IF / News

MediaTek has indicated that currently Honor is a newly established independent company, and the company is evaluating the current situation. Honor allegedly already has a device with a MediaTek processor, and it will hit the market in mid-2021.  (GizChina, IT Home, Yicai)

Intel has reportedly talked with TSMC and Samsung about outsourcing some production. Intel has yet to make a decision about the future of its chip production business. Any components that Intel might source from Taiwan would not come to market until 2023. TSMC is preparing to offer Intel chips manufactured using a 4nm process, with initial testing using an older 5nm process. (CN Beta, Bloomberg, 9to5Mac)

Ford Motor and Nissan Motor have confirmed they are cutting vehicle production at plants in the U.S. and Japan due to a shortage of semiconductors, highlighting a growing concern for the global automotive industry in 2021. Ford will idle an SUV plant in Kentucky next week, while Nissan is reducing production at a plant in Japan. (My Drivers, My Drivers, CNBC, Reuters)

LG Display (LGD) and one of the world’s largest display manufacturers, and Eyesafe, the global leader in low blue light solutions for the consumer electronics industry, have announced the world’s first ever Eyesafe Certified television display. LGD expects many new Eyesafe television displays to come to market throughout 2021.  (CN Beta, Slash Gear, PR Newswire)

Sony Crystal LED is a modular, microLED display technology, where the pixels used to produce the images are made from arrays of microscopic LEDs. Each 1.26-mm-pixel-pitch module has a resolution of 480×270, while the 1.58-mm-pixel-pitch modules have a resolution of 384×216. Each module is expected to cost around the USD10,000 mark. Both models also come with the new X1 for Crystal LED processor, which essentially combines the picture processing smarts of the X1 Ultimate processor powering Sony’s high-end LCD and OLED TVs with the LED control technology of its Crystal LED technology. (CN Beta, Sony, Forbes, New Atlas)

OnePlus co-founder and CEO Pete Lau has indicated that the company is focusing its R&D efforts towards improving the camera capabilities of its upcoming devices. The executive expects OnePlus to become the industry leader in terms of image quality in the future. (Android Central, GSM Arena, My Drivers)

TF Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicts that Largan Precision will bargain the ASP of ‌Apple iPhone‌ mid-to-high-end lenses by about 15-25% in 1H21 in order to increase its capacity utilization rate. Genius Electronic Optical (GSEO) order proportion, capacity utilization rate and gross profit margin will be directly affected.  (9to5Mac, TF Securities, Mac Rumors)

OmniVision has unveiled new 1/1.7” 40MP image sensor OV40A, which is built with OmniVision PureCel Plus S stacked die technology. It features a 1.0 micron pixels and offers ‘super high gain and de noise technologies for the best in class low light camera performance’. (Gizmo China, OmniVision, CN Beta)

Samsung will reportedly release several innovative camera sensors for smartphones at once in 2021. The first smartphones will appear on the market, which will be equipped with 200MP camera sensors. (GizChina, Twitter)

Sony is introducing its own 360 Reality Audio for streaming. With the addition of additional features, artists will be able to bring a live concert-style novel experience to audiences on the other side of the network. In addition to the official Sony Artist Connection App, Sony also disclosed a series of popular music services that support 360 Reality Audio, including Deezer, Nugs.net, and Tidal. (CN Beta, Sony, Android Authority)

IDC expects worldwide shipments of used smartphones, inclusive of both officially refurbished and used smartphones, to reach a total of 225.4M units in 2020. This represents an increase of 9.2% over the 206.5M units shipped in 2019. IDC projects used smartphone shipments will reach 351.6M units in 2024 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.2% from 2019 to 2024. (My Drivers, GizChina, IDC)

Lava has introduced its new MyZ and Zup series of customizable phones in India. These phones are ‘Made in India’ and can be customized by the customer as per their liking. Both smartphones are budget-oriented, with customization being their key highlight. (Android Headlines, Lava, Neowin, ePrice)

Lava Z series is launched in India featuring MediaTek Helio G35 and 5000mAh: Z1 – 5.0” 480×854 16:9 FWVGA TFT, rear dual 13MP-2MP depth + front 5MP, 2+16GB, Android 10 Go, rear fingerprint, INR5,499 (USD75). Z2 – 6.517” 720×1600 HD+ v-notch IPS, rear dual 13MP-2MP depth + front 8MP, 2+32GB, Android 10 Go, rear fingerprint, INR6,999 (USD95). Z4 – 6.517” 720×1600 HD+ v-notch IPS, rear tri 13MP-5MP ultrawide-2MP depth + front 16MP, 4+64GB, Android 10, rear fingerprint, INR8,999 (USD123). Z6 – 6.517” 720×1600 HD+ v-notch IPS, rear tri 13MP-5MP ultrawide-2MP depth + front 16MP, 6+64GB, Android 10, rear fingerprint, INR9,999 (USD136). (GSM Arena, Gizmo China, NDTV)

Redmi 9T 5G is announced in Europe – 6.53” 1080×2340 FHD+ u-notch IPS, Qualcomm Snapdragon 662, rear quad 48MP-8MP ultrawide-2MP macro-2MP depth + front 8MP, 4+64 / 4+128GB, Android 10.0, side fingerprint, 6000mAh 18W, 2.5W reverse charging, EUR159 / EUR169 (with NFC) / EUR189. (GSM Arena, Android Headlines, Android Central)

