IF / News

Chipsets

BAIC New Energy’s mass produced SUV ARCFOX α-T is attached with CNY280K pre-sale price. The company calls it a ‘5G smart electric car’. The new car has a battery life of 653km and an α-Pilot intelligent driving system. Plus, it carries the MH5000 T-BOX based on Huawei’s new generation 5G chip Baron 5000. It is is the latest 5G baseband of Huawei HiSilicon and supports NSA and SA networking. (CN Beta, GizChina)

SiPearl, a new France-based company that is being backed and receiving grants from the European Comission’s European Processor Initiative project, has announced that is has licensed Arm’s next-generation Neoverse processor, codename Zeus. (CN Beta, AnandTech, EE Times)

Apple is reportedly planning 3 Mac processors that are based on the A14, a yet-to-be-confirmed chip that is expected to power the next iPhone. Apple will use Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to build the new Mac chipsets using 5nm process. The first Apple-designed chips will have 12 cores: 8 high-performance ‘Firestorm’ cores and 4 energy-efficient ‘Icestorm’ cores. (Apple Insider, Bloomberg, Engadget, GSM Arena)

Touch Display

Apple has previously planned to bring out a 12.9” iPad Pro with 5G featuring Mini-LED display in 2H20. It is now claimed the product’s launch has been rescheduled into the spring of 2021. (Apple Insider, UDN)

Xiaomi has reportedly requested that Samsung Display supply them with a clamshell-type flexible OLED display similar to the one found in the Galaxy Z Flip. Xiaomi may also source clamshell foldable OLED displays from LG Display, who reportedly previously supplied foldable displays to Huawei. (Phone Arena, XDA-Developers, ZD Net, Laiyuan, iFeng)

Camera

Xiaomi’s new patent application describes a feature with the ability to rotate the screen area on the top of the fuselage to make the rear camera module for users to take selfies. In normal mode, the rear camera module with flash can shoot like a normal camera. To take selfie, the top display with the camera module can be rotated to the front. (CN Beta, LetsGoDigital)

Samsung and Xiaomi are allegedly working together for a smartphone with 150MP camera which is now said to launch in 4Q20. Samsung has also allegedly started development of 250MP camera sensor. (Phone Arena, Gizmo China, Sohu, Inpai)

Sensory

Carnegie Mellon’s Future Interfaces Group have proposed a novel way of letting VR users “feel” virtual surfaces, with the use of a puppet-style glove that can stop user’s fingers in space when they touch a virtual object. The researchers claim that the product, Wireality, can better simulate objects in VR. (Research Snippers, New Atlas, Yivian)

Battery

Daimler and Volvo Trucks have agreed to join forces to develop, produce and sell fuel cell systems for heavy-duty vehicles, in a sign that the coronavirus crisis is accelerating consolidation. Volvo will acquire 50% in the joint venture for around EUR0.6B. Both companies will invest a nine-digit amount each into developing the fuel cell system. (CN Beta, Daimler, Reuters)

Connectivity

Facebook is announcing a USD5.7B (INR43,574 crore) investment in Jio Platforms Limited, part of Reliance Industries Limited, making Facebook its largest minority shareholder. Jio Platforms has several services, including Reliance Jio, the mobile network launched less than 4 years ago, racking up 388M users. (Gizmo China, TechCrunch, Facebook, CNN, Economic Times)

Phone

Facebook is rolling out its Messenger Kids app in more than 70 new countries. Along with expanding the availability of the app to more countries, Facebook has also introduced new options that will help parents connect their children with other kids. (GSM Arena, Android Central, Facebook, 9to5Mac)

Huawei (including Honor) will have released 17 5G-enabled handsets by the end of Apr 2020. The current cheapest 5G phone from the company is Honor 30S retailing at CNY2,399 (USD339). The firm has plans to launch an even cheaper 5G device in the CNY1,000 (USD141) segment, which is believed to be the forthcoming Honor 10X series. (CNMO, Gizmo China)

Apple has notified several of its suppliers that it plans to make about 213M iPhones in the 12 months through March 2021, up 4% from the same period a year ago, despite some suppliers’  belief that orders could end up being significantly lower. Production of current and new models, including the SE and upcoming 5G iPhones, will be split nearly 50-50. (Asia Nikkei, CN Techpost, GizChina)

