4-19 #Grateful: TSMC has revised downward its global semiconductor market outlook in 2020 to flat growth or a slight decrease; Samsung is reportedly hoping to combat the massive slump in smartphone sales with cheap 5G handsets; etc.
Chipsets
AMD’s chief executive, Lisa Su, has revealed that it is supplying high-performance processors to customers with slight delays due to the coronavirus pandemic. The company has pledged to donate USD15M of computer systems based on its EPYC CPUs and Radeon Instinct GPUs for data centers. (CN Beta, AMD, Electronic Design, Hot Hardware)
TSMC has revised downward its global semiconductor market outlook in 2020 to flat growth or a slight decrease, compared to the 8% increase estimated in Jan 2020. The outlook excludes the memory chip sector. TSMC cut its foundry market growth forecast to 7%-13% from 17%. Commenting on 2H20, company CEO CC Wei said that the company adopts a more conservative view as they expect COVID-19 to continue to bring some level of disruption to the end market demand. (GSM Arena, Digitimes, press)
Touch Display
AU Optronics (AUO) is installing 2 new production lines for the manufacture of automotive panel modules in Taiwan, with volume production slated to kick off in 2Q20. The added facilities are part of its NTD40.7B (USD1.354B) expansion project to ramp up its capacity, build smart manufacturing lines and develop high-margin large-size panels in Taiwan over the next 3 years. (Digitimes, press, Digitimes)
Sensory
Amazon.com has started to use thermal cameras at its warehouses to speed up screening for feverish workers who could be infected with the coronavirus. The cameras in effect measure how much heat people emit relative to their surroundings. (The Verge, Engadget, Reuters, Caijing)
Biometrics
Goodix has revealed that Samsung Galaxy A71 5G (6.7” FHD+ Super AMOLED) features its optical in-display fingerprint solution. Goodix has also indicated that the A71 also features the company’s voice calling enhancement solution. (Gizmo China, Mobile ID World, Goodix, My Drivers, IT Home)
Battery
The US International Trade Commission (ITC) has accepted a request to review the battery lawsuit filed by SK Innovation. ITC said LG Chem is reviewing SK Innovation’s early decision to lose in the lawsuit against SK Innovation. In Apr 2019, LG Chem filed a lawsuit against ITC that SK Innovation violated its battery-related business secrets. (Laoyaoba, Korea Herald, Teller Report)
The opening ceremony of the Changhong New Energy Mianyang Lithium Battery Project and the Mianyang High-tech Zone Investment Promotion Project is held in the Changhong Intelligent Manufacturing Industrial Park. There are 11 projects in Mianyang High-tech Zone, with a total investment of CNY5.053B. Among them, the Changhong New Energy Mianyang lithium battery project has nearly CNY2B investment. (Laoyaoba, NBD, SCOL)
Material
Cable and wire harness maker Wonderful Hi-Tech has introduced ACT (silver, copper, titanium) antibacterial material which can kill bacteria in five minutes as compared with at least one hour for conventional antibacterial materials. The ACT antibacterial material is developed and produced by its subsidiary Inga Nano Technology. (Digitimes, press, Yahoo, UDN, China Times)
Phone
Samsung is set to produce just over 10M smartphones in Apr 2020, which is about 60% of its previous monthly average of around 25M handsets, according to Samsung suppliers. Annually, Samsung produces up to 300M handsets. Samsung plans to bring production volume back to normal in May after its plants in India and Brazil are normalized. (Android Headlines, The Elec, CN Beta, IT Home)
Samsung is reportedly hoping to combat the massive slump in smartphone sales with cheap 5G handsets. Samsung has already introduced the Galaxy A51 5G and Galaxy A71 5G, priced at USD499 and USD599 respectively, but is now expected to double down on next-gen network support. (Phone Arena, Sam Mobile, New Daily)
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has announced the 2019 results of the international patent applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) System, with 1,927 applications, OPPO becomes the top 5 PCT filer in the rankings by company applicants. (OPPO, Communications Today, Laoyaoba)
Honor 9X Lite is unveiled in Europe – 6.5” 1080×2340 FHD+ IPS, HiSilicon Kirin 710, rear dual 48MP-2MP depth + front 16MP, 4+128GB, Android 9.0, rear fingerprint, 3750mAh 10W, EUR199. (GSM Arena, Gizmo China)
OPPO Find X2 Lite 5G is announced in Europe – 6.4” 1080×2400 FHD+ AMOLED, Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, rear quad 48MP-8MP ultrawide-2MP macro-2MP depth + front 32MP, 8+128GB, Android 10.0, under display fingerprint, 4025mAh 30W, EUR500. (Gizmo China, GizChina, OPPO)
OPPO A92s 5G is announced in China – 6.57” 1080×2400 FHD+ IPS 120Hz 2xHiD, MediaTek Dimensity 800,rear quad 48MP-8MP ultrawide-2MP macro-2MP depth + front dual 16MP-2MP ultrawide, 6+128 / 8+128GB, Android 10.0, side fingerprint scanner, 4000mAh 18W, CNY2,199 (USD310) / CNY2,499 (USD353). (Gizmo China, GSM Arena)
Wearables
Samsung has released ‘Hand Wash’ app on Galaxy Watch, which helps users maintain hand hygiene by periodically reminding them about it and ensuring each wash is thorough for the duration of 20s in line with WHO recommended best practices. (Engadget, Samsung, CN Beta)
Automotive
Dutch submersible maker U-Boat Worx has unveiled what is claimed to be the lightest manned submersible ever built, Nemo. It tips the scales at 2,500kg and is just 155cm tall. The craft can travel up to 3kt underwater, is rated to dive down to 100m. The Nemo is priced at EUR975K (about USD1.06M). (CN Beta, New Atlas)
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric, in a partnership with Ford Motor has signed a deal to produce 50,000 ventilators. The new U.S. government contract for USD336M is through 13 Jul 2020. (CN Beta, CNBC, Motley Fool)
Lamborghini is making available resources and equipment of its Research and Development Department for the co-engineering and production of lung simulators to support SIARE Engineering, the leading Italian pulmonary respirator manufacturer, during the health emergency due to the spread of COVID-19. (CN Beta, Go Auto, Lamborghini)
Payment
Google is reportedly developing its own physical and virtual debit cards. The Google card and associated checking account will allow users to buy things with a card, mobile phone or online. The card will be co-branded with different bank partners, including CITI and Stanford Federal Credit Union. (Android Headlines, TechCrunch, Leiphone)
