Smiths Interconnect, a leading provider of high-reliability connectivity products and solutions serving segments of aerospace and defense, medical, semiconductor test, and industrial markets, announces its top-performing distributors in 2024.The Distribution Awards initiative recognizes business partners who have significantly contributed to the growth of Smiths Interconnect across its three operating regions: the Americas, EMEA, and Asia. Winners in each region were selected based on their exceptional performance compared to the previous fiscal year. "With the Smiths Interconnect Distribution Awards, we recognize the vital role our distributors play in our success, and we look forward to continued growth for our businesses," said Vera Parker, President of Smiths Interconnect.Thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of our distributors across all three regions, a greater number of business partners have been awarded this year. A total of seven distributors have been honored for their outstanding contributions.In the Americas, FDH Electronics has been awarded the distributor of the year. FDH is a long-lasting partner of Smiths Interconnect (beginning the business relationship with Electro Enterprises), and over the years, they have proved to be a trusted and collaborative partner. A couple of recent initiatives have contributed to their growth: the Hyper series stocking package made FDH Electronics an international partner for the selected hyperboloid contacts, and the stocking package for cPCI connectors definitely boosted their growth.Jerilynn Johnston, Distribution Manager Americas, and Brian Long, Director of America Sales at Smiths Interconnect, celebrate 2024 Americas distribution award with Mitch Enright, President, and Nathan Little, Vice President, Sales at FDH Electronics. Credit: Smiths InterconnectIn the EMEA region, Smiths Interconnect has recognized two distinct distributors for their outstanding growth throughout 2024. The Spanish distributor SCP SINTERSA (Sistemas de Interconexión SA) has achieved the best growth during 2024 for the Connectors product line.Thanks to its well-established sales network and strong business relationships with key customers, the Spanish company has achieved outstanding results across the Iberian Peninsula. These successes are also driven by a solid inventory of connectors and the added value provided by its cabling services.The Turkish company Matec Elektronik received the second EMEA award for their outstanding contribution to the Fiber Optic and Components product lines in 2024, including key support in maintaining a positive relationship with local customers.Last but not least, as it presents the higher number of awards, Asia was one of the most active areas from a distribution standpoint. For this reason, Smiths Interconnect has decided to award the following 4 business partners:Sangdo Electronics: Highly Commended Distributor for Business Growth 2024 for the Connectors product line. Throughout the year, Sangdo was particularly active in the design-in activity for Space and Industrial applications and won some important new projects.HS4B: Highly Commended Distributor for Business Growth 2024 for the Fiber Optic and Components product line. They have done an exceptional job of promoting this product line and growing its business in South Korea.Shanghai Huili Technology Development: Distributor of the Year 2024 for Semiconductor Products. This is the second consecutive year they have received the award. In 2024, they continued the exceptional performance demonstrated in 2023, contributing to a 33% increase in sales. They have also consistently shown strong motivation to expand our activity in China, where they have nearly doubled Smiths Interconnect's business over the past two years.Smiths Interconnect China Semiconductor Test Division Sales Director Eason Xu (right) presents the award to Shanghai Huili Technology Development General Manager Arthur Shu (left). Credit: Smiths InterconnectConn-tek Electronics: Highly Commended Distributor for Business Growth 2024 for Semiconductor Products. This special award is a recognition for their support and collaboration both in the consolidated Chinese market and in the growing Taiwanese, one where they were able to provide logistics support and helped push our potential business growth.Smiths Interconnect China Semiconductor Test Division Sales Director Eason Xu (right) presents the award to Conn-tek Shanghai Sales Director Simon Yang (left). Credit: Smiths InterconnectThrough ongoing innovation and closer collaboration, Smiths Interconnect will work with global distributors to jointly explore broader market opportunities in the future.
