DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Hon Hai and Mitsubishi Electric sign MOU on joint automotive equipment venture

DIGITIMES — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:50:21 GMT

Foxconn eyes 50% stake in Mitsubishi Electric Mobility as it deepens push into EV-related hardware.

Chipmakers face higher cost pressure as packaging outpaces foundry price hikes

Lily Hess — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:58:07 GMT

In recent weeks, chip companies ranging from major players to small and medium-sized firms have issued price increase notices or begun renegotiating product prices with select customers. These moves aim to pass on steadily rising manufacturing costs across the supply chain as outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) costs surge faster than even foundry price increases.

Google splits AI chips into training and inference TPUs, signaling shift toward workload-specialized AI infrastructure

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:33:45 GMT

At Google Cloud Next 26, Google Cloud announced a strategic shift in its AI hardware approach by introducing two distinct eighth-generation Tensor Processing Units: the TPU v8t for training and the TPU v8i for inference. The move is intended to boost performance and energy efficiency by optimizing each chip for its specific role.

M31 and TSMC complete eUSB2V2 tapeout on N2P process

Charlene Chen — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:15:16 GMT

IP provider M31 has announced that its eUSB2V2 interface IP has completed tapeout on TSMC's N2P 2nm process. M31 CEO Scott Chang emphasized that 2nm interface IP must align closely with the manufacturing platform to boost design efficiency and accelerate time-to-market.

Memory price surge reshapes global notebook competition in 2026

Lily Hess — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:10:41 GMT

The global notebook market is undergoing a structural shift in competitive dynamics in 2026, moving from product specifications and pricing battles to group-level integrated capabilities as the core of competition. Memory supply chain control has emerged as a key indicator of brand competitiveness, directly impacting shipment volumes and operational performance.

DeepSeek previews V4 models with Huawei integration, signaling shift in China's AI stack

DIGITIMES — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:09:15 GMT

Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek has released preview versions of its latest models — DeepSeek-V4-Pro and V4-Flash — marking a closer integration with domestic chipmaker Huawei and intensifying competition with US developers, including OpenAI and Google.

Strait of Hormuz disruption puts semiconductor supply chains at risk as photoresist shortages grow

DIGITIMES — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:57:58 GMT

Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz since early March 2026 are beginning to ripple through the global semiconductor supply chain, threatening shortages of a critical chipmaking material: photoresists.

STMicroelectronics tops 1Q26 guidance, sees data center revenue surpass US$1 billion by 2027

DIGITIMES — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:50:02 GMT

STMicroelectronics reported first-quarter 2026 revenue of US$3.10 billion, up 23% year over year, with results coming in above the midpoint of its guidance as growth in personal electronics and computing helped offset continued softness in automotive and industrial markets.

TSMC CoPoS equipment orders face reshuffle with legal turmoil at Taiwanese equipment maker

Lily Hess — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:46:07 GMT

The semiconductor packaging equipment sector is experiencing order shifts linked to significant executive changes at a key Taiwanese supplier, raising concerns over TSMC's chip-on-wafer-on-substrate (CoWoS) and chip-on-panel-on-substrate (CoPoS) advanced packaging equipment orders. Industry sources indicate that ASE Technology Holding's equipment orders may also be affected as the supply chain undergoes potential realignment.

Liteon startup platform sharpens edge AI ecosystem focus for 2026 growth reset

Levi Li — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 07:19:59 GMT

Liteon's startup platform LITEON+ held its 2026 Demo Day, marking its third year, with a focus on key technologies including edge AI, AI chips, thermal sensing, power conversion, and agentic AI. The event showcased the latest collaboration outcomes between Liteon and global startup partners in advancing human-machine co-creation and real-world industrial deployment.

EU targets Android access rules, putting Gemini integration edge at risk

Levi Li — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 06:58:26 GMT

European regulators are preparing to push Google to open up core Android operating system functions, potentially allowing rival AI assistants such as ChatGPT and Claude to access the platform on the same terms as Gemini, according to people familiar with the matter.

Microsoft and Meta announce workforce reductions amid heavy AI investment

DIGITIMES — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 06:01:02 GMT

Microsoft and Meta have recently announced job cuts or buyouts impacting possibly 23,000 jobs. The staff reductions come as the tech giants funnel massive resources into building out their AI capacity, a trade-off that has become common across the industry in recent months.

Heran's three-brand strategy targets all appliance segments, with Yamada brand driving 2026 growth

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:29:23 GMT

Taiwan-based appliance maker Heran's shift to a multi-brand, multi-product strategy signals that mature appliance markets can still expand by segmenting price tiers; global consumers and competitors may see stronger low-end volume, steady air-conditioner demand, and measured pricing pressure from raw-material and currency volatility, as well as market responses.

Tesla's hidden US$2 billion AI hardware deal points to deeper chip, compute ambitions

DIGITIMES — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:14:46 GMT

Tesla has quietly taken a significant step deeper into artificial intelligence (AI), disclosing a US$2 billion acquisition of an unnamed AI hardware company in a single sentence buried in its latest regulatory filing.

White House accuses China of 'industrial-scale' AI theft, signals crackdown

DIGITIMES — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:08:53 GMT

The White House has accused China of conducting "industrial-scale" theft of US artificial intelligence intellectual property, a development that could escalate tensions in the ongoing technology rivalry between the two countries, according to the Financial Times, Reuters, and CNN.

