Autonomous driving is still far away. Waymo is a relative newcomer to the world of autonomous trucks but it already has a customer in another sure sign then when it comes to autonomous driving, trucks will come first. Following a successful trial, Waymo has formed a strategic partnership with J.B. Hunt which will be its first customer to go live...
Cross-device is unlikely to help much. The industry’s move to compete with iOS by improving its cross-device user experience is an old idea that has not really helped to date and is unlikely to do in the future. One of the undercurrents of CES 2022 was a move from a number of players to focus on making their devices work...
The joy of ownership is all one gets. The Associated Press has worked out an easy way of making some extra revenue as it is moving to sell the original versions in a great example of how non-fungible tokens (NFTs) are going to become a big part of the digital economy. However, beyond investment purposes and the Metaverse, I think...
Tencent goes for the Metaverse? Tencent looks to be about to begin its quest to enter the Metaverse but how an almost unknown device manufacturer (Black Shark) will help Tencent crack this fiendishly complex conundrum remains a complete mystery. Black Shark is a Chinese manufacturer of smartphones and accessories that are aimed at the gaming segment but there is no...
Qualcomm – Dark horse No. 1 Qualcomm is the first, and an atypical, dark horse that RFM has identified this year. This title is usually reserved for small companies that no one is taking much notice of but punch above their weight. No one is really talking about Qualcomm this year despite its keynote but on the floor, its chips...
Displays – Fold Samsung Display has led the field this year launching its first Quantum Dot (QD) OLED TVs as well as showing a new take on foldable screens. The QD TVs will go on sale later this year at the top of the price range but the new foldable screens are likely to prove just as fallible as all...
Quiet floors but lots to see Contrary to the words of Gary Shapiro, CTA CEO, the floors of Vegas are not messy but sparse and quiet. It looks to me that fewer exhibitors than the CTA led us to believe have turned up, but given the Omicron tidal wave, this is not a big surprise. While the footfall is probably...
Automotive dominates on day 1. Consumer electronics companies are regularly referring to vehicles as devices on wheels in their CES 2022 marketing which is almost certain to incense the very companies that they are hoping to sell their products to. This is because “handset on wheels” or “IoT on wheels” is a sign of failure for the OEMs who look...
Omicron pandemonium – Silver lining Despite the best efforts of the CTA, the advent of the hyper-contagious SARS-Cov2 variant means that CES 2022 is going to be a subdued affair. Not only have many participants decided to stay away but many others that were still going (myself included) have failed to pass the health check required to attend the conference....
Richard is founder, owner of research company, Radio Free Mobile. He has 16 years of experience working in sell side equity research. During his 11 year tenure at Nomura Securities, he focused on the equity coverage of the Global Technology sector.
TSMC / Semiconductors– Supercycle pt. III
TSMC’s commentary has all the hallmarks of peak cycle. With $38bn in cash, $40bn in operating cash flow (before Capex), TSMC can afford to take some risk, but the sheer size of its investments in 2022 demonstrates that TSMC is intent on leaving its rivals in the dust come what may. TSMC is planning on spending a massive $40bn –...