Redmi Note 9T 5G is announced in Europe – 6.53” 1080×2340 FHD+ HiD 90Hz IPS, MediaTek Dimensity 800U, rear tri 48MP-2MP macro-2MP depth + front 13MP, 4+64 / 4+128GB, Android 10.0, side fingerprint, 5000mAh 18W, EUR199 (EUR229 regular price) / EUR249 (EUR269 regular price). (GSM Arena, My Drivers)

Moto G 2021 series is launched in US: G Play – 6.5” 720×1600 HD+ v-notch IPS, Qualcomm Snapdragon 460, rear dual 13MP-2MP depth + front 5MP, 3+32GB, Android 10.0, rear fingerprint, 5000mAh 10W, USD170. G Power – 6.6” 720×1600 HD+ HiD IPS, Qualcomm Snapdragon 662, rear tri 48MP-2MP macro-2MP depth + front 8MP, 3+32 / 4+64GB, Android 10.0, side fingerprint, 5000mAh 15W, USD200 / USD250. G Stylus – 6.8” 1080×2400 FHD+ HiD IPS, Qualcomm Snapdragon 678, rear quad 48MP-8MP ultrawide-2MP macro-2MP depth + front 16MP, 4+128GB, Android 10.0, side fingerprint, 4000mAh 10W, USD300. (GSM Arena, Android Authority)

Moto One 5G is announced in US – 6.7” 1080×2520 FHD+ 2xHiD 90Hz IPS, Qualcomm Snapdragon 765, rear quad 48MP-8MP ultrawide-5MP macro-2MP depth + front dual 16MP-8MP ultrawide, 6+128GB, Android 10.0, side fingerprint, 5000mAh 15W, USD399. (GSM Arena, Android Authority)

Apple’s 9th-generation low-cost iPad that Apple is expected to debut in 2021 will feature a design that is based on the 3rd-generation iPad Air that Apple introduced in 2019. The display size is expected to remain the same at 10.2”, but it will be “significantly thinner” at 6.3mm.  (GSM Arena, Macotakara, Mac Rumors)

Apple is reportedly preparing to launch a next-generation iPad Pro lineup in Mar 2021, with rumored Mini LED screen technology limited to the larger 12.9” model.  It might be 0.5mm thicker than its predecessor. The additional head room could be designed to accommodate Mini LED components. (Apple Insider, Macotakara).

Apple will reportedly debut its 6th-generation iPad mini in Mar 2021, which will feature 8.4” display. It is expected to retain Touch ID and a Lightning port in the traditional locations, but it could feature a narrower frame like the iPad Air 3 from 2019. (Apple Insider, Macotakara)

Lenovo unveils Android tablet Tab P11 – 11” 2000×1200 2K IPS LCD, Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 with LTE support, rear 13MP + front 8MP, 4+64GB, Android 10.0, quad speakers with Dolby Atmos audio, 7500mAh , support accessories including a pen, detachable keyboard, folio cover and dock, USD230.  (Neowin, Pocket-Lint, Phone Arena, 9to5Google)

Lenovo IdeaPad laptops are announced: IdeaPad 5G / LTE – 14” 1920×1080 FHD IPS, Qualcomm Snapdragon SC8180XP (5G) / SC8180X (5G), 8GB LPDDR4x + 256 / 512GB SSD, Windows 10 Home, 51Whr, Always Connected, Dolby Audio, Instant On, prices to be announced soon. IdeaPad 5i Pro 14 – 14” 2880×1800 2.5K / 2240×1400 2.2K IPS, Up to 11th-Gen Intel Core i7, 8 / 16GB DDR4 + 256 / 512GB / 1TB SSD, Windows 10 Pro / Home, 15-hour 1080p playback, 2 x 2W Speakers with Dolby Atmos, from EUR700. IdeaPad 5i Pro 16 – 16” / 14” 2560×1600 2.5K IPS, Up to 11th-Gen Intel Core i7, 8 / 16GB DDR4 + 256 / 512GB / 1TB SSD, Windows 10 Pro / Home, 13-hours 1080p playback, 2 x 2W Speakers with Dolby Atmos, from EUR1,150. (Neowin, Pocket-Lint, GSM Arena, AnandTech, Lenovo)

JLab is introducing a new Bluetooth JBuds Frames designed to be clipped onto glasses or sunglasses. They are two modules with downward-firing speakers you position right outside user’s ears. Each unit has a 16mm driver that JLab says will not be “heard by those close by”. They are priced at USD50. (CN Beta, The Verge, JLab Audio)

General Electric (GE) has sold off its more than 100-year-old GE Lighting division to smart home company Savant. The division’s new owner is now announcing a key rebranding effort. The line will be rebranded as “Cync”. As Cync, the system is supposed to get a new app in Mar 2021 that is meant to be more “user-friendly and customizable”. The brand is also launching an outdoor smart plug, a smart switch for ceiling fans, and an indoor security camera. (TechCrunch, The Verge, GE Lighting)

Apple is reportedly negotiating a deal that could result in a partnership with South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor on an electric vehicle and specialized battery technology, due to the “enormous costs” of the technology and the necessary production facilities. (Mac Rumors, Apple Insider, Hankyung, Twitter, Bloomberg, Sina, Jiemian)