs offering models that sell for as low as EUR500. He also believes foldable phones will be mass in a few years. (Phone Arena, Welt, Gizmo China, MS Poweruser, CN Beta)

Samsung’s patent describes a bendable smartphone that can be worn on wrist. This is made possible by the flexible display and specially-designed hinge, the latter of which constitutes most of the device’s frame. (Android Headlines, LetsGoDigital, Phone Arena, Sina)

Camera

vivo is recently granted by China’s National Intellectual Property Administration. It reveals a dual pop-up selfie camera smartphone design. The pop up accommodates 2 camera sensors. A 3.5mm audio jack also seems to be present on the top edge of the phone. (Gizmo China, Mobielkopen, Sina, CN Beta)

Connectivity

As Korea will adopt 4G LTE-based non-standalone (NSA) architecture for its initial commercial 5G operations, SK Telecom (SKT) will have a competitive advantage over fellow companies KT and LG U+, leveraging its established, faster 4G LTE networks, according to Digitimes Research. (Digitimes, press)

China is expected to commit CNY900B (USD134.01B) to CNY1.5T for the establishment of its 5G networks during the period from 2020-2025, the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) has estimated. During the same period, the direct and indirect economic value derived from the commercial operations of China’s 5G networks will reach CNY10.6T and CNY24.8T, respectively, said the academy. (Digitimes, press, Xinhuanet, CAICT)

Phone

vivo’s Y-series that has launched in in India have carried double digit names such as Y95, Y81, Y79. The upcoming Y series is expected to arrive with single digit monikers. vivo Y3 or Y5 or at least the latter reportedly will be equipped with tri-cam. The handsets are believed will take on Samsung Galaxy M and Galaxy A series. (GizChina, Gizmo China, 91Mobiles)

According to Wedbush’s Daniel Ives, if Apple hits 100M subscribers, that could translate into USD7B~USD10B in extra annual revenue. This assumes “minimal speed bumps” and continued brand loyalty though, as well as aggressive content acquisition. (Apple Insider, CN Beta)

OPPO VP Brian Shen indicates that “value for money” is a false proposition. The responsibility of the company is to make a good product, maintain a good brand, provide a good service, and generate reasonable profits for continues investment. (CN Beta, CN Beta)

Samsung reportedly will adjust its approach in the flagship segment by launching a more cost-effective flagship.  The flagship is said to come with a cheaper price tag than the Galaxy S10E. Samsung is rumored to launch more than 6 flagships powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 855. (Gizmo China, Phone Arena, Android Headlines, Sina)

Doogee S90 modular phone with 5G mod is announced – 6.18” 1080×2246 FHD+ IPS, MediaTek Helio P60, rear dual 16MP-8MP + front 8MP, 6+128GB, Android 8.1, rear fingerprint scanner, 5050mAh, USD300, mods including Game Mod, Walkie-Talkie Mod, Power Mod, Night Vision Camera Mod, 5G Mod, Projector Mod. (GizChina, Doogee, Gizmo China, Android Headlines)

Doogee Y8 Plus is announced – 6.21” HD+ waterdrop, MediaTek Helio A22, rear dual 13MP-8MP + front 8MP, 3+32GB, Android 9.0, rear fingerprint scanner, face unlock, 4000mAh. (Android Headlines, GizChina, Doogee)

Automotive

Drones are useful today for real estate photos and gas pipeline inspections. They could be useful tomorrow for home security and package delivery. Anil Nanduri, general manager of Intel’s drone group, expects drone innovation combined with people paying their way out of gridlock will mean flying cars will transform from exotic to be accepted in the next few years. (CN Beta, CNET, ANI News, Washington Examiner)

Uber thought it would have 75,000 autonomous vehicles on the roads in 2019 and be operating driverless taxi services in 13 cities by 2022. Uber has agreed to pay USD20M to settle a lawsuit brought by drivers nearly 6 years ago. (TechCrunch, Bloomberg, Reuters, Teller China, Xinhuanet)

The Volkswagen Group is accelerating its plans for electric cars. VW said it plans to sell 22M electric cars in 10 years, up from a previous goal of 15M vehicles. The automaker said it will launch 70 new electric models across multiple brands by 2028. (CN Beta, CNET, Insider EVs, The Drive)

Artificial Intelligence

Tune is a new Chrome extension that uses AI smarts to filter out toxic comments around the web. The extension is built off an earlier system called Perspective, built by the Alphabet offshoot Jigsaw. Notably, Twitter and YouTube are already using Perspective to help track and moderate toxic comments. (Android Authority, Medium, CN Beta)