Recent rumors stated that Microsoft mandated its Chinese employees to only use iPhones when logging into the company's systems and performing identity verification.
Samsung has announced plans to expand its support for DSPs (Design Service Partners) to help South Korean IC design companies deepen their presence in the HPC (High-Performance Computing) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) fields.
BYD reached an agreement with the Turkish government to invest $1 billion in building an electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle factory in the region. The new factory is set to start production by the end of 2026. It will have an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles, making it the first foreign-owned Electric Vehicle (EV) plant in Turkey.
SK Hynix, the South Korean memory giant, is ramping up its recruitment of system semiconductor experts, especially targeting staff from Samsung Foundry and IC design, according to Korean media reports. The company is seeking relevant talents to improve the performance of HBM4, the sixth-generation high-bandwidth memory (HBM) set for mass production in 2025, as well as to advance the development of 3D DRAM and processor-in-memory (PIM) technologies.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott's Indo-Pacific trip has brought him to South Korea, where he has focused on strengthening economic ties and exploring technological collaborations. The governor's visit to Samsung Electronics' facility in Pyeongtaek underscored the deep cooperation between Texas and Samsung.
Samsung Electronics held its Galaxy Unpacked 2024 event on the evening of July 10 in Paris, France. The company introduced its new generation of foldable phones, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 series, new smartwatches Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Watch 7, and true wireless earbuds Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and Galaxy Buds 3. Samsung aims to create a brand-new mobile ecosystem through the "AI For All" concept, enhancing operational performance and providing consumers with a better mobile experience.
The strengthening of shipment pull-ins for foldable smartphones from China has buoyed related chip component suppliers' sales performance, according to industry sources.
Supply chain sources indicate that following the reveal of the new AI platform Apple Intelligence at the WWDC in June and the announcement that it will be integrated into the iPhone 16 series of products, the market anticipates that it will fuel a new wave of device upgrades.
Amid China's skyrocketing demand for computing power and a tight supply of AI chips, an industry leader has proposed a solution to leverage the nation's diverse hardware and software resources.
Japanese companies are doubling down on investments in semiconductor materials, a sector where they already dominate the global market. This comes amidst generous government subsidies aimed at bolstering the domestic chipmaking industry.
Chinese PCB manufacturers are fueling an investment boom in Southeast Asia, particularly in Thailand, as they adapt to shifting global trade dynamics and seek demand beyond their domestic market. Industry sources report that at least seven of China's top 10 PCB manufacturers have established production facilities in Thailand.
Taiwan-based semiconductor equipment manufacturers are increasingly involved in the supply chains of TSMC and Chinese foundries, according to industry sources. SEMI projects global semiconductor equipment sales will grow 3.4% year-on-year in 2024, reaching US$109 billion, with further growth expected in 2025 driven by demand from both frontend and backend sectors.
Just 19 of China's 137 current electric car brands will be profitable by the end of the decade, leaving the rest to exit the industry, consolidate, or battle for a minor market share, according to consultancy Alixpartners.
