DIGITIMES: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Lite-On boosts 2027 capex as AI race raises stakes for CSPs

Lily Hess — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 03:55:22 GMT

Lite-On Technology will continue increasing capital expenditure in 2027 as cloud service providers (CSPs) pour money into the artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure race, president Anson Chiu said. He warned that CSPs that stop investing to secure market share will pay an even higher price for falling behind in the irreversible AI era.

Sam Altman meets with Samsung, SK as memory crunch deepens

DIGITIMES — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 03:53:42 GMT

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met with executives from Samsung Group and SK Group during a brief visit to South Korea on October 31, as tightening memory supplies and growing commitments to major AI customers raise the stakes for the company's semiconductor and data center partnerships.

China's Empyrean Tech targets digital EDA gaps with US$32.9 million Easy-Logic acquisition

DIGITIMES — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 03:44:12 GMT

China's leading electronic design automation (EDA) supplier, Empyrean Technology, plans to acquire a controlling stake in Easy-Logic Technology, a specialist in digital logic optimization, for about CNY219 million (≈ US$32.9 million). The acquisition will address a gap in Empyrean's digital chip design tools and support its development of next-generation solutions for AI chips and 3D integrated circuits (3DIC).

What CXMT's 3Q26 earnings reveal about DRAM shortages, DDR5 momentum, and 2027 growth strategy

DIGITIMES — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 03:42:02 GMT

China's leading DRAM manufacturer CXMT expects revenue to continue growing through 2027, supported by tight memory supply, AI server demand and an expanding portfolio of higher-value DDR5 and LPDDR6 products. The company is also negotiating long-term supply agreements with major customers, reflecting efforts to secure demand beyond the current memory market upswing.

Dixon maps AI hardware expansion through Inventec, Gemtek, prospective packaging partners

DIGITIMES — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 03:35:54 GMT

Dixon Technologies is pursuing separate partnerships for servers, optical communications, and advanced semiconductor packaging as it seeks a role in AI infrastructure manufacturing, although its most ambitious silicon-photonics plans remain at the evaluation stage.

Foxconn's FII, FIT join forces to tackle AI data center bottlenecks beyond computing power

Levi Li — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 03:20:57 GMT

Foxconn subsidiaries Foxconn Interconnect Technology (FIT) and Foxconn Industrial Internet (FII) are combining their expertise in computing, connectivity, power delivery and cooling to address increasingly complex AI infrastructure demands. Speaking at Hon Hai Tech Day, their chairmen said competition has expanded beyond individual hardware specifications to overall system performance and integration.

Foxconn nears EV JV agreement with Poland's EMP as European expansion gains momentum

Scarlett Yu — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 03:16:52 GMT

Foxconn is in advanced discussions with Polish electric vehicle (EV) company Electromobility Poland (EMP) to establish a joint venture, with an agreement expected soon, according to Jun Seki, Chief Strategy Officer of Foxconn's EV business.

Dixon turns to joint ventures, components as price-led growth leaves margins thin

DIGITIMES — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 03:13:02 GMT

Dixon Technologies is counting on smartphone joint ventures, expanding IT hardware production, and locally made components to turn a sharp sales increase into stronger earnings, as rising memory costs inflate revenue without a corresponding rise in manufacturing volumes.

Exclusive: Metal adhesion poses challenge for aluminum nitride in AI optics

Sherri Wang — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 03:11:42 GMT

As AI and large-scale data center buildouts drive up data transmission speeds, heat is becoming increasingly concentrated in key components. This has drawn attention to ceramic substrates and higher-performance aluminum nitride (AlN) substrates for use in optical communications and advanced packaging. Supply chain sources say, however, that metal adhesion remains a major engineering challenge, one that industry participants are reluctant to discuss publicly.

Nvidia to become Naver’s third-largest shareholder

DIGITIMES — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 03:00:14 GMT

Nvidia will invest US$1 billion (KRW1.34 trillion) in South Korean internet company Naver, acquiring an approximately 4.54% stake and surpassing Naver founder and board chairman Hae-jin Lee to become its third-largest shareholder.

