DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

SuperAI Singapore: Arm and Cerebras push system-wide fixes to cut inference AI bottlenecks

DIGITIMES — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:33:18 GMT

Breaking the inference barrier requires a rethink of the whole system architecture, not just faster compute. This was the key takeaway from a recent panel discussion at SuperAI Singapore, which brought chip makers and an AI model accelerator together to address how to overcome inference bottlenecks at a time when compute workloads are hitting up against physical limits.

China squeezes InP supplies, jolting US-Taiwan optics chain

Charlene Chen — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:32:54 GMT

China's export controls on the key semiconductor material indium phosphide (InP), imposed since February 2025, are threatening global AI data-center buildouts and squeezing the optical supply chain across the US and Taiwan. The restrictions have triggered shortages and delayed export licenses, while sending prices soaring for a material with no substitute in photonics. InP is a core material for high-speed optical chips and is irreplaceable in photonics technologies that transmit signals over fiber, making it a potent "materials choke point" weapon in Beijing's US-China trade war.

Power semiconductors race to cut resistance for GPU cooling

Charlene Chen — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:32:32 GMT

Power semiconductors are taking on a central role as AI data centers move from 800V high-voltage input down through multiple power-conversion stages to the ultra-low voltages used by chips. After the post-pandemic inventory correction, industry players say power semiconductors have shifted "from a supporting role to the lead" under the new AI high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power architecture.

Alibaba's DingTalk ousts founder CEO after AI overhaul exposes management rift

Levi Li — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:32:18 GMT

Alibaba-owned DingTalk is facing renewed scrutiny after a management controversy at the intelligent workplace platform triggered a leadership shake-up. Alibaba Group announced on June 11 that DingTalk founder Chen Hang, also known internally as "Wu Zhao," had stepped down as CEO and would be replaced by Chen Yusen.

Ennoconn boosts Kontron stake to target physical AI

Charlene Chen — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:31:54 GMT

Ennoconn held a board meeting on June 10, 2026, and approved a voluntary cash tender offer for ordinary shares of German-listed Kontron AG at EUR23.5 (US$27.14) per share. The deal is still subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close by the end of August 2026. The move goes beyond regulatory compliance and signals Ennoconn's intent to further increase its stake and strengthen its control over operations.

Lenovo reportedly plans second PC price hike as memory costs squeeze supply chain

Levi Li — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:31:41 GMT

Chinese PC major Lenovo is reportedly set to raise prices across its entire product line from July 2026, with increases broadly in line with its first round of adjustments in March. Retail prices for some models could rise by as much as CNY1,000 (approx. US$148).

Nextron says AI supply chain is in place as orders extend to 2027

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:31:19 GMT

Nextron said its AI data center supply chain has fully taken shape, with demand spanning servers, switches, and liquid-cooling units. The connector maker said visibility now extends into 2027, underscoring how global AI spending is supporting longer production planning, wider supplier networks, and steadier revenue expectations for customers and markets.

Cloud migration alone is not enough for AI adoption, said SAP

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:31:05 GMT

Many companies have moved enterprise systems to the cloud. Still, global readers are now seeing a broader lesson: without cleaner data, tighter governance, and better integration, AI can remain stuck at the pilot stage. SAP said the real challenge is not just deploying tools, but rebuilding the foundations that let them scale.

Sharp lays out 2026 growth strategy with AI servers as top priority

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:30:33 GMT

Foxconn affiliate Sharp said in Tokyo that it has moved beyond restructuring and onto a new growth phase, with global implications for customers, suppliers, and enterprise buyers watching Japan's technology sector. The company said AI servers will anchor its next expansion, alongside connected home services, corporate IT, and emerging mobility, satellite, and display businesses worldwide.

DDR4 shortage tightens as Nanya capacity fills and prices climb

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 00:30:05 GMT

DDR4 memory supply remains tight, with the shortage affecting buyers worldwide, from cloud and server operators to industrial and networking customers. Sources indicate that Nanya Technology's limited third-quarter 2026 capacity has led major shareholders and customers to secure output, pushing contract prices higher and making further gains increasingly likely.

SuperAI Singapore: Physical AI accelerates as cheaper hardware and AI models drive robot data demand

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Robotics has progressed rapidly in the past few years, but major obstacles — including data collection and trust infrastructure — remain barriers to widespread deployment. This was the takeaway from a recent panel of robotics experts at SuperAI Singapore, where they discussed the present and future of the industry.