LITEON Technology (LITEON) is actively deploying new Artificial Intelligence (AI)-assisted vision software technologies enabling a wide variety of features for improved road safety and driver convenience. At AI EXPO Taiwan 2025, organized by DIGITIMES, LITEON showcases a series of breakthrough innovations leveraging existing vehicle hardware and optimized AI algorithms to equip vehicles with software that upgrades driving safety. Brady Jung, Associate Vice President of LITEON Core Competence Technology Research Center, describes the new technology strategy focused on the safe driving sector in this interview.This research and development organization aims to develop advanced technologies over the next 5 to 10 years, targeting software development to sharpen LITEON's long-term competitiveness. Simultaneously, the technology development team is looking for promising startups for potential investments, pushing the boundaries of what's possible and shaping the future of technology. The following vision software demos assist drivers in detecting potentially dangerous conditions, advancing road safety.Monitor driver attentiveness to detect 'See You Unseen' and enhance worry-free drivingThe first technology monitors driver attentiveness and driving behavior to identify potentially dangerous driving patterns. This vision software leverages DMS (Driver Monitoring System) cameras mounted on the upper windshield area or near the steering wheel to estimate a driver's gaze direction. Jung provides typical examples of distracted driving: a driver makes a right turn with clear signaling but turns his head to the left because he notices something interesting. This technology can detect where drivers are looking by analyzing their head movements and providing real-time safety warnings to prevent potentially dangerous situations. This vision software benefits drivers by monitoring their condition and evaluating how safely they are handling the vehicle.Panoramic multi-object tracking to determine the movements of objects around vehicleThe second demonstration is the multi-object tracking technology, such as detecting pedestrian movements or other approaching vehicles, to predict possible changes in driving situations on the road. This software uses a combination of AI algorithms to develop a comprehensive understanding of the driving environment, enabling better utilization of the vehicle's camera systems. One of the unique features of this software is consolidating data from multiple cameras into a single, coherent perception result of identified objects. By leveraging surround-view multi-object tracking technology and processing massive image data from multiple cameras, the software can rapidly recognize people and other objects around the vehicle and even predict their future trajectories.Simulate human vision to detect 3D objects for mitigating potential accidentsInspired by human binocular vision, the third demo aims to track 3D objects by identifying object depth using two cameras. The camera arrangement can consist of one camera at the front of the car and another on either side, creating a viewing angle difference similar to human binocular perception. This vision software detects the depth of objects. Jung cites a common scenario in which ordinary vehicles struggle to accurately determine the actual location and depth of sidewalk curbs when parking on the roadside. This software helps prevent common mistakes that cause tire and rim damage from hitting curbs. The benefit of this software is improved accuracy in perceiving the 3D shapes of objects, such as road curbs in the above example.Subtle facial physiological reaction capturing and understanding to predict risksThe fourth technology integrates DMS cameras to capture drivers' facial physiological signs while driving. Even under challenging lighting conditions, this technology can accurately detect subtle facial fatigue signals across wide variations in brightness and diverse driving environments. This vision software utilizes a near-infrared (NIR) camera to capture subtle physiological signs, such as pulse fluctuations on the driver's face or neck. In collaboration with two top universities and their medical schools in Taiwan, several ongoing research projects aim to deepen the interpretation of drivers' physiological signs. It is especially crucial to analyze rapid pulse changes, as understanding these can enhance driving safety and contribute to the development of early risk warning systems.LITEON explores the crucial role of middleware suppliers with AI vision softwareBehind these technologies lies the core strength that LITEON has built up over the years in the automotive market. With expertise in hardware optical devices and cameras, LITEON possesses unique advantages in developing automotive vision software. Nowadays, modern cars are typically equipped with more than 10 built-in cameras as standard features. The massive amount of image data and video streams captured from a vehicle's cameras provides fertile ground for disruptive innovations, unlocking emerging revenue opportunities in the automotive industry. Leveraging powerful AI algorithms, LITEON develops vision software stacks and actively plays the role of automotive middleware provider. LITEON is aggressively selling a business model for vision system integration in the automotive sector.Jung emphasized several unique strengths that enable LITEON to explore the automotive vision software business. First, LITEON's vision perception technologies offer significantly broader coverage, simultaneously addressing human drivers and the surrounding vehicle environment. Jung refers to this approach as "Human-Vehicle Integration," highlighting the company's core technologies and know-how in the integrated detection of people and vehicles. Second, by utilizing existing Electronic Control Units (ECUs) and vehicle cameras, LITEON implements specialized "Camera-Independent" technology to fine-tune image quality across different car models. This ensures consistent image quality performance, maintaining reliable detection and monitoring capabilities. Third, through its extensive history of collaboration with global brands and automotive Tier 1 suppliers, LITEON has established long-term partnerships and works closely with supply chains, accelerating new product development and significantly reducing customers' time-to-market.Furthermore, to maximize vision software performance across various ECU systems and vehicle models, LITEON continues to invest heavily in developing lightweight AI algorithms. These optimized algorithms drive computing power efficiency, delivering higher computational performance while being less resource-intensive and more power-efficient across mainstream ECU platforms. This design aligns with long-term automotive industry trends toward sustainable growth, innovative solutions, and meeting consumer and regulatory demands.As automotive applications evolve, the focus remains on minimizing environmental impact and enhancing driving safety and convenience. In the upcoming phase, LITEON is engaging with global automotive brands and Tier 1s to demonstrate vision software through linking and displaying on the infotainment screen. Additional procedures include preparing a physical demo vehicle for real-time testing and verification on the customer side. Through these efforts, LITEON is actively stepping into the safe-driving software market, expanding its software solutions by leveraging core competencies and incorporating AI-powered features to identify another significant growth engine in the future. For further information about LITEON's solutions, please visit www.liteon.com or view the introduction video titled "See Your Unseen. Worry-Free Driving." here.
