In the third quarter of 2024, global notebook shipments (excluding detachable models) exceeded expectations, showing a 5.8% growth compared to the previous quarter, but the volumes are expected to slip in the fourth quarter, according to DIGITIMES Research's latest report covering the notebook industry in the second half of 2024.

DIGITIMES Research estimates that global server shipments in the third quarter of 2024 grew by 4.3% compared to the previous quarter, surpassing its earlier forecasts, but because of the high base period built, the fourth-quarter shipments are expected to slip sequentially.

Foxconn addresses discriminatory ads and requests neutral recruitment practices. CCI fines Meta US$25.3 million for abusing market dominance in India.

Donald Trump's expected return to the White House on January 20, 2025, has intensified speculation over his trade policy plans. Liu, Director of the Regional Development Study Center at The Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER), emphasized that while tariffs have not yet been applied to foreign-made notebooks and smartphones, Trump's actions remain unpredictable. Known for his strong support of tariffs, calling them "the most beautiful word in the dictionary," Taiwanese supply chains must proceed with caution and develop contingency plans.

In September, Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced Orion, a highly anticipated prototype of augmented reality (AR) glasses, during a private event. Marketed as a potential smartphone replacement, Orion signifies a pivotal step in Meta's pursuit of next-generation computing technologies.

Shuang Bang Industrial, a specialized maker of synthetic resins and functional fabrics in Taiwan, is optimistic about its 2025 performance. As global inventory levels continue to normalize, the company is benefiting from the burgeoning AI electronics market, which has already extended order visibility into the first quarter of 2025. This segment is contributing approximately 15% of total revenue, according to general manager Rita Hsu.

President-elect Donald Trump has announced his plan to name Howard Lutnick, a prominent China critic, as Secretary of Commerce. Lutnick will oversee the management of US tariffs and trade policies.

TSMC plans to more than double its CoWoS packaging production capacity to meet the surging AI server demand in 2025. Industry sources indicate that Nvidia will consume up to 60% of this expanded capacity, while AMD and ASIC developers work to increase their share.

At the 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC), Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that while AI empowers humanity to better understand and reshape the world, it also presents unpredictable risks and challenges. Xi urged the global community to adopt security as a core principle and collaborate to establish a "shared future in cyberspace," according to the South China Morning Post.

The newest round of subsidies for trade-in programs made by China's government targeting TVs and consumer electronics has effectively boosted LCD TV demand in the fourth quarter, stabilizing panel prices. The most notable growth was observed in the ultra-large TV segment, but concerns about the potential overdrawing of future demand remain.

SSD sales have been buoyed by specifications upgrades, according to industry sources, while DRAM module sales have exhibited signs of weakness. In 2024, they predict that SSD sales will surpass those of DRAM modules.