IF / News

Chipsets

Signalchip, an India based fab-less semiconductor company has revealed India’s first semiconductor chips for 4G and 5G modems. The company has launched 4 chips as part of its SCBM34XX and SCRF34XX/45XX series, code-named ‘Agumbe’; include SCBM3412 (single chip 4G/LTE modem), SCBM3404 (single chip 4X4 LTE), SCRF3402 (2X2 transceiver for LTE) and SCRF4502 (2X2 transceiver for 5G NR standards). The chips also support positioning using India’s own satellite navigation system, NAVIC.  (Gizmo China, CN Beta, Economic Times)

Intel EVP of the Data Centre Group, Navin Shenoy has stated that they will do everything possible to avoid the 14nm capacity shortage in the future, in other words, the next 10nm, 7nm and other nodes will guarantee capacity. (CN Beta, My Drivers)

Touch Display

E Ink Holdings (EIH) has announced that its Advanced Color ePaper (ACeP) display products have been used by Toppan Printing and Isetan Mitsukoshi to develop the world’s first colored digital point-of-purchase (POP) displays. EIH claimed that its first generation ACeP display is capable of displaying over 32,000 colors, making the ACeP solution an alternative to paper-based POP display products. (Digitimes, press, Hangjianet, China Times, ET Today)

Samsung Display has allegedly sent samples of a foldable display to Apple, which could point to a 2020 iPhone using the technology. The samples reportedly measure 7.2”. Samsung is currently able to produce about 2.4M foldable displays per year, it is contemplating ramping up to 10M. (Apple Insider, ET News, CN Beta)

The Holoscreen from Lucid and Holitech is a smartphone screen protector that allows users to view 3D content without the glasses inside an app. The USD30 accessory functions as a normal screen protector outside of the 3D app. Holitech makes and supplies displays for mid-range phones and Lucid makes AI-based 3D and depth capture software for phones. (CN Beta, Sina, Digital Trends, CNET)

Memory

Micron’s line of client SATA SSDs for the OEM market is making the jump to 96-layer 3D TLC NAND flash memory with the new Micron 1300 SSD. This replaces the Micron 1100 SSD, which used Micron’s first-generation 32-layer 3D TLC. (CN Beta, AnandTech, ZDNet)

Connectivity

SIMalliance has called for a new and more secure 5G SIM card standard, digital security company Gemalto has announced today that it has developed the world’s first 5G SIM — a more secure solution that will roll out in 1H19. (CN Beta, CBR, VentureBeat)

[MWC2019] Huawei has released the most powerful “1+1” antennas, including the industry’s first 30 ports antenna, the industry’s smallest FDD 4T4R+TDD 8T8R converged antenna, and the industry’s first fully integrated ultra-wideband multi-sector antenna. (My Drivers, ZOL, MENAFN, Telecom Paper)

[MWC2019] Huawei has signed collaborative agreements with South Africa mobile data network operators Rain, Saudi Telecom (STC) and others. Huawei said that it has signed commercial contracts with more than 30 operators worldwide. The global shipments of 5G base stations exceed 40,000, and holding more than 2,570 patents and 5G patents. (CN Beta, Business Live, Telecom Paper)

Phone

TechInsights is tearing down international version of Samsung Galaxy S10+ (Exynos 9820, SM-G975F/DS), and identifies that 8+128GB version BOM cost is about USD420, which is about 42% of its retail price (USD999.99). Though the assembly, auxiliary materials and testing costs are considered, the BOM cost analysis of the 3 parties is for reference only. After all, it also condenses the investment in R&D, logistics, manpower, and enterprise propaganda. It cannot be simply assumed that the profit of S10+ can reach 50%. (TechInsights, CN Beta, GSM Arena, Hot Hardware)

[MWC2019] Lenovo Tab V7 is announced – 6.9” 1080×2160 FHD+ IPS, Qualcomm Snapdragon 450, rear 13MP + front 5MP, 4+64GB, Android 9.0, rear fingerprint scanner, 5180mAh, EUR249. (Neowin, XDA-Developers)

vivo V15 is announced in Thailand – 6.53” 1080×2340 FHD+ Ultra FullView, MediaTek Helio P70, rear tri 12MP-8MP-5MP + front 32MP pop-up, 6+128GB, Android 9.0, rear fingerprint scanner, 4000mAh, THB10,999 (USD346). (GizChina, NDTV)

Huawei Y6 (2019) is announced –  6.09” 1520×720 HD+, MediaTek Helio A22 MT6761, rear 13MP + front 8MP, 2+32GB, Android 9.0, rear fingerprint scanner, 3020mAh. (GSM Arena, Huawei, GizChina)

Wearables

According to Strategy Analytics, global smartwatch shipments grew an impressive 56% annually to reach a record 18M units in 4Q18. Apple Watch maintained first position with 51% global smartwatch marketshare, while Samsung jumped to second place, overtaking Fitbit and Garmin. Global smartwatch shipments hit an all-time high of 45.0M units in full-year 2018. (GizChina, Business Wire, 199IT)

Augmented / Virtual Reality

Greg Sullivan, Microsoft director of communications, has indicated that the company hopes HoloLens will be great for consumers one day, but for the time being that is a long way off. (Pocket-Lint)

Automotive

[MWC2019] Spanish automaker SEAT has unveiled its new Minimó all-electric concept car. Minimó would include built-in 5G connection. One interesting feature is its ability to recognize “whether the driver is 16 or 18.” It can adapt its top speed to either 45 or 90km/h (28 or 56mph), depending on driver age. (CN Beta, Electrek, Driving Electric, New Atlas, Seat)