Gambling is centuries old at this point and, regardless of opinion, will not be going away anytime soon. Instead, It will continue to evolve alongside humans. It has already come so far from the days of only land-based casinos to reveal a global network of online betting. Now, Malaysia is about to see a major evolution in the industry following decades of harsh restrictions.Due to the country being majority-Muslim, gambling has been largely banned, with exceptions made for non-muslims in specific areas. However, the rise of the internet has seen some of its citizens embrace gambling sites to get their needs met. As we approach 2025, the gambling scene in the country is on track to change once again.First, cryptocurrency will play a great role. These digital assets have been dominating the gambling scene around the world for a while now but Malaysia is about to see this in full force. Adoption rates of crypto and now gambling have been steadily growing, which could lead to some interesting results. As Michael Graw writes, many more people are looking to find Malaysian online casinos, and moving forward, we can only expect adoption rates to keep increasing.Several factors contribute to the popularity of crypto for gambling, including the chance to make more profit, increased privacy, and more control over assets. For the Malaysian audience, these continue to be a draw.Another trend we can expect to see is Artificial Intelligence. AI has become one of the most widely used technologies in the world thanks to tools like Chat-GPT. The gambling sector has not been left behind in this AI revolution, with the tech being used to offer personalized recommendations to players, enhance customer service, and whatnot. Online casinos are always in a bid to outdo one another and AI can give them a leg up. This, in turn, will increase players' expectations of what an online casino should offer and this will be reflected among Malaysian players as well.Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR and AR) are also having a moment, with gamers wanting a more immersive experience. Gambling consumers are not exempt as while they are happy to gamble from the comfort of their homes, many also want an experience closer to the 'real' casino. With this in mind, we will see more online casinos catering to the Malaysian market.Another trend will be eSports. While we have bet on sports played by other humans and even animals, the last few years have seen the rise of eSports, essentially sports that feature people playing video games. Several eSports tournaments have emerged, with millions of dollars in prize money on the line. This has been tied to the growth of the video game industry as a whole and has seen more people betting on them. Given the popularity of video games in Malaysia and the rise in betting, 2025 will see more eSports gambling in that market.Finally, 2025 could see major changes with regard to Malaysia's gambling laws. As we've pointed out, gambling is not as legally accepted in the country compared to others. But all the signs point to Malaysian gambling only becoming bigger and more profitable. If more people are gambling using innovative tech like blockchain and AI, the government will be under pressure to loosen its laws.Lobbying groups and changes in consumer attitudes could see Malaysia become more pro-gambling and that only stands to benefit the industry at large. As the next year unfolds, it will be interesting to see how these changes take shape.

Online security works both ways, with consumers eager for sites to provide the best security, and businesses and services requiring users to prove who they are to reduce the risk of fraud, money laundering, and other illegal activities.While many of these systems provide a much-needed service that protects consumer information and ensures sites are not being used for illicit activities, they can occasionally pose a problem with some users struggling to access sites or accounts.This has led to many exploring no-KYC alternatives, especially in sectors that deal directly with finances.KYC explainedKYC or Know Your Customer is a process used by financial institutions, health care providers, real estate companies, gambling operators, and many more to verify the identity of customers.The purpose of this is to mitigate the risk of criminal activities such as terrorist financing and money laundering. For many industries, these processes are mandatory and involve establishing the customer's identity, carrying out risk assessments, and cross-referencing databases.The US is governed by the CIP (Customer Identification Program) under the USA Patriot Act. The main purpose of the CIP is to verify the identities of those carrying out financial transactions as part of AML (anti-money laundering) protocols.How consumers can suffer from digital exclusionDigital exclusion can affect those trying to access existing accounts or those trying to set new ones up. This has led to some seeking alternatives with consumers often searching for the best anonymous casinos without KYC.Online casino expert Andrew O'Malley explains that it is not just digital exclusion that is causing consumers to explore alternatives. Quick and easy sign-up processes that don't require users to upload documents for approval are obvious benefits, but being able to gamble anonymously also brings unmatched security. Consumers who minimize the amount of data they share are less likely to have information stolen.While these options provide a great alternative to online gamblers, other services might not be as flexible. Banking services in particular must follow procedures set out in the jurisdictions they work in, sometimes leaving people struggling to open accounts.Identification DocumentsHundreds of millions of people around the world face digital exclusion, with one of the major causes being the requirement of identification documents. To ensure consumers upload qualifying identification documents, digital platforms implement rigid requirements.One of the major issues with international websites having rigid ID requirements is that there is no standardized system for documents, and most sites are tailored towards North American and European users.Those without documents that fit the requirements can find themselves excluded from online services, banking systems, and more. Digital literacyOnline services are a major part of modern life, but it is unfair to expect all consumers to have the same levels of digital literacy. Studies show that almost 220 million consumers are at threat of digital exclusion due to a lack of online skills.Access to resources and education is not guaranteed to all consumers around the world, and the failure of businesses to cater to this need leaves many stranded.Biometric authentication is another recent development that is helping to provide more secure networks. However, not everyone has a device to facilitate these services, and many more have physical or medical conditions that can make them difficult.Risk assessments Risk assessments are a natural part of financial services, and many people who would qualify for accounts may find themselves rejected through no fault of their own.One of the biggest causes of this kind of problem can be the location of the consumer. High-risk countries could be those with a history of fraud or financial crime, resulting in blanket exclusions that affect individuals.

