Ted Jin, founder and CEO of AuX Labs, is leading a charge in the food technology space with a mission driven by global impact and climate concerns. His company, which began operating around 2022, is pioneering the production of recombinant casein from yeast using precision fermentation to create animal-free dairy ingredients.Jin's journey into the bio-tech world comes after a decade in consumer packaged goods at companies like Procter & Gamble and PepsiCo, and prior experience in an earlier startup. His motivation isn't a personal dietary choice like being a vegetarian or vegan; rather, it's a deep-seated belief in the urgent need to solve food system challenges to sustainably feed a projected 10 billion people. "We aren't in a position that we can expand traditional animal agriculture," he stated, citing the finite nature of land and valuable resources.Precision Fermentation: A Non-Compromise AlternativeAuX Labs is focused on developing an ingredient: a casein powder that is functionally and nutritionally identical to the animal protein. This recombinant casein is produced by genetically manipulating yeast to express the protein. The goal is to provide a diversified protein source that doesn't force consumers to compromise on taste, function, price, or nutritional value.Jin sees their product as a necessary supplementation to-not a threat to-traditional animal agriculture. The company operates on a Business-to-Business (B2B) model, supplying this casein ingredient to consumer goods companies and food formulators to create end products like cheese.1. The Problem with "Wave One": Jin notes that the first wave of alternative proteins, which focused heavily on plant-based options, is subsiding as consumers demand products that are not just novel, but also taste good, are nutritious, and are priced comparably to animal products.2. Safety and Regulation: The company already holds a self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status in the United States, which is crucial legwork in substantiating the protein's safety for human consumption.Global Expansion: A Look to Asia and TaiwanAuX Labs' core launch markets are currently Canada and the United States. The company is venture-backed, having closed a pre-seed and currently in the process of closing a new seed round, ensuring financial stability for the "coming period".Taiwan is positioned as the company's "first test" and a potential proving ground for Asian markets. Jin believes the Taiwanese market offers the agility of local companies and a population with a positive bias towards nutrition and health consciousness. A successful launch here would give the company confidence to pursue similar approaches in adjacent markets like Northeast and Southeast Asia (including Japan, Korea, and mainland China).Challenges to Overseas SuccessScaling into new markets is not without its difficulties, which Jin identifies in two key areas:1. Operating Expertise: Mastering the logistics of manufacturing in Canada and then exporting the casein ingredient into Taiwan, subject to the appropriate regulations.2. Local Partnerships: Finding a committed local partner in Taiwan, not just for the short term but for a multi-year effort. Jin stresses that this ingredient is novel, not just to Taiwan, but "new to the world".While the immediate plan is to import the Canadian-produced casein ingredient, establishing a local manufacturing presence in Taiwan remains an option if there is strong demand. Before that, the company will also need to validate their GRAS dossier and notify or file with the Taiwanese FDA.The Ultimate Goal: Price ParityJin's ultimate aspiration for AuX Labs is to be recognized as a pioneer in recombinant proteins. While he sees technology as "mature," he admits that the pricing is not mature yet. The final goal is to bring these animal-free proteins to market at a price point that is similar to animal proteins-something the regular consumer can afford-over the next few years. Achieving this price parity will be the key to establishing yeast-derived proteins as a viable and sufficient supply source for the global food system.Ted Jin, founder and CEO of AuX Labs. Credit: AuX Labs

Illumia Labs, a Canada-headquartered pioneer in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR) training, is targeting the Asia-Pacific market, with a specific focus on setting up a local presence and cultivating an advanced, AI-powered XR training ecosystem in Taiwan. The company, co-founded by two former Singapore Air Force pilots, is addressing a critical global labor shortage.Alan Tay, Illumia Labs co-founder and CEO, detailed the company's unique approach to immersive training with generative AI, their ambitious Series A funding plan and how the firm aims to leverage Taiwan's strong technological infrastructure in an interview with DIGITIMES.From Cockpit to Code: The Birth of a Digital HumanThe inspiration for Illumia Labs, according to Alan Tay, stemmed from a persistent real-world problem observed while running a flight school: a constant shortage of mechanics and flight instructors dating back to 2015, which significantly impacted the flight school's ability to produce trained pilots with reduced timeline.After successfully developing an initial Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in 