IF / News

Google has allegedly plans to keep TSMC as a long-term partner, with its Tensor G6 supposedly leveraging the advanced 2nm process. The Tensor G5 was previously reported in July of this year to have reached ‘tape-out’ status, with all that is required is the chip design to be sent to TSMC for mass production. Samsung’s abysmal yields of its 3nm GAA node, which allegedly stand at 20%, is a major reason why Google will not take advantage of the company’s wafers and will place its stock in its rival. (CN Beta, WCCFtech, TrendForce)

Tata Group and Analog Devices Inc (ADI) have announced a strategic alliance to explore potential cooperative manufacturing opportunities. Tata Electronics, Tata Motors, and Tejas Networks signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ADI to enhance strategic and business cooperation, explore opportunities for semiconductor manufacturing in India, and use ADI’s products in Tata applications like electric vehicles and network infrastructure. The companies also agree to have strategic roadmap alignment discussions. (CN Beta, Electronics Weekly, The Manufacturer, EETimes)

Intel is reportedly about to get USD8.5B in direct funding from the US government. Intel would benefit from the funding before the end of 2024. In the midst of a particularly challenging year for the company, marked by declining share prices and brand damage due to the controversy surrounding the rapid degradation of processors, this funding could be a welcome relief. The CHIPS Act provides for up to USD400B in funding for semiconductor companies in the United States. It would benefit not only American companies, but also foreign ones with factories in the country, such as TSMC. Intel secured around USD20B in grants and loans earlier 2024. However, a mid-Aug 2024 report revealed that 40% of planned CHIPS Act investments were experiencing delays, with potential cancellations in some cases. (Android Headlines, Financial Times)

The next great chip shortage could be caused by the rapid growth in Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms, services, and user adoption. Bain & Company has warned that high-intensity and processor-hungry AI-optimized hardware could gobble up production. Accelerating adoption of AI across industries will pressure the supply of graphics processing units (GPUs) for data centers, as a seemingly insatiable demand for computing resources to train and operate large language models (LLMs) collides with supply chain constraints. In addition, the coming proliferation of AI-enabled devices appears poised to jumpstart a wave of purchases of new personal computers (PCs) and smartphones, which has major implications for the broader semiconductor supply chain. The semiconductor supply chain is incredibly complex, and a demand increase of about 20% or more has a high likelihood of upsetting the equilibrium and causing a chip shortage. The AI explosion across the confluence of the large end markets could easily surpass that threshold, creating vulnerable chokepoints throughout the supply chain. (Android Headlines, Bain & Company, report)

Samsung Display has announced a USD1.8B investment to build an OLED display factory in Vietnam. This development follows a high-profile meeting between Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) for this investment was signed between Samsung Display Vietnam and the authorities of Bac Ninh Province. With this new project, Samsung’s total investment in Bac Ninh will reach USD8.3B. Samsung is Vietnam’s largest foreign direct investor with accumulated investments of USD22.4B. In total, Samsung has 6 manufacturing facilities, 1 research and development center and 1 sales subsidiary in Vietnam.(CN Beta, KED Global, Business Korea, Korea JoongAng Daily)

Honor has introduced the first nearwork-induced transient myopia-reducing display on both the Honor Magic V3 foldable phone and the Honor MagicPad 2 tablet.  These special displays use a combination of advanced OLED display technology and AI scene understanding to recreate the effects of Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) lenses, which have been scientifically proven to slow down the elongation of the eye. The technology works by separating colors and keeping some in focus while “defocusing” others. There are also times when colors are changed or objects receive faint outlines that place them more or less in focus, depending on the color used. It is similar to chromatic aberration, a lens effect that separates colors via a prism, which can also be seen in 3D movies that provide artificial depth.(Android Central, Honor, Tom’s Guide)

Xiaomi is allegedly developing a tri-fold smartphone. Xiaomi’s new application at China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) has revealed the design of what could be an upcoming tri-fold smartphone. The renders suggest that Xiaomi is going for a similar approach to the Huawei Mate XT, where the foldable can be used in three different screen sizes. Xiaomi has not one, but two tri-fold smartphones in the works. A second tri-fold smartphone has popped up on the IMEI certification. This particular smartphone is tipped to arrive in 2026. The previous one could be launched in 2025. (Android Headlines, 91Mobiles, 91Mobiles, Smartprix)

