News
Huawei Founder Hosts an Open Dialogue on Innovation
Ren Zhengfei, founder and CEO of Huawei, was recently part of an open dialogue alongside other prominent guests examining the latest economic and political headwinds affecting the global ICT industry—and Huawei in particular. The business leader stressed that the world ultimately relies on open collaboration for shared success.
Speaking to a select group of international press, the discussion was attended by Ren Zhengfei as well as Nicholas Negroponte, a tech visionary and co-founder of the MIT Media Lab; George Gilder, one of President Ronald Reagan’s most quoted authors and a venture capitalist in the United States; and Catherine Chen, Senior Vice President and Director of the Board of Huawei.
Addressing how Huawei will engage American companies who wish to keep supplying it with products, Zhengfei commented, “All of the US companies that we work with are great companies that hold themselves to high standards in terms of business integrity and ethics. The current setbacks we are facing are not caused by those American companies, but by politicians who see things differently from the way we see them. We didn’t expect such extreme measures, but we did make some preparations.”
In the coming years, Zhengfei acknowledged that production capacity may decrease. In 2019 and 2020, the company’s annual sales revenue will be about $100 billion, according to Zhengfei. But around 2021, he believes Huawei we will regain its growth momentum and provide even better services to society. “When this step is finished, we’ll become stronger.”
Responding to questions about the US/China relationship and being seen together with Huawei, Gilder contested: “I think that I am contributing to saving the United States from the terrible mistake that it’s currently making, epitomized by the outrageous bans and tariffs, as well as restrictions it is placing on Huawei. But also, I can contribute to a re-construction of Internet architecture to address the terrible security collapse across the Internet that is making everybody paranoid and preventing everybody from trusting anybody else. This is really a technical problem that Huawei can address, and not a political problem.”
Building on that point, Negroponte added: “We agree on the fact that the United States is making a terrible mistake, first of all, picking on a company. I come from a world where what we value isn’t so much about the trade, commerce, and stock values. We value knowledge, and we want to build on the people before, and the only way this works is if people are open at the beginning.”
Reflecting a similar tone, Zhengfei noted: “Only through open collaboration can we meet people’s demands, and bring the benefits of new technologies to more people at lower costs. There definitely have been and will be ups and downs during the process of economic globalization, and we need to take the right approaches to these ups and downs. That means we need to use laws and rules to reconcile and resolve issues, instead of imposing extreme restrictions.”
Recognizing that Huawei’s collaboration with a number of American universities and labs has been halted, Zhengfei responded that China is very strong in engineering inventions, and that the company invests heavily in R&D with more than 80,000 engineers. The company now supports more than 300 universities and 900 research institutes around the world.
“In doing so, we hope that we can contribute to theoretical innovation. We will not cut our investment in this area. We will work harder. Even if the US government does not allow some universities to work with us, there are many others who are willing to do so,” stressed Zhengfei.
When asked about whether cybersecurity is really behind the current confrontation with Huawei, Negroponte argued: “Our President has already said publicly that he would reconsider Huawei if we can make a trade deal. So, clearly, it’s not about national security. We don’t trade national security. It’s about something else. And this trade war has got to end, and that, I believe, will end sooner rather than later.”
“We need to separate the issues of cybersecurity and information security,” added Zhengfei. “Cybersecurity relates to the networks connecting our society. We can’t ever allow these networks to break down or malfunction, and this is a security issue.” In terms of information security or the protection of data across a network, Zhengfei noted that Huawei only provides the network “pipe” and devices. The networks and devices themselves don’t determine what passes through them. Instead, carriers and content providers determine this.
“We mentioned that Huawei has no backdoors and our products are open, transparent, and trustworthy,” concluded Chen. But looking to the future, she added that “[Huawei] will always have our front doors open.”
Gaming
Steam Revamps Game Purchases
Steam has taken a proactive step to inform users that purchasing games on its platform grants a license rather than outright ownership. This move aligns with a new California law that will require digital storefronts to disclose the true nature of digital game purchases.
While digital games offer convenience, they have always been subject to the terms and conditions set by the game publishers. This can lead to situations where access to games can be revoked, as demonstrated by Ubisoft’s removal of The Crew last year.
