IF / News

Apple is planning a series of new Mac processors for introduction as early as 2021 that are aimed at outperforming Intel’s fastest. Apple is also reportedly testing a chip design with as many as 32 high-performance cores for higher-end desktop computers planned for later in 2021, as well as a new half-sized Mac Pro planned to launch by 2022. Apple expects to finish the transition away from Intel and to its own silicon in 2022. (Mac Rumors, Bloomberg)

LG has partnered with Swedish manufacturer Assa Abloy Entrance Systems to develop automatic sliding doors with built-in transparent OLED displays. The doors will be aimed at businesses, and LG says they will be able to greet customers, communicate with employees, or show ads.  (The Verge, CN Beta, LG)

Apple may use components made by Samsung Electro-Mechanics (SEMCO) for its folded zoom camera on iPhones launching in 2022. SEMCO will supply components such as actuators and lens to LG InnoTek, a long-time supplier of camera modules to Apple. LG will use them to make the folded zoom camera module to supply to Apple. Apple is expected to apply this technology between 2022 to 2023. (CN Beta, 9to5Mac, The Elec)

Georgia Institute of Technology has developed a way to hack into Apple’s iOS devices through a modified charger. It took only 1 minute for an iOS device to be compromised after being plugged into a malicious charger. All users potentially could be affected because the team’s approach does not require jailbreaking the device and does not involve any user interaction. (Gizmo China, Digital Trends, Tech News World, My Drivers)

Reliance Jio Infocomm will lead the roll out of 5G technology in India, implementing the service in 2H21, Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) chairman Mukesh Ambani said. He has indicated that the ‘made in India’ solution will be ready for field deployment in 2021, and Jio will be able to easily upgrade its 4G network to 5G due to the telco’s converged network infrastructure. (Android Central, Live Mint, Android Authority, NDTV)

Nokia leads the way in the next generation of wireless networks as the overall project leader for Hexa-X, the European Commission’s 6G flagship initiative for research that will drive the overall 6G vision. The project goals include creating unique 6G use cases and scenarios, developing fundamental 6G technologies and defining a new architecture for an intelligent fabric that integrates key 6G technology enablers. (CN Beta, GizChina, Mobile World Live, Nokia)

LG has reorganized its mobile phone division to increase outsourcing of its low to mid-end smartphones. LG’s mobile communications business, which has reported an operating loss for 22 consecutive quarters, has created a new management title for original design manufacture (ODM). (Android Authority, Reuters, Engadget)

Samsung has teamed up with uBreakiFix to make electronics recycling more accessible. Customers looking to responsibly recycle used devices through Samsung’s e-waste recycling program can now drop off the items at any of uBreakiFix’s 550+ US locations. (Android Headlines, Ubreakifix)

Google has brought Fuchsia code to GitHub under a standard open-source license. Google has announced that it is expanding the Fuchsia open-source community and opening it up to contributions from the public. Typically, companies start opening up their open-source projects to outside contributors once they feel they have achieved a stable foundation that others can build on. (TechCrunch, The Verge)

Gionee K30 Pro is launched in China – 6.53” 720×1520 HD+ v-notch, MediaTek octa-core, rear tri 16MP-5MP ultrawide-2MP depth + front 8MP, 6+128 / 8+128GB, Android 7.1.1, rear fingerprint, 4000mAh 20W, CNY699 (USD110) / CNY799 (USD120).  (GSM Arena, GizChina, Gizmo China)

Apple has announced over-ear headphones AirPods Max, priced at USD549. AirPods Max combine a custom acoustic design, H1 chips, and advanced software to power computational audio for a breakthrough listening experience with Adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency mode, and spatial audio. (Engadget, Apple, Apple Insider)

Tencent has announced that it will officially launch the TV version of its START cloud gaming service. To start, Tencent will be partnering with TV manufacturers such as TCL, Hisense, Changhong, and Suning’s Biu. Tencent partnered with NVIDIA to launch its cloud gaming service in 2019.  (Gizmo China, IT Home, Sina)

Google and Samsung are bringing their smart home platforms together for the first time. Samsung’s SmartThings will support Google Nest devices starting in January 2021, building a bridge between one of the industry’s leading ecosystems for managing smart devices like cameras and thermostats with one of the leading companies developing those products. (The Verge, CN Beta)

Self-driving car startup Aurora has announced that it is acquiring Uber’s Advanced Technologies Group, the ride-hailing company’s driverless vehicle division. The deal, expected to close in 1Q21, values ATG at approximately USD4B. Aurora is backed by Hyundai, Amazon and major venture firms including Greylock and Sequoia.  (VentureBeat, NY Times, CNBC)

Weltmeister Motor (WM) third smart electric SUV is unveiled with L4 autopilot for specific scenarios. Developed and built by WM Motor in collaboration with Baidu Apollo platform, the new car adopts a new electrical and electronic architecture and will be the first to be equipped with an intelligent unmanned parking system called the “Cloud AVP”, which is capable of L4-level autopilot in certain scenarios. (CN Beta, PR Newswire, CN Techpost)

David Marcus, the head of Facebook Financial (F2), has revealed that he hopes both the cryptocurrency called Diem and the social networking firm’s wallet Novi, will launch in 2021. Diem used to be called Libra before a recent rebrand. It is run by a consortium called the Diem Association. (CN Beta, CNBC, Sina, Business Insider)