Taipei iCatch Technology, a Taiwan leading image processing SoC and solution provider and DXOMARK, the global authority in image quality evaluation as well as provider of imaging solutions, have entered into a strategic collaboration to establish the first automatic  image quality performance evaluation lab in Taiwan. Installed at iCatch facilities, this new laboratory will enable iCatch to design and fine tune the next generation of ThetaEye AI Image Signal Processors (ISPs) with the objective of helping the ecosystem deliver best-in-class image quality experiences to strategic collaboration.Advancing Image Quality Evaluation StandardsThe laboratory is powered by DXOMARK's scientifically rigorous image quality evaluation methodology, which uniquely combines objective measurements with perceptual assessments. This dual approach enables a more comprehensive evaluation of image quality, bridging measurable performance with real user perception.On the objective measurement side, the laboratory integrates a brand-new all-in-one setup that consolidates multiple measurement capabilities into a single streamlined system. Supported by state-of-the-art equipment, this configuration delivers accurate, repeatable, and reliable results. AI-based detail preservation metrics are applied to provide realistic assessments of image quality, while full protocol automation ensures high efficiency and consistency throughout the evaluation process.Bridging Measurement and Human PerceptionComplementing objective measurements, the perceptual evaluation setup recreates DXOMARK's real-life shooting scenarios within fully controlled environments. These scenes are designed to simulate a wide range of challenging conditions, including complex lighting situations, to closely mirror everyday usage.The setup also ensures representation of diverse skin tones and human subjects, supporting inclusive and consistent image rendering across different populations. By aligning technical evaluation with human perception, the laboratory enables imaging algorithms to be tuned based on how users actually experience image quality.Accelerating Imaging R&D and Product InnovationWith this image quality evaluation laboratory, iCatch can integrate perceptual image quality considerations at the earliest stages of product development. User-centric evaluation results can be directly translated into ThetaEye AI ISP architecture decisions and algorithm design, significantly improving development efficiency and shortening optimization cycles.This approach allows iCatch to systematically align image quality performance with user expectations, strengthening its ability to deliver differentiated and high-quality imaging solutions across applications."The iCatch DXOMARK Videocall Lab illustrates our shared ambition to lead innovation in video communication. By combining DXOMARK's scientific expertise with advanced lab capabilities, we provide iCatch with a facility that delivers precision, automation, and perceptual evaluations at the core of their development process," said Laurent Chanas, Technical Director at DXOMARK."Integrating DXOMARK's image quality evaluation framework fundamentally elevates how we design and validate imaging performance," said CY Wu, CTO at iCatch. "This laboratory is not just an infrastructure investment; it is a key engine that transforms user perception into actionable innovation for our ThetaEye AI ISP and imaging algorithm development."

Entering 2026, the electronics supply chain is defined by strong demand, shifting trade policies, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Customers increasingly seek supply assurance and smarter inventory strategies. For global leaders like NewPower Worldwide - one of the industrys fastest-growing independent distributors, powered by its advanced sourcing technology, EMPOWER, - adaptability is critical. NewPower Worldwide's experts weigh in on the trends that will shape the year ahead.What does NewPower Worldwide see as the greatest opportunity for distributors this year — and the biggest risk to growth?The greatest opportunity for distributors in 2026 lies in delivering value well beyond traditional pick and ship distribution. As customers look for supply chain assurance, inventory optimization, and cost efficiency, the distributors that pair creative, data driven solutions with broad market coverage - rather than chasing a single hot sector - will lead.NewPower Worldwide is leaning into this by combining global reach, advanced analytics, and value added services to help customers navigate complexity and unlock working capital and continuity benefits across many different end markets.The biggest risk is twofold. First, there is the danger of overreliance on any one trend, particularly the rapidly expanding AI segment, where market corrections or consolidation could create temporary headwinds. Second, the more unpredictable threats - geopolitical shocks, wars, trade disputes, or OEM specific disruptions like those seen recently with Nexperia - can reshape supply chains overnight and are largely outside any distributor's direct control.NewPower Worldwide mitigates these risks through a diversified customer and end market portfolio and a suite of value added services, from kitting and inventory management to surplus reduction, allowing rapid adjustment to shifting conditions while continuing to deliver stability and measurable results for customers.How would NewPower Worldwide describe its business outlook for 2026 — bullish, cautious, or uncertain — and what key factors are driving that sentiment?NewPower Worldwide's outlook for 2026 is