Key Highlights:

• The updated 2026 Stelato S9 launches in November 2025 under the Huawei–BAIC partnership.
  
• Features Huawei’s latest Qiankun ADS 4 intelligent driving system and 800V fast-charging EV tech.
  
• Marks Huawei’s deepening move into premium electric mobility through its Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA).

A New Step in Huawei’s Auto Journey

Huawei and Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC) are set to launch the refreshed Stelato S9 in November 2025. The luxury sedan, positioned as a flagship under Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA), showcases how the tech giant is embedding its smart systems deeper into the automotive industry. This will be the first major update since the S9 debuted in August 2024.

Although the car carries Huawei’s design and technology, it isn’t built by Huawei itself. Instead, it represents the company’s growing collaborations with major automakers to bring its hardware, software, and smart driving technologies to the road.

Elegant Design and Refined Details

The 2026 Stelato S9 retains its large, flowing sedan design but adds new premium styling touches. The front continues with Huawei’s signature “Universe Headlight” layout, now upgraded to the “Brilliant Star River” design. A new “Universe Star” emblem and a “Nebula Through-type” taillight bar give it a more futuristic look.

With a length of 5.16 meters and a wheelbase of 3.05 meters, the sedan promises spacious interiors, particularly focusing on rear-seat comfort and luxury. Customization options include unique trims, alloy wheels, and electronic side mirrors.

Intelligent Driving and Power Options

One of the biggest upgrades is the introduction of Huawei’s Qiankun ADS 4 autonomous driving system. The setup includes 4 LiDARs, 4D radar, and 36 sensors for 360° environmental awareness. This technology enables advanced driver-assistance and semi-autonomous driving features.

Buyers can choose between two versions: a pure electric (EV) model built on an 800V platform with a range of over 800 km, or an extended-range electric (EREV) model that offers up to 1,300 km using a gasoline-powered generator. Prices start at RMB 309,800 (≈ USD 43,500).

Strengthening China’s EV Ecosystem

The Stelato S9 isn’t Huawei’s first car, but it is the first vehicle co-developed with BAIC, expanding Huawei’s automotive footprint beyond its existing Aito, Luxeed, and Maextro brands. This collaboration reflects Huawei’s goal of merging AI, smart sensors, and EV technology into mainstream cars, strengthening China’s position in the global electric vehicle market.

For consumers, this means smarter, more connected cars at competitive prices, while for the industry, it signals a new phase where tech firms rival traditional automakers in innovation and intelligence.

Read More:

• Tech War Intensifies: China’s Lithography Breakthrough Challenges U.S. Semiconductor Edge
• ChatGPT Goes Free in India for a Year And Here’s Why OpenAI Is Doing It
• China is the World’s Robot Superpower: Installs More Robots Than the Rest of the World Combined

The post Huawei–BAIC Stelato S9: Huawei’s Flagship Smart Sedan Gets a Major Upgrade appeared first on Gizmochina.

Key Highlights:

• Chinese researchers at Peking University achieve a world-first visualization of photoresist behavior using cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET).
  
• The discovery could help China reduce reliance on foreign photoresist materials and improve chip yields at advanced nodes.
  
• The breakthrough deepens the ongoing U.S.-China tech rivalry, potentially influencing global chip prices and supply for everyday electronics.

China’s Breakthrough in Lithography Materials

China has achieved a significant milestone in semiconductor technology that could alter the global landscape in chip manufacturing. A team led by Professor Hailin Peng from Peking University, working with domestic collaborators, has developed a method to reduce defects in chip lithography dramatically. Using cryo-electron tomography, a technique more commonly seen in biology,  the researchers visualized how light-sensitive photoresist materials behave at the molecular level during chip production.

For the first time, scientists were able to see how photoresist polymers interact in liquid film and at gas–liquid interfaces, uncovering the hidden causes of defects that limit chip yields. The team’s new process reportedly eliminated up to 99% of these defects under industrial conditions, marking a turning point for China’s semiconductor ambitions.

Why This Matters

Photoresist materials are essential for defining nanoscale circuits on silicon wafers. Until now, China has depended heavily on imports, with over 90% of its photoresist supply coming from Japan. By developing its own high-performance photoresist and imaging technology, China is moving closer to self-reliance in one of the most critical areas of chipmaking.

The discovery could improve manufacturing yields in processes like lithography, etching, and cleaning, vital steps for producing chips at 7nm and smaller scales. It also strengthens China’s position in the global semiconductor supply chain, which has long been dominated by companies in the U.S., Japan, and South Korea.