2021 to digitize a flight instructor, the company began moving beyond aviation, realizing the potential for its technology across numerous vocations.Illumia Labs differentiates itself from traditional VR/AR training methods by focusing on human-centred AI. The core technology involves:1. Behavioural Replication: Training the AI to copy the human instructor's behaviour, subtle actions, and complex assessment methods using video data.2. Immersive Scenario-Based Learning: Placing the resulting "digital human" into immersive environments (VR, AR, or XR) where it can act as a mentor or role-playing partner.3. Sensor Agnosticism: The technology is not restricted to bulky goggles but can be integrated into AR/XR glasses or sensor-filled training rooms."We are not there to replace the human, but to make sure that the human is capable doing their jobs with much more proficiency," Tay stated.Beyond Maintenance: AI in Customer ServiceWhile founded in aviation and mechanics, the company has found diverse applications for its technology, particularly in customer service such as training flight attendants, banking staff and other customer facing staff. The AI is designed to ensure a "gold standard" of service that includes proper tone, language, and body language.A key unique feature is the AI's ability to conduct evaluation while the trainee is physically performing a task. For example, the AI can role-play as a "disruptive passenger" while a flight attendant trainee practices virtual food service in a confined space. This hands-on, contextual assessment offers a dynamic and individualized immersive training experience unlike simple chatbot conversations.Crucially, the system is designed to handle multilingual and culturally sensitive training.Alan Tay noted that the product is designed to be 80% complete, stating: "The other 20% I need the local experts to let us know what are the local customs. We can add on, and our AI learns from the video." This final, customized portion is built into the business model as a one-time Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) fee, alongside standard SaaS licenses and seed models for larger organizations.Aggressive Expansion and Taiwan's RoleIllumia Labs is executing an aggressive scaling plan, following its successful model in Singapore and a recent expansion into Malaysia. Participating in the CTA program, the company views Taiwan as a strategic hub for the Indo-Pacific rollout.The biggest challenge the company faces is not technological capability, but infrastructure and data connectivity. "Not everywhere has accessibility to 5G," Alan Tay lamented, citing issues with latency and computing power accessibility in various global markets. However, the co-founder expressed optimism about Taiwan, stating that its advanced infrastructure is expected to make the local rollout "a lot more smoother" than in other parts of the regions. "Taiwan's success stories", he added, "will serve as vital pilot cases for further international scaling."Alan Tay, founder of Illumia Labs. Credit: Illumia Labs

Anandi Botanicals Inc., an Alberta-based startup, is pioneering sustainable, high-tech agriculture by merging advanced plant biotechnology with AI and robotics. The company seeks research and commercial partnerships in Taiwan to scale its solutions for high-value crops and enhance global food security.The company specializes in plant tissue culture and AI-driven optimization across agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and conservation. Founder and Technical Director Dr. Annie Ray, a plant biologist with over a decade of international experience, established Anandi Botanicals in 2024 to address limitations in traditional propagation methods. "Seeds in seed banks often degrade, are susceptible to infection, and may not survive," she explains, making tissue culture "almost the only option" for rare and endangered species.Dev, Co-founder and Chief AI Officer, brings over 20 years of expertise in product development, AI, and automation. The founders' complementary backgrounds allow the company to scale tissue culture efficiently, automating labor-intensive processes that become unviable at large volumes.The process begins with explants from certified mother plants and follows stages including callus induction, shooting, rooting, acclimatization, and greenhouse hardening. The result: virus-free, disease-free, uniform plants with faster growth and scalable production. Techniques include protoplast culture and microfluidics, with AI models analyzing data to optimize workflows and reduce research time. Local GPU execution ensures data privacy, while IP-protected logistics solutions maintain plant viability during shipping, reducing damage from 70–80% in traditional transport.Taiwan Market and Global StrategyThrough the Canadian Technology Accelerator, Anandi Botanicals seeks Taiwanese partners for both R&D and commercial production. Target crops include orchids, pineapples, mangoes, asparagus, garlic, and medicinal plants. Partnerships with universities, biotech parks, and local nurseries will support technology adoption and automation integration.The company is leading research on perennial grains in collaboration with the NRC. Perennial grains do not need to be seeded every year, staying in the ground for at