DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Taiwan's Tmytek files for public listing, pushes millimeter-wave chips into satellites, defense, and 6G

Elaine Chen — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:57:41 GMT

Tmytek, a Taiwan-based specialist in millimeter-wave phased-array technology, has formally filed for listing on Taiwan's Innovation Board — a tech-focused public market for high-growth companies — becoming the first applicant for the exchange's 2026 intake. The move comes as the company pursues a broad expansion into satellite communications, defense systems, and next-generation wireless infrastructure.

Lenovo bets on on-device AI to lift business PC upgrades

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:52:06 GMT

Lenovo is betting that rising cloud AI costs and privacy risks will drive enterprises toward on-device AI, reshaping corporate PC buying and upkeep globally. The vendor's 2026 AI agent system and ThinkPad hardware upgrades aim to cut costs, boost performance, and shape IT strategies across industries and regions.

ASE launches first automated PLP line, eyes 1H27 production

Jingyue Hsiao — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:51:07 GMT

Advanced Semiconductor Engineering (ASE) has unveiled its industry-first automated panel-level packaging (PLP) system, a development poised to reshape global artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing supply chains by significantly improving chip integration speeds and manufacturing efficiency for AI data centers and cloud infrastructure providers.

Taiwan's Thunder Tiger rejects China supply chain claims, advances to Phase II of US Drone Dominance Program

Eifeh Strom — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:40:40 GMT

Taiwanese drone manufacturer Thunder Tiger, the first company in Asia to obtain the US Department of Defense's (DoD) Blue UAS cybersecurity certification, has passed the first phase of evaluation for the US Drone Dominance Program (DDP) and has moved into the second phase.

Amazon and Snowflake expand alliance amid agentic AI race

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:36:03 GMT

Snowflake, the cloud data company at the center of the artificial intelligence boom, said on Wednesday that it would spend US$6 billion over the next five years on Amazon Web Services infrastructure, deepening a partnership aimed at helping corporations move from experimental AI projects to large-scale deployment of autonomous software agents.

Huawei chip chief says post-Moore race is no longer just about nanometers

Levi Li — Thu, 28 May 2026 07:28:21 GMT

As Moore's Law nears its limits, Huawei is promoting its "Tau (τ) Law" as a post-Moore chip framework that shifts the focus from nanometer process nodes to shorter signal transmission times across electronic systems.

Salesforce Taiwan targets double-digit growth on AI applications and services

Kevin Wang — Thu, 28 May 2026 06:54:01 GMT

Since opening its Taipei office in January 2026, customer relationship management (CRM) technology firm Salesforce has continued to expand its Taiwan-based team, shifting from remote support via its Singapore subsidiary to local operations. According to Salesforce Taiwan general manager Chia-shen Hsu, the company is aiming for double-digit growth in both revenue and headcount in 2026, as it devotes more resources toward the market in Taiwan.

Apple's entry-level push puts pressure on Windows notebook makers

Elaine Chen — Thu, 28 May 2026 06:41:36 GMT

Apple's introduction of the MacBook Neo has intensified competition in the low-end notebook market, putting pressure on Windows-based manufacturers across both education and consumer segments, according to industry executives and analysts.

CXMT cleared for IPO listing; could boost China's memory supply chain

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 06:20:13 GMT

ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), China's top DRAM maker, has been cleared by China's securities regulator for its highly anticipated IPO, which could raise funds worth CNY29.5 billion (approx. US$4.4 billion) for the company. The Shanghai Stock Exchange said on May 27 that it had cleared a listing review for its STAR Board.

Solidigm appoints co-CEOs to split operations and growth responsibilities

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 05:48:36 GMT

Solidigm, the enterprise storage brand under SK Hynix, announced a leadership reshuffle this spring, naming two executives as co-chief executive officers to divide responsibilities between global operations and commercial growth. One co-CEO was appointed in March 2026, and the other took office on May 1, with leadership stating the change aims to accelerate product execution and business performance amid rising demand for storage driven by artificial intelligence.

Semiconductors and AI are pillars of Taiwan's global prosperity, says Taiwanese president

Emily Kuo — Thu, 28 May 2026 04:33:52 GMT

During the 2026 Europe Day Dinner, Taiwanese President Ching-te Lai referenced how coal and steel formed the foundation of peace in Europe, comparing that to how semiconductors and AI shape global prosperity and democratic security for Taiwan. He said Taiwan's semiconductor ecosystem integrates critical technologies from leading European companies, praising the nature of like-minded partners working together toward shared goals.