Tata Sons injects US$115.7M into Tata Electronics as chip and iPhone arm gains weight in group

DIGITIMES — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 02:57:07 GMT

Tata Sons has put INR11 billion (US$115.71 million) into Tata Electronics through a rights issue, according to regulatory filings, adding capital to a business that has quickly become one of the largest in the Tata group.

FuriosaAI raises US$620 million, quadruples valuation to challenge Nvidia

DIGITIMES — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 02:44:04 GMT

South Korean AI chip startup FuriosaAI has raised US$620 million in its latest funding round, quadrupling its valuation from the previous round to US$2.9 billion and strengthening its challenge to Nvidia.

South Korea's army advances energy transition with microgrids, hydrogen

DIGITIMES — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 02:34:35 GMT

As AI and unmanned systems see wider adoption, the military's reliance on electricity continues to grow, making energy transition critical to maintaining combat capabilities. The South Korean Army made its debut at Smart Energy Plus (SEP) 2026, showcasing microgrids integrating solar power, energy storage systems (ESS), and hydrogen fuel cells, along with hydrogen-powered tactical vehicles and hydrogen fuel-cell drones to reduce dependence on external power grids.

India's Mivi opens electronics plant in Hyderabad as it moves into smartphones

DIGITIMES — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 02:28:59 GMT

Indian consumer electronics brand Mivi has inaugurated an INR2 billion (approx. US$21.05 million) research, development, and manufacturing facility at E-City in Tukkuguda, Hyderabad, giving the audio-focused company a monthly capacity of 500,000 earbuds and 75,000 soundbars as it pushes into smartphones.

EasyJet bets on Starlink for full-fleet connectivity by 2027

DIGITIMES — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 02:23:17 GMT

UK low-cost airline EasyJet has agreed with SpaceX to install Starlink satellite internet on its A320, A320neo, and A321neo fleets starting in the first half of 2027, with the rollout expected to be completed by early 2028. The service will allow passengers to stream video, work in the cloud, play online games, and access information during flights.

Apple Intelligence heads toward paid tiers in 2027, yet AI usage limits leave key questions unanswered

Levi Li — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 02:20:32 GMT

Apple is preparing to charge for heavier use of certain Apple Intelligence features from 2027, introducing usage caps for cloud-based AI services that could become part of its existing iCloud+ subscriptions. The plan, outlined on Apple's website alongside two consecutive months of product launches in 2026, adds another consideration for consumers already facing hardware upgrades and higher prices.

Rebuilding the American edge: How TSMC is driving US manufacturing and economic opportunity

DIGITIMES — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 02:20:24 GMT

The ambition to repatriate advanced manufacturing to the United States has reached a critical turning point. Central to this national push is the massive expansion of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) in Phoenix, Arizona—a project that highlights both the economic potential of reindustrialization and the operational complexities of restoring long-lost technical expertise.

Meta reportedly advances humanoid robot development with Chinese partner Fourier

DIGITIMES — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 02:16:27 GMT

Meta is accelerating its humanoid robotics ambitions through a partnership with Chinese robotics company Fourier, having developed an initial prototype and begun work on a second version as it explores the potential of AI-powered household assistants.

Commentary: China's Nvidia H200 challengers look beyond GPU power, with Huawei and T-Head targeting system-scale AI

Levi Li — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 02:08:22 GMT

Iluvatar CoreX has reported benchmark results showing its Tiangai 300 AI accelerator outperforming Nvidia's H200 on selected metrics, drawing renewed attention to China's progress in developing domestic alternatives to high-end GPUs. Yet the broader competition extends beyond raw processing power, as Chinese chipmakers seek to narrow the gap with leading international AI computing platforms through chip design, software optimisation and system integration.

