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☆ India launches electronics repair pilot project to lure manufacturers
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BENGALURU, May 31 (Reuters) - India has launched a pilot project to establish itself as an electronics repair hub with certain favourable policy changes, which has already attracted companies like Lenovo and Flex, the country's IT ministry said on Wednesday. The three-month-long Electronics Repair Services Outsourcing (ERSO) program is India's first formal attempt to capitalise on a $100 billion global industry and follows a push by MAIT, an industry group for IT and electronics manufacturers. Besides, China's Lenovo (0092.HK) and Singapore-based Flex (FLEX.O), electronic manufacturers like CTDI, R-Logic, and Aforeserve have volunteered for the program, the ministry said in a statement. While India is seeing increased interest in electronics manufacturing, with companies such as Apple (AAPL.O) pivoting from production in China, its repair outsourcing industry has been beleaguered by certain import-export rules. In the pilot phase India will also permit re-export of the imported electronics goods to countries different from the original one - currently it is banned under foreign trade rules.

Persons: Aforeserve, Varun Vyas, Savio D'Souza Organizations: Lenovo, Flex, Reuters, Services, IT, HK, Apple, Thomson Locations: BENGALURU, India, Singapore, China, Bengaluru, Munsif, New Delhi

☆ HP misses revenue estimates as inflation saps PC demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Global PC shipments declined nearly 30% in the January-March period to levels lower than before the pandemic, according to data from research firm IDC. Sales for HP's Personal Systems segment - home to its desktop and notebook PCs - dropped 29% in the reported quarter, while the company's printing segment recorded a 5% fall. HP said it expects second-half revenue to be higher than the first half, even though the year-on-year comparison will still be negative. California-based HP's second-quarter revenue was $12.91 billion. On an adjusted basis, HP earned 80 cents per share, compared with expectations of 76 cents.

Persons: Enrique Lores, Tiyashi Datta, Jeffery Dastin, Devika Organizations: HP Inc, Companies, HP, Lenovo, HK, Dell Technologies Inc, Global, IDC, Reuters, Thomson Locations: California, Bengaluru, Palo Alto

NEW DELHI, May 30 (Reuters) - India will start a pilot project this week to establish itself as an electronics repair hub by relaxing cumbersome import-export rules, a move that could draw tech majors such as Flex (FLEX.O) to expand such operations in the country. In the pilot phase, which will see participation from companies including Lenovo (0992.HK) and Cisco (CSCO.O), India will also permit re-export of the imported electronics goods to countries different from the original one - currently it is banned under foreign trade rules. "Repair outsourcing will incentivise electronic manufacturers to further expand their production capabilities in India. This is a critical step towards ensuring resilience to supply chain shocks," said Jafri, who estimated the repair industry in India to be worth $20 billion in five years. High repair costs in regions such as Europe and the United States are compelling companies to send goods overseas, Jafri said.

☆ China industrial profits tumble 18% in April as demand sputters
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

BEIJING, May 27 (Reuters) - Profits at China's industrial firms slumped in the first four months of 2023, official data showed on Saturday, as companies continued to struggle with margin pressures and soft demand amid a faltering economic recovery. In April alone, industrial firms posted a 18.2% drop in profit year-on-year, according to the NBS, which only occasionally gives monthly figures. Chinese companies are struggling with both weak demand at home and softening demand in the country's major export markets. Earlier this month, Premier Li Qiang vowed more targeted measures to expand domestic demand and stabilise external demand in an effort to promote a sustained economic rebound. Industrial profit numbers cover firms with annual revenues of at least 20 million yuan ($2.89 million) from their main operations.

☆ China's industrial profits tumble 18% in April as demand sputters
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Profits at China's industrial firms slumped in the first four months of 2023, official data showed on Saturday, as companies continued to struggle with margin pressures and soft demand amid a faltering economic recovery. In April alone, industrial firms posted a 18.2% drop in profit year-on-year, according to the NBS, which only occasionally gives monthly figures. Chinese companies are struggling with both weak demand at home and softening demand in the country's major export markets. Earlier this month, Premier Li Qiang vowed more targeted measures to expand domestic demand and stabilize external demand in an effort to promote a sustained economic rebound. Industrial profit numbers cover firms with annual revenues of at least 20 million yuan ($2.89 million) from their main operations.

