IF / News

Chipset

MediaTek reportedly intends to invest in electric car company NextEV with an aim to expand its business in the car electronics sector. (Digitimes, press)

Touch / Display

According to Yole Development, some display makers in Taiwan and China are currently in the process of industrializing OTFT-based displays – flexible LCDs at first, with flexible OLEDs coming within 2-3 years. OTFT would enable low-cost manufacturing of flexible OLED displays, as these low-temperature transistors can be deposited on cheap substrate (unlike LTPS OLEDs which use very expensive polyimide substrates). (Yole Development, OLED-Info)

Biometrics

LG is rumored to adopt several new technologies, including iris recognition and mobile payment using Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) for its upcoming flagship, G6. (Sina, ZOL, Android Authority, Korea Herald)

Taiwan-based epitaxial wafer and chip makers and LED packaging service providers have developed IR LED chips or devices for biometric applications, mainly iris and facial recognition, and are in the process of certification by potential clients. Shipments are expected to start shipping in 2017. (Digitimes, press, 51Touch)

Connectivity

Huawei rotating co-CEO Ken Hu today announced the company’s new X Labs initiative, which is aimed at helping stimulate the inevitable “ecosystem” for the wireless communication market. Hu revealed the company’s plans to open 3 separate labs to explore mobile broadband opportunities in key areas, with the 4^th one in Tokyo. (CN Beta, The Register, IT Pro)

Smartphone

Sharp launching SoftBank-exclusive ‘Star Wars’ smartphone – 5.3” FHD IGZO display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, 22.6MP + 8MP cameras, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, Android 6.0, IP58 certified, JPY92,970. (Engadget, SoftBank,9to5Google)

OPPO A57 is launched in China – 5.2” HD 2.5D curved display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 processor, 16MP PDAF + 13MP cameras, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, Android 6.0 (ColorOS 3.0), 2820mAh battery, CNY1599. (GizChina)

Tablet / PC

Samsung Electronics is reportedly in discussions to sell its PC business to Lenovo. Samsung, in an official statement, has denied the deal, saying “the rumour is not true”. (CN Beta, Sohu, ZDNet)

According to IDC, tablet shipments in India inclusive of slate and detachables clocked 1.06M in 3Q16, remaining stagnant over the same period last year. However, total tablet shipments grew 7.8% in 3Q16 over 2Q16 as vendors prepared the channel to cater to the consumer demand for upcoming festive month. (IDC, press, Digitimes)

Wearables

Neebo is the latest next-gen baby care device. It is basically a small, wearable monitor for babies that connects to phone through a mobile app and enables parents to monitor baby’s vital stats. (Mobile Scout, Android Headlines)