Kioxia's AI storage boom faces a test as pricing gains moderate, shipments shift

DIGITIMES — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 02:04:40 GMT

Kioxia's latest results show how AI infrastructure spending is reshaping the NAND flash business, lifting profitability even as consumer demand weakens. Its nearly flat outlook for the next quarter, however, shifts attention from the scale of the price surge to whether enterprise storage shipments can sustain growth as that surge moderates.

Taiwan’s R&D investment reaches NT$1.13 trillion in 2025

DIGITIMES — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 01:43:57 GMT

Master’s degree holders remain the backbone of Taiwan’s technology R&D workforce, while locally trained PhD students generally show weaker research capabilities, according to academic sources. The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) said on October 30 that Taiwan’s total R&D investment reached NT$1.13 trillion (US$34.79 billion) in 2025, up 8.5% year-over-year, including NT$981 billion from the private sector and NT$157 billion from the government.

Canada invests CAD1.6 billion in Cohere to build AI independence

DIGITIMES — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 01:38:25 GMT

The Canadian government plans to invest up to CAD1.6 billion (about US$1.14 billion) in domestic AI startup Cohere, becoming a major investor in the company's latest funding round as Canada seeks to reduce its reliance on the US and China for critical AI technologies.

Foxconn sees double-digit growth amid 2027 K-shaped AI market

DIGITIMES — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 01:28:23 GMT

Foxconn chairman Young Liu said at a media briefing following Hon Hai Tech Day (HHTD 26) on October 30 that the long-term AI industry trend remains intact, but the overall market will develop in a K-shaped pattern in 2027, with AI data center-related industries on the upswing and other sectors moving in the opposite direction. Foxconn expects to continue growing at a double-digit rate next year.

Foxconn, Mitsubishi Fuso joint venture to launch on November 2 as Japan's auto industry opens up

Eifeh Strom — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 01:20:23 GMT

Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn) and Japan's Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus (MFTBC) will officially launch their bus joint venture on November 2, according to Foxconn chief strategy officer for electric vehicles (EVs) Jun Seki. Separately, Foxconn's joint venture with Mitsubishi Electric's automotive business is expected to take around nine to 10 months to complete antitrust reviews in various countries.

Weekly news roundup: Taiwan debates talent distribution; SK Hynix looks beyond HBM

DIGITIMES — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 01:11:14 GMT

This week’s coverage highlights intensifying competition and capacity constraints across the global semiconductor industry. Taiwan faces debate over whether public R&D funding should prioritize universities and talent development. Micron workers receive unusually large bonuses amid unresolved labor negotiations. India is expanding state-level semiconductor incentives, while KLA reportedly considers local manufacturing. Memory shortages may persist through 2030, and SK Hynix is investing beyond memory. Server CPU demand is projected to surge, with AMD potentially surpassing Intel in revenue.

Musk may let TSMC run his Texas chip fab as his go-it-alone plan stalls

Scarlett Yu — Mon, 2 Nov 2026 00:52:45 GMT

Elon Musk is reportedly reconsidering his approach to collaborating with TSMC on the Terafab project, signaling a potential shift from his original ambition to independently build and operate semiconductor fabs.

Column: Samsung's memory boom reshapes its investment strategy

Sherri Wang — Sun, 1 Nov 2026 22:22:00 GMT

Samsung Electronics has never had more capital at its disposal. The company reported operating profit of KRW89.5 trillion (approx. US$67 billion) in the second quarter of 2026 and KRW107.4 trillion in the third, when its operating margin reached approximately 55%. Samsung became the first technology company worldwide to post quarterly operating profit exceeding KRW100 trillion. The company is benefiting enormously from the memory boom, but its dependence on the industry has also deepened.

India roundup: India accelerates semiconductor push as states, chipmakers and equipment suppliers expand investment

DIGITIMES — Sun, 1 Nov 2026 21:19:00 GMT

India's semiconductor ambitions are gathering momentum as states launch new subsidies, chipmakers weigh fabs, global suppliers consider manufacturing, and engineering partnerships deepen the country's role in chip supply chains.