least three years. This improves soil quality by increasing carbon content and aeration and requires less tilling.On the research front, the company collaborates with Canada's National Research Council on perennial grains, which improve soil quality, reduce tilling, and provide multi-year yields. A proposal has been submitted to the UN FAO as a global food security solution. Taiwan's focus on sustainability and high food import reliance makes this technology highly relevant.Business Model and Future OutlookAnandi Botanicals operates a dual model: direct sales for crops without IP restrictions and licensed production for valuable IP-protected crops, offering royalties or licensing options. Its AI and automation technologies are being patented, with collaborative sharing possible under NDAs.For their technologies, including their AI-related solutions and workflow automation, they are in the process of IP registration. They are open to the transfer and distribution of their AI technologies through agreements like mandatory NDAs, emphasizing that this is crucial for global food security. Importantly, they are willing to negotiate IP terms and are "more than agreeable to discuss those opportunities" when collaborating with government establishments for the betterment of the entire community or country.Over the next five years, Anandi Botanicals aims to lead the integration of AI, robotics, and biotechnology in agriculture, increasing efficiency in production and research. By partnering with global institutions, governments, and commercial entities, the company seeks to scale field trials, expand perennial crop production, and contribute to global food security.Founder and Technical Director Dr. Annie Ray, Anandi Botanicals.

Gaming used to mean sitting down in a specific room. You powered up, stared at a glowing screen, and disappeared for hours. Now it's something people do on buses, at bus stops, in bed, or while waiting for a takeaway. The shift from console to mobile didn't just make games more convenient. It made them part of daily life. What was once an escape has become a companion.The rise of the smartphone didn't just give us better cameras or faster messaging. It handed us a new kind of playground. A billion pockets turned into arcades overnight. Games like Angry Birds, Temple Run, and Candy Crush weren't flukes. They were proof that entertainment didn't need a controller anymore. Mentioning a social casino game these days barely raises an eyebrow. People play for fun, for the challenge, or just to pass a dull minute. It's gaming stripped down to its essentials, accessible to anyone who can swipe a screen.The Old Console CrowdRemember when playing games meant being tethered to a television? The ritual of plugging in cables, picking up controllers, and arguing over who got player one. It was a production. Then came the phone. Suddenly, gaming was as easy as opening an app. It didn't matter if you had five minutes or fifty. You could dive in, make progress, and get on with your day.Classic titles noticed. Call of Duty, FIFA, even Grand Theft Auto showed up on mobile screens, adapted and alive. They weren't replacements; they were reinventions. For players who grew up glued to their consoles, this was liberation. You could take your favorite worlds with you. No more waiting until you got home to play. You already were home, in a way. It's as if the rules changed overnight and everyone who'd ever held a controller suddenly found the game following them instead of the other way around.Quick Fixes and Fast RewardsMobile games are built for the modern attention span. You don't need hours to get something out of them. You need thirty seconds and a thumb. They tap into something primal. The thrill of progress. The satisfaction of instant feedback. It's psychology cleverly disguised as play. Every level cleared, every reward unlocked, is another nudge to keep you hooked. The developers know exactly what they're doing-and we thank them for it.And that's what keeps people coming back. Mobile gaming doesn't demand loyalty. It earns it, one dopamine hit at a time. It fits between emails and errands, filling the gaps modern life leaves behind. A quick match here, a puzzle there, a sense of control in a world that often feels like it has none. You could call it escapism, but really, it's convenience disguised as joy.Everyone's a GamerThe stereotype of the gamer sitting in a dark room surrounded by empty cans is long gone. Your gran is probably playing Wordscapes. Your mate who hates "nerd stuff" has a Clash of Clans base he's been building for years. Mobile gaming didn't just grow the audience. It obliterated the walls that once defined it.Now, everyone's a gamer whether they admit it or not. It's a universal language. No tutorials needed. Just curiosity and a few taps. The accessibility is what made it unstoppable. You don't need to spend a fortune or dedicate your weekend. All you need is a phone and a spare moment. It's the great equalizer of entertainment-the one pastime that fits inside your pocket and asks for nothing but your attention.A Cultural ShiftMobile gaming's influence sits quietly in the background of pop culture. It's as normal as scrolling social media or watching short clips online. The way we interact with games mirrors how we consume