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.
Benefiting from the surge in stock before China's Golden Week, ramp-ups have increased for notebook (NB) power supplies, server power supplies, and satellite communication power supplies. Chicony's self-compiled consolidated revenue in September reached NT$3.62 billion (approx. US$112.66 million) and its annual revenue in 2024 is expected to show a year-over-year increase.
The high power consumption and heat generation by AI data centers can no longer be solved through simple hardware upgrades, leading to changes beneficial to Taiwanese supply chain development. According to industry analysis, two main advantages include Taiwan's responsibility for supplying 90% of global products and its increased visibility in regional markets under TSMC's lead.
Since its US launch in February and subsequent rollout to more markets in June, Apple's Vision Pro has received praise and criticism. After personally experiencing it at the Canton Road Apple Store in Hong Kong, my biggest takeaway was that it was a truly "smooth" experience.
Electronic paper giant E Ink has teamed up with Hanshow to deploy the world's first product utilizing 13.3-inch E Ink Spectra 6 electronic paper technology, called Polaris Max, at Aeon China's new store in Changsha. This marks the first commercial application of a full-color electronic paper product in the retail sector.
Inventec Chairman Li-Cheng Yeh has expressed optimism about AMD's acquisition of ZT, viewing it as an opportunity for Inventec to potentially engage directly with customers in the future. Yeh considers this deal a valuable investment that will significantly benefit Inventec's development.
At the Security Summit organized by DIGITIMES on September 25, Herming Chiueh, deputy minister at the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA), highlighted the disparity in cybersecurity resources between the government and private sector. He noted that while the government employs about 70,000 staff members, comparable to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), it cannot allocate the same proportion of personnel to cybersecurity as TSMC, which is managed by just 80 engineers.
AI PCs will bring new opportunities to component manufacturers. Battery module manufacturer Simplo stated that due to AI PCs requiring larger battery capacity, the average selling price (ASP) will increase as well. This is expected to become apparent in the fourth quarter of 2024 and growth momentum is expected to become stronger in 2025.
In an unsettling turn of events, Lebanon experienced a wave of explosions on September 17 and 18 involving pagers, walkie-talkies, and other consumer electronics, resulting in dozens of deaths and thousands of injuries. These incidents have sent shockwaves through the global supply chain, raising alarm about the security of widely used electronic devices and sparking fears of market instability.
Semco has developed the world's first "mini oxide-based solid-state battery" capable of being integrated into wearable devices. The company is reportedly conducting product tests with customers, with mass production expected to begin as early as the first half of 2026. This development has garnered major attention due to the advantages of solid-state batteries, such as high energy density and lower fire risks.
Before 2020, almost all smartphones incorporated LTPS technology for their AMOLED panels. However, many manufacturers are turning to LTPO, especially now that generative AI (GenAI) integration is gaining popularity.
In the first half of 2024, Taiwan's printed circuit board (PCB) industry experienced significant growth, propelled by robust demand for AI servers, satellite communications, and automotive electronics. A recovery in the smartphone and memory markets also contributed to the improved performance. By the second quarter, the industry's output reached NT$190.8 billion (US$5.97 billion), reflecting a 12.7% increase compared to the same period last year. This underscores Taiwan's crucial role in supporting growth across AI, satellite systems, and electric vehicle sectors.
The possibility of Apple developing a more affordable Mixed Reality (MR) device is growing. It is rumored to feature an OLED display with a pixel density of 1,500 PPI to reduce manufacturing costs. South Korean media predicts that companies like Japan's JDI and Samsung Display (SDC) will participate in the OLED display development for Apple's affordable MR device.
As artificial intelligence (AI) applications become widespread, products like AI smartphones and AI PCs are emerging in the market. However, supply chain operators indicate that while there is significant interest in AI, the end market has not seen an increase in consumer purchasing intent due to a lack of compelling applications.
Smart wearable products have gained significant traction in recent years, with major tech brands actively releasing new devices. Apple, Samsung Electronics, and Google have all launched smartwatches in 2024, focusing on functional improvements.
The escalating tensions between major powers are reshaping global investment and trade patterns, leading to a surge in companies facing divestment, relocation, and investment shifts. This trend suggests an impending rise in production and trade costs, coupled with intensified competition for localized investments. Nations that previously benefited from global supply chain shifts should remain vigilant, as they may become potential targets in the United States' evolving trade strategies.
Hitachi Vantara's vice president and general manager of Asia Pacific, Adrian Johnson, states that the Asia-Pacific storage market outlook is promising. This optimism is primarily driven by companies actively investing in AI infrastructure and seeking more efficient storage solutions amid reduced IT investments, creating new business opportunities for Hitachi Vantara.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics (Semco) is increasing the operational rate of its multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC) to 90%. However, intense market competition has left MLCC sales prices stagnant, potentially impacting the company's profitability.
The Federal Reserve announced a rate cut of 25 basis points, signaling the beginning of a rate-cutting cycle for the first time in four years. Electronic component distributors believe that this reduction, along with improved financial conditions and robust momentum in AI, contributes to a more optimistic outlook for the future.
Niching Industrial, a Taiwan-based semiconductor materials and components supplier, anticipates that demand for AI-related products will sustain growth momentum through 2025.
