04-19: Innolux has been working with Sharp to accelerate the commercialization of OLED technology; LG Display (LGD) will reportedly supply curved OLED panels for next flagship smartphones of LG and Xiaomi; etc.
Touch Display
Hon Hai Technology Group display consultant Tuan Hsing-chien indicates that Innolux has been working with Sharp to accelerate the commercialization of OLED technology. Integrating group resources, Sharp and Innolux engineers jointly worked on research and development at Innolux’s fab before Sharp started its own G4.5 OLED fab. (Laoyaoba, OfWeek, Taipei Times, UDN)
High Dynamic Range (HDR) is known by a lot as a camera technology, but on TV or display, HDR means a different thing. (EET China, article, Laoyaoba)
Google and Apple are reportedly eyeing at securing OLED displays for their next flagship smartphones and subsequently planning to invest hugely in LG Display’s OLED manufacturing units. (Laoyaoba, 51Touch, EE World, BGR)
LG Display (LGD) will reportedly supply curved organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels for next flagship smartphones of its sister firm LG Electronics and China’s Xiaomi. (GSM Arena, The Investor, Android Authority, Android Headlines, CN Beta, ET News)
Camera
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg believes that augmented reality (AR) will play an important role in building communities. While the camera has become the center of many of Facebook’s apps, he believes there is more that can be done and stated his intention to have a platform for developers to build on. Facebook is launching new Camera Effects platform for developers to contribute AR image filters and interactive experiences. (VentureBeat, Business Insider, TechCrunch, Hexun, Tencent)
KGI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo anticipates that Samsung Galaxy S8 to be launched in 2H17 will be equipped with dual camera – a 12MP sensor with Dual Pixel autofocus, the telephoto camera will have a 13MP sensor instead. Both will feature optical image stabilization (OIS). He has also raised his estimates to 50M~55M units shipped in 2017 (up from 40M~45M). (Laoyaoba, TechNews, GSM Arena, 9to5Google)
Memory
Samsung Electronics has established a roadmap for its processes after 18nm process that reduces line width of DRAM by a unit of 1nm. Compared to how line width was greatly reduced by 5nm~10nm for 4nm processes and 2nm~3nm for 20nm processes, speed of refinement has been visibly slowed down. This indicates that technical barrier for refinement has become higher. Industries predict that 15nm process will be the destination of refinement of DRAM. (CN Beta, ET News)
Battery
Bei Li Da and Chipsea have announced the industry first dual-directional 60W Type-C PD portable power bank, which has 6 20650 standard 3350mAh battery. The fast charging speed is increased 4-fold. (CN Beta, Chongdiantou)
Smartphones
IHS analyst Kevin Wang revealed that in Mar 2017 Xiaomi sold 6.3M smartphones. He has indicated that the target for 2017 is to ship 70M. (Android Headlines, Gizmo China, Sohu)
Apple is reportedly preparing 3 iPhones for launch as soon as 2017 fall, including upgraded versions of the current 2 iPhone models and a new top-of-the-line handset with an overhauled look. For the redesigned phone, Apple is testing a new type of screen, curved glass and stainless steel materials, and more advanced cameras. (Mac Rumors, Bloomberg, press, CN Beta)
Sharp has announced that in Japan market all the smartphone brands will begin to fall under one brand name “AQUOS R” from summer 2017. Its 2017 shipment target is 1M units, which is 40% more than 2016. (Laoyaoba, TechNews, MoneyDJ)
Sharp Aquos R is official – 5.3” WQHD IGZO display (HDR 10 compatible), Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, 22.6MP + 16MP cameras, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, Android 7.1, IPX8 certified, USB Type-C, 3160mAh battery. (Android Headlines, CN Beta, Gizmo China)
OUKITEL C5 is official – 5” HD display, MediaTek MT6580 processor, 8MP + 5MP cameras, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, Android 7.0, 3G, dual-SIM, 2000mAh battery, USD64.99. (Gizmo China, The Hans India)
Xiaomi Mi 6 is announced – 5.15” FHD display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, dual rear cam 12MP-12MP (wide-angle 4-axis OIS + tele) + front 8MP cameras, 6GB RAM, 64 / 128GB storage, Android 7.0 (MIUI 8), fingerprint sensor, 3350mAh battery, from CNY2499. (CN Beta, Android Central, Android Headlines, Mi.com, GSM Arena)
Tablets
Huawei MediaPad T3 7 / 8 are announced: T3 7 – 7” 1024×600 IPS display, MediaTek MT8127 processor, 2MP + 2MP cameras, 1 / 2GB RAM, 8 / 16GB storage, Android 6.0 (EMUI 4.1), 3100mAh battery, from EUR129. T3 8 – 8” 1280×800 IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 processor, 5MP + 2MP cameras, 2 / 3GB RAM, 16 / 32GB storage, Android 7.0 (EMUI 5.1), LTE optional, 4800mAh battery, from EUR219. (Gizmo China, Huawei, Huawei, GSM Arena, Android Authority)
Wearables
Altra Torin IQ powered by iFit is described as the world’s first smart shoe. A “running coach” that is built into each pair that promises to give runner “accurate running intelligence in four critical areas and live coaching feedback during every run.” (CN Beta, TechCrunch, Digital Trends, PR Newswire)
Mobvoi launching 2 smartwatches – Ticwatch S and Ticwatch E, the former is for sporting, and the latter is fashion. Ticwatch S is using 45mm circular watch face, 1.4” OLED display, weighed 46g; Ticwatch E is using 44mm circular watch face, 1.4” OLED display, weighed 41g. Both watches are IP67 certified. (My Drivers, CC Time, Huanqiu)
Internet of Things
Zendrive’s 3-month analysis of 3M anonymous drivers, who made 570M trips and covered 5.6B miles found that drivers use their phones during 88 out of 100 trips. Zendrive also found that during an hour-long trip, drivers spent an average of 3.5-minutes using their phones. (CN Beta, Fortune, Zendrive, PC Mag)
Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun has revealed its retail store MiJia’s target – to break CNY70B revenues in 5 years. The effectiveness of per square area of MiJia retail store has achieved CNY260K, which is below than Apple’s CNY400K, but higher than luxury brand Tiffany’s CNY200K. (My Drivers, ChinaZ, Sohu)