Binance made an exciting announcement on September 17. Through a post on X, they revealed that a new play-to-earn game - Moonbix - is about to be released on Telegram's Mini App.Just like most other Telegram games, such as Hamster Kombat and 2048, Moonbix is likely to become a new sensation in the online gaming ecosystem. In fact, Telegram games are so widely popular that they even now encompass online casinos. After creating an account with Telegram-based casinos, players will have full access to classic games such as blackjack and poker straight from their Telegram app.If casino games aren't your cup of tea, there are many other Telegram Mini Apps (TMAs) simply waiting for your attention. TMAs are web-based applications that are running within Telegram, and more than 500 million people are using them every month. Keep in mind that approximately 950 people are using Telegram, which goes to show that more than half of its users are in favor of TMAs.Even though TMAs haven't been around that long, they have gone through a period of rapid rise. These applications have entered the market in 2023, and games like the aforementioned Hamster Kombat have already gained a huge audience.Taking into account everything we know about Moonbix so far, there's no doubt it will become the next big thing among TMAs.Moonbix is a unique, crypto-themed game. A few videos about it have already been shared, and it's apparent that this Binance creation has interesting gameplay. Players can expect to explore galaxies and collect items that will improve their scores. The game also promises great crypto rewards, and stumbling across items such as yellow stones will come with in-game value.As players top the charts, they also get a chance to stand apart from the competition, which can yield great rewards.Moonbix also lets you invite friends to play and get rewards in the game. Extending an invitation and having your friends join as new players can earn you up to 50,000 points. Since Binance is generous, friends who get invited will also earn a gift of 1,000 points; keep in mind that your chances of getting crypto rewards go up with more points, so this gift is definitely a step in the right direction.If you are particularly interested in rewards, you can check out the Moonbix Hall of Fame. Players who are at the top of the list earn special rewards in every game cycle, so it's worth trying extra hard during each game.While many have been impatiently waiting to find out more about the details of the game, the little insights we got weren't exactly planned. In fact, Binance made an announcement about the game being leaked ahead of time, followed by an apology for any inconvenience this might have brought.Moonbix still hasn't been officially launched, as the largest cryptocurrency exchange company wanted to perfect its application and provide players with an exceptional experience. They also asked their followers to kindly wait for the official release, the date of which will be revealed soon.However, Binance didn't want to keep its players completely in the dark. Thus, they went ahead and released the Terms and Conditions for its Telegram Mini App. Apart from that, the company also advised people to search for official news regarding the game on their channels. Binance's statement serves as an extra reminder that people should be aware of impersonation accounts, which is only one of the many cybersecurity risks individuals face anytime they are online.

