Tech Brief (Oct. 16): China’s Tech Minister Meets With Apple CEO

China’s tech minister meets Apple CEO

Li Lecheng, China’s IT minister, met with Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook in Beijing on Oct. 15. Li said he hoped Apple would continue to deepen its presence in the Chinese market and collaborate on innovation with local upstream and downstream companies. Cook said Apple would continue to increase its investment and enhance the level of its cooperation in China.

Chinese firm claims semiconductor equipment breakthrough

China’s semiconductor equipment industry marked a new milestone with the Wednesday debut of an ultra-high-speed oscilloscope that its developer says breaks foreign technological barriers.

China’s NEV exports soared in the first nine months

In the first nine months of 2025, China exported 1.8 million new-energy vehicles (NEVs), an 89.4% increase year-on-year, according to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. BYD Co. Ltd. saw the most significant growth, with its exports increasing 130% year-on-year to 705,000 vehicles, accounting for about 40% of China’s total NEV exports.

Honor teases AI concept phone

Honor on Oct. 15 launched its Magic 8 series smartphones and MagicOS 10 operating system, with devices available for preorder the same day starting at 4,499 yuan ($615). On the same day, the company announced it will unveil an AI concept phone, the Robot Phone, at next year’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Consortium to buy Aligned Data Centers

A consortium comprising Nvidia, Microsoft, BlackRock and Elon Musk’s xAI will acquire 100% of Aligned Data Centers for $40 billion. The transaction would be the largest data center deal ever globally. Aligned Data Centers, currently owned by Macquarie Asset Management, designs and operates data centers across the Americas.

Global smartphone shipments grew

In the third quarter, global smartphone shipments grew 2.6% year-on-year to 322.7 million units, according to preliminary data from IDC. The top five vendors by market share were Samsung (19%), Apple (18.2%), Xiaomi (13.5%), Transsion Holdings (9%) and Vivo (8.9%). Transsion led in growth with a 13.6% year-on-year increase.

ChatGPT to offer adult content to verified users

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that starting in December, ChatGPT will be able to generate pornographic content for adult users who have completed identity verification. The move is part of the company’s efforts to relax content restrictions for verified adults.

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