NearLink looks to chip vendors to expand beyond Huawei ecosystem

Yunnie Cheng — Sun, 1 Nov 2026 19:22:00 GMT

China's next-generation short-range wireless connectivity technology, NearLink, is actively pushing into markets beyond the Huawei ecosystem. Securing support from major chip vendors such as MediaTek, STMicroelectronics (ST), and NXP will be critical as the International SparkLink Alliance works to encourage wider adoption among non-Huawei smartphone brands, according to alliance secretary-general Guosong Zeng.

Lite-On reports record third-quarter profit as AI revenue exceeds 30%

DIGITIMES — Sun, 1 Nov 2026 19:19:00 GMT

Lite-On Technology reported record net profit for the third quarter of 2026 as demand for AI infrastructure boosted its cloud and power businesses. The Taiwanese electronics supplier posted consolidated revenue of NT$57.4 billion (US$1.8 billion), up 9% quarter-over-quarter and 28% year-over-year, while executives said AI-related revenue had exceeded 30% of the company's year-to-date total.

GigaDevice's massive financial growth in 2026 capitalizing on its A+H listing, memory surge

DIGITIMES — Sun, 1 Nov 2026 19:18:00 GMT

GigaDevice's financial performance through the first three quarters of 2026 highlights a transformative period driven by strategic market positioning, capital expansion, and robust product demand.

Nvidia's Korea robotics push gains ground as LG starts data factory operations

DIGITIMES — Sun, 1 Nov 2026 18:15:00 GMT

Nvidia's robotics partnerships in South Korea are moving beyond initial agreements, with LG Electronics beginning partial operations at its robot-training Data Factory and LG Innotek expanding cooperation on sensing technologies. Hyundai Motor Group, another Nvidia partner, has also outlined new steps toward building AI infrastructure for robotics and autonomous driving.

Humanoid robots, robotaxis take center stage at Korea's FIX 2026

DIGITIMES — Sun, 1 Nov 2026 18:13:00 GMT

South Korean companies showcased humanoid robot components, dual-arm machines, and autonomous driving systems at FIX 2026 in Daegu, offering a look at how developers are bringing automation into factories and transportation. The technologies ranged from robotic hardware under development for manufacturing applications to an autonomous taxi service already carrying paying passengers.

Nytex targets 35% of sales from high-end materials by 2027

Sherri Wang — Sun, 1 Nov 2026 17:10:00 GMT

Nytex Composites, a Taiwan-based specialty plastics compounder, aims to increase high-end materials' share of revenue to 35% in 2027, up from 25.76% in the first half of 2026, as demand grows for materials used in semiconductor wafer carriers, IC trays, and battery backup units (BBUs) for AI data centers.

Seoul Viosys begins mass production of rare earth-free white micro LEDs

DIGITIMES — Sun, 1 Nov 2026 17:09:00 GMT

A South Korean company says it has begun mass-producing white-light micro LED chips without rare earth materials, potentially reducing costs and environmental concerns in a market valued at about US$10 billion. The technology could also support smaller lighting systems, augmented reality displays, and optical links for artificial intelligence data communications.

Analysis: Samsung's own memory unit pushes its foundry toward a 2027 capacity crunch

DIGITIMES — Sun, 1 Nov 2026 16:09:00 GMT

Samsung Electronics' contract chipmaking business spent years struggling to fill its factories. On its third-quarter earnings call, the company said that by 2027, demand will exceed capacity across all its nodes below 8nm, which it expects to run at over 100% utilization.

The 20% problem: why Taiwan's imported equipment parts still carry 70% of the cost

DIGITIMES — Sun, 1 Nov 2026 15:09:00 GMT

Taiwan can manufacture some of the world's most advanced chips, package them into increasingly complex AI systems, and connect much of the surrounding electronics supply chain within a remarkably small geographic footprint.