5-4: Samsung launches 3rd-gen 14nm LPC process; Rumored Samsung to launch foldable device “smartlet” next year; Apple is not allowed to sell refurbished iPhone in India; etc.
Samsung launches 3rd-gen 14nm LPC process; Rumored Samsung to launch foldable device “smartlet” next year; Apple is not allowed to sell refurbished iPhone in India; Apple to increase iPhone SE orders, plan to manufacture more than 5mln in 2Q16; Fitbit CEO says Apple Watch is “wrong” with what it is doing with Apple Watch; Xiaomi Band 2 is delayed because trouble of mass production; etc.
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Chipset |
| According Digitimes Research, China-based smartphone vendors including Huawei, Xiaomi and TCL have stepped up their pace of placing chip orders in 2Q16. (Digitimes, press) |
| Samsung Electronics announces that it will soon be completing development of 3rd-generation LPC (Low-Power Compact) 14nm FinFET process. 3rd-generation LPC has lesser electricity consumption and production cost than 2nd-generation LPP (Low Power Plus). (TechNews, ET News) |
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Display |
| Samsung is expected to release a new product next year internally known as “smartlet”, which could be a foldable device. (US Finance Post, Android Community, ET News, CN Beta) |
| Apple’s patent “Intelligent Stylus” employs sensors, microprocessors and advanced algorithms to capture hand gestures for display on a digital touchscreen. It has replaceable tips carrying unique identification codes readable by specialized sensors embedded within the stylus body. (CN Beta, Apple Insider)
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Sensors |
| Microsoft has issued a paper that explores the field of wearable tech and takes it to the next level with connected body technology. Tattio, a meeting of personal design and technology, which Microsoft describes as a fabrication process that uses aesthetic appeal and on-skin technology to create temporary metallic smart tattoos of sorts. (CN Beta, Microsoft Research, WinBuzzer)
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Connectivity |
| A rumored leaked shot of Apple iPhone 7’s innards shows the device does in fact feature the connection to the 3.5mm headset jack. (GSM Arena, Apple Insider, Pocket-Lint, IT 168, Yesky)
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Smartphones |
| LeEco new content ecosystem in India, Ecosystem Membership Program, lets customers access local and international movies, TV shows, and music on their LeEco devices. (GSM Arena, PC Mag) |
| Jolla has announced that it has raised USD12 million to continue working on Sailfish OS and to pursue licensing deals with hardware partners. (CN Beta, ZDNet, Liliputing)
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| The Indian government has reportedly denied Apple’s application to import and sell refurbished iPhones. (CN Beta, Apple Insider, Bloomberg) |
| A new supply chain rumor claims that Apple has increased orders for its new iPhone SE, and plans to build more than 5 million units in 2Q16, as Apple continues to struggle to keep up with demand for iPhone SE. (Apple Insider, Digitimes, press, CNFOL, 163) |
| Sterne Agee CRT’s Rob Cihra indicates that Apple following a disappointing fiscal Q2 report a week ago in which sales in that region fell by 26%, the company’s revenue from China will continue to fall 15% in fiscal year of 2016 (ended September 2016), as the entire smartphone market faces struggles. (CN Beta, Barron’s, press, Apple Insider)
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| Apple is expected to ship 41-43 million iPhone devices in 2Q16 (or Apple’s fiscal third quarter) before ramping up shipments to 45-48 million in 3Q16, according to the latest estimate of Digitimes Research. For all of 2016, total shipments of iPhone devices are expected to reach 210-220 million units, decreasing 4.9-9.2% from a year earlier. (Digitimes, press) |
| HTC announces Desire 830 and 825 in Taiwan: Desire 830 – 5.5” FHD Super LCD display, MediaTek Helio X10 processor, 13MP OIS + 4MP UltraPixel cameras, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, LTE, 2800mAh battery, NTD9990. Desire 825 – 5.5” HD Super LCD display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 13MP + 5MP cameras, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, LTE, dual-SIM optional, 2700mAh battery, NTD7990. (HTC, Android Central, GSM Arena)
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| LeEco Le 1s Eco is first LeEco “Made for India” device for India – 5.5” FHD display, MediaTek Helio X10 processor, 13MP + 5MP cameras, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, Android 6.0, LTE, USB Type-C, 3000mAh batter, INR9999 bundled with INR4900 a year’s subscription LeEco membership. (Android Central, First Post)
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Wearables |
| FitBit CEO James Park indicates that FitBit products are often simple, single-mode devices, while Apple Watch is a computing platform, which he deems a wrong way to approach this category from the very beginning. (Apple Insider, New York Times, 163, iFeng)
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| A Business Insider report on the smartwatch market is forecasting that the Apple Watch will by 2020 account for around 40% of sales in the luxury watch market, which it defines as watches costing at least USD350. (Business Insider, 9to5Mac, CN Beta) |
| Huami CEO, Huang Wang, revealed that the mass production of the Xiaomi Mi Band 2 was facing problems, which is causing delay. (Phone Arena, Gizmo China, IT168, Huanqiu)
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| Internet of Things |
| Microsoft has bought Solair, a company focused on Internet of Things services for businesses. (Engadget, Microsoft, Solair, 163) |
| According to Gartner, global IoT security spending to hit USD348 million in 2016. (Read/Write, Gartner, report, 199IT)
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| Google will be adding roughly 100 new 2017 Fiat Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to its lineup of self-driving cars by the end of 2016. (Pocket-Lint, Android Authority, China Times, Sina) |
| Future Mobility, formed by Tencent, Hon Hai and China Harmony new Energy Auto, has poached autonomous driving personnel from Google and Daimler AG. (CN Beta, Reuters, Yahoo) |
| Apple recently expanded its health technology team in a big way with the hire of Yoky Matsuoka, a robotics expert who co-founded Google X labs and most recently served as head of technology at Nest. Matsuoka is working on health initiatives under Apple COO Jeff Williams, who leads a variety of groups handling HealthKit, ResearchKit and the new CareKit app building framework, among other projects. (CN Beta, Apple Insider, Fortune)
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| Google parent company Alphabet CEO Eric Schmidt envisions 6 future technology trends – replacing livestock, learning with technology, 3D printed building, autonomous cars, health on a smartphone, virtual reality and augmented reality. (CN Beta, DNA India, Fortune, article)
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