everything else now.It's a bit like when Netflix changed how we watched TV. We stopped planning our lives around scheduled shows. We started watching on our terms. Mobile gaming did that for play. And if you've ever felt the heartbreak of losing your progress because your phone died mid-level, you've joined a global brotherhood of quiet, shared despair. Somewhere out there, millions know exactly how you feel.The Competitive EdgeCompetition has changed too. It's no longer about high scores on a single machine. It's global, constant, and always within reach. Daily missions, leaderboards, and events keep players locked in. It's not about beating the game anymore. It's about staying part of the loop.That endless engagement turned mobile gaming into a financial juggernaut. In 2024, it made up nearly half of all gaming revenue worldwide. The numbers prove what anyone with a smartphone already knows. We're all playing. Constantly. And most of us don't even realize because it has become second nature.The Next ChapterThe next leap won't be about screens or specs. It'll be about depth. Phones are getting faster, graphics sharper, and stories richer. Soon, the line between console and mobile will disappear. The best games will live everywhere. What matters won't be what you play on, but how easily you can lose yourself in it.The evolution of mobile gaming shows what happens when technology meets everyday life. It's no longer about finding time to play. It's about the moments between everything else when play finds you. Gaming didn't just survive the move to mobile. It thrived. It adapted, simplified, and conquered. The console might have started the story, but the phone made it impossible to put down.

BIWIN announces that its Mini SSD has been recognized by TIME magazine as one of the Best Inventions of 2025, making it the only storage product worldwide to earn a spot on this year's prestigious list.Each year, TIME highlights innovations that reshape industries and improve everyday life. The 2025 honorees span categories including AI, consumer electronics, and sustainability.The BIWIN Mini SSD stood out with its breakthrough design, exceptional performance, and bold re-imagination of portable storage.Redefining Performance and Portability for the AI EdgeBIWIN Mini SSD redefines the limits of portable storage, bridging performance and portability for the AI computing era. As AI models move from the cloud to the device, edge environments like local inference, high-resolution video, and immersive gaming demand ever-faster, more reliable storage in increasingly compact spaces. Traditional embedded storage solutions such as eMMC and UFS struggle to meet bandwidth requirements for AI workloads, while standard M.2 SSDs remain too large for next-generation, thinner and lighter designs.At just 15.0 x 17.0 x 1.4 mm, about the size of a coin, BIWIN Mini SSD delivers read speeds up to 3700 MB/s and write speeds up to 3400 MB/s, with capacities up to 2 TB. It empowers device manufacturers to create slimmer, smarter, and faster devices, from handheld gaming consoles to 3-in-1 AI PCs.BIWIN Mini SSD stands as a landmark example of how technology can keep devices thinner as data volumes keep growing.Redefining Performance and Portability for the AI Edge. Credit:BIWINSystem-Level Innovation: Technical Excellence Meets Advanced PackagingThe Mini SSD embodies BIWIN's system-level engineering approach, combining architecture design, firmware optimization, and advanced packaging to achieve the industry's best balance between miniature size, flagship-grade performance, and industrial reliability:Advanced LGA (Land Grid Array)Packaging: Integrates the controller and NAND flash on a single plane for maximum space efficiency and heat dissipation.Rugged Durability: IP68 dust- and water-resistance, plus drop protection from up to 3 meters, offering reliability in mobile or outdoor environments.Card-Tray Mechanism: Enables easy insertion and removal after power-down, simplifying upgrades and maintenance.Smart Firmware System: Dynamic SLC caching, wear-leveling, TRIM, and garbage-collection to deliver long-term stability.Broad Compatibility: Modular design adaptable for laptops, tablets, NAS, smart displays, handheld consoles, and edge-AI devices.This unified design philosophy reflects BIWIN's "Integrated R&D + Testing + Packaging 2.0" strategy, transforming compact form factors into complete system solutions.From Product Breakthrough to Ecosystem EmpowermentThe Mini SSD marks BIWIN's continued commitment to creating end-to-end storage solutions that empower partners and redefine the edge-AI landscape.Through close collaboration in product definition, joint validation, and large-scale production, BIWIN delivers scalable, energy-efficient storage optimized for AI computing and ultra-thin devices.Flagship products from One-Netbook, GPD, and other leading brands already integrate the Mini SSD, achieving a rare balance between AI performance and lightweight design.Building on this success, BIWIN is expanding its edge-AI storage portfolio, including ePOP and BGA SSD products, offering higher bandwidth, lower power consumption, and thinner form factors.BIWIN's AI-edge business is expected to grow by more than 500% year-over-year in 2025.For more information about BIWIN please visit.

