Commentary: TSMC's CIGS foray raises the technology sector's entry barrier

Jan 12, 14:04

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) foray into the copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) photovoltaic (PV) modules could raise the entry barrier to the technology...

Commentary: Taiwan IC packaging and testing houses await AMD to increase outsourcing of processor backend processing

Jan 12, 01:15

With the recent chief executive change by AMD, sources from Taiwan's IC packaging and testing houses are hoping that the US-based company will change its policy and increase outsourcing...

Commentary: Employee transfers becoming an issue for Foxconn expansion to inland China

Dec 31, 14:50

Although Foxconn Electronics' (Hon Hai Precision Industry's) expansion in western China will provide convenient job opportunities for inland employees, it could become an issue for...

Commentary: Financially-strapped Taiwan DRAM makers have difficulties migrating to sub-20nm processes

Dec 27, 09:39

Taiwan-based DRAM makers will find themselves at a disadvantage to migrate their production to 20nm and below processes, as they struggle to preserve cash for the expenses needed...

Commentary: End of Symbian Foundation is a blessing in disguise

Nov 10, 11:22

With the Symbian operating system (OS) transforming from a closed platform to an open platform developed by a dozen players, and now once again back under the control of Nokia, it...

Commentary: What will Ma say to Otellini?

Oct 26, 15:36

Intel CEO Paul Otellini will visit Taiwan on October 28, and is likely to have a meeting with Taiwan President Ma Ying-jeou. Viewing that Intel has decided to close its WiMAX Program...

Commentary: Honeymoon ends early for Taiwan NOR flash suppliers

Aug 25, 17:05

Major Taiwan-based NOR flash suppliers, including Macronix International and Winbond Electronics, saw their earnings receive a boost during the first half of 2010, benefiting from...

Commentary: Capacity utilization rates at foundry houses likely to fall in 4Q10

Jul 19, 16:17

While most Taiwan-based wafer foundry houses will be still running at full capacity in the third quarter, some industry watchers are skeptical about the prospects of the foundry industry...

Global poly-Si price approaches production cost of China makers

Apr 15, 16:34

With global polysilicon (poly-Si) price stabling at US$50-55 per kilogram, which is approaching or even lower than the costs of some secondary China-based poly-Si makers, elimination...

Commentary: Is it good enough for Compal Group to take up Motorola EMEA cable modem business?

Jan 14, 14:50

The acquisition of Motorola's cable modem business is a good start for Compal Broadband Networks, a subsidiary of Compal Electronics, but the impact of the deal on the business of...

Commentary: US government action spells trouble for TMC and Elpida

Oct 5, 16:50

The restructuring process of Taiwan's ailing DRAM industry, led by the government-backed Taiwan Memory Company (TMC), is likely heading into a storm now that the US government has...

Commentary: Can Motorola make a turnaround by riding on Android-powered handsets and white-box approach?

Sep 21, 16:29

Looking for ways to revive its struggling handset business, Motorola has recently come out with two relatively strong initiations - unveiling its first Android-powered handset, the...

Commentary: Chartered takeover price is almost TSMC capex for 2 years

Sep 8, 16:38

Morris Chang might have been surprised to learn that Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing will be sold to Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC) for a high price of US$3.9...

Commentary: HTC gets a wakeup call as it is forced to lower revenue guidance for 2009

Aug 6, 12:41

The price of HTC (High Tech Computer) shares dropped steeply for three consecutive trading sessions closing at NT$328 (US$10.03) on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) on August 5 after...

Commentary: Nokia says no to Android, but may look to Linux

Jul 7, 14:07

While acknowledging that Nokia has denied that it is working on Android-based smartphone, sources from Taiwan's handset industry still believe that the world's number one handset...

Commentary: Free-to-air was the theme of mobile TV during Computex

Jun 23, 16:46

Looking back at the product offerings at the recently concluded Computex Taipei 2009, you couldn't help notice that companies highlighting mobile DTV solutions based on the DVB standard...

Commentary: Is someone in Taiwan sitting on a pile of Atom CPUs?

May 6, 14:35

The reports that Intel is cracking down on notebook makers and IC distributors in Taiwan to stop Atom CPUs and chipsets...

