IF / News

Chipsets

ARM has unveiled its next-generation CPU cores, the Cortex-75 and the Cortex-A55. The Cortex-A75 will be aimed at the premium segment while the Cortex-A55 core will cater to the mid-range category. (Android Authority, Android Central, ARM, Phone Arena, Yesky, My Drivers)

The U.S. International Trade Commission said it has launched a patent infringement investigation of certain Nikon digital cameras, software and components based upon a complaint launched by Carl Zeiss AG and ASML Netherlands B.V. (CN Beta, Investing)

The Qualcomm Mesh Networking Platform brings together some existing technologies, adds some new features, and includes a reference design for device makers. The platform uses Qualcomm’s IPQ40x8/9 system-on-a-chip, which is already used in a number of existing mesh networking routers. Bu the platform brings together a new suite of “WiFi Self Organizing (SON) features to make setup and management easier, as well as optional support for voice controls. (Liliputing, ZDNet, PC Mag, Qualcomm, Laoyaoba)

MediaTek has introduced what it calls the world’s first 4×4 802.11n and Bluetooth 5.0 system-on-chip featuring a dedicated Wi-Fi network accelerator. The MediaTek MT7622 was created for premium networking devices including routers and repeaters, whole home Wi-Fi, and home automation gateways that pre-integrates audio and storage features. (Laoyaoba, Digitimes)

Memory

Recently, a new 12” DRAM production fab built by Hefei Chang Xin with USD7.2B almost enters production. Its monthly production could reach 125K wafer, which is comparable with SK Hynix’s current production. (CN Beta, iFeng, Huxiu)

Nintendo reportedly cannot keep up with demand for the Switch because orders for Toshiba’s NAND flash memory is exceeding supply industry-wide. Cited as major factors for the limited chip supply are Apple’s production of the iPhone 7 and future unnamed models, other smartphone manufacturers, and data centers. (WSJ, Apple Insider, iFeng, My Drivers)

Touch Display

University of Central Florida has developed a new surface that allows the tuning of individual subpixels on a display. The breakthrough might mean the potential display resolutions on LCD TVs could triple. Each pixel on an LCD screen contains three subpixels. Each of those subpixels handles one of three colors: red, green or blue. (Gizmodo, Nature, Sohu)

Smartphones

Samsung has stated that it managed to sell more than 1M units of the Galaxy S8 and S8+ in its home country since the smartphone was officially launched on 21 Apr 2017. “The phone’s predecessors S6 and S7 hit the 100M mark in 75 and 74 days since their launch, respectively. The S8 is selling almost 2 times faster than that,” said a Samsung official. By comparison, the Galaxy S8 reached the 1M sold units mark 37 days after the phone was announced. (CN Beta, Softpedia, The Investor)

Microsoft reportedly has a new hardware device being tested internally and that there is also a separate branch of Windows Mobile for this device. (Phone Arena, Thurrott, Sina, 163)

Andy Robin’s Essential Phone is revealed – 5.71” 19:10 2560×1312 display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, dual rear 13MP-13MP + front 8MP cameras, 4GB RAM, 128GB storage, Android 7.1.1, USB Type-C, 3040mAh battery, from USD699. (Android Authority, The Verge, Essential.com)

Samsung Galaxy J3 Pro is announced in India – 5” HD Super AMOLED 2.5D curved display, Spreadtrum quad-core processor, 8MP + 5MP cameras, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, Android 5.2, 2600mAh battery, INR7990. (Android Headlines, Android Police, Android Authority)

Tablets

ASUS launches 2 new ZenPad tablets: ZenPad 3S 8.0 Z582KL – 7.9” 2048×1546 display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor, 13MP + 5MP cameras, 3 / 4GB RAM, 32 / 64GB storage, 4680mAh battery. ZenPad 10 (Z301ML / Z301MFL) – 10”1280×800 / 1900×1200 display MediaTek MT8735W / MT8735A processor, 5MP + 2MP cameras, 2 / 3GB RAM, 16 / 32 / 64GB storage, 18Wh battery. (Android Authority, GizChina, ZenPad, Liliputing, Gizmo China)

Internet of Things

Google has launched a new venture capital program focused on artificial intelligence. The initiative will be led by long-time Google VP of engineering Anna Patterson and involve a rotating cast of engineers instead of the venture investors who work for Alphabet Inc.’s corporate venture unit, GV. (Axios, CN Beta, TechCrunch)

BBK Corporation (parent company of both OPPO and vivo) has reportedly invested in a new joint venture in Suzhou aiming at consumer drone market. (My Drivers, Sohu)

Cisco launched an Internet of Things (IoT) platform aimed at making deployments easier and partnered with Microsoft Azure to better connect edge devices. The networking giant outlined its new platform, dubbed the Cisco IoT Operations Platform. (CN Beta, TechRepublic, ZDNet, Cisco)

Essential has announced the Essential Home, which is powered by Ambient OS. The Essential Home lets user set custom actions for different activities. It is deemed as a competitor to Amazon Alexa and Google Home. (Ubergizmo, Android Central, Android Community, Mashable, Tech Times, Liliputing, Recode, 36Kr, Yesky, CN Beta)

Japan aims to finalize on plans to allow package delivery by drone sometime from 2020 and the commercialization of self-driving trucks by 2022, as it scrambles to breathe new life into its corporate sector. (VentureBeat, Drone Life, Reuters, 163, iFeng)