Taiwan chips in as drone makers ditch China supply chains

Charlene Chen — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:50:37 GMT

Taiwan's drone supply chain is notching fresh wins, with downstream players such as Thunder Tiger and Taiwan's Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) continuing to secure orders while upstream suppliers, especially chipmakers, are quietly expanding their deployments and market share. For military and commercial drones in particular, Taiwanese chip vendors are now working closely with local customers as well as customers in Europe and the US to integrate a range of on-board image-processing and AI recognition modules, plus applications such as flight control and ground control stations.

MSI sees CPU shortages easing as margins recover

Sherri Wang — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:34:19 GMT

Micro-Star International (MSI) said its gross margin recovered to 15% in the first quarter of 2026, after tariff costs, foreign exchange swings, and memory price surges weighed on profitability last year. Inventory clearing and more stable end-product pricing supported the rebound.

Amkor Korea weighs KRW1 trillion Gwangju expansion amid reported TSMC order growth

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:16:04 GMT

Amkor Technology Korea is considering investing about KRW1 trillion (approx. US$650 million) to expand its chip packaging and testing facilities in the South Korean city of Gwangju, according to Korean media reports and city officials. The company has not officially announced the plan.

Applied Materials CEO: AI reshapes semiconductor innovation

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:02:10 GMT

Applied Materials said artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the global semiconductor industry and could drive years of heavy investment in chipmaking, packaging, and materials engineering. The shift matters far beyond one company, because AI demand is increasing worldwide and is expected to influence data centers, device costs, energy use, and the pace of technology development.

Applied Materials expands Singapore base as AI supply-chain bottlenecks loom

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:58:22 GMT

Applied Materials is expanding manufacturing and research in Singapore as artificial intelligence (AI) drives a wider shift in semiconductor planning, supply chains, and investment. The move highlights how AI demand is influencing chipmakers, equipment suppliers, and global customers, with implications for production capacity, regional innovation hubs, and technology markets worldwide.

Global smartphone industry, 1Q 2026

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:49:02 GMT

Estimated 2Q26 Chinese enterprise smartphone shipments to decrease by 17.8% YoY; Smartphone shipments in the Chinese market will decrease by 5.4% YoY

Commentary: TSMC's pricing power stays intact as AI demand keeps fabs full

Charlene Chen — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:28:47 GMT

Market chatter about TSMC has intensified, with reports that its advanced process and packaging prices will rise again in the second half of 2026 and 2027, while some Google TPU production could shift to Intel, and some AMD products could be made by Samsung Electronics. TSMC CFO Wendell Huang recently told the media that global inflation and overseas fab expansion have indeed pushed up operating costs, adding that TSMC does not rule out moderate price adjustments. Those comments have drawn close attention across the industry.

Sercomm posts 55% jump in January-May revenue and forecasts 2026 operating growth

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:52:24 GMT

Sercomm Corporation said its revenue for the first five months of 2026 hit a record NT$30 billion (US$950 million), up 55% from a year earlier, signaling continued momentum in telecom and networking markets that could matter for global broadband customers, suppliers, and investors. The company said growth is being driven by AI-enabled applications, new products, and expansion into additional markets.

Aleees reportedly wins long-term Tesla order as LFP supply chain shifts

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:49:25 GMT

A reported long-term order from Tesla could give Taiwan's Aleees a bigger role in global lithium-ion supply chains as electric vehicle and energy storage makers seek alternatives to China-linked materials. The deal may support new production capacity, reshape sourcing patterns, and influence future battery supply for global markets.

Niching Industrial sees heat spreader revenue hit record on AI server demand

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:46:56 GMT

AI servers and high-performance computing demand are driving stronger cooling needs worldwide, and Niching Industrial said the trend is sharply lifting its heat spreader business. The company reported record May revenue from the product line, while signaling that larger-format shipments and supply-chain changes could reshape its earnings mix.

China red-chip crackdown forces IPO hopefuls to rethink offshore listings

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:45:45 GMT

China's tighter scrutiny of foreign capital is forcing more companies to unwind red-chip structures, the offshore ownership model that powered a decade of overseas listings by Chinese technology groups.