Thanks to the AI tsunami, demand for AI chips from all sectors is continuing to surge. The Chip-on-Wafer-on-Substrate (CoWoS) architecture that dominates existing 2.5D and 3D packaging technologies is however held back by the number of chips that can be produced on 12" wafers. Demand for AI chips from the explosion of AI applications will therefore continue to outstrip supply for at least the next few years.The industry is now turning to Panel-level Packaging (PLP) to overcome problems such as low yield and high cost in AI chip production. Increasing the usable wafer area will greatly increase the production output of AI chips. It is true however that many challenges still remain in the commercialization process for PLP, be it the production process or materials.This is why Manz, a PLP pioneer and leading supplier of RDL production equipment, proposed the new Chip-on-Panel-on-Substrate (CoPoS) concept to achieve a breakthrough in production. Manz drew on its many years of experience with PCB, IC substrate, panel, and packaging processes to come up with the "CoWoS panelization" solution. Under the CoPoS packaging architecture, chips are laid out on a rectangular substrate instead of a circular substrate to eliminate a bottleneck in AI chip production.Panel-level packaging is the key to overcoming the AI chip production bottleneckManz Asia General Manager Robert Lin stated that advanced packaging architectures generally have three components : the Chip Layer, Silicon Interposer, and IC Substrate. Continued reductions in IC pin size and line width make finding the right substrate difficult. RDL technology is therefore needed to redistribute pin locations and make lines wider so they can be successfully connected to the PCB. RDL is therefore crucial to improving chip packaging yields.What future challenges will CoWoS face? As new generations of AI chips appear, the number of dies in a single AI chip package will naturally increase as well. The overall footprint of the packaging will naturally increase. For CoW AI chips of mainstream brands, their footprint will grow by 50x54mm in 2023 all the way to 66x68mm in 2026, and 80x80mm in 2027. The number of AI chipsets produced per 12" wafer will drop from 14 to 11 then 4 in response. The ongoing decline in CoW production output will continue to inflate the production costs of AI chipsets as well.According to Lin, 700x700mm, 600x600mm or even the smallest 510x515mm panel-level packages all offer several times the usable area of 12" wafers. Chip layouts are also easier to develop for the square substrates. It is therefore not hard to see why IC companies all believe that PLP will be the future and this will create a tremendous opportunity for CoPoS.Leverage experience with RDL R&D and mass production to overcome the challenges in the PLP processUnder the panelization concept, the interposer in the packaging is produced as panels instead of wafers. The IC substrate is also changed from organic substrate to glass substrate. Intel had previously announced in 2023 that glass will be the next-generation substrate. The Through Glass Vias (TGV) process will be used to form the conductive layer that connects the substrates of the chip's upper and lower circuits. Glass was chosen because it is more resistant to warpage and signal noise than organic substrates, and offers superior thermal dissipation.Manz is a long-time developer of RDL production equipment and is now developing production equipment for conductive layers on glass substrate. A full set of wet process equipment for cleaning, developing, etching, stripping, and electro-plating has now been progressively developed. Manz is also using its extensive experience to shorten the learning curve for the industry and help them realize the mass production of glass substrates faster.Transitioning from a circular to square packaging process requires extensive investment in R&D on materials and equipment. Lin believes that since panels have a larger area than wafers and very different production processes, the CoPoS concept is no doubt one of the best solutions to the problem of production capacity; on the other hand, problems such as warpage and evenness must still be overcome to achieve high-definition conductor patterns and this will represent a challenge for yield.The above challenges highlight the advantages offered by Manz and new opportunities. Manz has been investing in panel-level packaging process equipment for quite some time. The Company has not only accumulated extensive experience with the delivery of mass production solutions but is also familiar with customer concerns regarding warpage and evenness. For this reason, Manz works closely with electroplating solution, glass and other material suppliers to help customers resolve related production issues as quickly as possible. Manz has already developed key production modules for Fan-Out Panel Level Packaging (FOPLP) and TGV that are now being validated by customers for pilot and mass production.Manz's next move will be to conduct further R&D on breakthroughs in RDL layouts in order to meet customers' exacting requirements on minimization of line width/spacing for AI chips. Manz is aiming for a reduction from 10µm to 5µm or even to 2µm and 1µm in its role as a supporter of advanced processes.Manz has continued to develop new breakthroughs that will provide customers with even better quality products and servicesPhoto: Manz