☆ China's Lenovo shrugs off concerns that global PC market is shrinking
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-25 | by ( Sheila Chiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Revenues for the world's largest PC-maker Lenovo fell for a third consecutive quarter as global demand for personal computers continue to slump, but the company is not worried, says CFO Wong Wai-Ming. Clearly, when the market actually returns back to more normal, we will definitely be growing," Wong Wai-Ming, CFO of Lenovo, told CNBC. He added that the company is actually seeing higher growth in other businesses such as infrastructure solutions and services. In its latest earnings report on Wednesday, Lenovo said it expects "the PC market will return to growth" in the second half 2023. "Fiscal year Q4 was the most challenging quarter of the year given pressures from both the PC market and the global economy," said Lenovo in the earnings report.

Persons: Wong Wai Organizations: Lenovo, CNBC, Revenue

☆ Why foldable phones are so incredibly expensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“I’ve owned practically every Pixel device,” said Pantons, 33, who has posted hundreds of YouTube videos about Pixel phones and other tech products. Premium partsThe flexible screen found on foldable phones is one of the biggest reasons why they cost so much. And the Google Pixel Fold has two: a 5.8-inch cover display and a 7.6-inch inner display. The new Google Pixel Fold phone Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesOther components unique to foldables also drive up the cost. Foldable phones are also notoriously fragile.

☆ Bank of America double upgrades this telecom stock, says it can jump 30%
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

It's time to buy InterDigital after its strong first-quarter results , according to Bank of America. InterDigital is up by more than 61% this year, but the analyst's price target increase suggests that shares can climb another 30% from Tuesday's closing price. "The company already recognizes these revenues, though at a conservative level, and could see some upside once the cases finalize. InterDigital also has ongoing cases with Oppo and Vivo, which should each add $40- 60mn in recurring revenues per year." "Without Lenovo, total revenues would have still beaten estimates by ~7%."

☆ Google I/O event: first foldable phone, new tablets and more AI features
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Samantha Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The Pixel FoldThe Google Pixel Fold is the company's first foray into foldable phones GoogleGoogle became the latest tech company to unveil a foldable smartphone. Like other foldables, the $1799 Pixel Fold features a vertical hinge that can be opened to reveal a tablet-like display. The Pixel Fold is very much a phone first: when it’s unfolded, it opens up into a 7.6-inch screen, and moves on Google’s custom-built 180-degree hinge. Under the hood, the 11-inch tablet is powered by Google’s Tensor G2 chips, which bring long-lasting battery life and AI features to the device. AI features coming to searchGoogle is also moving forward with plans to bring AI chat features to its core search engine amid a renewed arms race over the technology in Silicon Valley.

☆ This is Google’s new folding phone
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Just a few days ahead of its product launch, Google unveiled an early look at its first foldable smartphone. In a video posted to Twitter and YouTube, the company teased a Pixel phone with a vertical hinge that can be opened to reveal a tablet-like display. According to ABI Research, foldable and flexible displays made up about 0.7% of the smartphone market in 2021, and in 2022 expected to fall just shy of 2%. Google's new Pixel Fold smartphone From Google StoreHigh price points have limited consumer adoption, too. The Pixel Fold is rumored to start at $1,700.

☆ Bagnaia smashes lap record to take Americas GP pole
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Apr 14, 2023; Austin, TX, USA; Francesco Bagnaia (1) of Italy and Ducati Lenovo Team rounds turn 11 during the MotoGP second free practice at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY SportsApril 15 (Reuters) - Ducati's reigning MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia smashed the circuit lap record to take pole position for the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on Saturday. The factory team rider's best lap of two minutes 01.892 seconds, at an average speed of 162.8 kph, secured pole for Saturday's later sprint and Sunday's race at the Circuit of the Americas. LCR Honda's Alex Rins, second but 0.161 off the pole pace, and VR46 Ducati's Luca Marini completed the front row. Gresini Ducati rider Alex Marquez, VR46 Ducati's championship leader Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia's Alex Espergaro filled the second row.

