03-20: TSMC has officially enlisted the US as an optional location to build a new manufacturing fab for production of 3nm chips; Qualcomm has unveiled a new mobile chip for entry-level handsets, namely Qualcomm 205 Mobile Platform (MSM8905); etc.
Chipsets
With major China-based chipmakers set to build new 12” fabs, the overall 12” fab capacity in China is expected to peak over next 2~3 years. (Digitimes, press, 3DIC)
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has officially enlisted the US as an optional location to build a new manufacturing fab for production of 3nm chips. Total investment for an advanced 3nm manufacturing fab could reach over NTD500B (USD16.39B) (Laoyaoba, UDN, IT168, Digitimes, press)
Because of a traditional slow season in first quarter of a new year, and the mid-to-low smartphone market is entering cool period in China, in addition to inventory turnover is longer than normal season, Digitimes Research estimates in 1Q17 Taiwan main foundry combined revenue is only USD8.91B, a 7.6% decreased on quarter but a 20.5% increased on year. (Digitimes, press, OfWeek, Laoyaoba)
The US International Trade Commission has agreed to begin an investigation in alleged GPU patent infringement initiated by AMD, against LG, MediaTek, Sigma Designs, and Vizio (acquired by LeEco). (CN Beta, Tech Portal, Tweak Town)
Qualcomm has unveiled a new mobile chip for entry-level handsets, namely Qualcomm 205 Mobile Platform (MSM8905). It is designed to bring 4G connectivity to entry-level smartphones and low cost features phones. It is equipped with a Cat. 4 LTE modem for peak download speeds of up to 150Mbps and uploads at 50Mbps, with support for dual SIMs. Bluetooth 4.1, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, ANT+, and FM radio support included. (Android Authority, PR Newswire, Qualcomm, 91.com, iMobile, ChinaZ, AnandTech)
Memory
Almost 2 years after Intel and Micron unveiled a new type of solid state storage said to be up to 1,000 times faster than flash, Intel is finally launching a commercial product that uses 3D XPoint technology, Intel Optane P4800X. It is a solid state drive designed for enterprise applications. The first version to ship will be a 375GB SSD that sells for USD1520. (Liliputing, Tom’s Hardware, My Drivers)
Sensory
Sound waves could be used to hack into critical sensors in a broad array of technologies including smartphones, automobiles, medical devices and the Internet of Things, University of Michigan research shows. The new work calls into question the longstanding computer science tenet that software can automatically trust hardware sensors, which feed autonomous systems with fundamental data they need to make decisions. (Laoyaoba, Michigan News, Gizmodo, Science Alert, NY Times)
Dolby Laboratories has been conducting its own internal research into how media can trigger reactions in human beings. (The Verge, CN Beta)
Smartphones
In China there is 400M~500M mobile phones sold annually, with 300M~400M units being washed out. This has generated CNY200B mobile phone recycling market. Yet, not a lot of companies doing business with recycling phones. (CN Beta, Qianhua, 163)
The UK government’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) determines the annual rate of inflation by creating an standard shopping basket (which has the totally-snappy title of the “Consumer price inflation basket of goods and services“), and seeing how it changes year-on-year. The ONS announced that standard “dumb phones” were to be removed, due to the decline in their popularity. (CN Beta, Engadget, ONS, report, TNW)
Residential real estate developer Vanke is reportedly collaborating with Xiaomi to build some residential apartments, and dedicated specifically for Xiaomi’s employees for purchase. (CN Beta, 163, Sina)
OPPO and vivo is owned by BBK, and it is founded by CEO Duan Yongping. He indicates that OPPO and Vivo have adopted tactics that Apple was reluctant to employ such as releasing cheaper smartphones with modest to high-end features. However, he is a fan of Apple, though, and even has shares in the US company. (Sina, Laoyaoba, Gizmo China, Bloomberg)
LineageOS passes 1M active installs, most popular device is the OnePlus One. (Android Authority, Android Police, Kejixun)
Smartisan has officiall launched its plan of laying out offline channels. Its first retail store is opened in Xidan city. According to the company sales director Chen Feiliang, the plan has begun since 2016, and according to plan, till Apr 2017, nearly 40 cities from 10 provinces will have its own retail stores, mainly concentrated in 2nd / 3rd tier cities. (Sohu, Technews, Laoyaoba, Tencent)
Sony Xperia L1 is official – 5.5” HD display, MediaTek MT6737T processor, 13MP + 5MP cameras, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, 2620mAh battery. (Android Authority, Sony)
Xiaomi Redmi 4A is launched in India – 5” HD IPS LCD display, Qualcomm Snapdragaon 425 processor, 13MP + 5MP cameras, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, Android 6.0, 3120mAh battery, INR5999. (Android Authority, Android Central, BGR)
ZTE nubia Z11 mini S is official in India – 5.2” FHD display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, 23MP + 13MP cameras, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, 3000mAh battery, INR16999. (GSM Arena, NDTV, GizChina)
Wearables
Swatch is reportedly developing its own operating system for wearables, and plans to launch its first smartwatch powered by the software by the end of 2018. (Liliputing, Bloomberg, Pocket Lint, Tencent)
Fashion brand Guess is launching an Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch successor to its original Guess Connect, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 chip. (Android Authority, Wearable)
