The latest financial data from Huawei also sharply contrasted with that of Qualcomm Inc which saw a revenue decline in the second quarter due to poor performance in China, a market the US tech giant heavily relies on, they added.

Xiang Ligang, director-general of the telecom industry association Information Consumption Alliance, said that although Washington banned the use of Huawei’s telecom products in US 5G network construction and restricted it from buying crucial US components and technologies, most of Huawei’s business continued as normal.

The comment came after Huawei posted 401.3 billion yuan ($58.3 billion) in revenue in the first half of 2019, marking a 23.2 percent year-on-year jump. The financial performance came as Huawei faces restrictions from the US government which put the Chinese company on an “entity list” in May, banning the Chinese tech company from buying US technologies without special government approval.

“It shows Huawei’s resilience amid mounting pressure,” Xiang said. Despite some overseas challenges, Huawei also took a record 38 percent of China’s smartphone market in the second quarter of 2019, signifying the highest market share of any vendor in eight years, according to data released by market research company Canalys.

Such a strong performance, however, seems to weigh on the business of US tech giant Qualcomm, with its senior executive citing Huawei as a major factor resulting in the company’s 13 percent year-on-year decline in revenue in the second quarter of 2019.

Steve Mollenkopf, CEO of Qualcomm, said in an earnings call on Wednesday that as a result of the export ban, Huawei shifted its emphasis to building market share in the domestic market, where Qualcomm didn’t see “corresponding benefits in product or licensing revenue”.

That is because Huawei makes the majority of its own smartphone chips and its growing presence in China’s smartphone market did not help Qualcomm. Instead, it could harm the US tech firm’s business, as Huawei is grabbing market shares from rivals such as Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo which all use Qualcomm’s chips, said Lyu Tingjie, a professor at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications.

“Huawei’s in-house chip design capabilities give it ample room to confront the crisis, and that is the result of decades of strong R&D spending,” Lyu said. “Also, Qualcomm’s loss underlines once again the importance of the China market to US tech companies. No one will win from the US ban on Huawei.”

Secretary-general Takorn Tantasith said he and private licensees and operators are agreed that 5G should be in place as scheduled by the previous government – by late this year or early next.

He said the private sector wants the government to provide full support and ensure that profits cover investments.

The shift from 4G to 5G is vastly more complicated than the move from 3G to 4G and requires different network equipment, so private investment could be in the range of Bt200 billion-Bt300 billion, not including charges to buy into the spectrum at auction.

“The NBTC understands the private sector’s concerns and takes this matter seriously,” Takorn said. “We are working hard to ensure that there are enough spectrum channels available for 5G operations countrywide. And when 5G is finally ready, we will set usage fees that are fair for consumers and still guarantee enough profits for private operators.

“The NBTC’s top-priority mission right now is to make sure that 5G is really happening, and to achieve that, we will work with each operator to troubleshoot any obstacles one by one,” he said. “Next month, on the 4th, the NBTC will host a seminar where private operators are welcome to report problems related to 5G technology implementation and make suggestions. The NBTC will pass the results on to the government.”

The NBTC has assigned three educational institutions to research and recommend suitable prices for channels and usage fees by early October, after which the multi-band spectrum auction will start.

In the early stage, 5G will benefit industrial entrepreneurs, who can use it to restructure their production process and increase efficiency.

Citizens can start utilising technology only when the equipment becomes available, around mid-2020 at the soonest.

Paramate Rienjaroensuk, chief executive officer of Copperwired, said that the firm is preparing to list on the SET in the fourth quarter this year to increase investment and expand its market both in Bangkok and upcountry.

The firm’s current focus is on digital lifestyle products, smartphones, computers and tablets, and services through 14 Copperwired shops and 20 dotlife (.life) shops.

The digital lifestyle products include items for home and office, mobile phones and accessories, smart watches, sports, health and wellbeing, hobby and toys, as well as audio, photos and video products. It offers more than 2,000 items under some 200 brands. Copperwired and dotlife shops sell Apple smartphones, computers and tablets.

