DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Taiwan aims to close drone supply chain gaps by 2027

Levi Li — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Taiwan-made drones have been exported to Poland, the Czech Republic, the US, and Austria, yet four core technology modules still rely on foreign suppliers, raising questions over whether the island can build a supply chain independent of China.

Intel keeps capex steady as it shifts spending toward capacity expansion

DIGITIMES — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:51:23 GMT

Intel is holding its 2026 capex broadly flat year over year, not because of reduced ambition, but because of a strategic reallocation of spending toward equipment that directly boosts chip output. Executives signaled that existing factory space is sufficient for now, allowing the company to prioritize tools and productivity gains to meet rising AI-driven demand. This measured approach reflects confidence in near-term demand—particularly for server CPUs—while maintaining financial discipline amid macroeconomic uncertainty and rising input costs.

GM delays electric truck plan, pivots to gas and hybrid

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:45:00 GMT

General Motors' decision to delay its next-generation full-size electric truck and record over US$7 billion in EV impairments signals a global industry pivot: the company is reallocating resources toward higher-margin internal combustion engine and hybrid vehicles, a move with implications for supply chains, jobs, investor returns, and emissions strategies worldwide.

CPUs regain central role in AI as Intel highlights growing importance alongside rising ASIC demand

DIGITIMES — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:44:32 GMT

Intel executives are placing renewed emphasis on the central role of CPUs in artificial intelligence (AI), arguing that shifting workloads are elevating their importance even as specialized chips gain traction. Management said the transition from model training to real-world deployment is driving stronger demand for server CPUs, reinforcing confidence in Intel's competitive position. At the same time, the company is expanding into custom silicon, or ASICs, as part of a broader strategy to address evolving AI infrastructure needs.

Europe's humanoid robot push stalls on safety rules and liability gaps

Levi Li — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:30:00 GMT

Europe's largest applied research organization, the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, is widely seen as a bridge between scientific research and industrial deployment. In a recent interview, its director, Thomas Bauernhansl, identified two structural bottlenecks constraining Europe's humanoid robot development: restrictive safety regulations and the absence of clear liability insurance frameworks.

Samsung labor unions rally 40,000 workers, prepares for 18-day strike in May

Eifeh Strom — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:16:10 GMT

Three major labor unions at Samsung Electronics held a large-scale protest on the afternoon of April 23 in front of the Pyeongtaek semiconductor campus in South Korea. An estimated 40,000 people participated, accounting for roughly one-third of the company's workforce, marking the largest collective action in Samsung's history.

Intel bets on CPUs as backbone of AI growth

DIGITIMES — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:11:16 GMT

Intel executives are expressing growing confidence in the company's long-term outlook, arguing that a fundamental shift in artificial intelligence toward real-world deployment aligns with Intel's core strengths. CEO Lip-Bu Tan said the transition from model training to inference, agentic systems, and edge computing is driving renewed demand for CPUs, positioning Intel for sustained growth. Management's confidence rests on what they describe as a structural, not cyclical, change in computing architectures — one that places CPUs back at the center of the AI ecosystem.

Intel flags price increases and supply shortages as CPU demand strengthens

DIGITIMES — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:09:47 GMT

Intel signaled that industry-wide supply shortages and selective price increases are helping offset weaker PC demand, even as the company works to expand supply capacity across its product lines. Management said constrained output continues to limit revenue upside in parts of the business, while rising prices and improving server CPU demand are supporting overall resilience. The company also pointed to ongoing efforts to increase supply availability, though demand in several segments continues to outpace output.

Intel's AI-driven CPU rebound signals early-stage revival

DIGITIMES — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:09:09 GMT

Intel's first-quarter 2026 results point to a company in the midst of a credible revival, as improving execution and rising demand for AI-related computing begin to reshape its trajectory.

Intel says 18A yield improves as 14A advances to early customer engagement stage

DIGITIMES — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:08:29 GMT

Intel reported steady progress on its most advanced manufacturing technologies, saying its 18A process node is seeing meaningful yield improvements, while the next-generation 14A node has reached early design enablement stages with initial customer engagement underway. Management emphasized that 14A is currently at the 0.5 PDK stage, with a 0.9 PDK milestone expected next, marking a key step toward customer design commitments and future volume production. The company framed both nodes as central to its foundry turnaround, while acknowledging that commercial scale and margin benefits will take multiple quarters to materialize fully.

