Last week was no exception to interesting tech news from smartphone makers to chip manufacturers. The news ranged from an innovative repair mechanism revolutionising OLED screen maintenance to Apple’s encryption standoff in the UK. Unexpected ventures like Apple’s mid-90s sneakers generated new interest, while strides in 5G connectivity, AI language models, and cutting-edge smartphone designs underscore made the headlines.

Dive into our weekly tech news summary to read more about what happened last week.

New Laser Technology Makes OLED Screen Repair More Affordable, and Fixing Green Lines in Seconds

OLED panels are popular in high-end products due to their superior image quality and high cost. However, they also have disadvantages like fragility and high cost. A laser machine has been introduced to repair green lines on OLED displays without the need for replacement parts. This machine recreates broken internal traces of the OLED panel, which carry electrical signals across the display. The repair process takes just a few seconds, and the green line disappears instantly. The first generation of this product is expected to become more common and developed in the near future.

Apple iPhone users in the UK may soon lose iMessage & FaceTime

Apple may remove two key features from its iPhones in the UK due to the UK government’s Online Safety Bill, which will regulate messaging services. The bill aims to monitor messages for CSAM and illegal content, and requires access to end-to-end encryption-based messages. Apple is opposed to this bill, which has faced criticism from WhatsApp and Signal, which have withdrawn their services. The UK government is currently in an 8-week consultation period, and tech companies like Apple are hoping to revise the bill based on feedback.

Apple Sneakers: The Most Expensive Shoes You Could Ever Own Now on Auction

Apple has produced many interesting products, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and AirPods. However, the company’s history also includes rare and collector’s items like the Apple Newton, Lisa, and Pippin game console. A pair of Apple Computer Sneakers from the mid-1990s, created as promotional items for Apple employees, are now available for purchase at a price of $50,000. These sneakers feature a white upper with a rainbow Apple logo on the tongue and lateral quarter, and a faux “Air” cushioning window in the heel. Although not produced by Apple, these sneakers are highly valuable and are not aimed at standard users but at collectors.

TSMC plans to launch a more advanced version of its 3nm process

TSMC, a Taiwanese semiconductor company, is struggling with poor yields from its 3nm process node, with a 55% yield. However, the company has confirmed a more advanced process is in development, which is expected to bring performance improvements. TSMC cut the ribbons off its 3nm process in late last year, and reports suggest Apple’s upcoming A17 and M2 chips will be based on the new processor. The global semiconductor industry is valued between $500 billion and $600 billion, with a projected $1 trillion market by 2030. The market distribution is expected to be high-computing power products, mobile computing, high-growth industries, and smart wearable devices.

Huawei Mate 60 will ditch Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and feature “Spirit Island” design like iPhone 14 Pro

Huawei has faced challenges in the tech world, but they are planning to launch the Mate 60 series. The Mate 60 series is expected to feature the “Spirit Island” design, similar to the iPhone 14 Pro’s front-facing camera module. The design is similar to the Honor V20 and Pill-shaped front camera housing, but differs in interactivity. Huawei is taking Honor’s technology and adding new features similar to Apple’s. The Mate 60 series is expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but some reports suggest it may be powered by Huawei’s self-developed chip due to ongoing US sanctions against the company.

Huawei has not officially announced the Mate 60 series, but leaks suggest it is in the works and could be released in the near future.

China surpasses 670 million 5G smartphone users, deploys 2.9 million base stations

China’s 5G telecommunications sector has seen significant progress, with 676 million 5G smartphone users and 3 million base stations deployed. The industry has experienced a 6.2% increase in revenue and 17.1% rise in total business volume. Over 2.12 billion mobile IoT devices are currently in use, with transformative potential in sectors like healthcare, education, and transportation. China’s “Hundred Cities, Thousand Parks” industrial internet campaign has fueled digital transformation and innovation. Major telecom firms are focusing on next-generation technologies like 5G, cloud computing, big data, and AI, which are driving the sector’s growth. China is also focusing on improving 5G network quality, expanding coverage, and reducing costs.

Meta rolls out its ChatGPT rival Llama 2 for Free

Meta has launched its own AI-based system, Llama 2, in collaboration with Microsoft. This free AI language model is open for personal and commercial use, competing with ChatGPT and Google Bard. Meta aims to be more accessible than competitors by being more transparent with data and code, reducing bias. Open source drives innovation and improves safety and security. The company is also collaborating with Qualcomm to bring on-device AI with Llama 2 models.