The firm provides services via five iServe centres in such prime areas as Ratchaprasong and Siam Square and is planning to spend between Bt40 million and Bt70 million on opening 6 new dotlife shops in Bangkok in 2020.

“I believe that the digital lifestyle products such as hobby items and toys have high potential for growth in Thailand and our six new dot life shops in Bangkok will support that demand,” he said, adding that the firm is currently developing an online retail platform and will officially launch its Omni channel platform next year.

Copperwired expects to generate revenue around Bt3.5 billion this year, an increase of some 15 per cent over 2019 when revenue reached Bt3.2 billion. Forty per cent of this will come from digital lifestyle products followed by the smartphone and computer & tablet categories.

“I also think that growth in the IT market will slow in the second haft of this year but we will be looking at achieving continued growth in the digital lifestyle market,” Paramate said.

Each earbud weighs just 8.5 grammes meaning that you can wear them all day and never feel uncomfortable. And the WF-1000XM3 is designed to have long battery life so that you can enjoy the music for hours on end without disruption.

The WF-1000XM3 has effective noise-cancelling technology powered by the HD Noise-Cancelling Processor QN1e that works with dual microphones to negate noises so that you can immerse yourself in music without worrying about the noise around you.

Each earbud has a feed-forward microphone on the top and a feed-back microphone embedded by the ear tip. The microphones let the noise cancelling circuit sense outside noise and send an equal-but-opposite cancelling signal to the earphones.

And since the HD Noise-Cancelling Processor QN1e uses little power, the earbuds have long battery life. The QN1e is a multi-talented processor because it combines digital noise cancellation, 24-bit audio signal processing, and digital-to-analogue converter with headphone amplifier. This results in aquiet listening environment and good-quality music sound. The earbuds use a tiny-yet-powerful 0.24-inch driver unit that delivers rich and clear sounds.

The WF-1000XM3 has two modes: the Ambient Sound Mode and the Noise cancelling function. To switch between the two or turn them off to save battery life, imply use the touch button on the left earbud or use Sony’s Headphones Connect app.

When you switch to the Ambient Sound Mode, the processor automatically works with the app’s Adaptive Sound Control to determine which is the best environment then sets the sound to Transport, Walking, Staying or Running.

In the Staying mode, the Adaptive Sound Control adjusts the level of microphone and music playback to allow you to hear voices of the outside world while reducing other background noises. This will allow you hear important announcements.

In the Travel mode, the QN1e processor will block out all the noises so that you can enjoy music without disruption. And in the Walking mode, the app adjusts the ambient sound to level 12 out of 20 so that you can be aware of everything around you while listening to your favourite tunes. In the Running mode, the ambient sound level is adjusted to the 20 scale.

During the test, I found the WF-1000XM3 effectively negated the hum of the air-conditioner in my bedroom to allow me to enjoy music uninterrupted. When the earbuds were seated properly in my ear canals, they also reduced the loud sound of my TV set so I could continue to enjoy the music while the rest of the family stayed glued to their favourite programme.

The WF-1000XM3 uses dome type, CCAW voice coil neodymium drivers with frequency response of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz and with 44.1 kHz sampling rate.

I found the sound quality of the earbuds was impressive with clear and amazingly deep bass for such tiny earphones. I enjoyed listening to the Metallica’s Black album with clear highs and mids and a very satisfactory bass.

It got even better when I used the DSEE HX digital sound enhancement engine to upscale compressed digital music files to the quality of high-resolution audio.

You can also use the Headphones Connect app to change the music tone. There are 11 options from which to choose plus one to option to turn it off. You use two custom options to adjust the equalizer bar to get the music tones you like.

The available preset tones include Bright, Excited, Mellow, Relaxed, Vocal, and Bass Boost. As a serious rock fan, I liked the Bass Boost the most.

Connecting the earbuds to your smartphone is a breeze as the WF-1000XM3 has a NFC (near-field communication) chip embedded in its charging case. I simply opened the charging case, removed the earbuds and tapped my Sony Xperia Z Premium’s back to the NFC mark on the charging case. The earbuds were Bluetooth-linked to the smartphone automatically.