Peking University's true-3D EDA tool gives Huawei's LogicFolding chip roadmap critical design link

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 04:27:33 GMT

Peking University researchers have unveiled a prototype electronic design automation (EDA) tool built for "true-3D" chip design, offering a potential missing link for Huawei's LogicFolding architecture and its broader Tau (τ) Scaling Law roadmap.

SK Hynix turns Big Tech's memory scramble into tougher supply terms

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 04:16:44 GMT

SK Hynix is using Big Tech's rush to secure artificial intelligence (AI) memory supply as leverage for tougher long-term contracts, while resisting funding structures that could give major customers influence over its fabs or equipment.

EU plans satellite spectrum shift that could open door to Starlink and Amazon

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 04:03:54 GMT

Brussels is preparing to redraw the competitive landscape for satellite communications in Europe. This move could reshape the balance of power between European space ambitions and the rapidly expanding networks of SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper.

TECO targets AI data center market with modular, North America and Southeast Asia push

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:58:01 GMT

TECO Electric & Machinery said it is making AI data center infrastructure its main growth focus, with expansion plans in North America and Southeast Asia that could affect global supply chains, energy systems, and digital infrastructure. The company is leaning on modular construction, power equipment, and energy management to win more hyperscale projects.

US cuts Section 232 tariffs to 15% boosting Taiwan auto parts competitiveness

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:52:29 GMT

The US reduced Section 232 tariffs on Taiwan auto parts from 27.5% to 15%, a move that Taiwan auto parts manufacturer Tong Yang Industry said would improve competitiveness and restore parity with rivals in Europe, Japan and South Korea. Tong Yang described the decision as positive for Taiwan's auto parts industry and said it should lower import costs for US customers and support future demand and orders.

Nvidia's Rubin CPX plans clouded as Groq gains bigger inference role

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:51:27 GMT

Nvidia's plan to launch Rubin CPX, an inference-focused graphics processing unit for its Vera Rubin platform, has become increasingly uncertain as supply-chain activity around the product appears to have stalled, according to The Elec.

ProLogium to list on Nasdaq via US$3.8 billion merger with TDAC

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:38:55 GMT

ProLogium, a leader in next-generation solid-state batteries, and Translational Development Acquisition Corp (TDAC), a special purpose acquisition company, have announced a definitive business combination agreement. Upon closing in the second half of 2026, ProLogium stated that the combined company will be named ProLogium Technology and is expected to trade on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "PRLG." The transaction values ProLogium at approximately US$3.8 billion on a pre-money, net cash-free basis.

Commentary: China's AI chip certification becomes new market gatekeeper

Levi Li — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:29:54 GMT

China has brought AI chips into its national security and reliability evaluation framework for the first time, turning what looks like a product certification process into something more consequential: an emerging gatekeeping system for AI computing infrastructure.

Synopsys flags mixed regional trends as China growth contrasts with weaker Western demand

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:26:07 GMT

Synopsys reported divergent regional performance in the second quarter, with China showing sequential growth while North America and Europe declined, as demand patterns for semiconductor design tools and simulation software remained uneven across end markets.

SAS succession complete as founder Mingguang Lu exits board amid diversified growth

Lily Hess — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:19:24 GMT

Sino-American Silicon Products (SAS) held its shareholders meeting on May 26 and completed a full board overhaul, with founder Mingguang Lu stepping down as a director and Hsiu-lan Hsu being re-elected chairwoman. Lu will continue supporting the group as honorary chairman as SAS deepens its generational transition and diversified growth strategy.

Huawei Tau Law series 3: Global chip experts split over China's post-Moore push

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:19:07 GMT

Huawei's "Tau (τ) Scaling Law," unveiled at ISCAS 2026 on May 25, has become a global semiconductor flashpoint, drawing scrutiny from financial institutions, media outlets, chip analysts, and research firms.

Synopsys sees agentic AI and Ansys integration expanding long-term growth opportunities

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:17:18 GMT

Synopsys said the rise of agentic artificial intelligence and the integration of Ansys are creating new growth opportunities across electronic design automation (EDA) and simulation software, as semiconductor and industrial customers adopt more complex AI-driven engineering workflows.

Luxshare strengthens antitrust compliance after China imposes fine over Wingtech deal

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:16:28 GMT

Chinese electronics manufacturer Luxshare said it is strengthening its antitrust compliance system after China's market regulator imposed a fine related to its acquisition of part of Wingtech's business operations.

Wonik IPS secures Visionox XR display etcher order for Kunshan OLED line

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:14:54 GMT

Chinese display maker Visionox is moving ahead with a major extended reality display production project in Kunshan, strengthening China's push into high-pixel-density OLED panels for AR and VR devices.