Users can download the models directly or through partnerships.

Red Magic 8S Pro With Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 6,000mAh Battery Debuts In Global Markets

Nubia launched the Red Magic 8S Pro and Red Magic 8S Pro+ smartphones in global markets. The Red Magic 8S Pro features a 6.8-inch AMOLED screen, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Leading Version, 16GB LPDDR5x RAM, and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage. It comes in Midnight, Platinum, and Aurora editions, with prices starting at EUR 649/$649 in Europe and America, and EUR 779/$779 in the 16GB + 512GB configuration.

Nokia plans to start selling refurbished smartphones from H2 2023

Nokia plans to sell refurbished phones as part of its environmental sustainability strategy, according to HMD Global’s Sustainability Progress Report 2023. The company will include remanufacturing of Nokia phones for resale and a tree-planting campaign. The initiative will be tied to its Europe operations and will be interesting to see how it expands to other markets.

Upcoming Tecno POVA Will Feature A Unique LED Light Strip On The Back Panel

The Tecno POVA smartphone is expected to feature an LED light strip on the back panel around the camera module, called ‘Arc Interface’. The device will light up on receiving notifications and come in various colors. The exact name and launch timeline remain unknown.

Gloture introduces WearCool: A waist pack Air Conditioner to beat the heat outdoors

Tokyo-based Gloture has introduced WearCool, a portable air conditioner belt designed to provide relief from summer heat. The device, weighing 488 grams, uses heat-absorbing PCM and fans to deliver cool air to the upper body. The mobile app allows users to control fan speed and configurations.

With a maximum battery life of 17 hours, WearCool offers a comfortable outdoor experience.

Apple’s recent patent hints at the development of a rollable iPhone

Apple has filed a patent for a rollable display, potentially incorporating it into future products like iPhones, iPads, televisions, desktop displays, and vehicle dashboards. The patent application aims to prevent glass layer cracking by configuring the display to roll. Other companies, like LG, OPPO, and Motorola, have also explored the rollable sector.

Rumors suggest Apple is working on a foldable MacBook in 2026.

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China is planning on increasing its investment into its annual research and development by 7 percent every year, over the course of a five year period. The government made the announcement last week, in its report from the Fourth Session of the 13th Nationa People’s Congress.

According to a Reuters report, the Chinese government will be increasing its spending on basic research by 10.6 percent this year alone. The surge in investment also showcases the nation’s commitment to further advance its tech sector, which arrives due to the various clashes between China and the US, and other nations as well, over technology policies. The local government also highlighted that it will focus on seven ey segments in its five year plan.

These areas include, ‘next-generation artificial intelligence, quantum information, brain science, semiconductors, genetic research and biotechnology, clinical medicine and health, and deep space, deep sea, and polar exploration.’ Furthermore, it further added that it would also seek to establish more national laboratories to research quantum information and artificial intelligence as well. Additionally, the government will be encouraging companies to open up data in areas ranging from search, e-commerce, along with social media as well, to support third party data services.

It would also focus on improving its channels for domestic companies going public. On the other hand, the government would be supporting foreign funded companies to set up their own research and development centers in China as well. A few other areas it seeks to expand on are the electric vehicle sector and 5G networking. The nation is aiming to achieve 56 percent 5G penetration within the next five years.

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A new report has revealed that the 5G smartphone users in China are the most busiest shoppers in the world. In a new market trend report, it was found that a vast majority of 5G handset owners would use their device to shop online at least once a week.

According to a CaixinGlobal report, digital consumer trend research has found that in 2020, 51 percent of smartphone users in the country order or buy using their handsets at least once per week. In comparison, other nations like South Korea has just 42 percent that buy every week, while the US and Europe has 33 percent and 32 percent weekly shoppers respectively. Meanwhile, a sizeable 74 percent of all Chinese 5G smartphone users shop with their devices every week.

Similarly, the other nations trail behind as only 50 percent 5G smartphone users in South Korea spend weekly, while 46 percent in the US and 47 percent in the Europe shop at least once every week. Even for 4G enabled handsets, China leads with 49 percent, followed by South Korea with 40 percent, the US with 36 percent and finally Europe with 34 percent. The report also adds that the higher expenditure has been backed by growing 5G momentum in the region along with increasing popularity of smart home and related technology.