Xiaomi has officially unveiled the “Xiaomi Privacy Brand” with a logo which represents the brand’s resolve to protect users’ information security and privacy. Xiaomi has continued to improve on the privacy and user security on the MIUI interface. (Gizmo China, My Drivers)

OPPO A72 is announced – 6.5” 1080×2400 FHD+ IPS HiD, Qualcomm Snapdragon 665, rear quad 48MP-8MP ultrawide-2MP macro-2MP depth + front 16MP, 4+128GB, Android 10.0, side fingerprint scanner, 5000mAh 18W, price unknown yet. (GSM Arena, Gizmo China, My Drivers)

ZTE nubia Play 5G is announced in China – 6.65” 1080×2340 FHD+ AMOLED (no notch), Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, rear quad 48MP-8MP ultrawide-2MP macro-2MP depth + front 12MP, 6+128 / 8+128 / 8+256GB, Android 10.0, under display fingerprint, 5100mAh 30W, CNY2,399 (USD339) / CNY2,699 (USD382) / CNY2,999 (USD424). (Gizmo China, Android Headlines)

Motorola Edge series is announced in Europe and US, featuring 6.7” 1080×2340 FHD+ curved AMOLED 90Hz: Egde – Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, rear quad 64MP-8MP telephoto 2x optical zoom-16MP ultrawide-3D ToF + front 25MP, 4+128 / 6+128GB, Android 10.0, under display fingerprint, 4500mAh 18W, from EUR599. Edge+ – Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, rear quad 108MP-8MP telephoto 3x optical zoom OIS-16MP ultrawide-3D ToF + front 25MP, 12+256GB, Android 10.0, under display fingerprint, 5000mAh 15W, 15W wireless charging, EUR1,199. (GSM Arena, Android Central, CN Beta, The Verge, TechRadar)

realme X50m 5G is announced – 6.57” 1080×2400 FHD+ IPS dual HiD 120Hz, Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, rear quad 48MP-8MP ultrawide-2MP macro-2MP depth + front dual 16MP-8MP ultrawide, 6+128G / 8+128GB, Android 10.0, side fingerprint, 4200mAh 30W, CNY1,999 (USD282) / CNY2,299 (USD324). (Gizmo China, My Drivers, 91Mobiles)

vivo iQOO Neo3 5G is announced in China – 6.57” 1080×2408 FHD+ IPS HiD, Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, rear tri 48MP-8MP ultrawide-2MP macro + front 16MP, 6+128 / 8+128 / 12+128 / 8+256GB, Android 10.0, side fingerprint scanner, 4500mAh 44W, CNY2,698 (USD380) / CNY2,998 (USD424) / CNY3,298 (USD467) / CNY3,398 (USD480). (CN Beta, Android Headlines, GSM Arena)

Huawei nova 7 5G series is announced in China: nova 7 SE – 6.5” 1080×2400 FHD+ IPS HiD, HiSilicon Kirin 820 5G, rear quad 64MP-8MP ultrawide-2MP macro-2MP depth + front 16MP, 8+128 / 8+256GB, Android 10.0 (HMS), side fingerprint, 4000mAh 40W, CNY2,399 (USD340) / CNY2,799 (USD395). nova 7 – 6.53” 1080×2400 FHD+ OLED HiD, HiSilicon Kirin 985 5G, rear quad 64MP-8MP ultrawide-2MP macro-2MP depth + front 32MP, 8+128 / 8+256GB, Android 10.0 (HMS), under display fingerprint, 4000mAh 40W, CNY2,999 (USD425) / CNY3,399 (USD480). nova 7 Pro – 6.57” 1080×2400 FHD+ curved OLED dual HiD, HiSilicon Kirin 985 5G, rear quad 64MP-periscope 8MP telephoto 5x optical zoom OIS-8MP ultrawide-2MP macro +front dual 32MP-8MP ultrawide, 8+128 / 8+256GB, Android 10.0 (HMS), under display fingerprint, 4000mAh 40W, CNY3,699 (USD522) / CNY4,099 (USD580). (GSM Arena, My Drivers)

