Huawei has finally launched the Kirin 980 processor, which is the world’s first commercial System-on-Chip (SoC) manufactured with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) 7nm process. The company says the chipset combines best-in-class performance, efficiency, connectivity features, and Dual NPU AI processing power. During the event, the company compared the SoC with Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 and claimed that the Kirin 980 has 37 percent better performance and is 32 percent more power efficient. “Last year, we showed the world the potential of On-Device AI with the Kirin 970, and this year, we’ve designed an all-round powerhouse that not only features outstanding AI capabilities, but also brings cutting-edge raw performance to consumers. Equipped with all-new CPU, GPU and Dual NPU, the Kirin 980 is the ultimate engine to power the next-generation productivity and entertainment applications,” Richard Yu, Huawei Consumer Business Group CEO, said during his keynote at IFA, 2018. The TSMC 7nm process technology enables Kirin 980 to pack 6.9 billion transistors within a centimetre square die size, which is up by 1.6 times from the previous generation. Compared to the 10nm process, the comapny says that the 7nm process delivers 20 percent improved SoC performance and 40 percent improved efficiency. It added that the Kirin 980 is also the first SoC to use the Cortex-A76 cores, which are said to be 75 percent more powerful and 58 percent more efficient compared to their previous generation. In an octa-core configuration, the CPU in Kirin 980 is comprised of two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores; two high-efficiency Cortex-A76 cores; and four extreme efficiency Cortex-A55 cores. To take full advantage of this unique configuration, Huawei said it has developed a Kirin CPU subsystem with Flex-Scheduling technology that flexibly allocates the right cores to the right tasks. “This solution designates the large high-performance cores to handle immediate, intensive workloads; the large, high-efficiency cores to provide sustained performance; and ultra-efficiency cores to tackle every day, light activities with extreme power efficiency. Running at higher clock speeds compared to the prior generation, Kirin 980 enables quicker app launch times, better multi-tasking and a generally smoother user experience,” the tech giant added. Huawei has integrated the Mali-G76 GPU into the Kirin 980 which is said to offer 46 percent greater graphics processing power at 178 percent improved power efficiency over the previous generation. Mali-G76 also features a clock boosting technology that utilises AI to intelligently identify gaming workloads and adjust resource allocation for optimal gaming performance. The Kirin 980 SoC has a Dual-Neural Processing Unit (NPU) which, the company claims, elevates the ‘On-Device AI’ experience with greater processing power and intelligence. According to the Chinese conglomerate, the synergy between the Dual-NPU results in an image recognition capability that is greater than the sum of two—the Kirin 980 can recognize up to 4,600 images per minute, up 120 percent compared to Kirin 970. Huawei also integrated its proprietary fourth-generation ISP into the SoC that provides a 46 percent increase in data throughput compared to its predecessor and better support for multi-camera configurations, as well as an all-new HDR colour reproduction technology that can manipulate picture contrast to highlight objects on various parts of an image, Huawei says. “In addition, Kirin 980 utilises the Multi-pass noise reduction solution that removes artifacts without scrubbing away image details, resulting in better quality on images taken in low-light scenarios. ISP also improves motion tracking and when a user attempts to snap a photo of a moving person, the ISP can recognise the subject with 97.4 percent accuracy, so any user can capture fleeting moments with ease,” the company said in a statement. In the connectivity space, Huawei integrated a modem supporting LTE Cat.21 with a peak download speed of 1.4Gbps.