Apple faces US$38B antitrust fine in India, eyes Trump card for relief

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 01:07:13 GMT

Apple faces a potential US$38 billion antitrust fine in India as Tim Cook prepares to hand leadership to John Ternus, raising both legal and business implications for the company and for India's approach to regulating global tech firms.

Analysis: Energy costs drive shift towards hybrids and EVs

Elaine Chen — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:03:06 GMT

Rising geopolitical tensions and the resulting surge in energy prices have pushed global crude oil costs higher, intensifying what some analysts describe as "green inflation" as higher energy expenses ripple through consumer markets.

DIGITIMES Insight: SK Hynix's US HBM push sets up a showdown with Micron

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:02:46 GMT

SK Hynix Inc. has moved to deepen its presence in the US by building an HBM packaging and testing plant and planning a US stock exchange listing to raise capital — steps that could bolster local high-bandwidth memory supply and reshape competition with Micron Technology Inc.

Largan, Sunny Optical target FAU in push toward CPO and AI optics

Levi Li — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:01:58 GMT

Largan Precision and Sunny Optical have recently announced plans to enter the fiber array unit (FAU) market, positioning it as a priority development area. Industry sources say the timing reflects the core requirements of FAU manufacturing — ultra-precision processing and sub-micron alignment — which closely match the technical strengths both companies developed in smartphone lens production. This overlap in capabilities offers significant value potential in the optical communications sector.

BizLink builds Southeast Asia manufacturing network with distinct roles across key markets

Sherri Wang — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:01:33 GMT

Driven by geopolitical shifts and supply chain restructuring, Southeast Asia has become an important destination for Taiwanese electronics manufacturers seeking to expand capacity and diversify risk. The rise of AI servers and semiconductor equipment markets has further strengthened the region's strategic position in global supply chains.

Global PMX drives smart driving transformation with three key engines

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:01:05 GMT

Global PMX's shift from components maker to technology integrator could affect supply chains worldwide, as its push into electro-mechanical brakes, AI server cooling, and surgical device parts aligns with rising autonomous vehicle and AI healthcare demands, potentially altering supplier dynamics, product margins, and the international distribution of advanced automotive components.

UK BEV prices fall below petrol and diesel, reshaping competitive landscape

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:50 GMT

Falling battery-electric vehicle prices in the UK — now averaging GBP785 (US$1,059) below petrol and diesel models — could accelerate global EV competition by lowering entry barriers and bolstering Chinese automakers' access to Europe, as evidenced by Chery's first-place finish in March 2026 and strong BEV sales growth in the first quarter of 2026.

GMI pursues vertical integration amid surging AI leasing demand

Emily Kuo — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:35 GMT

GMI Technology is transitioning from its role as an electronics distributor into an AI technology integration and application company, building vertically integrated capabilities from upstream chips to downstream end products. The company is optimistic about the rapid growth in AI leasing demand, with its revenue contribution expected to increase. It is also partnering with strategic ally GMI Cloud to participate in the deployment of computing infrastructure in Taiwan, the US, and other regions.

PC chipmakers warn CPU shortages cloud 2026 shipment outlook

Lily Hess — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 23:05:37 GMT

CPU shortages in the PC sector have emerged as a new concern for shipments this year, in addition to ongoing memory supply issues. Industry players supplying PC peripheral chips observe that while current CPU shortages from x86 vendors like Intel and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) have not yet severely impacted PC shipment forecasts, future trends remain uncertain.

Asia Optical and Frore Systems team up on AI data center cooling

Elaine Chen — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 23:05:22 GMT

Asia Optical has signed a memorandum of understanding with Frore Systems to jointly develop liquid-cooling solutions for artificial intelligence data centers, as surging computing demands intensify the challenge of heat management.

Taiwan expands industry collaboration to advance unmanned vehicle R&D

Lily Hess — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 23:05:10 GMT

Taiwan's military-industrial sector, led by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & Technology (NCSIST), recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) to accelerate the development of unmanned technology.

OpenClaw's growing pains: innovation outpaces enterprise security

DIGITIMES — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 23:03:38 GMT

OpenClaw's meteoric rise from a niche hacker project to a globally adopted AI agent platform has created a widening gap between its innovative capabilities and the security demands of the modern enterprise.

Interview: Taiwan-Korea cooperation not limited to memory giants; Hwaseong City aims to expand alliances

Emily Kuo — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 23:03:28 GMT

When it comes to Taiwan-Korea semiconductor cooperation, the outside world often focuses on orders and R&D between memory giants such as Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and TSMC. However, centered on Hwaseong City in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, emphasizes that the potential of Taiwan-Korea cooperation goes far beyond this; both sides should establish more direct supply chain alliances at the SME level in equipment and components.