The IoT (Internet of Things) technology led to tremendous growing of the connected devices. This growing connected market required new approach of security certification which will meet the fast and dynamic changed products.1 Cybersecurity Standards1.1 Type of coverage - Environmental vs. Functional StandardizationTo standardize this discipline, academics and professionals collaborate and seek to set basic guidance, policies, and industry standards.Cybersecurity standards have evolved to address multiple layers of protection in the product lifecycle, which can broadly be categorized into two complementary domains: environment security and functional security implementation. This layered approach is particularly critical in complex and vulnerable ecosystems such as the Internet of Things (IoT), where both the development infrastructure and embedded security functions are frequent attack surfaces. This classification reflects the understanding that effective cybersecurity requires both a secure foundation during development and robust protections within the product itself*Environment security standards Secure the development, testing, and manufacturing environments by protecting tools, source code, and intellectual property, and by establishing Information Security Management Systems (ISMS).*Functional security standards Ensure products embed security features like secure boot, cryptography, access control, and tamper detection, applied during the design phase to make security requirements testable and verifiable.These two domains are not mutually exclusive but deeply interdependent.1.2 Standardization Category Governance LevelsThe standards are developed and applied at multiple governance levels - international, regional, and national (country-specific) - to address diverse regulatory environments, technological ecosystems, and geopolitical considerations. Each level plays a unique role in shaping the frameworks, compliance mechanisms, and technical specifications governing the protection of information assets:* At the international level, standards are typically developed by globally recognized bodies such as ISO/IEC aim to provide global harmonization, facilitating international trade, cross-border data flow, and common security assurance frameworks for multinational organizations.*Regional standards are typically introduced by economic or political unions to align practices across member states. They often build on or adapt international standards while considering regional laws and policies.*At the National level, individual states develop and enforce security standards tailored to their specific infrastructure, threat landscape, and regulatory priorities.This multi-tiered structure ensures both broad interoperability and local adaptability. International standards foster global trust and facilitate compliance across borders. Regional standards address regional legal and regulatory harmonization. National standards reflect local priorities, strategic industries, and legal systems.1.3 Applicability across Horizontal and Vertical frameworksStandards in the field of cybersecurity and ICT are strategically developed to serve either as cross-industry frameworks (horizontal standards) or as domain-specific regulations (vertical standards):*Horizontal standards Apply across industries using a risk assessment approach to manage general cybersecurity risks in products and processes.*Vertical standards Tailored to specific sectors like automotive or healthcare, focusing on meeting domain-specific requirements based on horizontal frameworks.The main difference between a horizontal/risk assessment-based approach and a Vertical/product-based approach is the focus of the process: the former focuses on managing potential risks, while the latter focuses on delivering a product that meets specific requirements.1.4 Evaluation MethodologyLooking at the cybersecurity standards, there are 3 main types of Evaluation methodology:*Self-Declaration - The manufacturer independently claims compliance without external review.*Declaration of Conformity (DoC) - A formal statement confirming compliance with legal and technical requirements.*3rd Party Evaluation - An independent body verifies compliance through testing, reviews, and audits.For some of the standard the minimum evaluation methodology is define while there is a freedom for the evaluation sponsor/ manufacturer to use more strict methodology for the evaluation, exm: for Declaration of conformity to use 3rd party evaluation for demonstrating the conformity. It is popular is cases of test evidence, especially for penetration testing.2 Classification and Analysis of Security IT StandardsSeveral widely recognized IT standards were selected for analysis based on their relevance to cybersecurity, regulatory compliance, and sector-specific adoption. At this part the standards are classifies and analyzes across key dimensions, including evaluation methodology (e.g., self-declaration, declaration of conformity, third-party certification), type of coverage (functional vs. environmental), standardization category governance level and applicability across horizontal and vertical frameworks:Table 1: Security IT StandardsSource: CompanyThe evaluation of the selected standards based on their coverage type - whether functional or environmental - yields the following overview:Figure 1: Standards Type of coverageSource: CompanyAs illustrated, the majority of the analyzed standards primarily address functional security requirements, while only 10% focus exclusively on environmental aspects. Notably, 20% of the standards incorporate both environmental and functional security considerations. An examination of the governance levels yielded the following insights:Figure 2: Distribution of Standards by Region and GovernanceSource: CompanyIn this analysis, 35% of the standards are international in scope, while 40% represent regional. The remaining 25% are national standards established by individual countries.An analysis of standards applicability - reveals that 40% are horizontal standards, providing general requirements for ICT products or cryptographic algorithm implementations. In contrast, 60% are vertical standards, tailored to specific market segments such as the automotive and industrial sectors. Notably, 45% of the overall standards focus specifically on the IoT segment:Figure 3: Standards ApplicabilitySource: CompanyExamining the type of methodology which is used to be certified foreach standard shows the following:Figure 4: Evaluation MethodologySource: Company75% of the standards require third-party evaluation, while only 15% allow for self-declaration. These requirements suggest that the majority of ICT products are likely to undergo third-party certification. However, to accurately assess the impact, it's important to consider which of these standards are mandatory. The current situation is that Only 35% of the cybersecurity standards are mandatorily required.3 The ChallengeDue to the IoT revolution which all is connected, the challenges at the national segment and in the market segments are to be able to secure the citizen from cyber threats, attacks and cybercriminals by developing the appropriate regulations. These challenges may present obstacles to achieving effective and comprehensive cybersecurity regulation:*Evolving Threats: Cyber attacks are becoming more advanced and exploit new vulnerabilities, requiring adaptable regulations.*Global Harmonization: Diverse legal systems make aligning international cybersecurity regulations complex but essential.*Regulatory Fragmentation: Varying national standards can burden global companies and hinder collaboration.*Tech Advancements: Rapid growth in AI, quantum computing, and IoT challenges regulators to keep pace.*Privacy vs. Security: Balancing data protection with cybersecurity needs remains a persistent issue.*Resource Gaps: Smaller firms may lack the resources to comply with complex regulations.*Skills Shortage: A global lack of cybersecurity talent threatens effective implementation.*Compliance Burden: Managing multiple regulatory frameworks adds cost and complexity.*AI-Powered Threats: Attackers are increasingly using AI, demanding smarter defensive measures.*New Sectors: Emerging fields like smart cities and autonomous vehicles need tailored cybersecurity rules.Addressing these future challenges will require collaboration between governments, industry stakeholders, international organizations, and cybersecurity experts. Striking a balance between proactive regulation, technological innovation, and effective enforcement will be crucial to building resilient and secure digital ecosystems in the years to come.For more information on how Winbond can support your security and compliance needs, visit Winbond's website or contact Winbond directly, or download the latest Hardware Security White Paper.
