If a new report is to be believed, Samsung and other Android phone makers would need more time to catch up with Apple's pretty advanced 3D-sensing technology that the Cupertino giant debuted with last year's iPhone X. Tim Cook's company is said to have secured a two-year lead when it comes to this technology, so Apple's rivals won't likely be capable of duplicating Face ID until next year. Reuters reported Tuesday that most Android phone makers will have to wait until 2019 before they could be able to deliver a technology that's up to par with Apple's 3D-sensing, which is powering the Face ID security feature of the iPhone X. This is seen as a setback on the Android manufacturers' end because 3D-sensing technology is expected to be worth billions in revenue in the next few years. Reuters obtained data from parts suppliers, and the publication feels that Huawei and Xiaomi will be among the Android brands that will be capable of matching Apple's 3D-sensing next year. This is because 3D-sensing parts suppliers will be capable of reaching production levels for worldwide adoption by that time.

With Apple deciding to use new Depth Sensing technology for the iPhone X's Face ID, many believe that Android phone makers might start using it for their own devices. However, it looks like many Android flagships coming out during the first half of 2018 won't have the same 3D-sensing feature. Industry sources say that smartphone vendors, particularly in China, are actually more interested in selling the rest of their unsold inventories. This is also the reason why many of those Android phone manufacturers are postponing plans to develop new technologies like fast charging, wireless charging and Face ID-like features, according to Digitimes. Another reason that's hindering the adoption of 3D-sensing cameras on Android smartphones is the slow yield rates for producing components.

Google just debuted a digital assistant, which it hopes to place inside smartphones, watches, cars and every other imaginable internet-connected device. It's already hit a snag. The Alphabet Inc. division launched new smartphones last week with the artificially intelligent assistant deeply embedded. It also rolled out a speaker with the feature at its core and announced plans to let other companies tie their apps and services to the assistant. A day later, Samsung Electronics Co., one of the largest manufacturers of smartphones and other consumer devices, said it was acquiring Viv Labs, a startup building its own AI voice-based assistant.

Google just debuted a digital assistant, which it hopes to place inside smartphones, watches, cars and every other imaginable internet-connected device. It's already hit a snag. The Alphabet division launched new smartphones last week with the artificially intelligent assistant deeply embedded. It also rolled out a speaker with the feature at its core and announced plans to let other companies tie their apps and services to the assistant. A day later, Samsung, which just announced it was ending production of its problematic Galaxy Note 7 smartphones, said it was acquiring Viv Labs, a startup building its own AI voice-based assistant.