This week’s tech roundup highlights the decline of ultra-thin smartphones with major brands halting projects due to poor sales, Huawei’s innovative yet chip-lagging Mate series, and Foxconn’s strategic shift toward AI server production. Additionally, new product launches and industry updates include Amazon’s LEO Ultra satellite internet, IKEA’s Techlan speakers, Poco’s F8 Ultra phone, and various developments in software, privacy regulations, and chip technology.
This week’s tech roundup highlights the ongoing failure of ultra-thin smartphones, with Chinese manufacturers like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo halting their projects inspired by Apple’s iPhone Air due to poor sales. Samsung has also stopped development of its Edge series for similar reasons. Despite positive reviews for the iPhone Air, the thin and light form factor has not resonated with consumers, contrasting sharply with the strong sales of Apple’s other iPhone 17 models, which may help Apple surpass Samsung in annual sales by around 8 million units. The only notable exception is the Honor 500, which recently launched and clearly draws inspiration from the Air’s design.
Huawei made a bold move by revamping its flagship lineup, introducing the Mate Pad Edge, a tablet-laptop hybrid running Harmony OS with a new desktop mode and the ability to emulate over 13,000 Windows apps. Huawei also claims the device can boot directly into a Windows environment supporting DirectX 11, although performance details remain unclear. Their Mate 80 series boasts industry-leading features like an 8,000-nit screen and a model with five cameras, including variable aperture and dual periscopes. The foldable Mate X7 now has superior IP58 and IP59 ratings, surpassing Samsung’s IP48. However, the new Kirin 9030 chips powering these devices lag behind competitors by about five years, which could disappoint power users.
Foxconn, traditionally known as the world’s largest electronics manufacturer, is shifting focus toward AI server production. Its cloud and networking division, which builds servers for AI data centers, has overtaken its consumer electronics segment, including iPhones, in revenue. This mirrors trends seen in chipmakers like TSMC, where high-performance computing and AI-related products now dominate revenue streams. The industry-wide pivot toward AI infrastructure highlights how companies once focused on consumer gadgets are increasingly becoming AI data center providers.
In other news, Amazon announced LEO Ultra, a satellite internet service competing with Starlink, offering gigabit download speeds but currently limited to business and government customers. IKEA is launching Techlan wireless speakers designed to blend with furniture, supporting Bluetooth and Spotify Tap, available in December. The Poco F8 Ultra debuted globally with standout features like a denim back and a Bose-tuned subwoofer, receiving positive reviews. Additionally, Kushio released a second-generation power bank with a semi-solid-state battery and 25W wireless charging for iPhones and some Pixels, featuring a 10,000mAh capacity.
The brief segment covered various tech updates: Google’s “Aluminium OS” project aims to bring Android to PCs; Curiosity Stream is pivoting to AI licensing by allowing AI firms to train models on its documentaries; Canva is considering bringing Affinity design software to Linux, a highly requested feature; Swiss authorities imposed a cloud ban on US hyperscalers for sensitive data due to privacy concerns; and Taiwanese officials raided a former TSMC executive over alleged trade secret leaks to Intel. Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip for upcoming OnePlus phones. Finally, the video sponsor, Insta360, is promoting its Ace Pro 2 camera bundle with new lenses and accessories, currently available at a discount for Black Friday.