DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Japan's LSTC launches optoelectronic advanced packaging project around Rapidus cluster

Emily Kuo — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Research on optoelectronic integration — referring to the application of optical communication technology to computing — is gaining momentum. Its semiconductor packaging component officially got underway in April 2026 in Chitose City, Hokkaido, Japan, where Rapidus's semiconductor factory is located. The project is led by the Leading-edge Semiconductor Technology Center (LSTC), with participation from Rapidus and other organizations, and has established a development base at the Chitose Institute of Science and Technology. By using light to connect individual chips within chiplets, the technology aims to significantly reduce the power consumption of AI chips.

Lam Research signals sustained AI-driven momentum as WFE outlook improves

DIGITIMES — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 01:46:33 GMT

Lam Research delivered a strong start to 2026, with first-quarter 2026 results exceeding expectations and reinforcing confidence in a semiconductor upcycle increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence demand. Revenue reached US$5.84 billion, up 24% year over year, while margins and earnings also came in above guidance.

AIDC transitions into full-scale drone systems provider, advancing autonomy with in-house R&D

Willis Ke — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 01:45:00 GMT

Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) is fast-tracking its transition from a supporting aerospace contractor into a full-fledged drone system provider, aiming to capture growing opportunities in both domestic defense programs and the global unmanned vehicle market.

Texas Instruments signals a stronger recovery on industrial and AI demand

DIGITIMES — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 01:42:19 GMT

Texas Instruments (TI) reported first-quarter 2026 revenue of US$4.83 billion, up 19% year on year, with net income rising 31% to US$1.55 billion and earnings per share of US$1.68. Operating profit increased 37% to US$1.81 billion.

Texas Instruments signals broad recovery across industrial and data center markets with cautious optimism

DIGITIMES — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 01:36:54 GMT

Texas Instruments reported that improving demand in industrial and data center markets is driving sustained sequential growth, while management maintained a cautious stance on macroeconomic uncertainty and the durability of the current cycle.

UN cyber mandates force global auto rethink

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 01:30:00 GMT

New UN rules requiring EU cars to adopt comprehensive cybersecurity systems from mid-2024 will reshape global automotive competitiveness, supply chains, and digital strategies. The regulations compel automakers and suppliers worldwide to overhaul vehicle design, manufacturing, and software update practices — or risk stranded investments in electrification and software-defined vehicle programs, with consequences that could threaten corporate survival.

DRAM and NAND recovery drive Lam Research outlook, AI demand strengthens equipment cycle

DIGITIMES — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 01:23:26 GMT

Analysts say Lam Research is entering a stronger-than-expected growth phase, with rising demand from DRAM and NAND customers emerging as key drivers of revenue expansion alongside sustained AI-related investments. While overall semiconductor equipment demand remains cyclical, analysts note that memory-related capex recovery, combined with AI processor tool demand, is helping extend Lam Research's growth momentum into the next fiscal period.

Beyond infotainment: Google moves deeper into automotive with core vehicle systems

Elaine Chen — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 01:15:00 GMT

Silicon Valley is quietly reshaping the automotive value chain, and the shift is now working its way deep into the architecture of European carmakers.

Apollo Power secures backing from SEEC, Phison, and Gigabyte for AI data center power solutions

Kevin Wang — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Apollo Power is targeting the behind-the-meter energy storage market in Taiwan through a partnership with Tesla to deploy the latter's Megapack enterprise-level energy storage systems (ESS), coupled with Apollo Power's proprietary software technology and power dispatch platform. Beyond its first corporate project at Phison Electronics, Apollo Power has received strong backing from major shareholders including Shihlin Electric (SEEC), Phison, and Gigabyte, and is positioning itself to become a leading energy solution provider for AI computing centers.

Google debuts TPU 8t and 8i as AI workloads diverge

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:12:02 GMT

Google Cloud Next 2026 kicked off on April 22 in Las Vegas, with Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian declaring that the experimental phase of artificial intelligence is over. Nearly 75% of Google Cloud customers are already using AI in production environments, he said, adding that the key challenge now is scaling AI deployment across entire enterprises.

TSMC targets 2029 production for A13 and A12 as next AI chip nodes

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:11:11 GMT

At its North America Technology Symposium, TSMC showcased a range of innovations in advanced process technologies. Following the introduction of its A14 process in 2025, the company unveiled the next-generation A13 process, delivering a direct upgrade with a more streamlined, efficient design to meet the growing demand from next-generation AI, high-performance computing (HPC), and mobile applications.

Interview: Seiko Epson outlines engineered future vision for 2035 amid geopolitical challenges

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:05:55 GMT

Amid volatile geopolitical tensions affecting Japan's components, manufacturing, and end-user sectors, Seiko Epson unveiled its Engineered Future 2035 long-term vision. The plan aims to shift Epson from a traditional printer maker into a value-driven company focused on technology innovation and engineering excellence, with improving return on invested capital as a core discipline.

