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Wednesday 30 July 2025
Smart glasses surge powers EssilorLuxottica's growth, signaling eyewear's future in AI and health tech
Eyewear manufacturer EssilorLuxottica reported better-than-expected revenue growth in its second quarter of 2025, led by strong demand in Europe and a sharp rise in smart glasses sales. The company recorded total revenue of EUR7.18 billion (approx. US$8.31 billion), a 7.3% increase year-over-year on a constant currency basis, surpassing analyst forecasts of 5.9% growth, according to Bloomberg, Reuters, and CNBC.
Wednesday 30 July 2025
Apple's 2Q25 earnings appear optimistic, but industry remains cautious
Apple will announce its second-quarter financial results on July 31. The market currently holds a relatively optimistic view of its performance this year. Factors such as positive exchange rates, increased Mac and iPad shipments, and strong growth momentum in Apple's services revenue have led to upward revisions of its third-quarter performance forecasts.
Tuesday 29 July 2025
Apple closes first directly managed store in Dalian due to poor foot traffic
Apple's official China website shows that the last operating day for its Parkland Mall store in Dalian is August 9, 2025. This marks the closure of Apple's first directly managed store in China.
Tuesday 29 July 2025
From 'AMD killer' to AMD exec: Intel China veteran's stunning defection shocks industry
The man who once crushed AMD's dreams in China now works for them. Ian Yang, Intel China's former president dubbed the "AMD killer" for his ruthless campaign against the rival chipmaker, has made one of the semiconductor industry's most shocking career pivots — joining AMD as a senior executive.
Monday 28 July 2025
Chinese EMS providers pivot to smart glasses and robots as AI server boom bypasses them
While Taiwanese EMS firms aggressively capitalize on booming AI server demand, their Chinese counterparts are exploring alternative growth engines amid continued weakness in the consumer electronics market. Increasingly, Chinese EMS companies are turning their attention to long-term investments in emerging sectors such as smart glasses and robotics.
Monday 28 July 2025
Weekly News Roundup: MediaTek wins Meta's ASIC orders, Asus revives Xbox hardware, and YMTC plans China-made NAND Line
Below are the top DIGITIMES Asia stories from July 21 to 27, 2025. The top three topics include MediaTek winning Meta's order for 2nm ASIC; Asus, Microsoft revive Xbox hardware with ROG handheld launch; and YMTC plans to pilot a fully China-made NAND line in 2025.
Monday 28 July 2025
Exclusive: Meta turns to China for a second shot at smartwatches
Meta Platforms Inc. is reportedly reviving its smartwatch project, potentially with a camera lens, timed with its Meta Connect conference on September 17-18 in the US. The smartwatch is expected to complement Meta's upcoming AI glasses. China's Huaqin is said to be the primary manufacturer, while Taiwanese companies are not significantly involved.
Friday 25 July 2025
Acer Taiwan defies PC slump with commercial wins, gaming firepower
Acer Taiwan defied a broader PC market downturn in the first half of 2025, as currency headwinds and tariff risks weighed on consumer demand. COO Chang Shih-hsin said the company remains optimistic about the second half, citing strong commercial-sector momentum as the key driver.
Friday 25 July 2025
Asus, Microsoft revive Xbox hardware with ROG handheld launch, target 400,000-unit holiday debut
Asus is doubling down on gaming handhelds through a partnership with Microsoft, with plans to launch the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X in November and December 2025. Targeting the peak holiday season, Asus has set an initial shipment goal of 400,000 units. Priced between NT$20,000 and NT$29,000 (approx. US$680–990), the new models will be more expensive than the existing ROG Ally.
Tuesday 22 July 2025
Samsung's TV business in crisis mode as employees seek reassignment
Samsung Electronics' Visual Display (VD) division, responsible for Samsung's TV business, has been experiencing internal disorder since May 2025, a negative byproduct of its workplace and organizational restructuring.
Tuesday 22 July 2025
Hygon's 4GHz C86 chip marks China's shift from policy-driven to performance-led PCs

China's IT localization strategy has entered a new phase with the launch of Hygon Information Technology's C86 processor, a 4.0GHz x86-compatible chip now powering a broad lineup of domestic desktops and mobile workstations. The rollout marks a shift in China's PC market — from policy-driven deployment to performance-focused competition.

Tuesday 22 July 2025
Qualcomm targets India for smart glasses expansion
Qualcomm Technologies showcased its latest spatial computing innovations during the Snapdragon for India – XR Day event held on July 21, 2025, in New Delhi, reaffirming its confidence in smart glasses as the next major consumer tech platform. With a focus on India's tech-savvy population and booming 5G ecosystem, Qualcomm aims to lead the XR revolution in the region.