The WF-1000XM3’s placement of Bluetooth antenna is opitimised to ensure wider coverage and keep the signal strong for uninterrupted streaming. And the earbuds use a new Bluetooth chip that transmits sound to the left and right ears simultaneously rather than relaying sound from one earbud to the other.

The WF-1000XZM3 is also designed for active users. They are ergonomically designed to make contact with three different points on your ear for a secure, comfortable fit. Each earbud has a high-friction rubber surface that keeps it snug and secure in your ear, so they won’t slip out unexpectedly during exercise.

Each earbud comes with a proximity sensor that can detect whether you’re wearing one or both, and adapts playback accordingly. Take out one earbud and the music automatically pauses on both sides. And when you put the earbud back in, the music automatically resumes.

You can the volume right down and let in ambient sound by placing your finger over the earbud so you can instantly chat with someone without taking your headphones off.

The WF-1000XZM3 has a good battery life. One full charge offers 6 hours of power, and the handy charging case provides a further three charges. With noise canceling off, it’s even longer – the earbuds provide 8 hours of music listening and up to 32 hours of play time with three more charges from the case.

The earbuds also support Google Assistant so that you can speak to the headset’s microphones to operate the smartphone or perform searches.

And of course, the earbuds can also be used as your smartphone’s headset. When there is an incoming call, you can tap the touch sensor on the left or right twice to receive the call. To hang up, again tap twice on either side.

And the right touch sensor button can also be used to control playback of music on the connected smartphone. Tap once to play or pause the music, twice to skip to the next track and three times quickly to return to the previous track.

Sony WF-1000XM3 has a suggested retail price of Bt8,990.

Key specs:

Headphone type: Closed, dynamic

Driver unit: 0.24 inch, dome type (CCAW Voice coil)

Magnet: Neodymium

Frequency response: 20 Hz–20,000 Hz (44.1 kHz Sampling)

Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0

Bluetooth profile: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP

Supported Codec: SBC, AAC

Weight: 8.5 g x 2

Battery: Max. 6 hrs (NC ON)/Max. 8 hrs (NC OFF)

Charging case: Battery: 3.5 hrs for providing three more charges for earbuds; Weight: 77g

These are the latest models in the evolution of the PRO TREK line and come packed with features that make them even easier to use for outdoor activities. The new watches are equipped with a quad sensor – three sensors that detect compass bearing, barometric pressure/altitude, and temperature, plus an accelerometer for counting steps. They also come with Smartphone Link functions, linking to the PRO TREK Connected app on a smartphone using Bluetooth to offer a host of functions that support outdoor activities. These include a location indicator that shows the direction and distance to a destination saved to the app, automatic time adjustment, tracking of calories burned, which is calculated based on step count and altitude data, and trekking logs.

For improved usability, the user can set the watch modes from the app, including turning modes on or off, and changing the sequence in which modes appear on the display. This allows the user to customise the watch display according to how the watch is used or choose to display only frequently used functions, such as timers and alarms, or even change the display sequence.

For optimum readability, the PRT-B50 and PRT-B50FE have a wide watch face that incorporates a large, rotating bezel and Arabic numeral indices. The new models have been designed for ease of use in a wide range of outdoor activities, with a urethane band that features a 3D texture throughout and a strap keeper that stays in place.

The new Casio PRO TREK Out Door Watches will be available in Japan from September 6.

The HD770G boasts distinct chamfered edges and two light-beam-shaped RGB strips in a perforated pattern that comes to life as the RGB lighting pulsates.

The HD770G is designed to be tough and can survive nasty falls from up to 1.22 meters, protecting everything you have stored inside from harm. AES 256-bit encryption keeps the data inside password-protected and away from prying eyes.

The company said it is showcasing a culture of mutual collaboration between entrepreneurs and corporations to “empower local SME’s and other innovation-driven enterprises to enhance business partnerships” with Bosch.

“Bosch has a proven track record in leveraging strategic collaboration with private and public stakeholders in commercialising connected solutions ranging from smart home indoor cameras, smart inventory management, smart environment monitoring systems, virtual reality, machine learning as well as AI-driven applications in self-driving cars,” the company said.