Asia Vital Components eyes liquid cooling growth while testing space-ready thermal plates

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:05:34 GMT

Asia Vital Components' push into liquid cooling and space-ready thermal solutions signals a broader shift in data center design and supply chains, with implications for hyperscalers and edge industries worldwide as AI-driven demand accelerates investment and capacity expansion across markets.

Zhen Ding will build 10 new factories for global expansion

Emily Kuo — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:05:14 GMT

Taiwan-based PCB maker Zhen Ding Tech has stated that as customers' next-generation product platforms gradually enter mass production starting from the second quarter of 2026, its IC substrate, server, and optical communications businesses are entering a new round of high-speed expansion. The company targets mid-to-high double-digit revenue growth for the full year of 2026 and is optimistic that shipment momentum will follow a quarter-on-quarter growth trend.

Taiwan's three major polarizer makers undergo transformation in medical, semiconductor, and automotive businesses

Emily Kuo — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:05:04 GMT

Growing pressure from capacity expansion in China, price competition, and compressed profit margins for traditional display applications has prompted Taiwan-based polarizer manufacturers to accelerate their transformation. Companies including BenQ Materials, Cheng Mei Materials Technology (CMMT), and Optimax Technology are diversifying their roles across medical, semiconductor materials, and automotive applications. Their objective is to mitigate industry risk and obtain a second growth curve.

Pegatron chairman: Apple's leadership shift won't shake supply chain ties

Elaine Chen — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:04:47 GMT

Apple has formally announced a leadership transition, naming its senior vice president of hardware engineering, John Ternus, as its next CEO. He is set to take over on September 1, 2026, succeeding Tim Cook, whose tenure has been widely credited with sustaining Apple's position at the pinnacle of the global technology industry.

Zhen Ding breaks ground on new China site; Zhongji Innolight chairman attends to show support

Lily Hess — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:04:34 GMT

Taiwanese printed circuit board (PCB) giant Zhen Ding Technology Group held a groundbreaking ceremony for the HD Campus of the "Zhen Ding Technology Group Huai'an Tech City" in Huai'an, China, on April 22. The new park plans to build facilities for high-density interconnect (HDI), modified semi-additive process (mSAP), and high-layer count (HLC) PCBs. Upon completion, the group's total number of factories across four major local parks will reach 23, further strengthening its manufacturing scale in the advanced PCB sector.

EV outlook revised downward as automakers pull back

DIGITIMES — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:04:22 GMT

Global forecasts of electric vehicle (EV) adoption have been lowered as automakers scale back near-term production and investment plans amid weaker-than-expected demand and mounting financial pressures. According to a recent Counterpoint Research report, EVs are now expected to account for around 50% of global vehicle sales by 2035, down from a previous estimate of 65%.

SpaceX loads up on debt to fund AI push before IPO

DIGITIMES — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:04:11 GMT

SpaceX is preparing for what could become one of the most ambitious public offerings in history, even as its balance sheet reflects the rising cost of its expanding ambitions in both space and artificial intelligence.

Japan PC shipments peak on upgrade cycle, correction ahead

DIGITIMES — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:04:00 GMT

Japan's PC market delivered a standout performance in the fiscal year ending March 2026, but underlying demand signals point to a sharp reversal as upgrade-driven momentum fades.

SK Hynix builds HBM packaging hub in Cheongju to expand AI memory capacity

DIGITIMES — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:03:44 GMT

SK Hynix has broken ground on a large-scale advanced packaging facility in Cheongju Technopolis, underscoring how the battleground for AI semiconductors is shifting beyond wafer fabrication to the back-end processes that increasingly define performance.

IndieSemiC partners with Nordic on wireless modules as India expands design-led semiconductor push

DIGITIMES — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:03:27 GMT

IndieSemiC, an Indian semiconductor and chip design company, has partnered with Nordic Semiconductor to design and commercialize wireless modules for connected devices, as Indian firms seek to capture more value in the semiconductor chain through design, RF integration, certification, and module-level manufacturing.

SK Hynix hits 72% operating margin in Q1, doubling profit quarter-on-quarter

DIGITIMES — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:03:04 GMT

SK Hynix reported its strongest quarterly results on record in the first quarter of 2026, with revenue of 52.58 trillion won (approximately US$37.9 billion), operating profit of 37.61 trillion won (approximately US$27.1 billion), and net profit of 40.35 trillion won (approximately US$29.1 billion).

Focus: South Korea builds a semiconductor talent pipeline

DIGITIMES — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 08:26:07 GMT

South Korea's long-running experiment with job-guaranteed semiconductor education is entering a more consequential phase, with the first large wave of students from expanded industry-linked programmes set to enter the workforce from 2027. The shift is drawing fresh scrutiny over whether a model built around direct hiring pipelines, practical training, and university-industry coordination can do more than produce graduates at scale and whether it can ease the country's persistent shortage of semiconductor design talent.