DigiKey, a leading global commerce distributor offering the largest selection of technical components and automation products in stock for immediate shipment, was honored with Panduit's 2024 Top Global E-commerce Distributor Award for the seventh consecutive year.Panduit, a 25-year DigiKey partner, is a global leader in innovative electrical and network infrastructure solutions, serving as a trusted advisor to customers, addressing business challenges within data center, enterprise, and industrial environments."As a leader and continuous innovator in the ever-growing industrial automation ecosystem, DigiKey values its longstanding partnership with Panduit," said Eric Wendt, director, industrial automation for DigiKey. "As we continue our laser-focused approach to deliver superior execution and customer experience, we appreciate Panduit's reliability and expertise as a respected partner.""DigiKey's proactive alignment and commitment to driving growth initiatives have consistently elevated the Panduit brand within their ecosystem," said Jeanne Naughton, channel account manager at Panduit. "For the past seven years, DigiKey has maintained the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in their channel with Panduit. We sincerely thank DigiKey for 25 years of steadfast partnership!"For more information about DigiKey, please visit the DigiKey website.Panduit representatives recently recognized DigiKey with its seventh consecutive top global e-commerce distributor award. Credit: DigiKey

In a world where globalization is more than just a buzzword, international transactions play a vital role in keeping economies connected. Traditional banking methods have served as the backbone of these transactions for decades. But with the rise of cryptocurrencies, particularly Bitcoin and Ethereum, a new era of cross-border payments has emerged. Cryptocurrencies promise faster, cheaper, and more secure transactions, but they also bring their own set of challenges. Let's explore both the benefits and hurdles of using cryptocurrency for international transactions.The Role of Crypto WalletsTo engage in cryptocurrency transactions, you need a secure way to store and manage your digital assets, and this is where finding the right crypto wallet is critical. It's important to choose a wallet such as those recommended by bestcryptowallet that is secure, easy to use, and can hold multiple types of crypto (if you intend to purchase more than one coin).So, what are crypto wallets useful? A crypto wallet allows users to send, receive, and store their digital coins. There are two types of wallets: hot and cold.Hot wallets are accessed online and make day-to-day transactions easier. However, they are also more prone to hacking.Cold wallets are offline storage solutions, making them more secure but less accessible for immediate transactions.Selecting the right type of wallet is crucial for those dealing in international transactions. For instance, a business engaging in daily cryptocurrency payments might prefer a hot wallet for quick access, whereas an individual looking to store large amounts of crypto for long-term use may choose a cold wallet.Benefits of Cryptocurrency for International TransactionsLower Transaction FeesOne of the primary benefits of using cryptocurrency for international transactions is the potential to save money on fees. Traditional banking systems charge hefty fees for wire transfers, especially when currency conversion is involved. Cryptocurrency transactions, on the other hand, eliminate the need for intermediaries, which can significantly reduce transaction costs.Faster Cross-Border PaymentsBank transfers can take several days to process, depending on the country and the banks involved. Cryptocurrency transactions, however, can be completed in a matter of minutes or hours, regardless of the geographical location. This speed is especially valuable for businesses that need to settle international invoices or for individuals sending money to family members abroad.Take Bitcoin, for example: a standard transaction can take about 10 minutes to confirm, while traditional banking systems may take 3-5 business days to process a cross-border payment. This speed makes crypto highly attractive for both personal and business purposes.Enhanced SecurityCryptocurrencies operate on blockchain technology, which is essentially a decentralized ledger. This technology provides a high level of security as it is nearly impossible to alter or manipulate transaction records. Each transaction is verified by multiple nodes in the network, ensuring that fraud is minimized. Furthermore, because cryptocurrencies are not tied to any government or financial institution, the risk of political instability affecting the transaction is considerably lower.Access to the Unbanked PopulationApproximately 1.4 billion adults globally are unbanked, according to the World Bank. Many of these individuals live in regions with limited access to banking services, making it difficult for them to participate in the global economy. Cryptocurrencies, which only require an internet connection, offer a way for these individuals to send and receive money internationally without needing a traditional bank account.Challenges of Cryptocurrency for International TransactionsSome of the main challenges of international crypto transactions include:VolatilityCryptocurrencies are notoriously volatile. The price of Bitcoin, for example, has seen dramatic swings, rising from $10,000 to nearly $65,000 in 2021, only to crash down to $35,000 shortly thereafter. This volatility makes it difficult for both businesses and individuals to predict the exact amount of money being sent or received.Regulatory IssuesCryptocurrency operates in a legal gray area in many countries. Some nations, such as El Salvador, have embraced Bitcoin as legal tender, while others, like China, have banned it