ASUS VivoWatch is a smart health watch not only welcomed by individual customers from the increasing awareness of personalized health management, but also creates innovative solutions for healthcare settings, bringing strong momentum enhancing digital transformation at Taiwan's medical and health industries.ASUS and Far Eastern Memorial Hospital (FEMH) agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to launch a project "Establishing Healthcare Ecosystem through Smart Wearable Devices" recently. Partnership between local technological company and the hospital will build a complete remote healthcare network with ASUS medical-level smart wearable devices and its management system.This network is designed to bridge the gap between hospital-based care and community-based prevention and treatment, connecting various healthcare scenarios within the hospital to local New Taipei communities.Cross-industry partnership as a standard for biomedical technology integrationFar Eastern Memorial Hospital, a pioneer in digital healthcare, began its transformation in 2011. The hospital has gradually introduced Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system, AI in diagnostic imaging, Early Warning Systems, and Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS). FEMH was awarded as a Smart Hospital in 2024.Dr Chih-Hung Chang, Vice President of FEMH, emphasizes that a Patient-Centered Care and innovation-driven application is the key to digital transformation at the hospital. " The collaboration with ASUS marks an important milestone for cross-industry partnerships." Dr Chang said at the press conference."As ASUS is a leading technology brand in Taiwan, the collaboration between two parties showed an optimal integration of Taiwan's "BIO & ICT" industries, especially given ASUS's products have passed the regulatory approval in Taiwan, which enhances adoption opportunities in healthcare facilities. ASUS's flexibility in providing integrated hardware and software solutions and support perfectly complements FEMH's principles of improving medical efficacy, alleviating staff burdens, boosting efficiency and eliminating errors. Dr Chang added.A leading new trend in health management with medical-level wearable devicesSharon Pan, Associate VP of ASUS, also stated the partnership as a significant milestone to the company."The ASUS VivoWatch is the first wearable device in Taiwan to receive approval from Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA), signifying its recognized quality and medical-level capabilities. ASUS VivoWAtch offers personal health management solutions, aiming to establish a new healthcare service model for individuals inside and outside the hospital.Pan stated that "people-oriented" is the company philosophy of ASUS, aiming to relieve burdens and better healthcare through technological innovations.The ASUS-FEMH partnership will implement ASUS's hardware, software, and AI technologies into clinical settings, fostering a virtuous cycle between service providers and users. Furthermore, it also lays a strong foundation for ASUS to introduce more smart products to the global market.Humanization-based and user-centric designEmphasizing a "user-centered" design, ASUS VivoWatch series features a large font display for clear readability, a straightforward interface to minimize complexity, and intuitive sliding functions, which thereby to be more accessible to senior and elder users. Pan emphasized that the product was undergoing extensive validation by older demographics to ensure it fully fit the needs.One of the unique functions of ASUS VivoWatch is its remote monitoring feature, allowing families to check the health status in real time. This feature enhances family connections and caregiving, thereby effectively addressing the need of an aging population. Dr Chang of FEMH also gave positive endorsement to this innovative feature, stating that this could bring significant benefit to family care.From a treatment-centric to prevention-focused model, the strategic alliance between ASUS and Far Eastern Memorial Hospital symbolized the transformative shift in healthcare service delivery mode. By leveraging innovation and technology integration the partnership aims to elevate Taiwan's healthcare industry and establish a more comprehensive healthcare ecosystem with expanding smart wearable device scenarios to various medical institutions in the future.Partnership of ASUS and Far Eastern Memorial Hospital launches the project "Establishing Healthcare Ecosystem through Smart Wearable Devices"
Online wagering is no longer a solitary act—it thrives on real-time chats, shared wins, and community-driven play. Discord, once a haven for gamers, has evolved into a central hub where players trade strategies, join live tournaments, and react instantly within fast-moving servers. With voice channels, bots, and direct links to platforms, Discord seamlessly integrates conversation with action. It's not just a forum—it's part of the game itself.How digital wallets are reshaping player expectationsThe online gambling experience has evolved far beyond simple gameplay. Today's platforms aren't just places to place bets—they're ecosystems where speed, reliability, and seamless interaction define user satisfaction. As community platforms like Discord shape how players connect, the need for fast, secure financial movement has become equally central.Digital wallets have quickly become the connective tissue between gameplay and real-time access. Whether jumping into a fantasy draft seconds