Doubao AI Phone, Xiaomi Auto, E-Bike Regulations

As AI systems move beyond text-based interactions, companies are exploring new avenues for integration. ByteDance's Doubao team has introduced the Doubao Phone Assistant, an AI assistant software developed in collaboration with phone manufacturers at the operating system level. This initiative leverages the capabilities of the Doubao large model to offer enhanced user interaction and experiences.

Highlights

The Doubao Phone Assistant is designed to integrate with existing phone operating systems, providing users with advanced AI functionalities. Doubao has confirmed ongoing discussions with multiple phone manufacturers for collaborative efforts. However, the company has explicitly stated that it has no plans to develop its own proprietary phone hardware. Further updates on these collaborations are expected to be released at a later date.

Context

Meanwhile, the automotive sector is also seeing new developments. Xiaomi Auto is set to launch its "Spot Vehicle Selection" program. This program will offer brand-new spot vehicles, official display vehicles, and nearly new vehicles, all of which have undergone stringent quality inspections. Some models may have received official repairs but remain unregistered. The initiative aims to provide quick delivery for customers, with all spot vehicles retaining the full original factory warranty and after-sales service. Certain models may also qualify for discounts. Orders locked before December 26, 2025, are anticipated for delivery by the end of 2025. Should Xiaomi Auto cause the invoice and delivery to extend into 2026, a cross-year purchase tax subsidy will be provided.

For developers, users who have locked orders but not yet received delivery can prioritize changing to a spot vehicle of the same model starting December 1st at 12:00. The "Spot Vehicle Selection" will become available to all users on December 3rd at 10:00, with specific sales times for different spot vehicles to be announced via the Xiaomi Auto App.

Regulatory Changes

In a significant regulatory shift, "old national standard" electric bicycles are being fully discontinued as of today. All electric bicycle products sold must now comply with the new mandatory national standard, "Safety Technical Specification for Electric Bicycles" (GB 17761-2024). This standard officially took effect on September 1st, with the production phase implementation date set for September 1st, 2025, by which time new products had already transitioned. The sales phase implementation date is December 1st, 2025. Previously, old national standard models in stock could still be sold, but their sale is now prohibited. The new national standard mandates a maximum design speed of 25km/h and requires the motor to automatically cease power output when exceeding this speed, addressing safety concerns related to overspeeding. However, officials have clarified that electric bicycles purchased prior to this change that do not meet the new standard will not be subject to forced elimination.

Corporate Developments

Beike Zhaofang has been the subject of recent layoff rumors. Reports suggested a large-scale personnel optimization, with an overall proportion potentially reaching 30%. Some employees indicated a high layoff ratio within the R&D department, affecting numerous high-level positions and long-serving employees. Regarding the rumored N+4 compensation plan, multiple Beike Group employees confirmed its existence. However, some employees clarified that while N+4 appears generous, it is effectively N+1 plus three months of year-end bonus, which they would typically receive under normal circumstances. A source close to Beike stated that the reported 30% layoff figure is a significant overestimation, with the actual number being less than 0.5%.