outright. This inconsistency in regulation creates uncertainty for those wishing to use cryptocurrency for international transactions. There is also the risk that governments may impose new regulations or taxes on cryptocurrency transactions, which could reduce the benefits of using digital currency.Lack of Widespread AcceptanceAlthough cryptocurrencies are growing in popularity, they are still not universally accepted as a form of payment. Major financial institutions and governments remain cautious, and many businesses and individuals are hesitant to adopt a payment system they may not fully understand. This lack of widespread adoption limits the usefulness of cryptocurrencies for international transactions.In 2023, only about 23% of global businesses accepted cryptocurrency as a form of payment, according to a report by Deloitte. Until adoption rates increase, users of cryptocurrency for international transactions may still need to convert their digital assets to fiat currencies, incurring additional fees and potential losses due to conversion rates.ConclusionCryptocurrency offers numerous benefits for international transactions, including lower fees, faster payments, enhanced security, and access to unbanked populations. However, it is not without its challenges, particularly in terms of volatility, regulatory issues, and lack of widespread acceptance. Which is why risk aversion is critical. Additionally, choosing the right crypto wallet is essential for ensuring secure and efficient transactions. As cryptocurrency continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these benefits and challenges balance out, potentially revolutionizing the future of international finance.The benefits and challenges of using cryptocurrency for international transactions

Fast-growing demand for transportation efficiency and increasingly stringent environmental protection regulations have made it essential for the global commercial vehicle sector to adopt a digital transition strategy. Market research reports showed that the growing prevalence of electric vehicles (EVs), and increasing demand from logistics and infrastructure investments all contributed to the growth of the global commercial vehicle market to US$877.05 billion in 2023. The market is expected to grow to US$952.5 billion with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6% in 2024, surpassing the US$1.11 trillion mark in 2032. At the IAA Transportation 2024 trade show held in Germany in September 2024, Scania unveiled an innovative preventive maintenance system while Volvo demonstrated a variety of vehicle power systems based on advanced technologies such as electric batteries and hydrogen energy. Similar technologies could also be found at the booths of other leading commercial vehicle vendors. Inelastic demand for electrification and smart technology in logistic vehicles is clearly starting to emerge.Carota indicated that it observed several trends in the market based on recent developments in smart technology commercial vehicles. The first of these is the rapidly growing field of smart fleet management. The explosion in a number of commercial vehicles has compelled the logistics industry to optimize its operating efficiency, leading to the development of smart fleet management systems. Advanced hardware and software integration systems running default algorithms and machine learning can be used to continuously improve fleet efficiency on the cloud side and the vehicle side. Such systems must integrate real-time key indicators such as vehicle positioning, energy consumption, and driving conditions, or even support smart pre-dispatching. Such systems must provide managers with all the data and video in real time to support quality decision-making.The next trend is the application of OTA technology, where its ability to update software and firmware remotely greatly reduces servicing/maintenance costs and downtime. OTA has already become a key function in commercial vehicle systems where it not only offers improved vehicle performance but also patches security vulnerabilities on time to ensure optimal vehicle performance at all times. The third trend is the demand for high-performance transportation. The vibrant growth of e-commerce poses many challenges for the logistics industry. Vendors must improve their vehicle load factor, reduce empty loads, and lower operating costs. Such challenges are also spurring the rapid development of innovative logistic solutions such as smart warehousing and route optimization algorithms.In response to these trends and challenges in smart technology for commercial vehicles, Carota proposed a series of innovative solutions at IAA Transportation 2024. The Carota fleet management system incorporates advanced AI technology to assist logistics operators with optimizing their route planning and dispatch times. Driver safety is also improved. According to Carota, the system not only analyzes traffic conditions and vehicle data in real-time but also predicts potential problems and suggests solutions to help operators improve their transportation efficiency and lower operating costs.Carota's industry-leading OTA technology and remote diagnostics service can identify potential problems remotely, and onboard system software and firmware can then be quickly and reliably updated. For large fleets, the technology effectively shortens vehicle servicing times and ensures the availability of onboard systems. Carota's OTA is also highly secure and effectively protects against malicious attacks and data theft.The same OTA technology also has extensive applications for the smart cockpit. The integration of high-definition