before it locks, grabbing a bonus in the middle of a live table, or moving between formats on the fly, one thing stays consistent: payments need to keep up. With e-wallets and crypto-based tools handling transactions at speed, players rarely miss a beat.What was once a luxury—fast withdrawals—has become a fundamental part of platform design. Players expect it, and providers have taken notice. Casinos leading the field don't stop at speed; they offer wide-ranging payout methods, user-friendly thresholds, and transparent rules tied to bonuses. According to insights by PokerScout, the most respected fast-payout platforms are built on a foundation of consistency, fairness, and proactive support. The result is a system that favors responsiveness over rigidity.This growing emphasis on speed and clarity isn't an isolated trend. It reflects a broader shift toward services that respond in real-time, mirroring the immediacy of modern digital life. As user expectations grow sharper, so must the tools and infrastructure that support them. The platforms that succeed will be those that treat financial flow as an essential part of the overall experience, not just a background function.Transactions without the waiting roomAs this sense of community has grown, so has the demand for smoother financial infrastructure. Long gone are the days of clunky bank transfers and days-long withdrawal queues. Digital wallets—Skrill, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, and their crypto-friendly counterparts—are filling that gap, and doing so with startling efficiency.The appeal is obvious. A player can fund their account in seconds, switch tables, and—should fortune favor them—cash out just as swiftly. Many digital wallets now support instant withdrawals, bypassing the red tape that once soured the gaming experience. Combined with multi-layered encryption and biometric authentication, these wallets aren't just fast—they're safe, too.The compatibility between gambling platforms and wallet technology has improved dramatically. Issues like failed deposits or region-based restrictions have largely disappeared. Today's integrations are fluid, fast, and built for a global user base. Operators increasingly treat payments not as a side function, but as a vital part of user engagement. In fact, how gambling platforms manage payouts and financial security has become central to shaping the overall player experience.Where conversations and currency collideThis convergence of real-time community and real-time payments has reshaped the very definition of a gambling platform. What was once confined to a standalone website is now dispersed across digital touchpoints. Players might learn of a new bonus not via an email campaign, but through a Discord ping. They may join a poker tournament not by browsing a site, but after seeing a live countdown posted by a chatbot.What emerges is a decentralized gambling environment where engagement flows freely and organically. A player chatting in one tab can, within moments, be transacting in another. There is no disconnect. The social and financial layers work in tandem, reinforcing each other.Notably, this ecosystem supports more than just gameplay. It fosters loyalty. Regulars recognize each other by username, inside jokes develop, and moderators become trusted figures. In many ways, it's akin to the atmosphere of a small local casino—just digitized, global, and perpetually awake.Cryptocurrency's expanding roleCryptocurrency wallets are gaining traction not just for privacy, but for their speed, security, and utility—especially in regions where traditional banking feels restrictive. Stablecoins like USDT and USDC, now widely accepted, offer consistency without the turbulence of Bitcoin or Ethereum. They function more like digital cash, appealing to players who want fast, reliable payouts.As decentralized finance matures, more platforms are experimenting with blockchain-driven features: smart contracts, verified fair gaming systems, and even tokenized casinos. These changes are gradual, but the shift is unmistakable. The blend of community and tech has already moved gambling far beyond its solitary origins.Looking forwardWhat's unfolding isn't just a case of improved backend systems—it signals a shift in how online gambling is experienced. Social hubs are now central to player engagement. Platforms like Discord lead the way in interaction, while wallet tech removes transactional barriers. Together, they redefine the tempo of gameplay, with community-building platforms for digital engagement forming the connective tissue of this new ecosystem.The focus is shifting: less about isolated bets, more about ongoing presence and shared momentum. Money moves in sync with dialogue. Strategy unfolds in real-time. Players gather not just to win, but to belong.Even as technology evolves and regulations adjust, one thing is becoming clear: online gambling is no longer just about placing wagers. It's about participating in a connected, living network—where conversation, competition, and cash all flow together.Yet, amid this evolving landscape, players must remain mindful of the risks. While the experience is more immersive and socially driven, it's essential to set limits, stay aware of financial boundaries, and recognize the difference between engagement and excess. Smart play isn't just about strategy—it's about knowing when to step back, ensuring that participation remains enjoyable and sustainable. After all, in this interconnected world, the best wins come from balance.