Transsion turns from Africa phones to energy storage, but the harder fight is just starting

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:15:00 GMT

Transsion Holdings, Africa's long-time "king of mobile phones," is turning to energy storage as smartphone profits weaken. The question is whether its African channel empire can become a real energy business, or whether it will become just another low-margin hardware extension.

China unveils Long March 12B, a key step toward reusable space launches

Elaine Chen — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 06:05:00 GMT

China has successfully launched a new commercial heavy-lift rocket designed to support the country's rapidly expanding satellite-constellation ambitions, marking another step in Beijing's effort to build a lower-cost alternative to Western space-launch providers.

Nvidia takes PCB material competition upstream as HVLP4 copper foil gap widens

Levi Li — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:47:02 GMT

AI infrastructure demand is lifting high-end PCB orders, but fresh bottlenecks are emerging in the upstream copper-clad laminate (CCL) supply chain. T-glass glass fiber cloth remains tight after disrupting the high-end ABF substrate market. HVLP4 copper foil is set to become the next constraint in the second half of 2026.

GM bets on sodium-ion batteries to power the AI boom

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:45:00 GMT

For years, Detroit's automakers viewed batteries primarily as the key to an electric-vehicle future. Now, as artificial intelligence drives an unprecedented buildout of data centers and strains power grids worldwide, batteries are becoming something else entirely: an energy infrastructure business.

AI boom drives capital inflows, but Taiwan sees low systemic risk

Rodney Chan — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:19:10 GMT

Taiwan's export growth has accelerated to its strongest pace in nearly 16 years on the back of AI and higher prices for electronic components, drawing large amounts of capital into the stock market and other asset markets. Central bank governor Chin-Long Yang said on June 10 that Taiwan remains far from systemic risk despite concerns over surging market activity.

Commentary: At WWDC 2026, Apple's AI platform eclipses the OS

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:06:00 GMT

Apple's WWDC 2026 keynote pointed to a major shift in the company's platform strategy, as Apple Intelligence, Siri, and Safari moved to the center while the operating system played a far smaller role. For observers used to Apple's annual software showcase, the event looked less like an OS update and more like a preview of a cross-device AI ecosystem.

Taiwan rugged PC suppliers gain multi-year order visibility as Europe accelerates rearmament

Willis Ke — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:02:38 GMT

Europe's push to strengthen defense self-sufficiency is beginning to translate into tangible opportunities for military technology suppliers, with Taiwan-based rugged PC makers expecting a meaningful pickup in orders starting from 2026 as procurement programs move from planning to execution.

BizLink to buy Interplex Datacom in up to US$900 million deal

Sherri Wang — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:02:14 GMT

BizLink Holding has agreed to acquire Interplex Datacom, the data communications business of Interplex Group, in a deal that will expand its presence in the data center interconnect and infrastructure market.

Apple's AI strategy gains scale as rivals race ahead

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:01:54 GMT

Apple remains behind the leaders in large language model development, but its vast iPhone installed base and growing tablet and smartphone sales are creating favorable conditions for its AI push. For global users, the company's next moves could shape how everyday devices handle privacy, context, and cross-app tasks across major software ecosystems.

US lawmakers push ITC to enforce patent case involving TSMC

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 03:57:00 GMT

Congressional Republicans are urging stronger exclusion orders in the ongoing Section 337 investigation tied to TSMC's advanced-node chips, while the company reiterates compliance with local laws and highlights ongoing legal uncertainty in its quarterly filing.

Taiwan auto parts makers see openings as China's car market resets

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 03:52:52 GMT

Taiwanese auto parts makers are finding new opportunities as China's auto market undergoes a sharp reset, with stronger sales from emerging brands and a seasonal pickup expected to support orders. The shift could matter beyond China, influencing supply chains, pricing, and parts demand across major vehicle markets worldwide.

CPO delays may shift AI networking demand, not derail it

Elaine Chen — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 03:49:31 GMT

Concerns have emerged in recent weeks that the commercialization of co-packaged optics (CPO), a technology widely viewed as the future of AI networking, could face further delays as manufacturing yields remain inconsistent.

Xpeng CEO takes direct control of robotics unit ahead of humanoid robot launch

DIGITIMES — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 03:31:17 GMT

Xpeng Chairman and Chief Executive He Xiaopeng said he will personally take charge of the company's robotics division as the Chinese electric-vehicle maker accelerates its push into humanoid robots, a sector it views as a cornerstone of its future growth strategy.