OnePlus Launches New Android Smartphone

A OnePlus 6T phone is pictured during a launch event for the
new OnePlus 6T in the Manhattan borough of New York, New York, US,
Oct. 29, 2018. Carlo Allegri, Reuters
A OnePlus 6T phone is pictured during a launch event for the new OnePlus 6T in the Manhattan borough of New York, New York, US, Oct. 29, 2018. Carlo Allegri, Reuters
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OnePlus Launches New Android Smartphone

A OnePlus 6T phone is pictured during a launch event for the
new OnePlus 6T in the Manhattan borough of New York, New York, US,
Oct. 29, 2018. Carlo Allegri, Reuters
A OnePlus 6T phone is pictured during a launch event for the new OnePlus 6T in the Manhattan borough of New York, New York, US, Oct. 29, 2018. Carlo Allegri, Reuters

OnePlus, a Chinese smartphone manufacturer that has always been known for making high quality smartphones with solid specs competing leading brands, with price tags below $500. This has made it a top choice for many smartphone users worldwide.

However, this time, the company changed its philosophy, and launched an expensive device similar to those dominating the market in the recent years.

In a simultaneous event in New York, Bangalore, Beijing, and London, the company officially launched its newest smartphone "OnePlus 7" which comes in two versions: OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro featuring high specs.

Previously, the company used to focus on the quality of hardware, however, this year, the biggest share went to the screen.

OnePlus 7 includes a 6.67 inch OLED display with 90 Hz refresh rate, obviously challenging the gaming phone "Asus ROG" which was the only device featuring this spec. OnePlus's new smartphone supports the Gaming Mode as well.

The new smartphone is made of glass on both sides and comes in cool shady colors. However, despite its glassy design, it doesn't support wireless charging, since the company preferred to stick to its the fast charging technique "Warp Charging" launched with its OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition.

The company claims that Warp Charging would provide a sufficient power to fill a 4000 mAh battery up to 50% within 20 minutes. The company has also finally ditched the headphones jack. Although the new smartphone has no IP rating, it is resistant to subtle drizzle, and can be used under light rain.

The device is equipped with the newest requisite Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor -the same processor used in the US version of the Galaxy S10.

It features three cameras: one main 48 megapixel camera supporting the Auto Focus mode, one 16 megapixels wide-angle camera, and one 8 megapixels camera for zoom, in a step to keep pace with leading smartphones such as the Galaxy S10 and the Huawei P30 Pro.



China Approves First Two Level-3 Autonomous Driving Cars from State-owned Automakers

People pass by the entrance to Volkswagen (China) Technology Company, a 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) R&D center in Hefei in eastern China's Anhui province, on Feb. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ken Moritsugu)
People pass by the entrance to Volkswagen (China) Technology Company, a 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) R&D center in Hefei in eastern China's Anhui province, on Feb. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ken Moritsugu)
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China Approves First Two Level-3 Autonomous Driving Cars from State-owned Automakers

People pass by the entrance to Volkswagen (China) Technology Company, a 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) R&D center in Hefei in eastern China's Anhui province, on Feb. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ken Moritsugu)
People pass by the entrance to Volkswagen (China) Technology Company, a 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) R&D center in Hefei in eastern China's Anhui province, on Feb. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Ken Moritsugu)

China's industry regulator on Monday approved two Chinese cars with level-3 autonomous driving capabilities, marking the first time such vehicles have been cleared by the national regulator as legitimate products ready for mass adoption.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology approved the two electric sedans from state-owned automakers Changan Auto and BAIC Motor in its latest automobile product entry category, said Reuters.

The two models are allowed to activate conditional autonomous driving in designated areas of Chongqing and Beijing with speed limits of 50km/h and 80km/h, respectively, the ministry said in a statement. The automakers will conduct trial operation with the cars on the specific roads via their ride-hailing units, it added.

The auto industry has defined five levels of autonomous driving, from cruise control at level one to fully self-driving cars at level five, and level three allows drivers to take their eyes and hands off the road in certain situations.

The move underscored China's ambition to lead the development and adoption of autonomous driving, a technology poised to disrupt the auto industry globally. Last year, China lined up nine automakers for public tests to advance the adoption of self-driving cars.

Chinese regulators earlier this year had sharpened scrutiny of the assisted driving technologies following an accident involving a Xiaomi SU7 sedan in March. That incident killed three occupants when their car crashed seconds after the driver took control from the assisted-driving system.

But government officials are pressing Chinese automakers to rapidly deploy even more advanced systems. In their level-3 push, Chinese regulators also are upping the regulatory ante by holding automakers and parts suppliers liable if their systems fail and cause an accident.

Autonomous driving developers such as Pony AI and WeRide have been testing their level-4 cars with licenses granted by local governments across China.

Tesla's Full Self-Driving, a level-2 driver assistance system, has been partially approved in China since February and falls short of its capabilities in the United States.


Elm Company Named Strategic Partner for International Data and AI Conference

Elm Company Named Strategic Partner for International Data and AI Conference
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Elm Company Named Strategic Partner for International Data and AI Conference

Elm Company Named Strategic Partner for International Data and AI Conference

The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) announced a strategic partnership with Elm Company for the International Conference on Data and AI Capacity Building (ICAN 2026), enhancing collaboration to empower the data and artificial intelligence ecosystem and promote innovation in education and human capacity development.

This partnership comes as part of preparations for ICAN 2026, organized by SDAIA from January 28 to 29 at King Saud University in Riyadh, with the participation of a select group of specialists and experts from around the world, SPA reported.

The step represents a qualitative addition that contributes to enriching the conference’s knowledge content and expanding partnerships with leading national entities.

Elm Company brings extensive experience in designing digital solutions and building technical capabilities, reinforcing its role as a strategic partner in supporting the conference. It contributes by developing training tracks and digital empowerment programs, participating in the technology exhibition, and presenting qualitative initiatives that help empower national competencies in the fields of data and artificial intelligence.


Foxconn to Invest $510 Million in Kaohsiung Headquarters in Taiwan

Construction is scheduled to start in 2027, with completion targeted for 2033. Reuters
Construction is scheduled to start in 2027, with completion targeted for 2033. Reuters
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Foxconn to Invest $510 Million in Kaohsiung Headquarters in Taiwan

Construction is scheduled to start in 2027, with completion targeted for 2033. Reuters
Construction is scheduled to start in 2027, with completion targeted for 2033. Reuters

Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics maker, said on Friday it will invest T$15.9 billion ($509.94 million) to build its Kaohsiung headquarters in southern Taiwan.

That would include a mixed-use commercial and office building and a residential tower, it said. Construction is scheduled to start in 2027, with completion targeted for 2033.

Foxconn said the headquarters will serve as an important hub linking its operations across southern Taiwan, and once completed will house its smart-city team, software R&D teams, battery-cell R&D teams, EV technology development center and AI application software teams.

The Kaohsiung city government said Foxconn’s investments in the city have totaled T$25 billion ($801.8 million) over the past three years.