The new California law aims to increase transparency for consumers by preventing storefronts from using misleading terms like “buy” or “purchase” without clarifying that they are acquiring a license. Steam has already implemented this change, informing users in their shopping carts that purchases grant a license.
This move reflects Steam’s commitment to consumer protection and transparency. It is a positive step towards ensuring that gamers are aware of their rights and the potential limitations of digital game ownership.
Gadgets
Motorola Unveils Android 15 Upgrade List
Motorola has joined the growing list of smartphone manufacturers announcing their Android 15 upgrade plans. While the company hasn’t made a formal announcement, its support page has been updated to reveal the devices eligible for the latest OS.
Unlike many competitors, Motorola has been proactive in confirming its Android 15 upgrade lineup, ensuring users have clarity about their device’s future.
Motorola Razr family:
Motorola Razr (2023) / Razr 40
Motorola Razr+ (2023) / Razr 40 Ultra
Motorola Razr (2024) / Razr 50
Motorola Razr+ (2024) / Razr 50 Ultra
Motorola Edge family:
Motorola Edge+ 2023
Motorola Edge 2024
Motorola Edge 40 Pro
Motorola Edge 50
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion
Motorola Edge 50 Neo
Motorola Edge 50 Pro
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra
Motorola G family:
Moto G Power 5G (2024)
Moto G 5G (2024)
Moto G Stylus 5G (2024)
Moto G34 5G
Moto G35
Moto G45
Moto G55
Moto G75
Moto G85
Motorola ThinkPhone family:
ThinkPhone by Motorola
ThinkPhone (2025)
Motorola is expected to announce the release date of the updates for these phones very soon.
Audio Devices
Honeywell Launches Aviator Hi-Fi Speaker
Secure Connection a provider of electronic products based in Hong Kong and a Honeywell licensee, has announced the launch of its latest innovation—the ultra-premium Hi-Fi Speaker, the Honeywell Aviator. This state-of-the-art speaker delivers an extraordinarily immersive listening experience combined with unparalleled elegance.
Designed with meticulous attention to detail, the Honeywell Aviator seamlessly merges cutting-edge technology with superior craftsmanship, setting a new benchmark in audio excellence. This sophisticated speaker is designed to captivate both audiophiles and enthusiasts alike, offering exceptional sound quality paired with an exquisite design that enhances any home entertainment setup.
The Honeywell Aviator redefines luxury in home audio products, combining a sophisticated aesthetic with premium quality to establish a new standard for high-end home audio systems. At the heart of the Honeywell Aviator is its Proprietary True-Lossless 1MBPS+ Audio Codec and an impressive 240 watts of power, delivering unmatched clarity and fidelity for every note. With Bluetooth V5.3, the speaker provides a robust 30-meter range, ensuring seamless connectivity without interruptions.
A standout feature of this product is the advanced Lossless Dongle Connectivity, featuring Type C and Lightning connectors. This allows for exceptional audio quality and flexibility in connecting various devices, from the latest smartphones to a range of entertainment equipment. The sophisticated design ensures high-fidelity audio transmission, offering superior sound performance regardless of the device.
To further enhance the experience, the Honeywell Aviator includes Ambient Lights that add a soothing visual ambience, perfectly complementing its premium audio quality to create an immersive listening environment. The product supports Multi-Mode Audio-In, enabling effortless switching between Lossless Dongle, Bluetooth, and AUX inputs to match any listening preference.
Engineered for excellence, the Honeywell Aviator incorporates patented acoustic and audio technologies. Its All-Digital Processing for 5 Drivers creates a rich, layered audio profile, while the 5 Channels of the Amplifier and 3 Independent Sound Cavities work together to deliver dynamic and high-fidelity sound.
Mohit Anand, Co-Founder & CEO, Secure Connection, said, “In the rapidly evolving world of consumer electronics, innovation is not just our ambition but the very foundation for every product that we set out to design and build. With the introduction of Honeywell Aviator, we are redefining the essence of luxury in-home entertainment. “This state-of-the-art device stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to blending pioneering technology with exquisite design, delivering an unparalleled audio experience with stunning visual appeal. The Honeywell Aviator is more than just a product; in our view, it sets a new standard of sophistication with an unmatchable and immersive listening experience. This product has been crafted for those who demand the finest in both audio quality and aesthetics.”