Taiwanese power solutions leader Asian Power Devices Inc. (hereafter "APD") officially inaugurated its new factory on October 29 at Thang Long Industrial Park in Phu Tho Province, Northern Vietnam. The event brought together APD's international clients and supply chain partners to witness this significant milestone in the company's global expansion. APD's Vietnam factory specializes in the production of power supply units, with mass production having commenced in September 2024 and full-scale capacity expansion planned for 2025.Global Presence -Diversified Manufacturing BaseSince its founding in 1994, APD has been dedicated to the R&D and manufacturing of power systems and renewable energy products, serving as a long-term strategic partner for leading global networking and medical technology companies. Amid geopolitical uncertainties, evolving tariff policies, and supply chain risk mitigation strategies, global supply chains are undergoing rapid restructuring. Customers increasingly prioritize stable, flexible, and reliable supply sources.To meet these growing demands and ensure supply chain stability, APD is actively expanding its global production footprint. The launch of the Vietnam factory complements the company's Shenzhen and Taipei facilities, creating a comprehensive manufacturing network while enabling flexible capacity allocation to address diverse international market needs.Smart Manufacturing -Strengthening Competitive AdvantageAPD's Vietnam facility spans 12,000 square meters within Thang Long Industrial Park, the industrial hub of northern Vietnam. Strategically situated near Noi Bai International Airport and major ports, the factory facilitates seamless regional supply chain integration and rapid access to global markets.Since entering mass production in 2024, the facility has implemented Industry 4.0 smart manufacturing technologies. Highly automated AI-driven systems and high-speed SMT production lines enhance efficiency while strengthening product testing and reliability control. Through advanced production lines and rigorous quality management, APD consistently delivers high-quality power products that meet international standards. With production capacity steadily increasing, annual output is projected to reach 25 million power modules by the end of 2026.Looking ahead, APD will continue investing in smart manufacturing processes and line upgrades while deepening collaboration with local supply chains to provide customers with more competitive lead times, superior quality, and cost-effective solutions.Ongoing Commitment, Moving Toward New MilestonesAs global demand for networking and medical power solutions continues to grow, the launch of APD's Vietnam factory significantly boosts the group's overall production capacity. Rax Chuang, General Manager of APD's Power Systems Business, stated: The establishment of our Vietnam factory represents not only a key milestone in APD's global production expansion but also a clear demonstration of our ongoing commitment to meeting market and customer needs. We are confident that our enhanced manufacturing capabilities and flexible supply chain configuration will help our customers secure a competitive edge in the global market. Moving forward, APD will continue to uphold our spirit of "Innovative Quality, Unwavering Commitment' and collaborate closely with our global supply chain partners and customers to create the next phase of growth together."For more information about APD, please visit.Highly Automated Production Lines at APD Vietnam Factory. Credit:APD

SK hynix Inc. (or "the company", www.skhynix.com) announced today that it has recorded 24.4489 trillion won in revenues, 11.3834 trillion won in operating profit (with an operating margin of 47%), and 12.5975 trillion won in net profit (with a net margin of 52%) in the third quarter.Credit: DIGITIMESThe company achieved its highest-ever quarterly performance, driven by the full-scale rise in prices of DRAM and NAND, as well as the increasing shipments of high-performance products for AI servers. In particular, operating profit exceeded 10 trillion won for the first time in the company's history.As demand across the memory segment has soared due to customers' expanding investments in AI infrastructure, SK hynix once again surpassed the record-high performance of the previous quarter due to increased sales of high value-added products such as 12-high HBM3E and DDR5 for servers.Driven by surging demand for AI servers, shipments of high-capacity DDR5s of 128GB or more have more than doubled from the previous quarter. In NAND, the portion of AI server eSSD, which commands a price premium, expanded significantly as well.Building on this strong performance, the company's cash and cash equivalents at the end of the third quarter increased by 10.9 trillion won from the previous quarter, reaching 27.9 trillion won. Meanwhile, interest bearing debt stood at 24.1 trillion won, enabling the company to successfully transition to a net cash position of 3.8 trillion won.As the AI market rapidly shifts toward inference-driven workloads, there is