Doogee X95 is launched globally – 6.52” HD+ 19:9 u-notch, MediaTek MT6737, rear tri 13MP-2MP macro-2MP depth + front 5MP, 2+32GB, Android 10.0, no fingerprint scanner, 4350mAh 10W, USD59.99. (GSM Arena, CN Beta, Doogee)

HiSense A5 series featuring E-Ink displays is announced in China: A5C – 5.84” colour E Ink display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 439, rear 13MP + front 5MP, 4+64GB, Android 10.0, 4000mAh, CNY1,699 (USD240). A5Pro Classic – 5.84” grayscale E Ink display, UNISOC T610, rear 13MP + front 5MP, 4+64GB, Android 10.0, 4000mAh, rear fingerprint, CNY1,599 (USD225). A5Pro CC – 5.84” colour E Ink display (higher refresh rate), UNISOC T610, rear 13MP + front 5MP, 4+64 / 6+128GB, Android 10.0, 4000mAh, CNY1,799 (USD255) / CNY1,999 (USD280). (Liliputing, Sparrow News, ZOL)

PC Tablet

Huawei MatePad is announced in China – 10.4” 2000×1200 IPS, HiSilicon Kirin 810, rear 8MP + front 8MP, 4+64 WLAN / 6+128 WLAN / 8+128GB LTE, Android 10.0 (HMS), 7250mAh 18W, 4 Harmon-Kardon tuned speakers, M-Pencil stylus, CNY1,899 (USD269) / CNY2,199 (USD311) / CNY2,499 (USD353). (GSM Arena, Gizmo China)

Samsung’s new patent shows a tablet with a built-in stand to prop up the device for multimedia consumption. The tablet features an all-display fascia with a fair amount of bezels and a curved edge that seems to house volume rocker and the power button. (Phone Arena, 91Mobiles)

Wearables

Huawei Watch GT 2e is announced in China – 1.39” 454×454 circular AMOLED, built-in GPS, supports a total of 100 fitness tracking mode including 15 professional workout modes and 85 customized workout modes, features a SpO2 sensor to monitor oxygen levels in the blood, 5ATM water resistance, CNY1,288 (USD182). (Gizmo China, Huawei, CN Beta)

Huawei Children Watch 3 Pro is announced – It is equipped with nine-fold AI positioning and SOS camera assisted positioning. It is equipped with a 5MP HD camera that supports HD video calls. It is priced at CNY988 (USD139). (Gizmo China, Huawei, My Drivers)

TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has claimed that Apple will begin production of the third-generation AirPods in 1H21. Due to the  the increased demand for AirPods Pro cannot offset the decline in demand for the second-generation AirPods, he predicts that AirPods series shipments in 2020 will be about 80M-90M units, which is lower than the market consensus of 110-120M before the outbreak and 95M-100M the market consensus after the outbreak. (Pocket-Lint, TF Securities, CN Beta, My Drivers, Apple Insider)

Augmented / Virtual Reality

Magic Leap has announced that that it will lay off employees at every level of the organization, and though Magic Leap’s CEO, Rony Abovitz, does not cite any particular numbers, yet there is report around 1,000 people will be forced to leave. Abovitz indicates that Magic Leap will compete in the enterprise and healthcare markets. (Engadget, The Information, Magic Leap, IT Home, CN Beta)

Home

Huawei has unveiled a new smart TV dubbed Huawei Smart Screen V55i, powered by Honghu Smart chipset. It utilizes a 55” three-sided bezel-less design with a 4K screen resolution. The display supports 90% DCI-P3 wide colour gamut and is equipped with MEMC motion compensation technology. (Gizmo China, CN Beta)

Huawei AI Speaker 2 is launched, powered by its own virtual assistant Xiaoyi. It is developed in partnership with Dynaudio. The main 10W speaker is of same 2.25” made of NdFeB. It also has two bass units making it a 1.2 speaker system, however, it does support 5.1 channel. It is equipped with 3900mAh battery. It is priced CNY399 (USD56). (CN Beta, Gizmo China, Huawei)

Automotive

Electric scooter manufacturer Gogoro is entering the ebike space, promising a new model that will launch in 2020. The Gogoro Eeyo will be the company’s first expansion out of the electric scooter segment, where it has sought to differentiate itself with an interchangeable battery system. (CN Beta, SlashGear)