Tuesday 22 July 2025
Nvidia and MediaTek delay AI PC launch to 2026 due to Microsoft OS hurdles and market headwinds
MediaTek and Nvidia have postponed the launch of their highly anticipated AI PC platform to the first quarter of 2026, supply chain sources say, citing a combination of delays in Microsoft's operating system roadmap, ongoing chip revisions at Nvidia, and weakening demand in the overall notebook market.
Wednesday 16 July 2025
HTC to unveil new product on August 14, market optimistic about smart glasses debut
On August 15, HTC Corp. released a teaser image on the global HTC VIVE official community platform, hinting at the launch of a new product. The company is expected to unveil its first smart glasses during an event scheduled for August 14.
Monday 14 July 2025
Trans-sun Materials' revenue rises 4.6% month-over-month in June 2025 on AI demand
Trans-Sun Materials Technology, a Taiwan-based electronic functional materials manufacturer, posted June revenue of NT$116 million (approx. US$3.98 million), up 4.64% from May but down 2.95% year-over-year.
Monday 14 July 2025
India roundup: Apple taps Indian COO amid supply chain relocation
Apple named Indian Sabih Khan as the new COO as the firm accelerates sourcing components from India.
Sunday 13 July 2025
xMEMS to begin mass production of active cooling chips for XR smart glasses in 2026
xMEMS, a US-based supplier specializing in monocrystalline silicon microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) air pumps, has announced plans to expand its μCooling micro air-cooled active cooling chip into the extended reality (XR) smart glasses market. The company aims to start mass production of this technology in the first quarter of 2026.
Friday 11 July 2025
How Taiwan's EMS evolved: From PCs and smartphones to AI servers and deep semiconductor integration
The advent of the personal computer (PC) provided an opportunity for Taiwan's manufacturing services to further evolve.
Friday 11 July 2025
Samsung capitalizes on Apple's product gap with new foldable phone pre-orders
Samsung Electronics announced that its new Galaxy Z series foldable smartphones and Galaxy Watch 8 series smartwatches will be available for sale starting July 25, 2025. The company has begun a pre-order campaign in Taiwan to accelerate sales, especially targeting the 12GB+512GB foldable model.
Friday 11 July 2025
Apple bleeds AI talent as tech giants wage salary war
Apple, having yet to launch its promised AI-enhanced Siri voice assistant, now confronts an escalating exodus of its artificial intelligence experts. Key personnel, including Ruoming Pang, head of Apple's Foundation Models team, are reportedly leaving for competitors like Meta Platforms, raising concerns about Apple's future in AI innovation.
Thursday 10 July 2025
Samsung Harman to pay US$1.45 million settlement for violating US Iran sanctions
Harman, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co. specializing in audio and automotive electronics, has agreed to pay a US$1.45 million settlement for violating US sanctions on Iran. The penalty follows an investigation by the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Thursday 10 July 2025
OpenAI completes merger with Jony Ive's io products
OpenAI has officially merged with io Products, Inc., a hardware-focused startup founded by former Apple designer Jony Ive. The move formalizes a two-year collaboration that began between Ive, his creative collective LoveFrom, and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.
Thursday 10 July 2025
Stay or relocate: Taiwan makers weigh exodus amid weak government support
The free trade agreement (FTA) between the US and South Korea has now become irrelevant under Donald Trump's administration. Taiwan's tech products also face the possibility of losing the ITA and ITA 2 tariffs-free benefits granted under the WTO framework. Trump's tariff threat can be understood as a step to force Seoul to share the cost of stationing US troops in South Korea. But what does Trump want from Taiwan in the tariffs game? TSMC is already constructing wafer fabs and an R&D center in the US. Does Trump want AI server makers to set up assembly lines in the US, and for the Taiwan currency to sharply appreciate against the greenback?
Thursday 10 July 2025
Taiwan suppliers eye foldable smartphone growth, face barriers in South Korea
Taiwanese component suppliers are ramping up efforts to enter the growing foldable smartphone market, but penetrating South Korea's highly integrated supply chain remains a major challenge. Samsung Electronics unveiled its latest Galaxy Z foldable series on July 10, 2025, emphasizing slimmer, lighter designs—a trend seen as critical in the next phase of smartphone innovation.
Thursday 10 July 2025
Apple readies first upgrade to its struggling Vision Pro headset
Apple Inc. is planning to introduce its first upgrade to the $3,499 Vision Pro headset as early as this year, aiming to improve the performance and comfort of a device that has been slow to catch on with consumers.