IF / News

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is launching the AMD Instinct MI100, a new graphics processing unit (GPU) that plays a specialized role as an accelerator for scientific research computing. The 7nm GPU accelerator uses AMD’s CDNA architecture to handle high-performance computing (HPC) and AI processing so scientists can work on heavy-duty computing tasks. (VentureBeat, AMD, WCCFTech, Sina, CN Beta)

ZTE has announced to purchase 18.82% of the company’s holding subsidiary ZTE Microelectronics. The subsidiary is mainly engaged in the R&D, design and sales of integrated circuits. It is the main body of ZTE Corporation engaged in chip design and development. The price of this transaction corresponds to the price of 18.82% of ZTE Microelectronics’ equity of CNY2.611B. (CN Beta, Sina)

Shortages of components, especially those ICs fabricated at 8-inch fabs, will not ease until terminal market demand slows down for notebooks, gaming machines and other devices supporting stay-at-home economy, according to Foxconn Technology chairman Young Liu. The IC components have been in short supply due partly to insufficient wafer capacity support for chips vendors and partly to persistent strong pandemic-driven demand for stay-at-home applications. (Digitimes, press, Digitimes)

Korean companies have made big progress in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology. The number of EUV lithography-related patent applications filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) peaked at 88 in 2014 and reached 55 in 2018 and 50 in 2019, according to a KIPO report on patent applications in the last 10 years (2011-2020).  In particular, Korean companies have been rapidly narrowing its gap in EUV lithography technology with foreign companies. (CN Beta, Business Korea)

MediaTek has announced that it will acquire Intel’s Enpirion power management chip product line related assets through its subsidiary Richtek. The total transaction amount is estimated to be approximately USD85M. The transaction completion date is tentatively scheduled in 4Q20. MediaTek has pointed out that after the completion of the merger, it will expand the company’s product line and provide integrated high-frequency and high-efficiency power solutions for FPGA, SoC, CPU, and ASIC. (Digitimes, GSM Arena, Leiphone, IT Home)

Samsung Electronics is pouring USD116B into its next-generation chip business that includes fabricating silicon for external clients, betting it can finally close the gap on industry leader Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) as soon as 2 years from now. Samsung will mass-produce 3nm chips in 2022. Samsung’s aim is in line with TSMC’s target of offering volume production of 3nm chips in 2H22. (Gizmo China, Bloomberg)

Microsoft’s new security processor, called Microsoft Pluton, is designed to enable more powerful hardware and software integration on Windows PCs, eliminating entire classes of cyber attack vectors. The Microsoft Pluton processor is designed to improve the ability to repel physical attacks; and prevent theft of credentials and encryption keys, provide hardware and software control and system integrity checks; and simplify the cloud-based firmware update process (via Windows Update). (GizChina, TechRadar, IT Home)

OPPO has shown off a concept smartphone with a rollable screen. The OPPO X 2021 starts out with a 6.7” OLED screen and using a motorized system, the flexible display rolls out into a larger 7.4”, a movement initialized by a gesture on the side of the phone. (Digital Trends, Android Authority, Android Headlines)

Samsung Electronics is reportedly working on manufacturing facilities for Mini-LED TV in Vietnam. The company has invested about USD36.1M (KRW40B) to construct 50 Mini-LED TV production lines. The company’s recent investment in Mini-LED TV production lines indicates that it plans to mass-produce Mini-LED TVs and shows its intention to grow its Mini-LED TV business. It is reported that Samsung Electronics plans to ship 2M Mini-LED TVs in 2021. Between 10,000 and 20,000 Mini-LED chips are used per Mini-LED TV.  (Laoyaoba, ET News)

OPPO has filed a smartphone design patent featuring a single circular pop-up selfie camera module. The smartphone also houses a triple camera setup on the back with 15x hybrid zoom capability.  (Gizmo China, LetsGoDigital)

