2019 Hot List

CAN YOU BELIEVE THE YEAR IS ALMOST OVER? WE KNOW, RIGHT?

- Pat Calica

We’ve seen a crazy number of innovative product releases, controversial tech, and motoring issues, headline-grabbing personalities, blockbuster movies that broke records, binge-worthy TV series that had us glued to our seats, cool games and apps, and new cars that range from the practical to the drool-worthy.

As customary, Speed makes a list of the hottest, loudest, inspiring, transformative, and most exciting news in the world of technology, motoring, geek culture, and lifestyle.

Flip the page and join us as we look back at an eventful 2019.

TECH NEWS

01. U.S. vs. HUAWEI

Huawei may be the No. 1 telecom supplier and No. 2 phone manufacturer in the world, but that doesn’t mean it’s found in every corner of the globe. It’s banned in certain countries such as the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. And after President Donald Trump ordered the banning of Huawei from U.S. communication networks, there’s been an upswing in scrutiny of the company.

Aside from the allegations that Huawei “intentionally conspired to steal the intellectual property of an American company,” the U.S.’ primary beef against Huawei is that it claims that the company could give the Chinese government backdoor access to the U.S.’ devices and spy against its people.

As of press time, the Trump administration has approved several licenses for U.S. companies to do business with Huawei. But it looks like whatever the outcome of this trade war will be, it won’t spell the end for the Chinese company. It launched HarmonyOS, its new cross-device operating system, in August and the Mate 30 series in September. Huawei isn’t going to let anyone stand in the way of the launch of its Huawei P40 Series next year.

As we mentioned in our July 2019 Cover Story, what doesn’t kill Huawei can make it stronger.

02. FOLDABLE PHONES