Apple has recently received a glass board-based OLED panel from Japan’s JDI aimed for mixed reality devices like its Vision Pro. The panel has a resolution of approximately 1,500 pixels per inch (ppi), so it is likely aimed at an affordable model MR device. Apple’s Vision Pro which began sales earlier 2024 has a resolution of 3,391ppi. JDI’s sample also used technologies used by Sony, a key supplier of image sensors and OLED on silicon (OLEDoS) to Apple.  JDI’s sample likely has a lower resolution as it uses glass instead of silicon for the board. Apple had also sent a request for information to Samsung Display earlier 2024 to request the development of an OLEDoS with 1,700ppi resolution.(Apple Insider, Digitimes, The Elec, Patently Apple)

OPPO China President, Liu Bo, has confirmed that the company is not launching a tri-fold device from OPPO anytime soon. He explained that while the tri-fold form factor has been part of their research in the past, they do not see sufficient market demand for such a device right now.(Gizmo China, IT Home)

TCL Group has announced its plans to acquire 80% equity in LG Display’s Gen-8.5 LCD panel plant in Guangzhou (including 10% previously held by Shenzhen Skyworth) and 100% equity of the module factory through its subsidiary, CSOT. The acquisition—with a base price of CNY10.8B—includes the transfer of the necessary technology and support services to operate both facilities. Guangzhou High-Tech Zone Technology Holding Group will retain the remaining 20% stake in LG Display’s Guangzhou plant. The acquisition is expected to be completed in 1H25. The Gen-8.5 line at LG Display’s Guangzhou plant primarily produces TV panels. It is expected to put out an estimated 14M units in 2024, with more than half of those being 55” or larger products. TrendForce predicts that upon completion of the acquisition, CSOT will account for over a quarter of the global TV panel supply (by area), increasing the combined market share of the top three panel manufacturers to nearly 70%.(Gizmo China, TrendForce, Caixin, IT Home)

Sony has introduced the LYT-818 camera sensor. It features improved HDR capabilities and enhanced low-light performance. This new sensor aims to raise the bar for mobile photography, especially in power-efficient devices. The standout feature of the Sony LYT-818 camera sensor is its impressive 86dB High Dynamic Range (HDR) per frame. The sensor combines data from three gain settings, enabling it to capture more detail in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The sensor boasts a remarkable signal-to-noise ratio of 0.95e-, minimizing noise in low-light conditions. Sony’s LYT-818 camera sensor features a Quad Bayer filter and approximately 50 megapixels. It supports all-pixel autofocus at frame rates of up to 120 frames per second (fps) for 4K video and 60 fps for HDR modes. The new Sony LYT sensor is likely to debut in vivo’s upcoming X200 Pro and X200 Pro Mini smartphones. (Android Headlines, Sony, CN Beta, Weibo)

Samsung has announced it has successfully developed the industry’s first PCIe 4.0 automotive SSD based on eighth-generation vertical NAND (V-NAND). With industry-leading speeds and enhanced reliability, the new auto SSD, AM9C1 is an optimal solution for on-device AI capabilities in automotive applications. With about 50% improved power efficiency compared to its predecessor, the AM991, the new 256GB auto SSD will deliver sequential read and write speeds of up to 4,400 megabytes-per-second (MB/s) and 400MB/s, respectively. Built on Samsung’s 5nm controller and providing a single-level cell (SLC) Namespace feature, the auto SSD AM9C1 demonstrates high performance for easier access to large files.(CN Beta, Samsung, MK)

Apple has reportedly delayed the deployment of under-display Face ID technology. Apple is not happy with the maturity of current solutions that Samsung and LG can offer. The Face ID system projects thousands of dots on user’s face that help map its uniqueness. An infrared camera then captures the resulting image and compares it to data stored on the phone. That’s how the authentication process works. Therefore, the Face ID components have to beam the pattern of dots and then capture it through the layers of an OLED panel in a scenario where the Face ID system is placed under the display. Any camera system under the display would need to receive enough light to work properly. Also, diffraction can be a problem for the infrared light passing through the display towards the user’s face. (Phone Arena, The Elec, MacRumors)

