Meta Platforms Inc. is losing third-party augmented reality developers to rival Snap Inc. following the social media giant's unexpected decision to shutter its AR studio.
Arm has reportedly notified Qualcomm of its intention to terminate the current licensing agreement after a 60-day period. While Arm has not responded to this development, Qualcomm, which is in the midst of the Snapdragon Summit, issued a robust response.
Optical epitaxy specialist LandMark Optoelectronics reported a gross margin increase to 27.58% in the third quarter of 2024, driven by silicon photonics (SiPh) shipments to high-speed data centers. The company achieved positive operating profit and net profit after tax for the quarter. The company's main US-based SiPh customers have been deploying 800G SiPh products in general data centers, with an expected life cycle of two years. Additionally, with 1.6T products entering mass production from the fourth quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2025, the company expects strong performance from its data center-related business in the near future.
Taiwanese manufacturers returning from China to invest domestically amid the US-China tech and trade rivalry are encountering mounting pressure to relocate overseas. Industry observers point to electricity and labor shortages, alongside soaring land prices, as major obstacles.
A new iPad lineup wasn't the only thing on Tim Cook's mind when he introduced the tablets from Apple Inc.'s California headquarters in May. The hint was on his feet: a pair of one-of-a-kind sneakers designed on an iPad just for Cook, by Nike Inc.
As geopolitical tensions persist, Synnex Chairperson Evans Tu has brushed off concerns about potential industry disruptions, asserting that any market shifts will have minimal impact. Tu remains confident in Synnex's growth, with plans to launch a new logistics hub in Melbourne by early 2025. The company also has high hopes for expanding into Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Turkey.
The advent of generative AI has been a mixed bag for suppliers of key smartphone components. Some companies have gradually transitioned to focus on AI, while others such as optical component suppliers have yet to reap benefits in the short term.
The 2024 Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) and electronicAsia, key indicators for China's consumer electronics supply chain, showcased promising growth in wearable electronics and robotics over the next two years. Emerging markets such as India and the Middle East demonstrated the most potential.
The government-operated Southern Taiwan Science Park (STSP) has capitalized on the global AI surge and the thriving semiconductor sector, generating a record revenue of NT$1.31 trillion (approx. US$40.63 billion) from January to August 2024, marking a more than 40% increase compared to the same period in 2023.
As power management and heat dissipation become increasingly important with the high-performance computing required for generative AI, a trend is emerging in the field of power supplies: high wattage, high power consumption, high density, and high conversion efficiency. In addition, high-voltage DC power will gradually supplant AC power, as data centers increasingly adopt greener energy sources.
Largan Precision, a leading smartphone lens manufacturer reportedly in the Apple iPhone supply chain, has expressed caution about market prospects for the fourth quarter of 2024, disclosing that customers are scaling back orders.
The outlook for Apple's iPhone and competitors' smartphones may be mixed, but Largan Precision, a leading phone camera lens supplier, remains conservative about the overall market.
Lenovo introduced its latest Neptune water cooling technology for data center applications, featuring an open-loop design, at its annual Tech World event in Seattle, Washington.
As Nvidia Blackwell GB200 chips near the mass production and shipment stage, supply chain players are already making initial preparations for the next-generation Rubin AI platform. Lite-On Technology projects that sample delivery of next-generation devices for verification will begin by the end of 2024, with results anticipated within six to nine months.
Huawei's mobile phone business remains constrained by the US semiconductor sales ban, but its sales performance in the Chinese market is gradually improving. The company has stated that it has re-entered markets in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, though its full return to the international market will depend on the maturity and compatibility of its Harmony operating system (HarmonyOS).
As the second wave of iPhone 16 shipments begins, supply chain sources report that sales have underperformed. Apple's 2024 strategy centered on Apple Intelligence, but key features have been delayed and won't be fully available globally until 2025. Non-English versions and region-specific functions are part of this delay, which has impacted both iPhone sales and the overall supply chain performance.
Aerotech, a leading precision motion control and automation firm, has announced an expansion of its Automation1 XA4 PWM servo drive series. The expanded lineup now includes single, dual, and quad-axis configurations, providing machine builders with a versatile range of compact and economical solutions that enhance performance while reducing system costs.
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will host four major technology fairs this October, featuring approximately 6,200 exhibitors from 29 countries and regions. These events will highlight innovative products, solutions, and services in electronics, components, production technologies, and smart lighting systems.
Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) has seen impressive gains from components, such as liquid cooling universal quick disconnects (UQD), developed by its subsidiaries for AI servers, which have been chief support for various tech sectors, including semiconductors and assembly services, in 2024.
TSMC is asking suppliers to accelerate the conversion of a plant into a CoWoS advanced packaging fab to meet strong demand from Nvidia, which is depending on the Taiwanese foundry house for making its AI chips, according to industry sources.
Solar inverters and energy storage power converters (PCS) form the intelligent backbone of renewable energy. Taiwan's solar inverter market has been vibrant in recent years, with local and foreign brands engaged in intense competition.
The latest teardown report of Apple's iPhone 16 series reveals that due to rising costs of certain components, the production cost of the iPhone 16 series has increased compared to the iPhone 15 series, though the average increase is less than US$30.