Implications for the United States

This development adds fresh urgency to U.S. efforts to maintain technological leadership. While American institutions such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are advancing photoresist metrology and next-generation EUV lithography, China’s rapid progress suggests a narrowing gap.

The U.S. has invested heavily under the CHIPS and Science Act to bolster domestic semiconductor R&D, including materials and lithography systems. However, China’s success in solving long-standing material science problems shows it is no longer just catching up but setting new benchmarks in applied semiconductor research.

Whats Next for China and US

China’s progress in lithography materials signals more than scientific advancement; it’s a strategic move toward technological independence. By tackling one of the toughest bottlenecks in chip production, China is positioning itself as a formidable competitor in the race for semiconductor supremacy.

For the U.S., the challenge now is to accelerate innovation not just in chip design and fabrication, but in the underlying materials science that powers the future of computing.

Read More:

• ChatGPT Goes Free in India for a Year And Here’s Why OpenAI Is Doing It
• China Overtakes US in Scale: AI Users Surge to 515 Million in Just Six Months
• NVIDIA’s Market Share in China Drops from 95% to Zero Amid US Export Restrictions

(via)

The post Tech War Intensifies: China’s Lithography Breakthrough Challenges U.S. Semiconductor Edge appeared first on Gizmochina.

Key Highlights:

• OpenAI will host its first-ever DevDay Exchange event in India on November 4, 2025.
  
• All users in India will receive a free one-year subscription to ChatGPT Go.
  
• The move marks a major milestone in OpenAI’s India-first expansion strategy.

OpenAI’s First Developer Event in India

OpenAI has announced its first developer conference in India, called DevDay Exchange, scheduled for November 4, 2025, in Bengaluru. The event will focus on connecting with Indian developers, educators, and enterprises, while also introducing new initiatives tailored for the local market. The decision to host this event in India highlights the country’s growing importance in OpenAI’s global expansion and its rapidly developing AI ecosystem.

One-Year Free ChatGPT Go Subscription

To celebrate this milestone, OpenAI is offering a free one-year subscription to ChatGPT Go for all users in India. The promotion will begin on November 4 and will apply to both new users and existing ChatGPT Go subscribers. Those who already have an active subscription will automatically receive an additional 12 months of free access. The duration of this limited-time offer has not yet been disclosed.

What is ChatGPT Go

ChatGPT Go was launched in India in August 2025 as OpenAI’s most affordable paid plan, priced at ₹399 per month. It provides ten times more usage compared to the free version and includes advanced features such as image generation, file uploads, and improved memory for more personalized conversations. The plan runs on OpenAI’s latest GPT-5 model, offering faster responses and higher reliability.

India’s Growing Role in OpenAI’s Global Strategy

India has quickly become OpenAI’s second-largest market after the United States, with millions of developers, students, and professionals using ChatGPT daily. The launch of ChatGPT Go led to a sharp rise in paid users, with subscriptions doubling in the first month alone. This growth reflects India’s strong appetite for accessible and affordable AI tools.

Strengthening the India-First AI Strategy

OpenAI’s expansion aligns with India’s national “IndiaAI Mission,” which aims to build a stronger AI ecosystem. The company recently opened its first office in New Delhi and is hiring local teams to focus on education, enterprise, and community engagement. OpenAI is also collaborating with government programs and educational institutions to expand AI literacy and access beyond major cities.

Rising Competition in India’s AI Market

OpenAI faces increasing competition from other major AI companies targeting India’s large and tech-savvy population. Perplexity has partnered with Airtel to offer free Pro access to 360 million users, while Google is providing a free one-year AI Pro membership for Indian students. These developments indicate a rapidly intensifying race to capture the growing Indian AI market.

OpenAI’s decision to offer a one-year free ChatGPT Go subscription and host its first DevDay Exchange event in India shows its long-term plans for the country’s AI growth. 

Read More:

• China is the World’s Robot Superpower: Installs More Robots Than the Rest of the World Combined
• Open AI pauses AI video generation of Martin Luther King Jr. after reports of disrespectful depictions
• Apple Just Changed How China Uses SIM Cards Forever: Here’s How

(via)

The post ChatGPT Goes Free in India for a Year And Here’s Why OpenAI Is Doing It appeared first on Gizmochina.

ADWEEK has opened the 2026 AI Power List for entries. As an evolution from last year’s AI Trailblazers Power 100, ADWEEK’s AI Power List will honor the executives across marketing […]

Users will soon be able to complete purchases within ChatGPT using their PayPal digital wallets.

Chatbots may undercut the value of onsite ads.

While the industry obsesses over automation and cost savings, they’re overlooking three huge shifts in how consumers use AI that marketers must understand in order to harness the technology.