The world's largest contract chipmaker is weighing whether the motors inside its factory-automation equipment can run without rare-earth magnets, a sign that China's grip on rare earths now reaches the machinery that keeps fabs running, just as a key Chinese export-control pause approaches its legal expiry date.

Taiwan's first-ever strike in the semiconductor industry has temporarily drawn to a close. A 24-hour warning strike spearheaded by Micron Technology's Taoyuan union concluded on the morning of October 23, 2026. During the action, an internal ballot saw nearly 70% of all union members sign statements opposing management's proposed compensation structure. Formal labor-management negotiations are set to resume on October 27.

Israeli security firm Lava identified 32 Nvidia Blackwell Ultra B300 GPUs through monitoring endpoints linked to China Telecom, a state-owned carrier. The chips are barred from sale to China under US export controls. The finding adds to questions about whether the restrictions can keep advanced AI processors out of the country, but the network data does not establish where the GPUs are physically located.

Concerns over a potential AI bubble are intensifying. From large language models (LLMs) and AI data centers to humanoid robots, investors are increasingly questioning when massive capital investments will translate into corresponding revenue and profits.

Nvidia has won a CPU supply order from AI startup Modal, challenging Intel and AMD in the server CPU market as it expands beyond GPUs into general-purpose computing. Although Modal's annual revenue is below US$1 billion, and neither the order's value nor its deployment scale has been disclosed, the deal underscores a broader shift in AI infrastructure competition toward full-stack system integration.

As AI data centers accelerate construction, supply-chain competition is expanding beyond servers and fully integrated racks to the integrated delivery of computing modules and site engineering. Nvidia unveiled its DSX POD reference design based on the Vera Rubin platform at GTC Berlin, with partners installing, integrating, and validating equipment inside containerized modules before transporting them to customer sites for final assembly and operation.

Apple Inc.'s first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo, went on sale in China on October 23, with limited initial supplies pushing some preorder delivery dates to late January 2027. The launch, just ahead of China's Single's Day shopping season, has become a key indicator for the country's smartphone market.

Oppo unveiled the international version of its Find X10 smartphone series in Spain on October 22 (Taiwan Standard Time), following the line's China launch in late September. The move marked the company's latest effort to strengthen premium smartphone shipments as competition intensifies and overall demand remains under pressure.

SpaceX has firmly established itself in direct-to-device connectivity through Starlink's expanding satellite constellation. But the space giant is now pushing beyond orbital coverage as it seeks an equally consequential position in terrestrial mobile infrastructure.

Tesla's three new Roadster variants could face different regulatory pathways before they are allowed on public roads—or take to the skies.

Chinese luxury carmakers are expanding in Europe but face barriers that differ from those in China. Brand recognition, sales and repair networks, financing, leasing, and used-car values could slow progress, while established German manufacturers retain most of Europe's premium market. The Chinese carmakers' efforts will test whether technology can overcome entrenched expectations.

China's weakening car market is challenging automakers, parts suppliers, and dealers as exports rise but domestic demand contracts. For global industry watchers, the downturn is a test of electric-vehicle resilience, subsidy dependence, and manufacturing overcapacity. Over time, planned capacity controls and corporate consolidation could reshape competition and supply chains worldwide.

Taiwan and the UK deepened cooperation on offshore wind, carbon capture, and energy security at two bilateral meetings held recently in Taipei. The 21st Taiwan-UK Renewable Energy Exchange Conference brought together about 80 government, industry, and research representatives to discuss energy policy, technical practices, and collaboration on low-carbon technologies. The eighth Taiwan-UK Energy Dialogue Conference followed that afternoon.

While Tesla is expanding its ambitions in autonomous transportation and embodied AI, developments in its energy-storage business are drawing attention following a mixed set of financial results in the company's third-quarter 2026 earnings report.

Amazon plans to invest in a proposed 960MW nuclear power plant in Indiana and become its first power purchaser, securing long-term electricity for its AI data centers as it expands its nuclear energy strategy.

Elan Microelectronics is pursuing drone opportunities across multiple applications, showcasing a broad range of solutions at the 2026 TAITRONICS expo. Solutions developed with Taiwanese drone maker Thunder Tiger stood out at the company's exhibition area, with several offerings expected to begin contributing to revenue in 2026 and 2027.

Taiwan's aerospace components maker Aero Win Technology is positioning itself for a new growth cycle, capitalizing on robust aircraft engine demand while expanding its role in next-generation development programs. With global aircraft production struggling to keep pace with orders, the company's gross margin reached a record 26% in the first half of 2026, up 8pp year-over-year.

Motor manufacturer Racing Electric Instrument (REI) is expanding from propulsion systems into electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) payloads and inertial navigation for drones, targeting gaps in Taiwan's unmanned systems supply chain and supporting the development of locally controlled drone technologies.

Apple has reportedly asked BOE Technology and other panel makers for technical information on LCD panels for a future iMac, raising questions about the pace of its OLED transition. The potential LCD model's launch around 2029 overlaps with industry expectations for the first OLED iMac in 2029-2030.

Chinese smartphone brands have brought high-refresh-rate OLED displays to market ahead of Samsung Electronics and Apple, with Visionox and BOE supplying 185Hz panels for the iQOO Neo 12 and RedMagic 12 Pro+, respectively. The move sets a new standard for smartphone applications, where power consumption remains a major concern, and has drawn market attention.

LG Display expects foldable smartphones to grow faster than the market had forecast. That outlook carries a complication: the company reportedly does not make folding phone screens. On its third-quarter earnings call on October 22, Seung-ryong Baek, vice president for small display planning, said a customer's new foldable had drawn growing interest since pre-orders opened on October 16.