https://www.scmp.com/rss/501748/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Worldwide shipments of wearable devices jumped nearly 90% year on year to 336.5 million in 2019, with Apple boosting its overall share thanks to its best selling AirPods while top Chinese maker Xiaomi lost some ground, according to market research firm IDC. Last year also marked a move towards so-called hearables, such as AirPods from Apple, with the US company leading the overall global wearables market with a 31.7% share, up from 27% a year before, mainly thanks to a refreshed line up of... https://www.scmp.com/tech/xiaomi-loses-ground-wearables-apple-rises-airpods/article/3074916?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/xiaomi-loses-ground-wearables-apple-rises-airpods/article/3074916?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2020 10:31:17 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS The rapidly spreading coronavirus has disrupted many companies’ supply chains in China, potentially making it harder for people to get some of the world’s most popular gadgets in the near future. But even before the outbreak, some gadget makers were already moving parts of their production away from China because of rising labor costs and an escalating trade war with the US.  Here’s a look at where some of the world’s favorite gadgets are coming from... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3051433/heres-where-your-favorite-gadgets-are-made-nintendo-switch-apple?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3051433/heres-where-your-favorite-gadgets-are-made-nintendo-switch-apple?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Feb 2020 11:10:50 +0000 The rapidly spreading coronavirus has disrupted many companies’ supply chains in China, potentially making it harder for people to get some of the world’s most popular gadgets in the near future. But even before the outbreak, some gadget makers were already moving parts of their production away from China because of rising labor costs and an escalating trade war with the US.  Here’s a look at where some of the world’s favorite gadgets are coming from these days. Nintendo Switch Until last year,... https://www.scmp.com/tech/heres-where-your-favorite-gadgets-are-made-nintendo-switch-apple-airpods-pro/article/3050245?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/heres-where-your-favorite-gadgets-are-made-nintendo-switch-apple-airpods-pro/article/3050245?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Feb 2020 11:10:49 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Nearly every gadget in the world has some manufacturing done in China. Now the new coronavirus that’s killed more than 900 people and infected tens of thousands has resulted in one of the largest disruptions to production in the country. As workers stay away from factories, supply chains for companies big and small are being disrupted. It’s already starting to impact the availability of smartphones, gaming consoles and other tech products. Here are five... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3049909/five-gadgets-affected-coronavirus-airpods-nintendo-switch-and-even?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3049909/five-gadgets-affected-coronavirus-airpods-nintendo-switch-and-even?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Feb 2020 14:53:24 +0000 Nearly every gadget in the world has some manufacturing done in China. Now the new coronavirus that’s killed more than 900 people and infected tens of thousands has resulted in one of the largest disruptions to production in the country. As workers stay away from factories, supply chains for companies big and small are being disrupted. It’s already starting to impact the availability of smartphones, gaming consoles and other tech products. Here are five gadgets already feeling the pinch of... https://www.scmp.com/tech/five-gadgets-affected-coronavirus-airpods-nintendo-switch-and-even-tesla/article/3049802?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/five-gadgets-affected-coronavirus-airpods-nintendo-switch-and-even-tesla/article/3049802?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 10 Feb 2020 14:53:23 +0000 Apple Inc. avoided 15% tariffs on its most important products, the iPhone, iPad and MacBooks, after US President Donald Trump signed off on a trade deal with China. The new import duties were due to kick in Dec. 15 and could have added about $150 to the price of iPhones during the crucial holiday shopping season, according to Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives. “Trump delivered an early Christmas present to Apple,” Ives wrote in a note to investors following news of the trade deal. “If this... https://www.scmp.com/tech/apple-avoids-15-tariff-iphones-ipads-and-macbooks/article/3042009?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/apple-avoids-15-tariff-iphones-ipads-and-macbooks/article/3042009?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Dec 2019 10:04:17 +0000 Apple AirPods’ runaway popularity is boosting wireless headset and part makers in China – and investors should be listening, analysts say. The wireless earphones are Apple’s second fastest selling product of all time, only behind the iPhone. Now its more expensive AirPods Pro – which include such features as noise cancellation – is a hot seller, too. The stampede into so-called true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds is in its early stage, analysts say, as consumers ditch their old wires for the... https://www.scmp.com/tech/apples-new-airpods-are-hit-china-competitors-rush/article/3037190?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/apples-new-airpods-are-hit-china-competitors-rush/article/3037190?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Nov 2019 09:01:59 +0000 Apple’s iPhone brand might have taken a hit in China because of increased trade tensions but its AirPods – the company’s second best-selling product of all time – are still a big hit, so much so that local factories are rushing to knock-off the latest versions that go on sale Wednesday in the US for US$249. “We will have earphones identical to Apple’s AirPods Pro available for sale very soon, possibly within the next two or three days,” a salesman surnamed Fu, who sells electronics in... https://www.scmp.com/tech/apples-new-airpods-pro-are-already-being-copied-china/article/3035515?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/apples-new-airpods-pro-are-already-being-copied-china/article/3035515?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Oct 2019 09:20:21 +0000 While we’re less than six weeks away from the end of 2018, Apple is still mum about whether holiday shoppers can get their hands on the next generation of AirPods. Now leaked pictures are reviving hopes that the new headphones might be just around the corner. Photos purporting to show AirPods 2 cases are making their rounds on Weibo and Chinese social media. The base appears to have a Lightning charging port, just like the original AirPods. But if they have a LED light on the exterior -- as seen... https://www.scmp.com/big-guns/photos-reignite-rumors-apples-airpods-2-are-launching-soon/article/2174311?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/big-guns/photos-reignite-rumors-apples-airpods-2-are-launching-soon/article/2174311?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Nov 2018 12:39:01 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS While we’re less than six weeks away from the end of 2018, Apple is still mum about whether holiday shoppers can get their hands on the next generation of AirPods. Now leaked pictures are reviving hopes that the new headphones might be just around the corner. Photos purporting to show AirPods 2 cases are making their rounds on Weibo and Chinese social media. The base appears to have a Lightning charging port, just like the original AirPods. But if they... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3028991/photos-reignite-rumors-apples-airpods-2-are-launching-soon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/culture/article/3028991/photos-reignite-rumors-apples-airpods-2-are-launching-soon?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Nov 2018 12:39:01 +0000 This article originally appeared on ABACUS Ever since Apple introduced AirPods two years ago, there’s been no lack of competition from rival phone makers introducing their own wireless, one-size-fits-all earbuds. And of course, Chinese companies are jumping on the bandwagon too. The latest? Xiaomi -- a company long known for taking design “inspirations” from Apple. How Xiaomi forged a unique path Not all of these Android earbuds can reproduce the seamless experience you’ll get connecting an... https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3028959/seven-airpods-style-earbuds-cost-less?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/abacus/tech/article/3028959/seven-airpods-style-earbuds-cost-less?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Nov 2018 09:00:15 +0000 Ever since Apple introduced AirPods two years ago, there’s been no lack of competition from rival phone makers introducing their own wireless, one-size-fits-all earbuds. And of course, Chinese companies are jumping on the bandwagon too. The latest? Xiaomi -- a company long known for taking design “inspirations” from Apple.   Not all of these Android earbuds can reproduce the seamless experience you’ll get connecting an iPhone and AirPods. Still, there’s at least one thing Apple can’t beat: The... https://www.scmp.com/seven-airpods-style-earbuds-cost-less/article/2172078?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/seven-airpods-style-earbuds-cost-less/article/2172078?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Nov 2018 09:00:15 +0000