growing interest in distributing computational loads of AI servers across broader infrastructures such as general servers. This trend is expected to further expand demand across the entire memory portfolio, including high-performance DDR5 and eSSD.In addition, the recent wave of strategic partnerships and AI data center expansion announcements by leading global AI players provides further momentum. This is expected to drive balanced demand growth not only for HBM, but also for various product lines including memory solutions for general servers.In response, SK hynix plans to accelerate the migration to its most advanced 1cnm process, or the sixth-generation of the 10-nanometer technology, which is already in stable mass production. This will enable the company to establish a full DRAM lineup across server, mobile, and graphics applications, and to flexibly respond to customer needs through expanded supply. In NAND, the company will also increase output of world's highest 321-layer TLC and QLC products to swiftly meet customer requirements.Meanwhile, the company has completed discussions with key customers regarding HBM supply for next year. HBM4, which completed development in September and entered mass production, fully meets customer performance requirements and supports industry-leading speeds. Shipments will begin in the fourth quarter this year, with full-scale sales expansion planned for next year.Furthermore, amid surging demand for AI memory, the company has already secured full customer demand for its entire DRAM and NAND production for next year.In order to address higher-than-expected customer demand, SK hynix plans to expand its production capacity through M15X, where equipment installation has recently begun after the early opening of a new cleanroom, and to accelerate the migration to advanced process technologies.As a result, investment for next year is expected to increase compared to this year, reflecting the company's continued commitment to a market-aligned investment strategy."With the innovation of AI technology, the memory market has shifted to a new paradigm and demand has begun to spread to all product areas," said Kim Woohyun, Chief Financial Officer. "We will continue to strengthen our AI memory leadership by responding to customer demand through market-leading products and differentiated technological capabilities."SK hynix 3Q25 Financial Results. SK hynix

Livestreaming has become a central part of Asia's digital life, spreading across shopping, gaming, entertainment, education, sports, and corporate sectors. Viewers can now watch everything from product launches to eSports tournaments in real time, often interacting directly with hosts or other audience members. Artificial intelligence is playing a big role in this growth.AI can provide real-time translations, auto-generated captions, and interactive overlays that make streams easier to follow. With faster internet and mobile technology, livestreams have become seamless experiences. Businesses, influencers, and content creators are using these tools to reach wider audiences, engage viewers, and create richer, more interactive broadcasts.Sports Streaming and In-Match FeaturesIn Asia, livestreaming is more than watching content. It is about interaction and immediacy. Platforms allow viewers to respond, ask questions, and even participate in polls or giveaways instantly. Sports fans in Asia can now watch matches live while accessing detailed analytics, player stats, and commentary simultaneously. AI-driven tools highlight scoring chances, track movements, and provide instant updates. For example, international betting sites, like non Gamstop sports betting platforms, integrate live betting, where viewers can adjust their wagers as events unfold, offering a highly interactive experience. Whether it is football, basketball, or martial arts competitions, live streams provide fans with insights that were once only available to professional analysts.This real-time access changes how audiences watch, follow, and participate in sporting events. Not only do these sites offer competitive odds and a variety of bet types, but users can often pay using crypto or e-wallets, adding flexibility. Watching a match this way is very different from traditional broadcasts, as every moment can affect decisions and strategies. This integration of live streams with betting creates a highly engaging experience that keeps audiences invested throughout an event.E-Commerce and Live ShoppingRetail has embraced livestreaming across Asia, turning product demonstrations into interactive shopping events. Platforms like Taobao Live, Douyin, Shopee, and Lazada allow influencers and brands to showcase products in real time. Viewers can ask questions about size, colour, or features while watching demonstrations.Many shopping events coincide with festivals or special promotions, driving huge sales. AI tools help highlight popular items, suggest similar products, and analyse viewer behaviour to make the experience more engaging. The combination of immediacy, interaction, and easy purchasing is transforming