China's LLM price war puts DeepSeek, Xiaomi on a collision course with OpenAI

Levi Li — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:08:47 GMT

China's large language model (LLM) market is coming under mounting pricing pressure, as domestic AI model developers cut fees closer to cost, while the gap with international model pricing widens to dozens of times.

China smartphone shipments rebound in April 2026 as Apple and foreign brands gain ground

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:00:56 GMT

China's smartphone market showed signs of stabilization in April 2026, with both overall handset shipments and smartphone shipments returning to year-over-year growth, according to new figures released by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT).

ByteDance's chip ambition grows with US$70 billion capex plan

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 02:49:17 GMT

ByteDance is considering a sharp increase in capital spending this year as the TikTok owner pushes deeper into artificial intelligence infrastructure — a move that could make it one of China's most aggressive investors in data centers, servers, and custom chips.

Qualcomm wins ASIC customers beyond ByteDance

Lily Hess — Thu, 28 May 2026 02:46:13 GMT

Qualcomm has reportedly landed more than one ASIC customer, with a separate project for a US cloud service provider also taking shape, according to industry sources. The development follows reports from Bloomberg and other media that ByteDance, the developer of TikTok, is Qualcomm's first major client for its custom chip push.

Formosa Chemicals maps turnaround through hydrogen, AI, and semiconductor materials

Elaine Chen — Thu, 28 May 2026 02:26:10 GMT

Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corporation said it is accelerating restructuring and diversification efforts after posting losses in 2025, as the petrochemical major pivots toward higher-value materials, including semiconductor-related products such as polyimide (PI) and silicon carbide (SiC), with early results expected by 2027.

Synopsys sees hyperscaler chip ambitions fueling AI-related demand

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 02:22:53 GMT

Synopsys said growing demand for artificial intelligence chips from semiconductor companies and hyperscale data center operators is driving broader adoption of its electronic design automation (EDA), hardware-assisted verification, and intellectual property (IP) products, supporting a higher fiscal 2026 revenue outlook and reinforcing the company's position in AI-related semiconductor development.

Marvell raises multi-year outlook as AI data center demand drives accelerating growth

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 02:01:57 GMT

On May 27, Marvell Technology reported record revenue in the fiscal first quarter of 2027 and raised its long-term outlook, citing accelerating demand for AI-related data center infrastructure, particularly in high-speed interconnect, Ethernet switching, and custom silicon solutions used in hyperscale cloud deployments.

Marvell eyes XPU and attach wins as pillars of custom silicon growth

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 01:59:50 GMT

Marvell Technology has said its custom silicon business and data center solutions are emerging as central pillars of its long-term growth strategy, driven by rising demand from hyperscale cloud customers building AI infrastructure, including XPUs, Ethernet switching systems, and high-speed optical interconnects.

Marvell expands silicon photonics, switching, and interconnect roadmap

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 01:56:36 GMT

Marvell Technology used its first-quarter fiscal 2027 earnings call to detail accelerating progress across optical, copper, and silicon photonics-based connectivity, signaling that AI infrastructure is shifting from compute-centric bottlenecks toward networking-driven architectures. The company's expanded interconnect portfolio, new silicon photonics acquisition, and emerging scale-up switch programs underpin a materially higher multi-year outlook.

Nvidia's move into Beitou-Shilin Tech Park raises AI power demand; Taipower uses dual-track strategy to push substation development

Emily Kuo — Thu, 28 May 2026 01:56:32 GMT

Nvidia's new Taiwan headquarters is expected to begin construction by the end of 2026 and officially open in 2030, and CEO Jensen Huang is propagating that Taiwan "needs more electricity" to fund projects. With the AI cluster revolving around Nvidia, Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) estimates that power demand in the Beitou-Shilin Technology Park (BSTP) area will reach approximately 180MW.

Huawei's Watch Fit series surpasses 24 million shipments as wearables push global growth

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 01:50:51 GMT

Huawei reported that cumulative global shipments of its Watch Fit series had topped 24 million units as of April 2026, signaling accelerating momentum for the vendor's smart wearables business amid continued US restrictions on its smartphone operations. The company said the Watch Fit lineup has become one of its best-selling fashion-sport smart wearables as Huawei pursues growth in Europe, Southeast Asia, and other overseas markets.

Synopsys raises fiscal 2026 outlook after strong second-quarter revenue growth

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 01:47:53 GMT

Synopsys raised its fiscal 2026 revenue target after reporting a 42% year-over-year rise in second-quarter sales, driven by continued demand for AI-related chip design tools and verification systems.