Commentary: Rising chip prices may undermine Taiwan Memory

Mar 30, 10:35

Taiwan downstream DRAM makers are saying that the leading DRAM vendors, Samsung Electronics, Hynix Semiconductor, Micron Technology and Elpida Memory, are no longer tolerating low...

Commentary: Global slowdown takes tolls on EMS firms

Mar 10, 14:05

The losses posted by the EMS firm Foxconn International Holdings (FIH), the Hong Kong-listed handset subsidiary of Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), for the second...

Commentary: Investor confidence still key to Taiwan Memory success

Mar 9, 11:31

Taiwan Memory Company (TMC) and its appointed chairman John Hsuan are already in its mission to consolidate Taiwan's DRAM chipmakers and establish home-grown memory technology. However,...

Commentary: Is there a place for LTE in Taiwan?

Mar 4, 15:03

Although a number of the leading telecom equipment providers, including Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent, are urging the Taiwan government to look at the development of Long Term Evolution...

Commentary: Will the co-brand strategy for handsets work for Garmin and Asustek?

Feb 6, 16:58

The early February announcement of a strategic alliance between Asustek Computer and PND vendor Garmin to develop and market co-branded LBS (location base service)-centric mobile...

Commentary: Tech transfer emerging as the key to Taiwan DRAM makers winning government cash

Jan 15, 16:59

The Taiwan government's requests that Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC) and ProMOS Technologies resubmit their applications for bailout funding with clearer assurances that...

Commentary: ARM-Socle alliance stirs up rivalry among foundries

Nov 24, 17:06

ARM's license agreement with Socle Technology, a IC design service subsidiary of Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing, has heated up the competition in the foundry...

Commentary: Can a government bailout assure smooth sailing for Taiwan's DRAM industry?

Nov 11, 15:37

Taiwan's lawmakers, economic officials and state planners held a meeting on November 10 with the purpose of developing a strategy to save the island's loss-making DRAM industry. However,...

Commentary: Samsung's planned production of monitor panel at 8G fab to leave minor competitors struggling more

Nov 3, 11:51

Samsung Electronics' plan to roll out LCD monitor panels from its 8G fab is promising more threats to the survival of minor players who are already coming strong pressure from competitors'...

Commentary: Is consolidation a remedy to Taiwan's DRAM problems?

Oct 28, 13:01

The latest speculation about Taiwan's DRAM industry is that the Taiwan government may step into the dismal memory industry with an aim to push for a consolidation among the makers...

Commentary: Samsung production adjustment to help provide healthier supply situation in LCD market

Oct 15, 11:59

News of Samsung Electronics adjusting production has come as more of a relief than surprise to the LCD panel industry. After all, the LCD giant cannot be immune to the downturn in...

Commentary: Micron gains most in Inotera deal

Oct 14, 14:15

Micron Technology has come out as the biggest winner in the current DRAM industry downturn by reaching an agreement to take up Qimonda's 35.6% stake in Inotera Memories, a joint venture...

Commentary: AUO-Qisda LCD TV joint venture highlights integration trend in panel industry

Sep 29, 10:24

The joint venture between AU Optronics (AUO) and Qisda for LCD TV assembly highlights the trend where players in the panel industry are gearing up their business diversification and...

Commentary: LG Display and Amtran relationship off to embarrassing start

Sep 26, 12:32

The competitive landscape in the LCD TV industry has made for strange bed partners, with Korea-based LG and Amtran being one example. On the one hand LG Display (LGD) announced in...

Commentary: Are 18.5-inch LCD monitors in limbo?

Sep 19, 12:33

LCD panel makers are set on pushing 16:9 aspect ratio monitor applications to maximize their production at 6G lines. One of the new sizes is 18.5-inch and some monitor vendors have...

Commentary: Elpida-He Jian joint venture could deal a serious blow to Taiwan DRAM makers

Sep 16, 14:23

The latest news from Nikkei saying that Elpida Memory is going to build a 12-inch wafer fab in Suchou, China in cooperation with He Jian Technology could deal a serious blow to Taiwan...