Former Masimo CEO Joe Kiani may have won the war against Apple, but he has resigned after losing a fight with a hedge fund. After spending over USD100M and betting the company he founded on principle alone, Joe Kiani is out at Masimo. However, the reason he has resigned as CEO has nothing to do with Apple or a patent dispute. The move came after a proxy battle with hedge fund Politan Capital Manageme. The battle ensued after a USD1B acquisition of Sound United, which turned Politan to push Kiani out. Politan nominated key board members, one of whom is now interim CEO, Michelle Brennan. (Apple Insider, Reuters, Investors)

Yu Zheng, Deputy General Manager of Dongfeng Motor Group, has revealed that Dongfeng is about to mass-produce solid-state battery products with an energy density of 350wh/kg, and will accelerate the self-development of next-generation all-solid-state batteries with an energy density exceeding 550wh/kg. Yu Zheng also said that Dongfeng Group is working with Huawei to lay out the next generation of electronic and electrical architecture, which will achieve “comprehensive evolution” in four dimensions: configuration, efficiency, experience and security. Yu Xiao, general manager of Huawei’s smart car solution BU smart car control domain, revealed that Huawei has jointly developed a new generation Tianyuan architecture equipped with Huawei’s Qiankun car control module with Dongfeng. Dongfeng Motor R&D Center and Huawei Qiankun car control intelligence Automotive Control Joint Innovation Center was officially established. (CN Beta, Gasgoo)

According to IDC data, global AR/VR device shipments will drop 8.3% YoY to 8.1M units in 2023. Specifically, VR device shipments will drop 10.7% YoY to 7.6M units in 2023, while AR devices will increase 63.5% year-on-year to 500,000 units. 2024 will be a year of recovery, with AR/VR headset shipments expected to grow by 46.4%, of which total AR headset shipments will reach 845K units, an increase of 85.6% over 2023. Specifically in the Chinese market, according to IDC data, China’s AR/VR device shipments in 2023 will be 725K units, a YoY decline of 39.8%, of which VR device shipments will be 463K units, a YoY decline of 57.9%; AR device shipments will be 262,000 units, a YoY increase of 154.4%. In 4Q23, AR device shipments reached 118K units, 8K more than VR devices. This is the first time that AR device shipments have surpassed VR devices in a quarter. (Suchow Securities report)

According to IDC data, the top 5 manufacturers in the global AR market in 2023 are Xreal, Rokid, TCL Rayneo, INMO and Magic Leap, accounting for 45%, 14%, 13%, 6% and 4% respectively. The top 5 manufacturers in the domestic AR market are Xreal, TCL Rayneo, Rokid, INMO and Huawei, accounting for 32%, 23%, 18%, 12% and 5% respectively. Domestic manufacturers that mainly promote consumer-grade AR dominate the global and domestic AR markets. (Suchow Securities report)

Meta has showcased its AR glasses, Orion.  Orion utilizes Micro LED projectors inside the frame to create a wide, 70-degree field of view. A unique control system combines eye tracking, hand gestures, and a neural wristband. The Orion glasses were initially planned for consumer release by 2024 but were shelved in 2022 due to prohibitively high production costs. It is reported that producing a unit costs about USD10,000, with much of that cost coming from its silicon carbide lenses. For now, Meta is using them for internal development and external demos while working on more commercially viable versions for the future.(Engadget, Meta, Meta, The Verge)

Apple is allegedly working on a home accessory in addition to the HomePod and Apple TV. The code references a device with the identifier “HomeAccessory17.1,”, which is a new identifier category. The name is similar to the ‌HomePod‌’s “AudioAccessory” identifier. The code also indicates that this “home accessory” will be running a software variant of tvOS, much like the ‌HomePod‌. (Android Authority, MacRumors)

