AMD has announced the global availability of its second-generation Ryzen desktop processors, starting with four models optimized for gamers, creators, and hardware enthusiasts: Ryzen 7 2700X, Ryzen 7 2700, Ryzen 5 2600X, and Ryzen 5 2600 processors.

IT and consumer electronics channel distributor Synnex Technology International, in line with growing sales of IoT (Internet of Things), AI (artificial intelligence) and cloud computing-based products in emerging markets, has disclosed a plan to recruit nearly 200 IoT and AI experts and professionals...

Zoetek has introduced a healthcare smartwatch and a smart garment for healthcare of the elderly.

Asustek Computer has announced Arez, a new brand identity for Asus Radeon RX graphics cards. The new brand - derived from Ares, the Greek god of war - underlines the working partnership between Asustek and AMD that spans decades, according to the Taiwan-based vendor.

For the upcoming Spring Computer Show 2018 in Taipei from April 27-30, Acer has unveiled several Avengers special edition notebooks partnership Marvel.

Taiwan's government-funded Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) has newly developed an electric bike sharing system with a distinct feature of smart battery management.

Taiwan IC designer MediaTek will see its 2018 chip shipments for smart voice assistant surge at least 50% from 2017 as it has secured stable orders from heavyweight clients such as Amazon, Google, Alibaba and Tencent, further consolidating its leadership in the market for such chips, according to industry...

Increasingly serious shortfalls in the supply of passive components have disrupted production at some major EMS firms in Taiwan, undermining their shipments to brand clients, with consumers facing possible price hikes in the end market.

The upcoming availability of AMD's second-generation Ryzen processors, built using Globalfoundries' 12nm process technology, will be priced between US$199-329, which will likely put pressure on Intel to cut prices of its eighth-generation Core desktop processors.

The Asia Pacific (excluding Japan and China) commercial shipments of PCs (desktops, notebooks, excluding workstation) and tablets (slates and detachables) reached 19.2 million units in 2017, with a 7% on-year growth, mainly driven by the public sector, according to IDC.

Despite escalating trade tensions between China and the US, many China exhibitors at the 2018 Global Sources Consumer Electronics in Hong Kong are optimistic that their revenues for 2018 will expand by at least 10% on year thanks to the incorporation of innovative technologies into their new products...

IT and consumer electronics channel distributor Synnex Technology International has reported consolidated revenues of NT$33.67 billion (US$1.15 billion) for March, increasing 51.91% sequentially and 16.45% on year.

With the gaming notebook markets in China, Europe and the US becoming saturated, vendors including Asustek Computer, Dell and Lenovo have all moved to target the Southeast Asia market for growth in 2018.

More flat panel makers, including LG Display, Innolux and BOE Technology, are enhancing their deployments in the gaming monitor panel sector to cash in on the booming gaming industry, according to industry sources.

The annual Global Sources Electronics Show kicked off its spring edition of 2018 on April 11 at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, with over 6,600 booths housing more than 100,000 exhibit items covering a full range of the latest consumer and mobile electronics products highlighting AI (artificial intelligence)...

Pegatron has announced consolidated revenues of NT$82.99 billion (US$2.82 billion) for March, rising 8.01% on month and 11.22% on year with its first-quarter 2018 consolidated revenues rising 17.53% on year to come to NT$280.89 billion.

Wistron has registered consolidated revenues of NT$70.29 billion (US$2.39 billion) for March, up 4.35 on month and 9.31% on year, with EPS of NT$0.29, while its first-quarter consolidated revenues went up 28.89% on year to arrive at NT$217.05 billion with EPS reaching NT$0.34.

Asustek Computer has announced consolidated revenues of NT$99 billion (US$3.38 billion) for the first quarter of 2018, down 9% on year with revenues for March increasing 51% on month but dropping 10% on year to come to NT$40.8 billion.

Acer has reported revenues of NT$22.64 billion (US$773.5 million) for March 2018, up a slight 1.42% on year or 6.42% in US dollar, with revenues for the first quarter reaching NT$54.77 billion, down 2.28% on year or rise 3.52% in US dollar.

Notebook ODMs Compal Electronics and Inventec both saw their March revenues surge more than 30% sequentially as shipments started picking up at the end of the first quarter.

In response to Nvidia's GeForce Partner Program (GPP), Asustek Computer has planned a new gaming brand series, Ares, to market its AMD-based gaming products, while its Republic of Gamers (ROG) will be dedicated to machines with Nvidia-based hardware, according to a Chinese-language Apple Daily...

Dell has unveiled several new gaming notebooks under its Alienware brand and G series product line in China, featuring Intel's eighth-generation Core i9/i7/i5 processors, with prices starting from CNY5,499 (US$878).

Apple is gearing up efforts developing micro LED panels for both small-size and large-size applications and has received support from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for the making of small-size ones, according to Digitimes Research's senior analyst Luke Lin.

Clevo expects its notebook shipments to reach 1.52 million units in 2018, up from 2017's 1.27 million units, driven mainly by demand for gaming models and orders from emerging markets, according to company's notebook business president Yi-Lung Chien (transliterated from Chinese).

Canon has launched EOS M50 mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera in Taiwan at a recommended retail price of NT$18,900 (US$647) for body only, NT$21,900 for body plus EF-M 15-45mm IS STM lens, NT$29,900 for body plus EF-M 15-45mm IS STM lens and EF-M 55-200mm IS STM lens, according to Canon Marketing...