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As smartphone manufacturers are ditching the audio jack, the popluace is beign ushered towards a wireless era whther we like it or not. There’s no doubt that one will experience better audio quality with a wired medium, but there’s work to be done in order to get closer to the same level of quality using wireless means. Qualcomm has announced the new aptX Adaptive technology, which is aimed at reaching this goal. The new codec is an amalgamation of aptX HD, which is said to delivering HD sound quality, and aptX low latency that is meant for scenarios like better audio-video sync while watching a movie or gaming. Qualcomm says that the new aptX Adaptive codec is dynamically adjustable and can switch between delivering the highest possible audio quality and low bitrate with low latency when needed. It also takes the external RF interference into account to provide “optimum audio quality or latency depending on the type of content being played on the device.” “aptX Adaptive is advancing our industry as it is designed to deliver audio quality that matches wired performance across a wide range of sources and to provide consumers with the immersive wireless listening experience they are looking for,” said Anthony Murray, senior VP and general manager, voice & music, Qualcomm Technologies International, Ltd. “With this new product, listeners don’t have to do anything while aptX Adaptive dynamically adjusts performance to best deliver exceptional audio whether the user is playing games or listening a song.” The aptX Adaptive decoder is slated to be made available for customers on the Qualcomm CSRA68100 and the Qualcomm QCC5100 series Bluetooth Audio SoCs from September 2018. Another version of the codec will be made available for smartphones and tablets running on Android P from December 2018. It should be noted that iPhone users won't be able to experience the technology as it does not support AptX and the new update will be useful only for Android devices. One can check their headphone box or visit the aptX website to figure out if their device supports AptX. 
The Aditya Birla Group has announced that the merger of Idea Cellular and Vodafone India is complete, and the new firm is now operational as India’s leading telecom service provider with a subscriber base of over 408 million. In the merger, the Vodafone Group owns a 45.2 per cent stake and Aditya Birla Group owns a 26.0 per cent stake. A new Board of Directors comprising of 12 Directors (including six Independent Directors) has been constituted. Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, Kumar Mangalam Birla is appointed as the Chairman of the board and Balesh Sharma, a Vodafone veteran, has been chosen as the CEO. According to the company, the new firm’s pan India Revenue Market Share (AGR) is 32.2 percent and it has a growing broadband network (3G+4G) with over 340,000 broadband sites as well as the largest voice network with over 200,000 unique GSM sites to cover over 1.2 billion Indians (92 per cent population coverage). The group also claims to have the widest distribution reach with over 1.7 million retailers and approximately 15,000 branded stores. “Today, we have created India’s leading telecom operator. It is truly a historic moment. And this is much more than just about creating a large business. It is about our Vision of empowering and enabling a New India and meeting the aspirations of the youth of our country. The ‘Digital India’, as our Honourable Prime Minister describes it, is a monumental nation-building opportunity. As Vodafone Idea, we are partnering in this initiative by building a formidable company of international repute, scale and standards,” said Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Idea Limited. Vodafone Idea is expected to generate Rs 140 billion annual synergy, including opex synergies of Rs.84 billion, equivalent to a net present value of approximately Rs.700 billion. “The equity infusion of Rs.67.5 billion at Idea and Rs.86 billion at Vodafone coupled with monetisation of standalone towers of both companies for an enterprise value of Rs.78.5 billion, provides the company a strong cash balance of over Rs.193 billion post payout of Rs. 39 billion to the DoT,” the Aditya Birla Group said in a statement. “As India’s leading telecom operator with two popular and loved brands, the company has the scale and resources to ensure sustainable customer choice and introduce new technologies. We are committed to offer both our retail and enterprise customers an excellent experience while fulfilling their evolving digital and connectivity needs via new products, services and solutions. We will offer them more network coverage, more value and more excitement,” Balesh Sharma, CEO, Vodafone Idea Limited, added. With 1,850MHz of total spectrum holding, over 200,000 unique GSM sites and ~235,000 kms of fibre, the merged company claims to offer superior voice and broadband connectivity across the country. It also says that it covers 92 per cent of the population reaching nearly 500,000 towns and villages. This extensive infrastructure will allow customers to remain confidently connected across the country and enjoy uninterrupted services even as it integrates and optimises its network in a phased manner across circles. Vodafone Idea says that ti will continue to invest in developing infrastructure and introduce newer and smarter technologies — IoT, high speed and secure leased lines, digital wallets, MIMO and Cloud services.