FSET eyes local battery recycling and storage by 2027

Rodney Chan — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 03:45:19 GMT

Amid rising electricity demand driven by geopolitical tensions and AI growth, Formosa Smart Energy Tech (FSET) is advancing its battery recycling and energy storage strategy to build a localized circular supply chain. The company plans to establish Taiwan's first waste battery recycling line in Changhua County, targeting completion by the fourth quarter of 2027 with an initial capacity of 720 tons.

Commentary: DeepSeek rethinks funding strategy under talent drain and AI race

Levi Li — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 03:35:14 GMT

The trajectory of DeepSeek has drawn scrutiny, but its latest move marks a clear inflection point. According to a report by The Information, the company is seeking external funding for the first time, triggering strong interest from China's major tech groups. Four sources familiar with the matter said Tencent and Alibaba are in discussions to invest.

SK Hynix deepens TSMC ties with HBM4, advances memory-logic integration

DIGITIMES — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 03:25:09 GMT

SK Hynix showcased its latest high-bandwidth memory (HBM) technologies at TSMC's North America Technology Symposium 2026, highlighting closer collaboration with the foundry and outlining a strategy focused on integrating memory and logic.

Texas Instruments eyes further price hikes amid strong data center, industrial chip demand

Charlene Chen — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 03:13:22 GMT

Texas Instruments (TI) reported robust results for the first quarter of 2026 on April 23, driven by surging AI data center demand and a notable rebound in industrial control applications. TI stressed that while industrial demand has yet to reach its previous peak, the current recovery trend is positive, signaling continued growth prospects ahead.

AI PCB supply crunch squeezes margins on rising materials and energy costs

DIGITIMES — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 03:07:13 GMT

A tightening supply of high-end materials is emerging as a key constraint just as PCB specifications and manufacturing processes move into a new upgrade cycle. Shortages span from T-glass fiberglass cloth for IC substrates to longer lead times for copper-clad laminates (CCL), with prices for multiple upstream inputs rising in tandem.

Zhen Ding to invest CNY40 billion in Huai'an to expand high-end PCB capacity

Sherri Wang — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 02:59:58 GMT

Zhen Ding Technology has broken ground on its HD campus at the Huai'an Technology City in China, as it accelerates investment to expand high-end printed circuit board (PCB) capacity targeting artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

Huawei invests CNY18 billion in smart driving while European legacy brands struggle for relevance

DIGITIMES — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 02:56:25 GMT

Huawei has committed a CNY18 billion (US$2.63 billion) investment plan dedicated to research and development in smart driving technologies, in an aggressive push to dominate the foundational layer of the electric vehicle (EV) industry. According to Reuters, Huawei is allocating CNY10 billion specifically for computing power to train AI models, with plans to scale that infrastructure spending to between CNY70 billion and CNY80 billion over the next five years.

MCU supplier Artery weighs price hikes on AI capacity squeeze, new applications drive growth

Levi Li — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 02:44:31 GMT

Microcontroller supplier Artery Technology (Arterytek or Arterychip) delivered a strong start to 2026, posting first-quarter consolidated revenue of NT$653 million (approx. US$20.1 million), a record high for a single quarter. Full-year revenue is projected to grow by up to 60%, driven by a combination of new product launches and expanded demand from existing customers.

Texas Instruments says edge AI opportunities extend beyond robots

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 02:32:18 GMT

In an April 23 interview, Amichai Ron of Texas Instruments (TI) warned that edge AI will reshape devices worldwide, extending far beyond robotics and driving greater semiconductor demand as AI integrates into long-lived products, implying that global markets must prepare for increased connectivity, sensorization, and chip requirements, along with regulatory and logistical adjustments.

E Ink and Netronix eye e-reader growth despite DRAM headwinds

Jingyue Hsiao — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 02:30:00 GMT

As color electronic paper technology matures, the e-reader market is entering a new growth phase—one that could reshape global reading habits and retail channels. Consumers worldwide may see broader access to color devices, evolving purchase patterns in convenience retail, and sustained demand for monochrome readers that support diverse market segmentation.

MODA encourages Taiwanese firms to invest in computing power; Foxconn submits project proposal

Emily Kuo — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 02:20:58 GMT

The government has included AI computing infrastructure within the scope of major digital public construction projects, using tax incentives to boost private-sector investment. Minister of Digital Affairs (MODA) Yen-nun Huang stated that applications will close at 5 pm on May 14, and Foxconn has already expressed interest and maintained close communication with the ministry.

German automakers lose share as EV incentives lift Chinese rivals

Elaine Chen — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 02:15:00 GMT

Germany's EV subsidy program is set to open for applications in May, with retroactive eligibility for vehicles purchased as early as January. But while the policy is intended to bolster the country's domestic EV industry, early results suggest that much of the benefit is flowing to foreign automakers — particularly Chinese brands — adding competitive pressure on German manufacturers at home.

Exclusive: Google ramps new TPU servers, Taiwan suppliers gain share

Sherri Wang — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 02:10:12 GMT

Google's unveiling of its eighth-generation tensor processing unit (TPU) at Cloud Next 2026 is expected to drive the next wave of growth in the application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) server supply chain, with Taiwanese manufacturers expanding their role, according to supply chain sources.

SMIC returns to advanced packaging, scales team to boost AI chip strategy

Levi Li — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 02:04:09 GMT

China's leading foundry, SMIC, is quietly recalibrating its strategy, moving beyond its long-standing focus on front-end wafer manufacturing to accelerate investments in advanced packaging.

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.