JD Logistics has announced that the sixth-generation smart delivery vehicle will be deployed on a large scale. The cargo box volume of JD Logistics’ sixth-generation smart delivery vehicle can reach 4 cubic meters, with a maximum load of 1,000 kilograms. Through modular design, it supports the installation of a variety of combined cargo boxes to meet the loading needs of different specifications of items in different business scenarios. After a full charge, it can travel 160km and has a maximum speed of 60km/h. It integrates 10 core technologies such as high-precision positioning, fusion perception, behaviour prediction, simulation, and intelligent networking. It has the most large-scale L4 level autonomous driving landing scenario in the industry. (CN Beta, ZOL)

While Sony partnered with Honda to create the Afeela EV brand, Sharp is partnering with Foxconn. Sharp anticipates leveraging its position as a provider of consumer electronics for the home by positioning its LDK+ minivan EV as a home on wheels. Sharp views the LDK+’s interior as an “extended living room” and focuses on the time the vehicle is stationary. Its rear seat reverses to face backward when parked and electrochromatic glass in the side windows darkens when parked, creating a private space in the rear of LDK+. (Automotive News, Asia Nikkei, Design News, Sharp)

Samsung has announced a strategic technology partnership with Hyundai Motor and Kia. As part of this partnership, Samsung will integrate its SmartThings IoT platform with Hyundai and Kia’s software-defined vehicles (SDVs). By integrating the SmartThings Find network, Hyundai and Kia car owners will be able to locate their cars using nearby Galaxy smartphones, even without an active cellular network connection. This feature will be particularly useful if a vehicle is lost or stolen. Samsung will allow Hyundai and Kia owners to use their Galaxy smartphone’s Quick Panel to control their car’s air conditioning and check its remaining range. Additionally, Hyundai and Kia cars can be added to the connected SmartThings ecosystem, allowing users to set up new automation experiences. (Neowin, Hyundai)

Google Cloud has announced an expanded strategic partnership with Snap Inc to power generative AI experiences within My AI, Snapchat’s AI-powered chatbot and one of the largest consumer chatbots available today. Snapchat will leverage the strong multimodal capabilities of Gemini on Vertex AI, particularly the technology’s ability to understand and operate across different types of information like text, audio, image, video, and code, to offer more engaging and innovative features for the Snapchat community through My AI. For example, with Gemini on Vertex AI integrated into the app, Snapchatters can ask My AI to translate a photo of a street sign while traveling abroad, or take a video of different snack offerings to ask which one is the healthiest option.(Andoird Authority, PR Newswire, Money Control)

Tecno has introduced its “AI Vision”, its very own AI feature suite that will “enhance productivity, provide more practical value, and offer easier creative fun”. The features will be rolled out on “Tecno’s outstanding smart device ecosystem” soon. At the core of the brand’s AI Vision is the revamped Ella AI Assistant, which is “connected to Gemini”. Ella has “smart Q&A conversational functionality”, which means it can engage in conversations with user. There is also real-time translation, turning speech into text during phone calls or in face-to-face situations. AI Writing generates summaries of text content, proofreads, rewrites in whatever style user wants, and also generates new texts from scratch. AI Search “lets users learn about the world with the swipe of a finger on the screen”.  (GSM Arena, Medium, PR Newswire)

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has described AI as “the most transformative technology yet” and announced a new fund for AI education and training around the world. Pichai pointed to 4 broad opportunities he sees for AI and sustainable development: helping people access information in their own language, accelerating scientific discovery, providing alerts and tracking around climate disasters, and fueling economic progress. He added that he wants to avoid a global “AI divide” and that Google is creating a USD120M Global AI Opportunity Fund through which it will “make AI education and training available in communities around the world” in partnership with local nonprofits and NGOs. (CN Beta, Yahoo, TechCrunch, Google)

Apple is reportedly no longer planning to invest in OpenAI. This comes as OpenAI plans to close a USD6.5B funding, with investments possible from both Microsoft and Nvidia.  OpenAI and Apple were previously reported to have struck a deal in integrating ChatGPT to Siri and iOS 18. Microsoft is already said to be the biggest investor in OpenAI and owns a 49 % share of the profits. It is possible that Microsoft is preparing a USD1B investment, with Thrive Capital reportedly investing more than USD1B. (Apple Insider, WCCFtech, 9to5Mac, WSJ)