how people shop online, making livestreaming a vital sales channel.Gaming and eSports StreamingLivestreaming has reshaped the gaming scene in countries such as China, South Korea, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Players and fans watch tournaments, live matches, and speed runs on platforms like Douyin, Kick, and AfreecaTV. AI helps by automatically highlighting key moments, providing real-time stats, and moderating chat to keep interactions friendly.Viewers can now enjoy eSports with instant commentary and predictive analysis. Interactive features, such as live polls and fan competitions, create a sense of community while keeping the focus on the action. The combination of technology and interactivity makes gaming streams a leading form of entertainment across Asia.Media, Entertainment, and Live EventsLive performances, concerts, and cultural festivals are increasingly streamed to global audiences. Organisers use AI to improve camera angles, detect crowd reactions, and provide immersive experiences with AR and VR elements. Fans can watch in real time, comment, and share content on social media. Interactive features allow viewers to choose which performances or angles to follow.Streaming concerts or festivals offers a wider reach than traditional venues, bringing entertainment directly to people's devices. This accessibility is reshaping how audiences experience live shows while offering new opportunities for content creators and performers.Education and Corporate TrainingLivestreaming is also transforming education and business communications. Trainers can deliver live classes, workshops, or corporate presentations to students or employees across the region. AI assists by providing automated captions, translating lectures, and moderating questions in real time. Interactive quizzes and polls help maintain engagement, and analytics track participation and learning outcomes.For companies, live streams allow efficient communication, product demonstrations, or large-scale meetings without requiring physical presence. These tools are increasingly standard for schools, universities, and corporations looking to expand reach and efficiency.Technology Behind the StreamsThe growth of livestreaming relies on fast internet, widespread 5G coverage, and advanced mobile devices. AI enhances the viewing experience with features like automated highlights, translation, and smart camera control. Content creators can focus on producing engaging material while AI handles repetitive or technical tasks. This combination of human creativity and AI support ensures smooth, interactive broadcasts that attract and retain viewers. The rise of crypto payments, e-wallets, and flexible digital transactions also supports live commerce and live betting models.Livestreaming Across IndustriesFrom e-commerce and gaming to entertainment, education, sports, and corporate events, livestreaming is integrated into nearly every sector in Asia. Companies and creators now have the tools to engage audiences in real time, measure responses, and adjust content instantly. Interactive features such as live chats, polls, and tipping mechanisms make streams participatory rather than passive. AI-driven insights help identify popular content, analyse presentations, and tailor experiences to different audiences. The result is a digital ecosystem where livestreaming is central to business growth, entertainment, and communication.How AI is Revolutionising Livestreaming Across Asia's Expanding Digital Ecosystem. Credit: Pexels

SK hynix Inc. announced today that it presented its next-generation NAND storage product strategy at the '2025 OCP (Open Compute Project) Global Summit', held in San Jose, California, from October 13 to 16.SK hynix unveils AIN Family (P/B/D) and hosts HBF Night to expand the AIN B ecosystem. Credit: SK hynixSK hynix said that, with the rapid growth of the AI inference market, the demand for NAND storage products capable of process large volume data quickly and efficiently is increasing dramatically. The company will fulfill customer needs by establishing the 'AIN (AI-NAND) Family' lineup of solution products, optimized for the AI era.Chun Sung Kim, Head of eSSD Product Development at SK hynix, presented the AIN Family during the Executive Session on the second day of the event.The AIN Family consists of NAND solution products optimized for performance, bandwidth, and density respectively which is designed to enhanced data processing speed and storage capacity. AIN P (Performance) is a solution to efficiently process large volume data generated under large-scale AI inference workloads. The product significantly boosts processing speed and energy efficiency by minimizing the bottleneck between storage and AI operations. SK hynix is designing NAND and controllers with new structures and plans to release samples by the end of 2026.AIN D (Density) is a high density solution designed to store large amount of data with low power consumption and cost suitable for storing AI data. The company targets to increase density to petabyte (PB) level from terabyte (TB) of