Formosa Chemicals to showcase low-carbon 5N5 hydrogen and semiconductor materials at COMPUTEX 2026

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 01:47:03 GMT

Formosa Chemicals & Fibre Corporation announced it will debut at COMPUTEX 2026 next week to present a push into semiconductor-grade materials and low-carbon hydrogen supply aimed at cutting emissions in chip manufacturing. The company said it plans to start producing 5N5 high-purity low-carbon hydrogen in the third quarter of 2027 and will emphasize links between its chemicals business and the semiconductor supply chain at the Taipei event.

Chief Telecom sees AI demand pushing AIDC leasing past 50% and plans further expansion

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 01:45:28 GMT

Chief Telecom said AI computing demand drove stronger leasing interest in its artificial intelligence data center business, lifting 2025 results. The firm did not rule out another AI data center build-out in the second half of 2026. Executives said at the shareholders' meeting on April 27 that letters of intent for the fourth Central Taiwan Science Park AI data center have topped 50%, and occupancy at the LY2 smart data center is expected to exceed 90% by the end of 2027.

IRIS Optronics opens Tokyo office and launches B3 full-color e-paper for transit advertising

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 01:42:32 GMT

IRIS Optronics, on May 27, opened a Tokyo office and showroom in Azabu-Juban and unveiled a B3-size (51.5 cm x 36.4 cm) full-color cholesteric liquid crystal e-paper complete unit as part of a push to expand in the Japanese market and strengthen local customer service. The company held a technology forum in Tokyo the same day to showcase the product and discuss industry developments with Japanese partners.

Yageo signals possible price hikes as Japanese and Korean passive component makers raise prices

Eifeh Strom — Thu, 28 May 2026 01:36:15 GMT

Passive component manufacturer Yageo held its 2026 annual shareholders meeting on May 27. In a post-meeting interview, chairman Pierre Chen confirmed that the world's two largest multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) makers, Japan's Murata Manufacturing and South Korea's Samsung Electro-Mechanics (Semco), have recently issued price increase notices to customers and distributors.

Chunghwa Precision completes board reshuffle as it plans rapid capacity expansion for AI chip testing

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 01:35:00 GMT

Chunghwa Precision Test Tech. completed its board election at the 2026 annual shareholders' meeting on May 27 as the semiconductor test interface maker prepared for rising AI chip demand and a planned capacity expansion over the next two to three years. The company announced the reappointment of four board members and the retention of three independent directors as it outlined near-term production and market plans.

Pentagon ramps AI adoption and moves to buy 200,000 small drones by 2027

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 01:21:00 GMT

The US Department of Defense announced a rapid expansion of artificial intelligence use alongside an accelerated drone procurement push, reporting that AI user numbers rose from about 80,000 to about 1.5 million in one year and launching a program to buy 200,000 small lethal drones by 2027, with a budget cap of US$1.1 billion. The announcements were made at SOF Week 2026 in Tampa, Florida. They detailed the department's intent to embed AI across enterprise, intelligence, and operational layers to speed decisions and improve battlefield lethality.

Airbus warns A350 and A320neo delivery delays could persist through 2030

DIGITIMES — Thu, 28 May 2026 01:17:16 GMT

Airbus told airline customers that deliveries of A350 and A320neo family aircraft will be slower than planned over the next few years, with average delays of about one to two months and some impacts lasting through 2030, according to Aviation Week. Executives said supply chain and capacity constraints identified during recent plant transfers and supplier quality issues had not been fully resolved, creating knock-on effects for final assembly schedules.

China tightens travel bans on private-sector AI to stem tech leaks

DIGITIMES — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:55:22 GMT

China has expanded its state travel controls into the private technology sector, deliberately blocking top AI talent from leaving the country without explicit government authorization.

China Airlines rides Taiwan's AI boom to record cargo profits

Elaine Chen — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:54:51 GMT

China Airlines said demand tied to artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and semiconductor shipments is helping fuel a strong rebound in air cargo, underscoring Taiwan's growing importance at the center of the global technology supply chain.

Computex 2026 adds robotics zone, Taiwan supply chain gathers

Charlene Chen — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:54:29 GMT

Computex 2026 will add a robotics zone for the first time, drawing Taiwan's full ecosystem of sensors, motors, reducers, and system integrators, as Nvidia and AMD prepare to showcase robotics at CES 2026. The move has already stirred strong industry interest as the show extends big tech's robotics roadmap.