☆ Global PC shipments slide in first quarter, Apple takes biggest hit, IDC says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In separate reports published on Monday, market research firms IDC and Canalys blamed weak demand, excess inventory and a bleak economic outlook for the shipment declines of 29% and 33%, respectively. Of the top five PC makers analysed in the reports, Apple saw the largest drop with a fall of more than 40%. Both the research firms also predicted the market could start to recover later this year and gather momentum in 2024 if the economic outlook improves. "We expect significant market upside as consumers look to refresh, schools seek to replace worn-down Chromebooks, and businesses move to Windows 11," IDC said. Reporting by Bharat Govind Gautam and Tiyashi Datta in Bengaluru; Editing by Varun H KOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Global PC shipments slide in Q1, Apple takes biggest hit - IDC
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In the report published Sunday, the International Data Corporation (IDC) said global PC shipments numbered 56.9 million in the first quarter of this year, down from 80.2 million in the same period last year. Of the top five PC companies analysed in the report, Apple's Q1 shipments saw the largest drop of 40.5% from the same period in 2022, with Dell Technologies Inc (DELL.N) coming in second with a drop of 31%. Lenovo Group Ltd (0992.HK), Asustek Computer Inc (2357.TW) and HP Inc (HPQ.N) also faced declines in shipments, the IDC said. In February, Apple reported that sales of its Mac computers, which had boomed during the wave of working from home during the pandemic, declined 29% YoY to $7.7 billion in their most recent quarter. Shipment volume in Q1 2023 was noticeably lower than the 59.2 million units shipped in Q1 2019 and 60.6 million in Q1 2018," IDC said.

☆ Apple's Mac shipments fall more than 40%, worse than major rivals
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Rohan Goswami | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A new MacBook Air running M2 chip is seen displayed during Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference in San Jose, California, June 6, 2022. Apple's worldwide computer shipments fell 40.5% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2023, amid a broader contraction in consumer demand, according to research firm IDC. Apple's worldwide PC market share fell between the first quarter of 2022 to the first quarter of 2023, from 7.2% to 8.6%, according to IDC data. The company shipped 2.8 million fewer devices year-over-year in the first quarter of 2023, according to IDC. Apple CEO Tim Cook said at the time that the challenging macroeconomic environment impacted iPhone, Mac and Apple Watch sales.

☆ Demand for Apple computers has dropped 40% since last year
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Will Gendron | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A recent International Data Corporation report outlined global PC shipment data from Q1 of this year. Demand has dropped across the industry, with a 29% decrease compared to last year. Apple, in particular, has suffered from a 40.5% drop off in demand for its computers. Among the five biggest manufacturers, Apple was impacted the most: The number of Apple PCs shipped dropped 40.5% from the first quarter of 2022 to the first quarter of 2023. Global shipments include shipments to end users and distribution channels, like BestBuy and other electronics retailers.

☆ Construction leaders are using technology to help push the boundaries of possibility
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Insider Studios With Lenovo | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Leading construction company Laing O'Rourke has been at the cutting edge of building innovation for decades. Construction company Laing O'Rourke is delivering some of the world's most complex and challenging building and infrastructure projects. Leading construction innovationFor decades, Laing O'Rourke has invested in technology and innovation. Lenovo's technology was a critical enabler for many of the Laing O'Rourke projects above. To this end, Laing O'Rourke has also invested in Lenovo's ThinkReality and Mirage headsets.

☆ Lenovo must pay $138.7 mln for InterDigital patents - London court
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, March 16 (Reuters) - China's Lenovo Group Ltd (0992.HK) must pay U.S. technology firm InterDigital Inc $138.7 million for a licence for its portfolio of telecommunications patents, London's High Court ruled on Thursday in the latest round of a long-running dispute. InterDigital (IDCC.O) brought the lawsuit against Lenovo in 2019 over the terms on which Lenovo should take a licence of its patents which are essential to 3G, 4G and 5G standards. The litigation, which has so far featured five separate trials, centres on the fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) terms of a licence for InterDigital's patents. He said Lenovo should pay a $138.7 million "lump sum" to cover past and future sales of mobile devices from 2007 until the end of 2023. Marfe added that "all eyes will be on the Unified Patent Court", a common patent court for European Union member states which opens in June, to see whether it takes a similar approach.

☆ As Apple rumors swirl, Chinese rivals launch foldable smartphones to challenge Samsung
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The near $1,700 device is Honor's attempt to challenge Samsung in the foldable smartphone market. Foldables hit global marketSamsung launched its first foldable phone in 2019 and really created this category of smarpthones. The Galaxy Fold series opens outwards like a book, while the Galaxy Z Flip opens up like a traditional flip phone. The market expects foldable phone shipments to jump 111% year-on-year to 30 million in 2023. It comes as speculation rises that Apple could be gearing up to launch a foldable device, though it may be an iPad rather than a smartphone.