Digital payments now make up more than half of retail transactions in the Philippines, rising from 42% to 53% in just over a year, as more people across cities and rural areas move away from cash and traditional banking.Non-bank lenders, now responsible for most digital credit activity, are expected to lend over US$550 million, driven by younger borrowers turning to faster alternatives and tens of millions of new downloads logged in the first three quarters.This shift goes beyond how people move money—it is changing how they interact with digital systems that combine practical tasks with entertainment. With fewer people relying on physical outlets for financial services or leisure, more activity now takes place in blended spaces, where everything runs through a single screen.That overlap is also reshaping how casino-style games are delivered. Instead of using direct deposits or card payments, many of these experiences now run through regulated sites that allow real rewards while staying within legal guidelines and offering easier access.These platforms use two types of virtual currency. Gold Coins are used for casual gameplay with no cash value, while Sweeps Coins—earned through purchases, bonuses, or other offers—can be redeemed for prizes once a set number is reached. It removes the usual payment friction, keeps the experience fast and familiar, and fits well with the way mobile-first users already move through digital spaces.To understand how deep this change runs, look at the infrastructure behind it: the national QR Ph standard now covers more than 675,000 merchant outlets nationwide, from urban malls to suburban bistros and wet markets.That means scanning to pay is no longer confined to tech hubs—it's a daily habit in small-town sari‑sari stores and public transport stops. The push didn't come out of thin air: government and private sectors collaborated throughout the pandemic to fast-track QR Ph deployment; it's now central to the Bangko Sentral's goal of shifting 60–70% of retail transactions into digital channels.While QR Ph strengthens domestic convenience, there are signs it'll reshape regional behavior too. Through ASEAN initiatives like Project Nexus, the Philippines is aligning its fast‑payment systems for cross-border transactions—so someday a QR scanned in Manila could work in Bangkok or Jakarta, using local currencies .On the credit side, non-bank lenders aren't idling—they now hold over 55% of the digital lending market, translating to more than US$ 550 million in loans. Many of those are microloans under PHP 20,000, extended based on app behavior and repayment patterns rather than traditional bank scores.The result: more Filipinos—including freelancers, small entrepreneurs, and remote workers—are getting access to finance they might otherwise miss.Even pawnshops and money service businesses have leaned into this shift. Home to over 22,700 outlets as of late 2024, these channels act as both remittance touchpoints and fintech access nodes, particularly in Luzon's hinterlands.In places where people once relied on cash or informal credit, a digital payment or app-based microloan is now available.Behind all this stands robust policy support, with new e‑money licenses, an updated National Payment Systems Act, and a revamp of digital bank rules. Over 70 electronic money issuers now operate under BSP oversight, joined by emerging digital banks.The same regulator is also exploring a wholesale central bank digital currency, primarily for improving interbank settlement and cross‑border transfer efficiency.What's unfolding isn't a sudden break from the past but a steady recalibration, where tools built for speed and access are now shaping the pace of everyday life, often without ever needing to be noticed.
SK Hynix Inc. (or "the company", www.skHynix.com) announced today that it presented a new DRAM technology roadmap for the next 30 years and the direction for a sustainable innovation at the IEEE VLSI symposium 20251 held in Kyoto, Japan.1IEEE VLSI (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Very Large Scale Integration) symposium: One of the most prestigious academic events in the field of semiconductor circuit and process technology, presenting academic achievement in next-generation semiconductors, AI, memory chips, and packaging. The symposium is held in turn in the US and Japan annually.Cha Seon Yong, CTO (CTO) of SK Hynix, delivered on June 10th a plenary session on "Driving Innovation in DRAM Technology: Towards a Sustainable Future".In his speech, CTO Cha explained that it is increasingly difficult to improve performance and capacity with scaling through the current technology platform2. "In order to overcome such limitations, SK Hynix will apply the 4F² VG (Vertical Gate) platform and 3D DRAM technology to technologies of 10nm level or below with innovation in structure, material, and components," he said.2Tech Platform: A technological framework that can be applied to various generations of productsThe 4F²3 VG4 platform is a next-generation memory technology that minimizes the cell area of DRAM and enables high integration, high speed, and low power through a vertical gate structure.34F²: The area occupied by one cell, a unit to store data, is indicated as F2. F indicates the minimum feature size of a semiconductor. Therefore, 4F2 is an integration technology to put more cells in a chip in which one cell occupies an area of 2F by 2F.4VG (Vertical Gate): A structure in which a gate, which acts as a switch of a transistor, is vertically placed and surrounded by channels. Currently, it is a flat structure where a gate is laid horizontally on top of channels.Currently, 6F2 cells are common, but by applying 4F2 cell and wafer bonding technology that puts the circuit part below the cell area, cell efficiency and electrical characteristics can be improved.CTO Cha also introduced 3D DRAM as the main pillar for the future DRAM along with VG. CTO Cha said that although some in the industry warn of cost increase according to the number of layers stacked, it can be solved by constant technological innovation.Along with structural breakthroughs, the company will also strive to find a new growth engine by sophisticating technologies of critical materials and components of DRAM to lay the foundation for the next 30 years."Until around 2010, DRAM technology was expected to face limitations at 20nms, but with constant innovation, we have made it this far," said CTO Cha. "SK Hynix will continue to guide the future of long-term technological innovation to be a milestone for young engineers in the field of DRAM and maintain cooperation within the industry to bring the future of DRAM into reality."On the last day of the event, Joodong Park, vice president who leads the Next Gen DRAM TF, will present his findings from a recent research on how VG and wafer bonding technology affect the electrical characteristics of DRAM.