displays, voice control, and gesture recognition technology greatly enhances the driving experience. The smart dashboard which displays key vehicle performance metrics can also assist drivers in making safe and effective driving decisions.In addition to its in-house solutions, Carota also demonstrated its smart products in conjunction with Qualcomm, MOVON AI, AU Optronics, ADLINK, and other partners in IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024. In particular, the IoT Aware Tracker from Qualcomm is a tracking device with a wide range of sensing functions for monitoring transportation trajectory, temperature, humidity, pressure, and ambient lighting of the cargo and cargo space during transportation. All data is synchronized with the Carota fleet management platform to provide administrators with a visualization of its real-time data, cloud analysis, and insight reports. The cargo is tracked, and a completed set of transportation records is maintained.The MOVON AI-driven driver safety and monitoring system integrates advanced computer graphics processing technology. Driving conditions and driver behavior with data privacy protection are both tracked to prevent fatigue driving and reckless driving and establish a safe, comfortable driving environment. The smart cockpit for commercial vehicles and cabin control unit from AUO integrates a hidden camera, IR sensor, ambient lighting sensor, climate control system, and large embedded touchscreen display to create seamless multi-display applications in vehicle cockpits, real-time navigation, scenario-based safety, multimedia entertainment, interactive gaming, and video conferencing. The solution's lightweight and high performance can be used to improve human-machine interactions and boost the passenger experience.In summary, the smart mobility solution from Carota can help the logistics industry resolve its current pain points. Carota's fleet management can improve operational efficiency and reduce the empty load rate of vehicles through precise route planning and timely dispatching. OTA technology can leverage vehicle software updates and optimization of charging strategies for EVs to maximize battery efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and realize the goal of sustainable development. Carota is now actively working with automakers, Tier-1 suppliers, and the Information communications technology (ICT) industry to promote smart mobility for the future. An open model for cooperation will hopefully help build a complete ecosystem for smart transportation that will not only satisfy the requirements of both logistics and cargo customers, but also spearhead the industry's push towards a new, smarter, and more sustainable future.Carota's booth showcases commercial smart mobility solutions in IAA Transportation 2024

Atotech, MKS Instruments' globally leading brand in surface-finishing solutions, will participate in one of the most important PCB events, the 25th Taiwan Circuit Industry International Exhibition (TPCA Show) and International Microsystems, Packaging, Assembly and Circuits Technology Conferences (IMPACT) to be held in Taipei, Taiwan from October 23-25, 2024.We will present the combined new product offering of the strategic brands Atotech (process chemicals, equipment, software, and services) and ESI (laser via drilling systems) to provide leading manufacturing solutions for printed circuit boards and package substrate manufacturing.By combining our leading capabilities in lasers, optics, motion, process chemistry, and equipment, MKS is best positioned to Optimize the Interconnect, a significant enabling point of next-generation advanced electronics that represents the next frontier for miniaturization and complexity. Our Optimize the Interconnect philosophy highlights our unique position in supporting the development of next-generation advanced PCB and package substrates for our customers and partners. We are committed to enabling new technologies as well as increasingly smaller feature sizes by combining MKS' ESI laser drilling technologies with MKS' Atotech chemistry and plating equipment.MKS' Atotech and ESI teams will be represented by a distinguished group of industry and technology experts from diverse sectors. They will be available at booth K-915 to discuss the latest trends and challenges facing the industry. Attendees can also learn about our integrated product offerings, which include PCB production equipment – such as wet-to-wet process equipment, laser systems, and auxiliary tools - alongside our advanced chemistry, software, and service solutions.Product highlights at the showEddy Chen, Marketing Manager-EL Gr. China at MKS' Atotech, expressed, "We are pleased to announce our continued partnership in hosting the IMPACT industrial forum this year. During these sessions, we will focus on advanced AI packages and the transition from organic materials to glass core, and process solutions for advanced printed circuit boards (PCBs) that meet the growing requirements of AI package manufacturing. Furthermore, our experts from Atotech and ESI will present six related papers at the conference scheduled for October 23, 24, and 25."IMPACT - MKS' Atotech industrial forum: Advancing AI chips from silicon to PCB MKS' Atotech IMPACT Technical Conference ParticipationMKS | Atotech | ESI Booth: K-915For more information please visit: TPCA Show 2024

