Intel is grappling with an operational crisis as its IDM 2.0 transformation plan has yet to yield results, casting doubt on when its foundry business might finally become profitable. This raises the question of whether Intel should consider abandoning its IDM model and separating its product design and manufacturing divisions—a move with both potential advantages and drawbacks. Industry leaders, including former board members, are offering advice in hopes of helping Intel find a viable path forward. However, the conflicting nature of their advice highlights the complexity of the company's dilemma
Over the past decade, China's tech sector has surged across chip design, foundry, and packaging. Yet beneath the slogan of "technological self-reliance", two corporate storms have laid bare the contradictions between global ambition and domestic control, exposing the limits of China's bid to lead the semiconductor world on its own terms
Following an internal R&D overhaul, Intel has rolled out its application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) business to establish a fresh revenue stream beyond CPUs and GPUs. The company is banking on decades of x86 IP accumulation and its integrated device manufacturer (IDM) model to challenge top IC design rivals such as Nvidia, AMD, Broadcom, Marvell, MediaTek, and Alchip
As the APEC summit in late October approaches, US President Donald Trump aims to broker a historic China-US trade deal and push for a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire. However, stalled negotiations have raised concerns that Taiwan could become a bargaining chip between Washington and Beijing
As Google, AWS, Meta, and Microsoft keep ordering Nvidia's AI GPUs, they are simultaneously accelerating in-house application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) projects to cut reliance on Nvidia. Yet, according to supply chain insiders, Nvidia's five strategic pillars — ranging from product velocity to ecosystem control —continue to cement its dominance in AI computing
Samsung Electronics is expected to deliver a surprising performance in the third quarter of 2025, successfully reclaiming the top position in the global memory market, signaling a strong recovery in its semiconductor business. However, as its memory division expands shipments and market share rebounds, industry observers have shifted their attention to whether its stagnant non-memory businesses, namely foundry and system LSI, can stage a turnaround
SEMICON West 2025, held for the first time in Phoenix, Arizona, showcased unprecedented momentum in the local semiconductor industry driven by TSMC's massive investments. The collaborative efforts of Phoenix's real estate, government, and academic sectors to rebuild a semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem go far beyond what media reports or White House declarations reveal
With the momentum behind artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure continuing to accelerate, industry giants Nvidia and AMD are preparing to launch next-generation chip architectures in 2027. These innovations are expected to significantly drive demand for AI servers, reshaping the supply chain and pushing the boundaries of data center design
China's technological advancement remains a central focus of global attention, with social media frequently showcasing local tech applications and innovations. Yet for many outside observers, the actual situation in China continues to fuel curiosity and skepticism, prompting many to wonder what lies beneath the polished surface
TSMC reported a record net profit of NT$452.3 billion (approx. US$14.8 billion) in the third quarter of 2025, surpassing expectations and pushing its first nine months' earnings to NT$1.21 trillion, already exceeding the full-year 2024 total of NT$1.17 trillion. However, Chairman C.C. Wei's demeanor marked a notable shift from previous years, emphasizing disciplined expansion amid strong AI demand
Since Lip-Bu Tan took over as CEO in March 2025, Intel has experienced a historic year of upheaval, becoming the center of attention in the global tech community
As South Korea prepares to host APEC 2025 Korea in Gyeongju on October 31, attention is focused on a potential high-stakes meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. However, rising tensions over China's expanded REE export controls and special port fees imposed on US-flagged vessels have intensified the trade conflict ahead of the summit. If unresolved through negotiation, these escalating trade barriers risk inflicting severe economic damage that could leave both the US and China worse off, while also harming Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea as collateral victims
China tightened rare earth export controls after its National Day holidays, using its dominant production capacity to pressure US firms and advanced chipmakers amid rising supply chain risks
Taiwanese President Ching-te Lai remarked that the US takes 80% of semiconductor profits. While TSMC leads in manufacturing, US firms dominate IC design. The US seeks a balanced production split with Taiwan, but Taiwan hesitates amid US-China tensions
Larry Ellison, the 81-year-old head of long-standing Silicon Valley tech giant Oracle, has surpassed Elon Musk to become the world's richest person. Ellison transformed the company overnight from a declining database business into an AI powerhouse and potentially the biggest winner in the future TikTok equity deal
China's development of through glass via (TGV) technology, crucial for advanced semiconductor packaging in AI and high-performance computing chips, encounters significant hurdles, including high process complexity, reliance on imported equipment, cost-yield balance issues, fragmented supply chains, patent barriers dominated by Japan, South Korea, and the US, and long research and development cycles