☆ China Favors Chips, AI Executives Over Internet Tycoons at Top Political Meetings
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( Shen Lu | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference opened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Saturday. A number of prominent Chinese internet executives have been left out of the country’s top political meetings in Beijing this week, giving way to experts in artificial intelligence and semiconductors as Chinese leader Xi Jinping ’s priorities shift amid rising technology competition with the U.S.Pony Ma , Robin Li and William Ding , the chief executives of Chinese internet companies Tencent Holdings Ltd., Baidu Inc. and NetEase Inc. respectively, are conspicuous in their absence from this year’s list of delegates to the National People’s Congress, China’s legislative body, and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, a political advisory body. Also missing was Lenovo Group Ltd. CEO Yang Yuanqing .

☆ Huawei spin-off Honor takes aim at Samsung in foldables; shrugs off U.S. sanction concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The Honor Magic Vs is on display at Honor's stand at Mobile World Congres in Barcelona. The near $1,700 device is Honor's attempt to challenge Samsung in the foldable smartphone market. Honor takes aim at Apple and SamsungHonor launched its Magic Vs foldable phone outside of China this week, with a price tag of nearly $1,700. Honor had a large poster for the Magic Vs with the tagline: "Unfold your magic." "Our ambition and target is develop the best foldable phone, so be the number one technology for foldable phones.

☆ Motorola confirms a new foldable version of the iconic Razr smartphone is coming this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-01 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Motorola plans to launch the next generation of the Razr foldable device "very soon," according to the CEO of Lenovo. Motorola rebooted the iconic Razr brand in 2020 as a device with a bendable screen. BARCELONA, Spain — A new version of the foldable Motorola Razr will be launched this year, according to the CEO of Chinese technology giant Lenovo which now owns the brand. The Razr is one of the brand's most iconic mobile phones and was first launched by Motorola in 2004. Yang said this is where the next generation of Razr phone would see improvements.

☆ Qualcomm, Android phone makers developing satellite messaging feature
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Stephen Nellis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Feb 27 (Reuters) - Qualcomm Inc (QCOM.O) on Monday said it was working with a group of Android smartphone companies to add satellite-based messaging capabilities to their devices. Satellite-based communications can send and receive data in remote or rural regions where other telecommunications networks are not available. Qualcomm did not say when the new satellite messaging features from the Android smartphone brands named on Monday would become available. Earlier this year, Qualcomm said that some Android phones would have the features by the second half of this year. Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Lisa ShumakerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Here are Monday's biggest analyst calls: Tesla, Alphabet, Apple, Nvidia, Best Buy, Zillow & more
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-27 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Goldman Sachs upgrades Nomad Foods to buy from neutral Goldman said it sees an "attractive investment opportunity" to invest in the frozen food company. Goldman Sachs upgrades Willis Towers Watson to buy from neutral Goldman said it sees a robust turnaround for the insurance company. Barclays reiterates Tesla as overweight Barclays said it's standing by its buy rating heading into Tesla's investor event on March 1. Raymond James upgrades Frontier to strong buy from outperform Raymond James upgraded the cable company after its "impressive" earnings report. UBS reiterates Apple as buy UBS said its survey checks show Apple is the preferred brand in both the U.S. and China.

Feb 20 (Reuters) - A look at the day ahead in Asian markets from Jamie McGeever. U.S. markets are closed on Monday for Presidents Day so Asian activity and volumes will be lighter than usual. This could give traders some rare breathing space to reflect on the scorching rise in U.S. market-based rates and yields. The People's Bank of China is scheduled to set its lending benchmark interest rates on Monday morning. chartThe Reserve Bank of New Zealand is expected to scale back its tightening on Wednesday, and raise rates by half a percentage point to 4.75%.

☆ China's Lenovo Q3 revenue tumbles 24% as PC demand slumps
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-17 | by ( Josh Ye | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

HONG KONG, Feb 17 (Reuters) - China's Lenovo Group Ltd (0992.HK) reported a 24% revenue decline for the third quarter, its second consecutive decline as global demand for computers and smartphones continued to slump. The world's largest maker of personal computers (PCs) said on Friday that total revenue during the October-December quarter was $15.3 billion, down 24% from the same quarter a year earlier. However, demand has begun to fall and Lenovo's revenue started contracting in the July-September quarter last year. Net income attributable to shareholders for the October-December quarter also plunged 32% to $437 million. PC shipments are likely to slide 6.8% this year after falling 16% in 2022, Gartner said.

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