https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/500385/feed News, reviews and insights on what's happening in consumer technology in China from abacusnews.com. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Abacus Abacus For the last three months,we have been testing three of Apple’s latest iPhones: the mid-range iPhone SE, flagship iPhone 11 and premium flagship iPhone 11 Pro. The phones are remarkably similar under the hood, which makes the iPhone SE a great value. But the most conspicuous difference between each of these handsets are the camera options. What you want to accomplish with a smartphone camera could be the deciding factor for which iPhone you’ll want to pick up. So this guide will go through what... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/yp/discover/entertainment/tech-gaming/article/3094573/apple-iphone-se-camera-good-depth-tests-vs-11?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/yp/discover/entertainment/tech-gaming/article/3094573/apple-iphone-se-camera-good-depth-tests-vs-11?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Jul 2020 08:01:53 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS China’s ByteDance has unveiled its first smartphone. The Nut Pro 3 is being released under the Smartisan brand. In a deal revealed earlier this year, the struggling phone manufacturer transferred some of its patents and employees to the TikTok owner. A ByteDance spokeswoman told Reuters in July that “the product was a continuation of earlier Smartisan plans, aiming to satisfy the needs of the old Smartisan user base.” The new phone lets users bring up... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/big-tech/article/3036232/first-smartphone-tiktok-maker-bytedance?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/big-tech/article/3036232/first-smartphone-tiktok-maker-bytedance?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Nov 2019 08:09:58 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS At 249 grams, the Mavic Mini is DJI’s lightest flagship drone yet. But there’s an even lighter version that you can get… in Japan? The Japanese model weighs only 199 grams -- a full 50 grams less than the global version even though they’re the same size. That’s no accident: It’s just below the cutoff of 200 grams under Japan’s drone safety rules in the Aeronautical Act, meaning that owners don’t have to obtain permission to fly above 150 meters (492... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/gear/article/3036229/why-lightest-mavic-mini-only-available-japan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/gear/article/3036229/why-lightest-mavic-mini-only-available-japan?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 Nov 2019 07:57:43 +0000 It was on top of a hill, in the orange orchards on the outskirts of Zhangjiajie, a city in northwestern China’s Hunan province, where Zhong Haihui took a big leap from being a fruit farmer to become a live-streaming video star. Neighbours in his farming community were initially bewildered in 2017 at the sight of Zhong, wearing a cowboy hat and standing on a big rock, talking passionately for hours in front of his smartphone about the fruits grown in his hometown. Two years later, the 40-year-old... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/apps-social/article/3025938/why-chinas-farmers-rocketed-fame-live-streaming-video-stars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/apps-social/article/3025938/why-chinas-farmers-rocketed-fame-live-streaming-video-stars?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Sep 2019 23:00:08 +0000 Abacus Abacus Mooncakes, the widely popular Mid-Autumn Festival delicacy, will be getting a makeover in China this year, as a start-up’s plant-based ground meat is used as filling for the traditional cholesterol-packed treat. Chinese entrepreneur Lu Zhongming has formed meat alternative producer Zhenrou, in partnership with a research team from the Beijing Technology and Business University, that will introduce Suzhou-style mooncakes filled with plant-based meat ahead of the festival next month. While the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/start-ups/article/3023967/meet-millennial-entrepreneur-behind-chinas-answer-beyond-meat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/start-ups/article/3023967/meet-millennial-entrepreneur-behind-chinas-answer-beyond-meat?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 Aug 2019 23:00:13 +0000 What do smartphones, electric cars and Nasa’s Curiosity Mars rover have in common? They all run on lithium-ion batteries. Since Sony managed to use one in a camcorder in 1991, the rechargeable cells have grown in popularity and are now used to power virtually all portable consumer gadgets, from game consoles and e-cigarettes to scooters and hoverboards. They’re also increasingly used on hybrid and electric vehicles. The world’s biggest supplier of lithium-ion batteries is China. The country is... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/innovation/article/3022076/chinese-billionaire-keeping-batteries-exploding-your-smartphones?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/innovation/article/3022076/chinese-billionaire-keeping-batteries-exploding-your-smartphones?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Aug 2019 22:00:07 +0000 You have probably seen smartphone snapshots that look almost as good as if these were photos taken with professional camera equipment. That is because it now takes more than just hardware to produce better-quality pictures. Artificial intelligence (AI) has increasingly helped people take more beautiful images with their mobile phones. In 1994, entrepreneur Michael Deng Hui rounded up funds from family and friends to start a business in Silicon Valley that would develop such image-enhancing... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/gear/article/3022041/chinese-billionaire-built-ai-helps-samsung-huawei-phones-take-better?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/gear/article/3022041/chinese-billionaire-built-ai-helps-samsung-huawei-phones-take-better?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 Aug 2019 22:00:10 +0000 China's tech industry has undergone a rapid expansion in the past decade and created a brace of giant companies that dominate the home market. Some of these companies are also making their mark globally, from DJI's consumers drones to smartphones by OnePlus and Xiaomi. Now you can navigate this world through this interactive city, created and hosted by our sister tech site, Abacus. Check out China Tech City https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/big-tech/article/3014962/learn-about-chinas-tech-industry-through-interactive-world-featuring?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/big-tech/article/3014962/learn-about-chinas-tech-industry-through-interactive-world-featuring?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Jun 2019 04:19:16 +0000 OnePlus has just unveiled their newest flagship handset — and we’ve already got our hands on the OnePlus 7 Pro. I have to confess: I’m an iPhone guy. Even so, my early impressions of this Android phone are mostly positive. At first glance, there aren’t many surprises here. Virtually everything about the phone has been leaked over the last few months, from the (almost) bezel-free front and pop-up selfie camera, to the in-screen fingerprint sensor and triple-camera array on the back. On the whole,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/gear/article/3010301/hands-oneplus-7-pro?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/gear/article/3010301/hands-oneplus-7-pro?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 May 2019 07:15:56 +0000 In January, it seemed like everyone believed they could take their own piece of China's social media market, currently dominated by Tencent. Three messaging apps were launched in a single day. Four months later, it’s now clear that none of them had what it takes to fight the behemoth that is WeChat. Liaotianbao, an updated version of Bullet Messenger, has reportedly disbanded its team. ByteDance’s Snapchat clone Duoshan never took off, with some people complaining about its less than satisfying... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3009559/failed-anonymous-chat-app-pivoting-social-shopping?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3009559/failed-anonymous-chat-app-pivoting-social-shopping?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 May 2019 21:00:15 +0000 Facial recognition devices have become ubiquitous across China. But what you probably didn’t know is that some of these machines can snatch up information straight from your smartphone. While they look like regular metal detectors on the outside, they’re much more than that. Aside from facial recognition and ID card verification, the so-called “three-dimensional portrait and integrated data doors” vacuum up MAC addresses, IMEI numbers and other identifying information from electronic devices.... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3009553/chinas-data-doors-scoop-information-straight-your-phone?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3009553/chinas-data-doors-scoop-information-straight-your-phone?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 09 May 2019 21:00:14 +0000 Manspreading is considered by many a breach of subway etiquette. It became such a scourge in 2015 that New York transport authorities started putting up posters asking men to keep their legs together. In Beijing, though, space hoarders could soon face consequences more serious than just the scorn of fellow riders. The Beijing Municipal Commission of Transportation is proposing to link a passenger’s bad behavior on the subway with social credit. Those who take up extra seats on trains will be... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3008157/manspreading-beijing-subway-could-give-you-bad-social-credit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3008157/manspreading-beijing-subway-could-give-you-bad-social-credit?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Apr 2019 20:45:12 +0000 Avengers: Endgame is taking China by storm. Its box office debut is shattering records in the country, taking in around US$107 million. And it’s no surprise that it’s also dominating conversation on Weibo -- to the point where users were upset that the trending topics contained spoilers. What is a little surprising is that the part of the film Chinese users love is very American. (There will be spoilers ahead, so don’t go past the picture if you don’t want to know what happens in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3008156/avengers-endgame-got-china-hooked-americas-ass?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3008156/avengers-endgame-got-china-hooked-americas-ass?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Apr 2019 20:45:09 +0000 Now that consumers have gotten a glimpse of the first foldable smartphones, all eyes are on Samsung and Huawei delivering devices into people's hands. But reports are now coming out showing the Samsung Galaxy Fold breaking, and people in China are wondering how the Huawei Mate X will hold up. Reviewers in the US have been reporting various issues with Samsung's US$2,000 phone. Units are seen to either completely break or have serious screen glitches. It could have something to do with what looks... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/gear/article/3007671/samsungs-foldable-phone-breaks-huawei-fans-await-mate-x?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/gear/article/3007671/samsungs-foldable-phone-breaks-huawei-fans-await-mate-x?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Apr 2019 23:00:21 +0000 Driving instructors might soon be joining the list of jobs to be replaced by AI in the near future. A company in China has developed an AI-powered driving instructor called RoboCoach, and it’s already being used in driving schools. Unfortunately, RoboCoach is not a humanoid robot that sits next to you and criticizes your driving skills (although that would be awesome). The digital driving instructor developed by Beijing Yi Jia Jia Technology is actually a teaching and safety control system... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3007666/robotic-driving-instructors-are-here-make-lessons-less-stressful?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3007666/robotic-driving-instructors-are-here-make-lessons-less-stressful?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Apr 2019 23:00:18 +0000 I have two main issues with supersized phones: They’re too big to fit in my pocket, and they can be uncomfortably heavy. The Samsung S10 5G solves both of these problems. I got the chance to go hands-on with Samsung's largest Galaxy S phone ever. The S10 5G is the first supersized phone I would enjoy using as an all-in-one entertainment device. The first thing that must be noted about the S10 5G is that its headlining feature remains just a promise for most people right now. Samsung says... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/gear/article/3005746/samsung-s10-5g-first-look-supersized-phone-six-cameras?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/gear/article/3005746/samsung-s10-5g-first-look-supersized-phone-six-cameras?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Apr 2019 09:47:12 +0000 By now it’s customary for major smartphone makers to roll out multiple models with each product launch. Samsung’s latest Galaxy S10, for instance, has four variants, including a freshly released 5G device. Yet so far, OnePlus has been standing on the sidelines of this trend, instead opting for a mid-year refresh of its flagship handsets with a T appended to the name.  That might be about to change, though, according to a leaked image appearing to show promotional material for the next OnePlus... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/gear/article/3005743/oneplus-going-unveil-more-one-phone-its-next-launch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/gear/article/3005743/oneplus-going-unveil-more-one-phone-its-next-launch?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 11 Apr 2019 09:47:03 +0000 “I can heal you as well as kill people. I have gotten about 1,000 points in this game. Do I sound cute, boss?” In a voice reminiscent of an anime schoolgirl, Luohai advertised herself to me in an online chat room, offering to be my gaming companion in Overwatch for the next hour.  I blushed at the sound of her voice, which sounded off-the-charts sweet, and I felt my heart racing. And that was just from her one-line audition. A few more people were lining up to audition for me in the chat room... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3004382/us450-hour-women-hire-china-play-online-video-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3004382/us450-hour-women-hire-china-play-online-video-games?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Apr 2019 15:35:53 +0000 As the first film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to focus on a female superhero, Captain Marvel is meant to be a celebration of female empowerment. But in China, plenty of discussion online isn’t focusing on the character’s actions or the film’s plot -- it’s focused on the looks of star Brie Larson. “I’m not judging a person by their looks,” writes a commenter that is about to judge a person on their looks, “but the main character in a superhero movie shouldn’t be a ‘da ma’” -- a derogatory... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3003256/china-thinks-captain-marvel-isnt-attractive-enough?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/article/3003256/china-thinks-captain-marvel-isnt-attractive-enough?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Mar 2019 09:05:26 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Explore Tech City, an interactive world that lets you zoom in on China. For more insights into China tech, sign up for our tech newsletters, subscribe to our Inside China Tech podcast, and download the comprehensive 2019 China Internet Report. Also roam China Tech City, an award-winning interactive digital map at our sister site Abacus. https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/abacus/culture/article/3028566/china-tech-city?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/abacus/culture/article/3028566/china-tech-city?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Jun 2018 04:00:00 +0000 Explore Tech City, an interactive world that lets you zoom in on China. https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/china-tech-city/article/3015228?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/china-tech-city/article/3015228?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 Jun 2018 04:00:00 +0000