bullish with measured optimism. The surge in AI and Artificial Intelligence–driven applications, especially high-performance computing, continues to fuel strong global demand for electronic components, supported by robust growth in cloud infrastructure, automotive electrification, and industrial automation. At the same time, we remain mindful of macroeconomic volatility, geopolitical tensions, and emerging trade restrictions that could add to supply chain complexity. The key is balance - maintaining confidence in long-term AI and broader technology growth while staying adaptable to disruption. NewPower Worldwide's global network, real-time market intelligence, and customer-first execution give us the strength and agility to perform in both favorable and uncertain conditions, positioning us to capture the upside of AI and Artificial Intelligence–driven demand while actively managing risk.How are current or potential tariffs and trade shifts shaping NewPower Worldwide’s sourcing, pricing, or customer strategy heading into 2026?At NewPower Worldwide, agility and diversification continue to define our sourcing and customer strategy as we head into 2026. Global trade conditions remain fluid, with evolving tariffs and regional policy changes influencing pricing and supply dynamics, so we have focused on strengthening supplier relationships, diversifying our sourcing base, and maintaining a flexible structure that can adapt quickly to shifting trade landscapes.NewPower Worldwide's proprietary EMPOWER technology enhances this adaptability by providing real-time market intelligence, pricing visibility, and predictive analytics that help us anticipate changes before they impact our customers. EMPOWER plugs directly into our customers' operating systems, our suppliers' platforms, and the sophisticated systems used by our transportation and logistics providers, enabling fast, accurate data exchange and reducing errors. This deep integration, combined with real-time visibility into global routing options, allows us to navigate around tariffs, congestion, and other logistical challenges - often avoiding or significantly reducing their impact - while ensuring continuity of supply, pricing stability, and a consistently higher level of customer support across all markets.In NewPower Worldwide's view, what will separate successful distributors from the rest by 2030?By 2030, the line between franchised and independent distribution, which began to blur a decade ago, has effectively disappeared. Customers now control their own destinies and are taking, or about to take, significant measures to manage their supply chains as effectively as possible. The distributors who will succeed are those who evolve alongside their customers - providing measurable value through adaptability, transparency, and strategic partnership.At NewPower Worldwide, we are already embracing this new model by building long-term relationships founded on trust, leveraging EMPOWER for deep data intelligence, and offering global inventory programs that help our customers navigate uncertainty with confidence. Distributors that evolve with their customers to become true collaborators - anticipating needs, delivering customized solutions, and enhancing supply chain control - will define success and lead the distribution industry in the coming decade.For more information, visit  NewPower Worldwide official webiste or email. 

Attopsemi, a pioneering provider of innovative One-Time Programmable (OTP) IP solutions, today announced a significant technological leap: its proprietary I-fuse technology has achieved silicon validation on the 7nm FinFET process. Following the previous success on 12nm process, this latest milestone reinforces Attopsemi's technical agility in scaling its proprietary solutions alongside the cutting edge of semiconductors.Unlike conventional OTP solutions, I-fuse offers a comprehensive portfolio spanning multiple generations—from polysilicon to High-K Metal Gate (HKMG) and FinFET—without requiring additional mask layers or Boolean masking operations. This ensures seamless integration and high portability across a broad spectrum of process technologies.Attopsemi's revolutionary I-fuse is programmed below "thermal runaway." This allows electromigration (EM) to serve as the one and only one programming mechanism, ensuring high reliability guaranteed by fundamental physics. By utilizing metal as the fuse material, I-fuse benefits from the inherent scalability of Moore's Law: as metal width and height shrink, so do programming current and overall IP footprint. This scalability makes metal I-fuse stand out among other OTP technologies.The integration of I-fuse into advanced FinFET nodes enables a new generation of applications where small area, high reliability, low-power programming and low current read are critical. This OTP technology is poised to significantly impact the global semiconductor community, especially for AI and chiplets that need chips on very advanced nodes and from heterogeneous process technologies on the same package."Being able to scale I-fuse across FinFET nodes from 12nm to 7nm demonstrates I-fuse can be ported directly to 2nm GAA and beyond. The fundamental I-fuse programming mechanism for GAA is still the same, different MOS structures built by GAA are just to deliver currents." said Shine Chung, Chairman of Attopsemi.Attopsemi continues to make significant strides in providing high-performance, cost-effective OTP technologies. Its rapid growth and technical milestones demonstrate a ready-to-deploy solution now available across an expanding range of world-class foundries.