The annual OCP (Open Compute Project) Global Summit held every fall in San Jose, California, is a significant event for the global open computing community, bringing together industry leaders, researchers, and pioneers to discuss the latest developments in OCP projects and to share future challenges and innovation opportunities. The 2024 OCP Global Summit, taking place from October 15 to 17, centers around the theme "From Ideas to Impact," emphasizing OCP's commitment to accelerating responses to emerging trends and market demands while promoting openness, efficiency, sustainability, and scalability within the data center industry.At this year's summit, a competitive atmosphere filled the venue as exhibitors showcased their latest server solutions. As a leading global server chassis manufacturer, Chenbro made a significant impression by unveiling its latest server solutions based on the OCP DC-MHS (Data Center Modular Hardware System) architecture and AI server chassis products based on NVIDIA's MGX architecture. Chenbro's new products, co-developed with various system vendors and branded manufacturers, were prominently displayed across multiple booths at the event, underscoring the company's dedication to accelerating the development and time-to-market of next-generation products for its customers.Expanding presence at OCP Summit with next-generation server solutionsRamble Zhang, Associate Vice President of Global R&D and Product Development at Chenbro, highlighted that the Open Compute Project (OCP) was established in 2011 by Meta (formerly Facebook), Intel, Rackspace, and Goldman Sachs as a non-profit organization. Its mission is to promote open data center hardware architectures, drive product designs, and foster practical applications for its members and the industry.The initial aim of OCP was to provide ready-to-use hardware solutions for cloud service providers (CSPs) offering content or application services, significantly benefiting Meta due to its large-scale requirements. As a result, OCP has gradually evolved into a robust community organization, profoundly impacting the entire IT industry. Key technologies such as the OCP I/O module specification and OAM architecture have been widely adopted and recognized, with the OCP I/O module becoming a standard in data centers alongside NVIDIA HGX and OAM architectures. While other CSPs like AWS, Microsoft, and Oracle have not fully adopted OCP architectures, they have referenced relevant specifications, leading to many "OCP-like" product developments.According to Ramble, with the growth of standard OCP products and OCP-like products, OCP has become one of the most influential standard-setting organizations worldwide, spanning from upstream IC companies like Intel, AMD, and NVIDIA, as well as midstream CSPs, ODMs, SIs, and downstream component suppliers. This is one of the main reasons Chenbro decided to participate in the OCP summit this year. Previously, Chenbro primarily assisted its clients in attending and showcasing products. This year, however, the company aims to establish itself as a key player in the industry. In addition to showcasing its new generation of server chassis solutions at the OCP Summit, Chenbro is also planning to join the OCP Committee to make a more significant contribution to the IT industry.DC-MHS and MGX: Converging in the OCP ecosystemDC-MHS was one of the critical technologies Chenbro presented at the summit. This technology aims to establish open standards and build up a flexible and scalable ecosystem to meet modern data centers' growing demands in computing, transmission, and storage. The development of DC-MHS can be traced back to early standards like ATX and SSI, which addressed general-purpose requirements in a more efficient hardware environment.Since 2010, the SSI specification has struggled to meet the demands of high-performance data centers, prompting the industry to explore various proprietary specifications. However, as the industry's needs converged, more companies began to focus on open standards, ultimately forming the preliminary framework for DC-MHS in 2020.Chenbro collaborated with Intel to develop the first DC-MHS proof-of-concept (POC) platform and worked with numerous ODMs and SIs to launch various general-purpose computing products based on the platform. Subsequently, AMD also joined the DC-MHS ecosystem, and the involvement of Dell and HPE further accelerated the standard's development and adoption.The convergence of DC-MHS with the OCP standard has further propelled its growth, enabling the integration of CSP demands and ultimately leading to the creation of the new OCP standard, SDNO. Chenbro now fully supports SDNO and is actively collaborating with leading IC companies, OEM manufacturers, and system integrators to promote the adoption and development of this new standard.In addition, Chenbro's MGX products for AI applications are closely aligned with the OCP SDNO standard, forming a complementary relationship with DC-MHS. Whether it's DC-MHS or MGX, both continuously strengthen their connections with OCP. By leveraging this ecosystem platform, Chenbro is driving the diversification of data center solutions."While companies may start from different points, they often face similar challenges and issues, leading to similar solutions," Ramble explained. "These commonalities can be consolidated into an industry consensus, ultimately forming standardized solutions. This is why now is the best time to proactively promote key products based on the DC-MHS and MGX platforms, raising market awareness and bringing these solutions to a broader range of potential customers."Embracing robust architectures to create a structured and predictable futureThe development of DC-MHS is supported by two major specifications: FLW and DNO. FLW is primarily designed for dual-socket configurations to meet high-performance computing demands, while DNO focuses on single-socket designs