Taiwan plans 130-hectare industrial zone in Tamsui for science city

Eifeh Strom — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 23:03:04 GMT

Following Nvidia's decision to establish its overseas headquarters at the Beitou-Shilin Technology Park (BSTP) in Taipei, space constraints in northern Taiwan have prompted Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) to set up a research and development center in Shalun, Tainan, in Taiwan's south, with the help of Taiwan's government.

US Rare Earth to acquire Brazilian miner in US$2.8 billion deal as part of supply chain push

DIGITIMES — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 23:02:49 GMT

US Rare Earth has agreed to acquire Brazil-based Serra Verde Group in a US$2.8 billion cash-and-stock transaction, marking one of the largest deals in the rare earth sector and a significant step in efforts by the US to reduce reliance on China, according to Bloomberg.

China chipmaker scales beyond security ICs into AI, automotive

DIGITIMES — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 23:01:03 GMT

Unigroup Guoxin Microelectronics reported steady growth in 2025, reinforcing its position across specialty ICs and security chips while accelerating expansion into AI, automotive electronics, and other emerging applications.

SpaceX eyes GPU push as Tesla taps Samsung for chip upgrade

DIGITIMES — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:24:49 GMT

SpaceX is exploring in-house production of graphics processing units (GPUs) as it cites potential chip supply constraints, even as Tesla advances its artificial intelligence (AI) chip roadmap with manufacturing support from Samsung Electronics.

Samsung and LG turn to AI at WIS 2026 to tackle sluggish consumer electronics market

Kevin Wang — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 08:10:18 GMT

Faced with declining hardware sales as high interest rates and shrinking demand crunch the global consumer electronics market, Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are pursuing strategies to redefine product value. At the recent World IT Show (WIS) 2026 in Seoul, both South Korean companies showcased AI-centric strategies in their visions for future lifestyles.

Chinese smartphone shipments to fall below 600 million units in 2026, lowest level since 2021

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:39:08 GMT

Rising upstream component costs and weak retail promotions in China, combined with traditional off-season demand overseas, are denting global smartphone supply and pricing. Consumers and suppliers worldwide may face higher prices and reduced availability as Chinese manufacturers trim shipments and prioritize higher-margin models, with implications for emerging markets and device ecosystems.

Financial outlook for top 4 CSPs: accelerating cloud revenues and record capex in 2026

DIGITIMES — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:37:52 GMT

Cloud business revenue enters a critical moment of accelerated growth; the top-4 CSPs revise their 2026 capex upwards to US$660 billion.

Shining Victory wins first GM North America series production contract for pickup and SUV models

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:33:15 GMT

Shining Victory Motor Electronics secured a General Motors contract to supply components for pickup trucks and SUVs in the US starting from the first quarter of 2026, marking its North American market entry and triggering global expansion plans, including a Mexico plant and four operational hubs that could reshape the company's overseas revenue mix.

SaiMemory wins NEDO backing for next-generation ZAM memory, partners with Intel

DIGITIMES — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:27:44 GMT

SaiMemory, a next-generation memory developer established by SoftBank, said on April 22 that its development project has been selected for subsidies by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), with the government expected to cover roughly half of the initial development costs.

Machvision targets 70% high-end equipment share, eyes record 2026 revenue

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 07:09:51 GMT

Machvision's launch of advanced inspection tools for semiconductors and high-end printed circuit boards carries significant implications for global electronics supply chains, promising higher test throughput, improved defect detection, and greater automation. Manufacturers worldwide may see reduced process risk, higher yields, and accelerated validation as complexity and miniaturization intensify across markets.

Apple reshapes AI strategy by doubling down on Siri and privacy

Charlene Chen — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:49:49 GMT

As OpenAI and xAI pivot toward enterprise markets inspired by Anthropic, and as OpenClaw sparks new visions for agent-based AI, Apple has finally set a clear AI focus for its 2026 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). The company announced the event will focus on AI advancements and new software and developer tools, marking Apple's most direct AI statement in recent years.

China hands 11.5-year sentence in rare earth, semiconductor data leak case

Levi Li — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:46:26 GMT

China is intensifying investigations and enforcement against data leaks in critical sectors across its industrial supply chain, targeting areas such as rare earths, semiconductors, and digital data resources.