OPPO has revealed the new FDF full-dimensional portrait video technology system. It mainly comprises of 2 main engines: portrait perception and image quality enhancement. Their major functions are to enhance the subject and overall picture, most suitable for portrait shooting. Moreover, its video technology and image enhancement technology target the subject and optimize the subject and the overall picture in the portrait shooting mode. (CN Beta, Sina, Techgen XYZ)

The partnership of Huawei and Leica has allegedly expired. However, Huawei has denied the rumor, while a Leica has stated that they “have no information about the termination of the partnership”. (Gizmo China, PC Home, My Drivers)

Panasonic, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of lithium ion batteries, has signed a preliminary agreement with the Nordic energy company, Equinor, and engineering and industrial company, Norsk Hydro, to collaborate on building a battery business in Northern Europe. (TechCrunch, Joint Battery Initiative)

Huawei is selling its Honor smartphone business to a consortium of more than 30 companies. It will sell Honor assets to a newly formed entity dubbed Shenzhen Zhixin New Information Technology. Huawei will “not hold any shares or be involved in any business management or decision-making activities” once the sale is complete. (CN Beta, Gizmo China, Reuters)

Taiwan-based makers Foxconn Electronics and Pegatron have been building more overseas production bases outside of China in line with globalization of operations. (Digitimes, press, 3DSC)

Vivo has announced a new Android skin, dubbed OriginOS. The skin features plenty of rectangular and square widgets, akin to Klotski puzzles. These widgets can also deliver so-called “Nano Alerts,” displaying constantly updated info in them. (CN Beta, Android Authority, My Drivers, Sina)

The Telecommunications Bureau of the Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam has issued an announcement stating that it plans to stop the production and import of mobile devices with only 2G and 3G functions. The department believes that such a ban will promote the use of 4G and 5G by the public. The ultimate target is to promote the digital transformation of Vietnam. This transformation will be complete by 2025. (GizChina, VIR, VIR, CN Beta)

OPPO announces a new “3+N+X” strategy — “3” refers to the prime capacities of its hardware, software, and service technologies. “N” stands for essential AI, Security and Privacy, Multimedia, and interconnectivity. “X” signifies its innovative tech like AR, flash charging, new form factors (concepts), imaging, and more. Going forward, OPPO says the strategy is going to be the key priority of its R&D development. (Gizmo China, Yicai, East Money)

Apple has announced it will reduce the App Store commissions for smaller businesses. Under the new guidelines of the “App Store Small Business Program”, as it is called, developers earning up to USD1M per year will only have to pay a 15% commission on in-app purchases, rather than the standard 30% commission. (TechCrunch, NY Times)

Google is reportedly looking at building a selfie ring and fixing distracted driving. Google has a new patent for a smart ring that doubles as a small selfie camera. (CN Beta, Softpedia, Protocol)

OPPO is showing off a new version of its concept AR glasses, OPPO AR Glass 2021. It is said to be “nearly 75% lighter than its predecessor”,  moving from on-board computing to a tethered design, and replacing wave guide optics with a similar ‘birdbath’ optics design seen in Nreal Light. Its birdbath optics are said to improve image contrast by 53%, brightness uniformity by 98%, and pixels per degree by 40% in comparison to 2019 model. (CN Beta, Road To VR, The Verge, GSM Arena)

Motional, the self-driving car operator backed by Hyundai and Aptiv, has received the green light to roll out a test fleet of fully driverless cars in Las Vegas. The state of Nevada has granted the company permission to operate its autonomous vehicles without a human safety driver behind the wheel. (CN Beta, TechCrunch, The Verge)

Telkomsel, Indonesia’s biggest telecom network, has invested USD50M in ride-hailing firm Gojek. As part of the “strategic partnership,” the two firms will explore a “broad range of collaboration opportunities” to reach millions of Indonesians. (TechCrunch, Telkomsel)

Didi Chuxing and BYD have joined forces to design, develop, and build an electric car for the express purpose of ride-hailing. The D1 will have a range of 418km (260 miles) as judged by NEDC (New European Driving Cycle). The D1 will come with a Level 2 driver assistance system that includes lane-departure warning, automatic braking, and pedestrian collision warning. (The Verge, Sina, Technode, IT Home)