Chinese smartphone manufacturer Huawei is once again making headlines, this time with its latest flagship device, the Huawei Mate 60 Pro. The smartphone has sparked controversy due to its alleged violation of Western sanctions imposed on China. The device’s specifications seem to defy what is expected from Chinese chip manufacturers and include features that are restricted under the sanctions.
One of the key concerns surrounding the Mate 60 Pro is its central processing unit (CPU), which is believed to exceed the capabilities of Chinese chipmakers. Additionally, the phone boasts radios capable of 5G-like speeds that should not be accessible in China due to the sanctions. Furthermore, the device includes dynamic random access memory (DRAM) from South Korean chipmaker SK hynix, which has reportedly not sold this type of memory in China for years.
These revelations raise questions about the effectiveness of the sanctions imposed on China. SK hynix’s Vice Chairman, Park Jung-ho, has denied any involvement with Huawei and called for further investigation into the memory used in the controversial smartphone. It remains unclear whether the memory observed in the Mate 60 Pro is indeed from SK hynix or if the company is unsure which of its products are being used.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong-based cryptocurrency exchange CoinEx has suspended deposit and withdrawal services for all crypto assets. The suspension comes after the detection of potential hacker activity involving anomalous withdrawals from hot wallet addresses. CoinEx has transferred the remaining assets in these wallets to safe addresses and assured users that their assets will not be affected. The exchange’s User Asset Security Foundation will cover any losses incurred. The issue is currently under investigation, and users are advised against depositing assets into old addresses until the matter is fully resolved.
In Singapore, the Monetary Authority has issued a nine-year ban to the founders of collapsed crypto business Three Arrows Capital. The ban comes as a result of several failings, including neglecting to implement appropriate risk management practices. This news follows MAS’s previous reprimand of the firm for providing false information and exceeding the permitted assets under management threshold. MAS’s investigation revealed additional security failures, including the provision of false information about a portfolio manager.
In other technology news, Alibaba Cloud has announced the opening of its AI large language model, Tongyi Qianwen, to the public. Both consumers and enterprise users will soon have access to a free open-source version of the model. The model has undergone beta testing since last April.
Lastly, ride-sharing giant Uber has revealed plans to double its presence in India. The company intends to expand into more geographies, as well as offer services for three- and two-wheelers, which are expected to drive significant growth in the country. Uber is currently expanding in Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
That concludes the latest tech news from the Asia-Pacific region. Stay tuned for more updates and developments in the world of technology.
