5-23: IBM might layoff 14,000 employees; CSOT invests USD7.8bln to build Gen-11 LCD panel fab; Apple new 4.7″ iPhone may feature OIS camera; etc.

IBM might layoff 14,000 employees; Microsoft raises the maximum size of Windows 10 Mobile devices to 9”; CSOT invests USD7.8bln to build Gen-11 LCD panel fab; Apple new 4.7″ iPhone may feature OIS camera; Google has declared that more than 600 phone models running Android were released in 2015; etc.

Chipsets

Stanford Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi indicates that IBM may cut 14,000 jobs soon. (TechNews, UPI, WSJ)
SeeedStudio launches a new single-board computer (SBC) called SeeedStudio BeagleBone Green Wireless, the first BeagleBone board with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). The board is powered by an AM3358 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor. (CN Beta, SeeedStudio, Softpedia)

seeedstudio-beaglebone-green

Touch / Display

Microsoft raises the maximum size of Windows 10 Mobile devices to 9”. The previous limit was 8”. (Ubergizmo, MS Poweruser, Phone Arena, Microsoft, 163, IT Home)

microsoft-windows-10-mobile-9inch microsoft-windows-10-mobile-9inch

China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT) will kick off its construction project of the world’s largest Gen 11 LCD panel fabrication plant in Shenzhen, China. The plant, estimated to cost CNY50 billion (USD7.8 billion), will produce extra-large high-resolution flat panel displays targeting 45”, 65” or even larger LCD TV markets. (TechNews, 52RD, AZO Build, Business Wire)

Camera

Nomura Securities analyst Chris Chang expects a sharp increase in camera module ASP from 2H16 as (1) dual camera module is likely to command 2.5×ASP premium vs. single-cam, and (2) OIS will also be equipped in the new 4.7” iPhones. (CN Beta, Tech Times, IB Times, Barron’s, press)

apple-iphone-7-4.7-ois

Memory

Silicon Motion client SSD control IC shipment and revenue in 2016 expects to reach 100% growth compared to 2015. Silicon Motion also expects because of Apple’s demand, NAND flash supply in 2H16 would be tight in the market. (TechNews)

Sensors

BACTrack won the USD200,000 grand prize at a National Institutes of Health-sponsored competition for “Skyn” that detects alcohol from sweat using a fuel cell technology. (Engadget, NIH, Reuters, BACTrack, Tencent)

bactrack-skyn

Smartphones

Google Android distribution numbers for May 2016 are in, and Marshmallow (Android 6.0) sits at 7.5%.Compared to in 2015 around the same time, 9.7% has used Lollipop (Android 5.0), it is a 20% decrease in success rate of distributing new version of Android. (CN Beta, Android Authority, Android Developers)

androiddevelopers-android-distribution

Google has declared that more than 600 phone models running Android were released in 2015. There are 12 different companies creating Android Wear smartwatches. (CN Beta, Digital Trends)
Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri explained decision licensing Nokia smartphone business to HMD, will bring a ‘low risk’ of income, while ensuring that the Nokia brand continues to develop. (CN Beta, Get Top News)
ZTE Grand X Max 2 is launched with Cricket Wireless with dual-camera – 6” FHD display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor, 13MP-2MP (dual camera) + 5MP cameras, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, Android 6.0, LTE, USB Type-C, 3400mAh battery, USD199.99. (GSM Arena, Cricket Wireless, 2)

zte-grand-x-max-2

Internet of Things

Startup Wayv, in partnership with NXP Semiconductors, has created the Wayv Adventurer, a handheld cooker, which is priced at USD199. The 200W thermos-esque Adventurer is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and is supposed to work for 30 minutes or more on a single charge. (CN Beta, Gizmag, CNET)

wayv

ABI Research forecasts the 4K set-top box market will quadruple from less than two million units in 2015 to more than 7 million in 2016, and then grow by 46% annually through 2021.The overall set-top box market remains in decline, and is expected to drop by about 9% in 2016 to less than USD16 billion in revenue, with both pay-TV and free-to-air boxes losing value. (199IT, Broadband TV News, ABI Research)
Lansionh Smartpump is a Bluetooth-connected breast pump, which could help track pumping sessions. It is priced at USD199. (CN Beta, The Verge)

lansionh-smartbump

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