Global enterprise cybersecurity leader Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704) today announced that it's bringing powerful and simplified security capabilities to Nvidia Enterprise AI Factory validated design, helping organizations worldwide safely transform their business with next-gen AI infrastructure.Eva Chen, Co-Founder and CEO at Trend: "AI is being unleashed worldwide, changing the way we work and innovate. But it comes with new security challenges, and the infrastructure required is already highly complex. Trend is leading the industry in simplifying and securing this new environment, and we are doing so with customers at all stages of their AI journey."Justin Boitano, vice president of Enterprise AI Products at Nvidia: "As AI becomes integral to enterprise operations, organizations require security that matches the speed and complexity of AI factories. Together, Trend Micro and Nvidia are delivering an integrated platform that empowers organizations to confidently deploy AI while protecting data across on-premises and hybrid cloud environments." Trend Vision One is the leading platform in the industry that can seamlessly provide a single set of security rules across on-premises, hybrid, and cloud infrastructure. Trend is prepared to meet security needs in any environment worldwide. As a growing number of enterprises continue shifting towards proprietary AI infrastructure, a security solution that can support any stage of transformation is critical.According to recent Forrester Research, "Data centers are at the heart of sovereign AI ecosystems. Organizations training AI models with their data need to make sure that sensitive data and workloads remain in the country when digital sovereignty constraints demand it. Organizations, cloud vendors, hyperscalers, and service providers constitute an ecosystem that requires a combination of sovereign data centers, sovereign AI solutions, and sovereign workforces."*Trend Micro and Nvidia have collaborated to deliver an agentic AI-powered security solution as part of the Nvidia Enterprise AI Factory validated design, addressing the needs of security-conscious enterprises in government, healthcare, financial sectors, and more. The collaboration brings together Trend Vision One™ for Sovereign Private Cloud (SPC), Nvidia NIM microservices, Nvidia NeMo, and Nvidia Morpheus cybersecurity AI framework to create a pre-validated solution for organizations requiring complete data jurisdiction. This integrated offering ensures sensitive data remains on sovereign soil while enabling powerful AI capabilities.Key benefits include:100% data sovereignty with on-premises deployment options for air-gapped environments Pre-integrated hardware, software, support, and deployment services Threat detection intelligence built with Nvidia AI software and accelerated computing for real-time security analysis Comprehensive protection across email, cloud, network, endpoint, data, and identity Simplified procurement and deployment, accelerating time-to-valueFor enterprises building their own GenAI implementations, this solution delivers the security, performance, and compliance needed to confidently deploy AI while maintaining complete control over sensitive data. The collaboration eliminates "DIY security" challenges, providing a clear starting point that remains fully customizable to each organization's unique requirements.Trend remains committed to leading the charge for proactive security across the globe. With unmatched intelligence-gathering capabilities and the largest vendor-agnostic bug bounty program in the world, Trend continues to discover, understand, and inform the industry about the evolving digital landscape. Trend is staying ahead through events like Pwn2Own Berlin, which highlight the growing importance of understanding and securing AI.*Forrester, Top 10 Emerging Innovations In The Data Center, 2025 | March 17, 2025About Trend MicroTrend Micro, a global cybersecurity leader, helps make the world safe for exchanging digital information. Fueled by decades of security expertise, global threat research, and continuous innovation, Trend Micro's AI-powered cybersecurity platform protects hundreds of thousands of organizations and millions of individuals across clouds, networks, devices, and endpoints. As a leader in cloud and enterprise cybersecurity, Trend's platform delivers a powerful range of advanced threat defense techniques optimized for environments like AWS, Microsoft, and Google, and central visibility for better, faster detection and response. With 7,000 employees across 70 countries, Trend Micro enables organizations to simplify and secure their connected world. www.TrendMicro.com.PR ContactElite Public Relations, Betty / 0917-525-819 / betty@epr.com.twElite Public Relations, Selina / 0963-830-501 / selina@epr.com.twTrend Micro, Angela / 0955-335-686 / angela_chiang@trendmicro.comTrend Micro, Ivy¡þ0912-050-313¡þivy_chang_chien@trendmicro.com
SK Hynix Inc. (or "the company") announced today that it has developed a UFS 4.1 solution product adopting the world's highest 321-layer 1Tb triple-level cell 4D NAND flash for mobile applications.The development comes amid increasing requirements for high performance and low power of a NAND solution product to ensure a stable operation of on-device AI. The company expects the UFS 4.1 product, optimized for AI workload, to help enhance its memory leadership in the flagship smartphone markets.With an increase in demand for on-device AI leading to greater importance of the balance between computation capabilities and battery efficiency of a device, the mobile market is now requiring thinness and low power from a mobile device.The latest product comes with a 7% improvement in power efficiency, compared with the previous generation based on 238-high NAND and a slimmer 0.85mm thickness, down from 1mm before, to fit into an ultra-slim smartphone.The product also supportsa data transfer speed of 4300MB/s, the fastest sequential read* for a fourth-generation of UFS, while providing the best-in-class performance by also improving random read and write speed**, critical for multitasking, by 15% and 40%, respectively. Immediate provision of the required data for on-device AI and faster running speed and the responsivity of an application are expected to enhance user experience.* Sequential Read/Write: speed to read and write data of a file sequentially* Random Read/Write: speed to read and write data of dispersed filesSK Hynix plans to win customer qualification within the year and ship in volume from the first quarter of next year. The product will be provided in two capacity types – 512GB and 1TB.Ahn Hyun, President and Chief Development Officer, said that SK Hynix plans to complete the development of the 321-high 4D NAND-based SSD for both consumers and data centers within the year. "We are on track to expand our position as a full-stack AI memory provider in the NAND space by building a product portfolio with AI technological edge."About SK Hynix Inc.SK hynix Inc., headquartered in Korea, is the world's top-tier semiconductor supplier offering Dynamic Random Access Memory chips ("DRAM") and flash memory chips ("NAND flash") for a wide range of distinguished customers globally. The Company's shares are traded on the Korean Exchange, and the Global Depository shares are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Further information about SK Hynix is available at www.skhynix.com, news.skhynix.com.