China is one of the largest markets for IoT and other smart home products that has penetrated the market, with about 83 percent of every household having spent adding at least one smart home device every year. Furthermore, 5G is also a key factor that is supporting that nation’s economic growth, which is transforming businesses that are delivering new and innovative services as well.

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ZTE‘s Senior Vice President of Communications has announced that the company is planning on launching ten 5G smartphones next year, in 2020. Xu Feng stated the company’s goal is very clear which is to become a 5G pioneer, lead in innovation and return to the mainstream market.

5G networking is one of the most impactful advancements in technology in recent times. The network has become a hallmark for developed nations and a crucial feature in the smartphone industry. It is expected that 2020 and 2021 will see the arrival of 5G networking in the mainstream market with a complete integration occurring soon after. Many smartphone OEMs that had yet to fully utilize the early opportunity are now set to make an entrance in the mainstream market again.

Editor’s Pick: Realme X50 5G smartphone likely to go official before Spring Festival

According to the senior executive, ZTE will launch various 5G smartphones in 2020 which will include smartphones priced under 2000 Yuan and 3000 Yuan (roughly 286 to 429 USD). Notably, ZTE’s plans are quite similar to Xiaomi’s plans of launching 10 5G smartphones in 2020 with devices priced both under and over 2000 Yuan as well. Xu Feng also added that there will be 160 million 5G smartphones in the market out of which China is expected to account for more than half of them.

Currently, China seems to be the most important country as a 5G market for ZTE. The company had launched its first 5G smartphone at the end of February 2019 which was dubbed the Axon 10 Pro 5G. It was powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 SoC alongside the X50 5G modem. Thus, it can also be speculated that the company will launch its smartphones with Qualcomm’s 5G processors.

UP NEXT: Samsung starts rolling out Android 10 update for Galaxy Note 10 series

(Via)

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China’s commercial 5G rollout is still a few months away but the top three Chinese carriers are already accepting pre-subscriptions for 5G in the country. Unsurprisingly, this pre-subscription drive seems to be successful with over 9.3 million users signing up for 5G even before they are officially rolled out.

All three carriers in China are offering pretty good discounts for their pre-subscribers. China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom operators are giving out 5G subscriptions for up to 30 percent discount to early adopters. For example, China Mobile customers who have been with the carrier for more than 5 years get a solid 30 percent discount on 5G plans for the first six months. New customers get a 20 percent discount on the official price at launch. China Telecom and Unicom users are also getting a similar discount scheme.

Editor’s Pick: Samsung heir visits India, possibly to discuss 5G development

China Mobile has reportedly secured around 5.6 million 5G pre-subscriptions already while the figure for China Telecom and China Unicom is said to be around 1.9 million and 1.8 million respectively. What’s even more interesting is that the Chinese carriers have not really disclosed the pricing for their 5G plans. Only China Unicom has given out a figure, which starts at 190 yuan (~$27) but it could change since the carrier states that this is just the phase one of its promotional offerings.

Looks like China will be at the forefront of 5G adoption. So, it would be interesting to see how fast the new generation network grows once it is rolled out in the market.

UP NEXT: Huawei’s 5G products expected to account for 50% of China’s 5G market in 2020

(Via)

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5G is the next big revolution in technology and everyone wants a big chunk of its market share. But looks like China is going to take the lead in 2020 as chip maker MediaTek believes that the Chinese market could grab more than 70% of the global 5G smartphone sales next year.

MediaTek’s CEO Rick Tsai said that global 5G sales are expected to be about 140 million in 2020. Out of this, nearly 70% will be sold in the Chinese market, coming close to 100 million units. This is quite an optimistic forecast from MediaTek given that Strategy Analytics’ report predicts smartphone sales in China to hit just 80 million next year. Still, it’s clear that both of them believe that China will be the largest 5G market in 2020.

MediaTek is currently expected to mass-produce its new 5G chipset in the second half of the year. The company could benefit from Huawei if it manages to strike a deal with the telecommunications giant. Earlier reports indicate that MediaTek is looking to supply low-end 5G chipsets for Huawei’s less expensive smartphones.

UP NEXT: Huawei says it has no plans to launch HarmonyOS-powered smartphone this year

(Source)

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