Brightek posts March loss as Nantong plant ramps up in 2H26

Lily Hess — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:53:11 GMT

LED packaging maker Brightek reported consolidated revenue of NT$161 million (US$5.1 million) in the first quarter of 2026, down 9.7% year on year, impacted by the transition period at its new Nantong plant in Jiangsu, China, which began operations at the end of 2025. The company posted a net loss after tax of NT$3.95 million for March alone, widening its losses from the same month last year, with a loss per share of NT$0.06.

Powerchip DRAM foundry price hike to boost June revenue; IPD to drive Intel demand in 2H27

Eifeh Strom — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:46:39 GMT

Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing (PSMC) held an earnings call on April 21 to address developments in memory and logic foundry services, as well as its future business outlook. PSMC president Martin Chu stated that DRAM foundry prices had significantly increased in March. However, due to the impact of the tape-out cycle on pricing, the price hike is expected to contribute to revenue starting in June.

AI optical communication and automotive demand boost TXC, Taitien quartz component sales in 1Q26

Lily Hess — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:20:49 GMT

Benefiting from strong AI high-frequency, high-speed transmission and communications infrastructure demand, TXC reported robust AI optical communication orders in the first quarter of 2026, driving its highest-ever quarterly revenue. The company's March 2026 revenue reached NT$1.1 billion (approx. US$35.3 million), up 2.7% year-over-year; cumulative revenue for the first three months of 2026 hit NT$3.3 billion, a 5.5% annual increase and a record for this period.

SpaceX reportedly files confidential IPO plans in potential record-breaking offering

Elaine Chen — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:07:47 GMT

SpaceX has reportedly filed confidential paperwork for an initial public offering that could rank among the largest in history, targeting a valuation of up to US$1.75 trillion and aiming to raise as much as US$75 billion.

Commentary: Apple eyes iPhone camera, Vision Pro, and CarPlay advances with new CEO in charge

Charlene Chen — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 07:01:08 GMT

Apple has officially confirmed long-rumored news that Tim Cook will step down as CEO in September 2026, handing over leadership of the US$4 trillion tech giant to senior vice president of hardware engineering John Ternus. Unlike Cook, known for his supply chain mastery, Ternus is well-known as a pure "product person" and engineer.

CATL unveils ultra-fast charging battery and expands push into full energy ecosystem

DIGITIMES — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:50:40 GMT

China's dominant battery manufacturer, CATL, is accelerating its push to reshape the global electric vehicle (EV) landscape with a sweeping technology rollout that spans ultra-fast charging, high-energy-density systems, sodium-ion chemistry, and a unified charging-and-swapping infrastructure.

Analysis: Apple's new CEO has a secret robot team — and big plans for your home

Emily Kuo — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:41:38 GMT

Apple has officially announced that John Ternus will succeed Tim Cook as CEO. Given Ternus's deep hardware background, product innovation at the hardware level is widely expected to accelerate under his leadership. As AI development enters the era of embodied intelligence, his prior takeover of Apple's secret robotics team is seen as pivotal to whether Apple can seamlessly integrate its existing AI technologies and software ecosystem with physical hardware.

Column: US drone industry learns from Ukraine's low-cost, rapid production

Rodney Chan — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:34:40 GMT

"The drone is not the weapon. The infrastructure to build it is." This statement, made by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy on March 31, 2026, encapsulates the direction of recent US policy reforms as America strives to establish a large-scale, low-cost, and fast-iterating drone industry similar to Ukraine's. The US aims to simultaneously develop military and commercial markets while eliminating reliance on Chinese supply chains and catching up with China's small- and medium-sized drone manufacturing capabilities.

Commentary: Apple's succession play sees engineering credibility meet commercial legacy

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:05:00 GMT

Every major tech transition has exposed a different kind of leadership. The PC era rewarded visionaries. The mobile era rewarded operators. The AI era, Apple is betting, will reward engineers. That is the real logic behind elevating John Ternus — not just a changing of the guard, but a calculated repositioning of what Apple believes will matter most in the decade ahead.

How MediaTek will supply Marvell's next three generations of TPUs

Emily Kuo — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:45:00 GMT

Recent market reports indicate that Marvell is in discussions with Google regarding the development of application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) products, including memory processing units (MPUs) to pair with existing TPU products, as well as TPU chips for AI inference. Naturally, this brings some competitive pressure to Broadcom and MediaTek, which are currently in Google's TPU supply chain.

Applied Materials announces Advantest as innovation partner for EPIC platform in Silicon Valley

DIGITIMES — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:03:26 GMT

Leading materials engineering in the semiconductor industry, Applied Materials, announced today that Advantest Corporation, a leading semiconductor test equipment supplier, will join Applied's Equipment and Process Innovation and Commercialization (EPIC) platform as an innovation partner to strengthen the links between front-end manufacturing technologies and back-end testing of chips and packages, helping chipmakers bring new designs to market faster.