aiming to support mainstream applications, especially in scenarios with multiple I/O requirements.The subsequent launch of SDNO inherits the architectures of FLW and DNO, incorporating more CSP requirements to provide greater flexibility. From DC-MHS to SDNO, both maintain a high degree of interoperability in terms of design philosophy and specifications. For instance, many well-known 1U and 2U general-purpose server products are based on the FLW architecture, featuring high-performance configurations such as "Dual Socket + 32 DIMMs." In contrast, DNO is about half the size of FLW but supports more I/O configurations within that space, making it particularly suitable for GPU application scenarios.Taking NVIDIA's MGX architecture as an example, the latest product, GB200, is designed based on the DNO architecture. MGX provides CSP customers with server applications in 1U and 2U sizes, such as the NVL72, launched earlier this year, deploying a 1U Compute Tray within a single cabinet, supporting up to 72 B200 chips. The NVL36 extends this to a 2U Compute Tray application. In enterprise applications, MGX offers a 2U standalone model that supports traditional PCIe GPU cards, with configurations of up to four GPUs and supports air-cooled solutions. MGX also offers a 4U model capable of accommodating 8 to 16 PCIe GPU cards, available with both air-cooled and liquid-cooled solutions. The MGX product line covers various configurations, from high-density 1U to 2U and 4U models, with different cooling modes to address multiple application needs.Ramble emphasized that whether it's DC-MHS or MGX, both are architectures around which Chenbro builds its ecosystems. These architectures support different application scenarios, and it is thanks to these standards and frameworks that the entire industry can develop in a structured and orderly manner. This year, Corona Chen, CEO of Chenbro personally attended the OCP Summit, showcasing the company's commitment to developing these ecosystems alongside upstream and downstream partners, providing better services for end customers, and guiding the future direction of technology.Chenbro showcases flexible, scalable server designs for AI and data centers at the 2024 OCP SummitPhoto: Company

In recent years, digital health has become a new development trend in the global health and medical industry. By using information and communication technology (ICT) alongside a range of wearable measurement devices and together with big data and artificial intelligence (AI) technology, it all combines to greatly enhance health care system efficiency. As an example in the health care arena, diabetes prevention and care measures are vital. From the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) 2021 report, approximately 537 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes, a figure which is expected to rise to 643 million by the year 2030. It is therefore no surprise that blood glucose meter products are exhibiting a growing trend. As a result of technological developments, in recent years, wearable blood glucose meters (CGM) are providing an effective way of monitoring blood sugar levels. This provides a means for users to enhance their diabetes management, resulting in rapid growth for such products. A research report by Allied Market Research shows that the glucose monitoring system market size was US$6.62 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand to US$31.7 billion by 2031. This shows a compound annual growth rate of 17%.Holtek has accumulated extensive experience in the health measurement market for products that measure blood sugar, blood pressure, body fat, body temperature, heart rate, blood oxygen, and other health parameters. Since 2020, the number of related devices is approaching 300 million. For traditional blood glucose meters (BGM), the company has released a range of precision measurement MCUs such as the BH67F2472 and the USB interface type BH67F2475, which are suitable for general blood glucose meters. The BH67F2476 and the USB interface type BH67F2495 are used in high-precision blood glucose meter products and have been widely utilized both in domestic and overseas markets. All of these devices are utilized by major health measurement product manufacturers with more than 100 million blood glucose meter devices being sold since 2020. Holtek has also launched complete device solutions that incorporate the advantages of small size, low power consumption, and high precision for continuous glucose meters (CGM). These include the BLE MCU HT32F67595 and the CGM blood glucose meter AFE MCU, the BH66F2475.Comparison between Holtek AFE MCU and RF MCUHoltek CGM System SolutionPower Supply: uses CR1216 button cell, continuous use for 24 daysSize: 23mm diameterAccuracy: ±0.05nA when sensor current is between 0 and 30nA.Holtek CGM DataThrough its solution company, BestHealth, Holtek provides an extensive range of development support for its health measurement product customers. The company provides technical services, which include product development platforms, complete solutions, and professional modules. These core technologies are aimed at minimally invasive blood sampling analysis (blood sugar, uric acid, blood ketones, total cholesterol), HCT analysis (multi-frequency AC impedance/phase angle), CGM continuous dynamic blood glucose monitoring technology, electronic sphygmomanometer technology, PPG measurement technology (blood oxygen, heart rate, blood pressure, HRV heart rate variability), PI (perfusion index), transmission blood oxygen measurement technology (heart rate, blood oxygen), thermopile infrared temperature measurement technology, etc.