Samsung foundry targets robotics, auto AI chips with Cadence platform

DIGITIMES — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:53:51 GMT

Samsung Electronics is preparing to expand its foundry push into physical AI semiconductors through a chiplet platform developed with Cadence, targeting chips for robotics, automotive systems, drones, and industrial automation, ETNews reported, citing industry sources.

UMC readies price hikes, kicks off 2027 customer talks

Levi Li — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:53:29 GMT

UMC held its shareholders' meeting on May 27, with CEO Jason Wang saying that as AI applications expand rapidly, long-term semiconductor demand still has room for growth. In addition to deepening its strengths in mature and specialty processes, UMC is also advancing next-generation technologies, including a US-based 12nm FinFET platform, advanced packaging, and silicon photonics, to prepare for future operating growth.

Yageo tops Murata in AI-driven passive component orders

Levi Li — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:53:04 GMT

Yageo, one of the world's largest passive component suppliers, said demand from AI-related applications has pushed its book-to-bill ratio to 1.3, surpassing levels seen at Japanese peers, including Murata, as tightening supply across the sector continues to extend lead times.

Tsang Yow, a expands into high-end semiconductor equipment, plans Malaysia ramp in 4Q26

DIGITIMES — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:52:51 GMT

Tsang Yow, a major drivetrain manufacturer, expanded into high-end semiconductor equipment and planned a Malaysia production ramp-up in the fourth quarter of 2026 after posting 2025 consolidated revenue of NT$10.5 billion (US$334 million), up 0.3% year on year, with gross margin rising to 33% and net profit attributable to the parent company of NT$140 million. Earnings per share were NT$1.36, and executives said product-mix optimization, equipment replacement, inventory reduction, and tighter cost control drove the margin improvement.

Hotai Motor expects semiconductor and AI demand to lift Taiwan auto market in 2026

DIGITIMES — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:52:15 GMT

Hotai Motor Co. told shareholders on May 27 that Taiwan's auto market was expected to strengthen in 2026 as demand for semiconductors and AI applications supported exports and the broader economy. The company forecast the full-year vehicle market could reach 440,000 units, attributing the outlook to a stabilizing global economy, policy continuity and a pickup in replacement demand.

Laster Tech enters the robot joint control supply chain and wins North American auto orders

DIGITIMES — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:52:01 GMT

Laster Tech announced it had broken into the robot joint control module supply chain and secured North American vehicle orders for its new Mexico plant, with small-volume robot shipments slated to begin in the third quarter of 2026 and vehicle deliveries targeted to start in the first quarter of 2027. The moves were presented as a strategic extension from the firm’s automotive electronics expertise into embodied intelligence robotics and as a step to strengthen local North American supply capacity.

Taiwan's GLT diversifies into auto and medical markets, expands Southeast Asia production

Willis Ke — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:51:41 GMT

Taiwan-based Global Lighting Technologies (GLT), a specialist in optical microstructure solutions, is accelerating its Southeast Asia expansion as global tariff pressures and geopolitical uncertainty continue to weigh on customer demand and product development cycles, while expanding into higher-growth sectors such as automotive electronics, biotech, and medical devices.

QRT eyes aerospace, defense growth with portable chip radiation tester

Sherri Wang — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:51:20 GMT

South Korean semiconductor testing company QRT is expanding its equipment business with a portable chip radiation reliability testing system, aiming to build a larger presence in aerospace and defense markets.

Shiny Chemical sees AI and advanced semiconductor processes drive IPA and PM capacity expansion

Rodney Chan — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:50:52 GMT

Shiny Chemical Industrial said demand for its electronic-grade products is being driven mainly by advanced semiconductor processes, AI, and high-performance computing, with its share of revenue continuing to rise. The company has begun expanding capacity for its electronic-grade isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and propylene glycol methyl ether (PM) lines.

Ezconn moves up AI optics chain with CPO and silicon photonics

Levi Li — Wed, 27 May 2026 23:50:34 GMT

Ezconn expects US cloud providers' AI data center expansion to sustain demand for high core count optical products through at least 2029, according to President Ying-hua Chang.

Dreame's 941-company ecosystem targets growth far beyond robot vacuum cleaners

DIGITIMES — Wed, 27 May 2026 08:53:53 GMT

Dreame Technology, a Chinese consumer electronics maker, has formed nearly 1,000 affiliated companies in its ecosystem since the end of 2024. This breakneck pace of expansion signals the ambitions of its leadership to unearth growth opportunities across the broader Chinese tech sector, although some media outlets question the sustainability of the business model.