current QLC-based SSDs, and to aim for mid-end storage solution which implements both the speed of SSD and the cost efficiency of HDD.AIN B (Bandwidth) is SK hynix's solution leveraging HBF technology. This product expands bandwidth by vertically stacking multiple NANDs.With global top level HBM development and production capabilities, SK hynix has been conducting researches on AIN B from early stage to address the memory capacity gap driven by the expansion of AI inference and scaling up of LLMs. The key is to combine HBM's stacking structure with high density and cost efficient NAND flash. The company is taking various strategies for AIN B into consideration, such as placing together with HBM to enhance overall system capacity.SK hynix jointly hosted 'HBF Night' with Sandisk, after both parties entered an MOU for HBF standardization in August, to expand the technology ecosystem. The event was held at The Tech Interactive, near the OCP Global Summit venue, on the 14th.At the event, a panel discussion featuring Korean and foreign faculty members was held, with the participation of numerous industry architects and engineers participated. During the event, a collaborative effort across the industry was proposed to accelerate innovation in NAND storage products."Through OCP Global Summit and HBF Night, we were able to showcase SK hynix's present and future as a global AI memory solution provider, thriving in a rapidly evolving AI market," Ahn Hyun, President and Chief Development Officer said. "In the next generation NAND storage market, SK hynix will collaborate closely with customers and partners to become a key player."

Smiths Group plc ("Smiths") announces that it has entered into an agreement for the sale of Smiths Interconnect to Molex Electronic Technologies Holdings, LLC ("Molex", a Koch company) (the "Transaction"). The Transaction values Smiths Interconnect at an enterprise value of £1.3bn, representing 15.1x headline EBITDA of £86.1m1 for the fiscal year 2025. Smiths will receive cash consideration for the Transaction which is subject to customary adjustments for working capital, cash and debt. This announcement demonstrates clear progress against the strategic actions announced on 31 January 2025, designed to maximise value creation, unlock value in the portfolio, and enhance returns to shareholders. The sale of Smiths Interconnect is a notable step forward in the strategy to become a more focused industrial engineering company. Completion of the Transaction is expected to take place in the second half of fiscal year 2026.Credit: SmithsAs also announced in January, Smiths is executing against the delivery of enhanced returns to shareholders through its ongoing £500m buyback which is expected to complete by the end of calendar year 2025. Smiths remains committed to returning a large portion of disposal proceeds from the sale of Smiths Interconnect to shareholders and intends to maintain an investment grade credit rating with the desire to have an efficient balance sheet.  The Board of Smiths will provide an update on the use of proceeds in the Q1 FY2026 Trading Statement scheduled for release on 19 November 2025. Smiths continues to progress with both the sale and demerger processes in parallel for Smiths Detection, as previously stated.Roland Carter, Chief Executive of Smiths, said: "This is an important step as we deliver on our commitment to focus Smiths and unlock the inherent value in our business. Today's announcement, and our recent results, show we are delivering on our strategy with pace and purpose and I am confident that we will continue to do so as we further focus our business as a high-performing industrial engineering company.""We thank our Smiths Interconnect colleagues for their significant contribution to the Smiths Group over many years and wish them every success as they transition to their new owner, Molex, who is well placed to support their future growth."Under French employment laws, prior to making any decision to enter into the Transaction (including by way of entry into any binding share purchase agreement), Smiths is required to carry out an information and consultation process with its French works council (the "French Works Council"). It is intended that the consultation process regarding the Transaction will begin following this announcement.Whilst Smiths will ensure the views of the French Works Council are properly considered, the French Works Council opinion on the Transaction is consultative and not binding on Smiths or Molex.Following completion of the consultation with the French Works Council, the agreement that Smiths has entered into gives it the unilateral and unconditional right to require Molex to enter into a binding share purchase agreement to complete the Transaction, which is subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions and regulatory approvals.Based on headline FY2025 EBITDA, which excludes the contribution from the US sub-systems business unit of Smiths Interconnect, which was reported as agreed for sale in Smiths full year 2025 results, and which completed in October 2025.