“Studies show that open innovation approaches boost efficiency in innovation processes by 60 to 90 per cent. That is why partnerships are the key success factor in the ongoing digital transformation as underlined in the recent BCG study ‘The most Innovative Companies 2018’.”

The sixth edition of Galaxy Tab features remote control functionality enabled by Samsung’s signature S Pen.

S Pen has built-in Bluetooth Low Energy remote control technology that allows users to take selfies and videos and control multimedia without actually touching the device. A 10-minute-long wireless charge lasts 10 hours.

Other features include converting handwritten notes with the S Pen into digital text and exporting them to formats like Microsoft Word with a click.

“Today’s inspiration comes at a short notice as creative professionals need a device that enables them to keep up with their insatiable imaginations while complementing their busy, on-the-go lifestyles,” said Samsung CEO Koh Dong-jin.

“Galaxy Tab S6 allows consumers to unlock their creativity, while delivering top-quality productivity features and advanced technology they have come to expect from Samsung tablets.”

The latest Samsung tablet PC also introduces new enhancements to its camera, including a dual camera with ultrawide shooting capability, within a 5.7mm-slim body.

The ultrawide camera allows a 123-degree field of view, mimicking the human eye.

Samsung has also incorporated its on-screen fingerprint scanner for the first time in the Galaxy Tab S6.

Starting from late September, the AI-based X-ray assessment will be brought to a public medical facility in the Eunpyeong district of Seoul. The system is expected to help doctors and patients receive accurate X-ray images within 20 seconds, LG CNS added.

According to the IT solutions unit of LG Group, the advanced image analysis system is to be combined with cloud-computing technology. Based on the Software as a Service platform, the service will be available at any public health center with X-ray equipment.

“This project’s ultimate goal is to provide advanced public health care services at minimum cost,” said LG CNS Vice President Jeong Woon-yeol, who heads a public project division at LG CNS.

LG CNS said it has been working with local startup Lunit, which provides technologies for deep learning and medical analysis. The companies aim to introduce the AI-based image analysis technology to 254 public health centers nationwide.

The service will be available from August 5 onward.

Yongsit Rojsrikul, the AIS chief enterprise business officer, said the internet service provider has been trusted by many leading organisations in both public and private sectors to bring IoT solutions to enhance their operational efficiency.

Thaivivat Insurance recently chose the AIS NB-IoT motor tracker for usage-based insurance (UBI) solution to enhance its existing On-Off motor insurance product.

The On-Off insurance is available on a pay-per-use basis, which allows users to turn on and off coverage through their smartphone application based on the concept of “no drive, no pay”.

The AIS solution will be able to send data in real time via the NB-IoT network when starting and shutting down the engine of a car with On-Off motor insurance coverage, and the insurance coverage will be On and Off automatically — letting the insurance company receive accurate, correct and sufficient information about their customers.

Jirapan Assawathanakul, president and chief executive officer of Thaivivat Insurance, said the company is delighted to receive cooperation from AIS in providing the NB-IoT UBI Tracker to enhance its motor insurance service.

The NB-IoT motor Tracker for UBI solution works by connecting to the vehicle tracking technology on the NB-IoT network.

When starting a car, the IoT device will send the “engine start rate” via AIS IoT to the Thaivivat server, including sending a notification to the Thaivivat Motor application to automatically open the insurance (On). Similarly, when the engine is shutting down, the IoT device will return the “engine stop rate” automatically to close the insurance (Off).

This will help Thaivivat customers avoid wasting the time needed to manually click the On-Off app switch.

In the event that the car is in a distant area, the device will collect the data and once connected to the NB-IoT signal immediately send the information to the system, to ensure high data accuracy and allow the customer to receive coverage and pay the insurance premiums for actual real-time use.

Customers who purchase the On-Off motor insurance service would instantly receive NB-IoT UBI Tracker equipment with internet for use during the insurance period. They would just plug the device into their car USB port for immediate use.

The AIS NB-IoT network covers all 77 provinces nationwide.