Retronix Technologies Inc. announced the launch of two cutting-edge AI edge computing platforms, developed in collaboration with Renesas Electronics Corporation.The newly unveiled Sparrow Hawk Single Board Computer (SBC) and Raptor System on Module (SoM) are both powered by the latest Renesas R-Car V4H System-on-Chip (SoC), delivering up to 30 TOPS (Dense) of AI inference performance. These open platforms are designed to support a wide range of embedded edge AI applications and smart automotive solutions.Sparrow Hawk focuses on robotics, industrial automation, and rapid prototyping, offering a highly flexible and cost-effective development platform. Raptor, with its modular design and multi-camera processing capabilities, is engineered for commercial vehicles, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), and autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), meeting demanding requirements for reliability and AI edge computing.Product Highlight 1: Sparrow Hawk — A Versatile Platform for Edge AI ApplicationsSparrow Hawk is a compact and highly expandable edge AI development board featuring the Renesas R-Car V4H SoC. It offers up to 30 TOPS of dense AI inference performance and supports a fully open-source Linux environment, accelerating the development of industrial and embedded AI solutions.Key Features:*Optimized for Edge Intelligence: Designed for industrial robots, smart manufacturing, and autonomous control systems. *Raspberry Pi HAT Compatible: Easily integrates with popular modules and sensors to streamline development.*High AI Performance: Handles real-time image processing and AI workloads with ease thanks to 30 TOPS deep learning capabilities.*Open Development Environment: Built on an open-source Linux architecture with extensive community support.*Developer-Friendly Pricing: Campaign program at only USD 300, no paper contract required to get started.*Compact Design: Measures just 146mm x 90mm, ideal for embedded and terminal devices.Rich I/O and Expansion Interfaces:*8GB / 16GB LPDDR5 memory*Dual-camera interface and 40-pin GPIO header*1x DisplayPort, PCIe (4x USB3.0, 1x M.2 Key-M), 2x CAN-FD, Audio (2x In. 1x Out) and AVB Ethernet*Supports USB PD 20V power input and MicroSD removable storageRetronix Sparrow HawkPhoto: CompanyProduct Highlight 2: Raptor — Automotive-Grade AI SoM for Smart Vehicle Vision ProcessingRaptor is a high-performance SoM designed for automotive vision processing and edge AI computation. Powered by the Renesas R-Car V4H SoC, it supports multiple camera inputs, pre-processing, and AI inference. Raptor is ideal for applications including ADAS, smart cockpits, surround-view systems, and AGVs.Key Features: *Automotive-Grade Architecture: Built with safety-oriented design principles, long-term supply, and compliance with automotive standards.*Multi-Camera Support: Integrated ISP supports up to 8 video channels with synchronized vision processing.*Powerful AI and Specialized Automotive IP: Delivers 30 TOPS AI inference performance with integrated Image Rendering Unit, Dense Optical Flow, Structure from Motion, and CV/Deep Learning Engines.*Reference Carrier Design & Custom Development: Retronix offers reference designs and engineering services to accelerate product development. *Comprehensive Software Resources: Compatible with Yocto Linux and includes the Renesas AI Hybrid Compiler toolkit.*High Reliability: Designed for high-temperature environments with optimized power efficiency for automotive use.Retronix RaptorPhoto: CompanyAvailability and Computex ShowcaseSparrow Hawk and Raptor are scheduled to sample in late Q2 2025, alongside the launch of a developer program and open-source community support platform to help users rapidly prototype and deploy AI applications.We warmly invite industry professionals to visit Retronix at Computex 2025 (Booth N0814 / B-4) to experience the capabilities of Sparrow Hawk and Raptor firsthand. Explore their architectures, image processing performance, and AI inference efficiency across smart manufacturing, robotics, unmanned vehicles, and intelligent automotive applications.
