News tagged Commentary at DIGITIMES

The restructuring process of Taiwan's ailing DRAM industry, led by the government-backed Taiwan Memory Company (TMC), is likely heading into a storm now that the US government has pledged to press Japan and Taiwan over subsidies to Japan-based Elpida Memory. Read more

Commentary: Can Motorola make a turnaround by riding on Android-powered handsets and white-box approach?

Sep 21, 16:29

Looking for ways to revive its struggling handset business, Motorola has recently come out with two relatively strong initiations - unveiling its first Android-powered handset, the Cliq, and establishing a new ODM team in Beijing. Read more

Commentary: Chartered takeover price is almost TSMC capex for 2 years

Sep 8, 16:38

Morris Chang might have been surprised to learn that Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing will be sold to Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC) for a high price of US$3.9 billion, a sum which is almost equivalent to the total capex budget of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for 2008 and 2009. Read more

Commentary: HTC gets a wakeup call as it is forced to lower revenue guidance for 2009

Aug 6, 12:41

The price of HTC (High Tech Computer) shares dropped steeply for three consecutive trading sessions closing at NT$328 (US$10.03) on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) on August 5 after the company lowered its revenue guidance for 2009. Read more

Commentary: Nokia says no to Android, but may look to Linux

Jul 7, 14:07

While acknowledging that Nokia has denied that it is working on Android-based smartphone, sources from Taiwan's handset industry still believe that the world's number one handset vendor will not sit idle and let Android-powered models further erode its market share. Read more

Commentary: Free-to-air was the theme of mobile TV during Computex

Jun 23, 16:46

Looking back at the product offerings at the recently concluded Computex Taipei 2009, you couldn't help notice that companies highlighting mobile DTV solutions based on the DVB standard were focusing on free-to-air solutions (DVB-T) as opposed to solutions targeting the subscription-based DVB-H standard, despite the latter being the technology standard developed specifically for digital mobile DTV. Read more

Commentary: Is someone in Taiwan sitting on a pile of Atom CPUs?

May 6, 14:35

The reports that Intel is cracking down on notebook makers and IC distributors in Taiwan to stop Atom CPUs and chipsets flowing via the gray market to white-box netbook makers in China, at first glance paints a picture of the tyrannical blue giant imposing its will on poor entrepreneurs trying to scrape together a simple dollar. But, read between the lines and ask a few pertinent questions, and maybe a much more interesting image is revealed, one that shows Intel is just doing business as usual, while at least one netbook player is likely to end up with egg on his face, if it cannot offload its current stocks of Atom components. Read more

Commentary: Rising chip prices may undermine Taiwan Memory

Mar 30, 10:35

Taiwan downstream DRAM makers are saying that the leading DRAM vendors, Samsung Electronics, Hynix Semiconductor, Micron Technology and Elpida Memory, are no longer tolerating low chip quotes, and will aim to push chip prices upward soon. But industry sources have commented that the higher DRAM chip prices are, the lower the chances that the Taiwan government will go ahead with its proposal to establish Taiwan Memory Company (TMC). Read more

Commentary: Global slowdown takes tolls on EMS firms

Mar 10, 14:05

The losses posted by the EMS firm Foxconn International Holdings (FIH), the Hong Kong-listed handset subsidiary of Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry), for the second half of 2008 indicates that the latest global slowdown has also taken tolls from the EMS sector. Read more

Commentary: Investor confidence still key to Taiwan Memory success

Mar 9, 11:31

Taiwan Memory Company (TMC) and its appointed chairman John Hsuan are already in its mission to consolidate Taiwan's DRAM chipmakers and establish home-grown memory technology. However, there is still "substantial doubt" about the island's ailing computer-memory chip sector's ability to transform to become more technologically independent and head towards a sustainable business. Read more

Commentary: Is there a place for LTE in Taiwan?

Mar 4, 15:03

Although a number of the leading telecom equipment providers, including Ericsson and Alcatel-Lucent, are urging the Taiwan government to look at the development of Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, there are no signs indicating the possibility of an official policy shift to switch its current focus from WiMAX. Read more

Commentary: Will the co-brand strategy for handsets work for Garmin and Asustek?

Feb 6, 16:58

The early February announcement of a strategic alliance between Asustek Computer and PND vendor Garmin to develop and market co-branded LBS (location base service)-centric mobile phones looks to complement both companies. But the reluctance of the companies to reveal more details of their business model, and a lack of a new entity to spearhead marketing of the co-branded products may eventually cast doubts over the prospects of the joint effort. Read more

Commentary: Tech transfer emerging as the key to Taiwan DRAM makers winning government cash

Jan 15, 16:59

The Taiwan government's requests that Powerchip Semiconductor Corporation (PSC) and ProMOS Technologies resubmit their applications for bailout funding with clearer assurances that the DRAM makers will gain access to the process technologies and IP of their overseas partners as part of the package, make it clear that the government is driving the local DRAM industry to become more technologically independent. Read more

Commentary: ARM-Socle alliance stirs up rivalry among foundries

Nov 24, 17:06

ARM's license agreement with Socle Technology, a IC design service subsidiary of Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing, has heated up the competition in the foundry sector between Chartered and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), whose IC design service subsidiary Global Unichip has also licensed ARM11 IP. While this rivalry may play out in the market, the one clear winner is ARM, as the situation draws attention to its recently-announced embedded platform design solutions. Read more

Commentary: Can a government bailout assure smooth sailing for Taiwan's DRAM industry?

Nov 11, 15:37

Taiwan's lawmakers, economic officials and state planners held a meeting on November 10 with the purpose of developing a strategy to save the island's loss-making DRAM industry. However, the meeting has itself provoked another question: Could a government-backed bailout plan assure smooth sailing for the industry hereafter? Read more

Commentary: Samsung's planned production of monitor panel at 8G fab to leave minor competitors struggling more

Nov 3, 11:51

Samsung Electronics' plan to roll out LCD monitor panels from its 8G fab is promising more threats to the survival of minor players who are already coming strong pressure from competitors' production of monitor applications at advanced lines. Read more

Commentary: Is consolidation a remedy to Taiwan's DRAM problems?

Oct 28, 13:01

The latest speculation about Taiwan's DRAM industry is that the Taiwan government may step into the dismal memory industry with an aim to push for a consolidation among the makers in order to help them tide over their current difficulties - a move which industry watchers in Taiwan deem as highly unlikely due to the manufacturing technologies involved. Read more

Commentary: Samsung production adjustment to help provide healthier supply situation in LCD market

Oct 15, 11:59

News of Samsung Electronics adjusting production has come as more of a relief than surprise to the LCD panel industry. After all, the LCD giant cannot be immune to the downturn in the displays market. But its move has helped allay fears of an oversupply hitting the fourth quarter. Read more

Commentary: Micron gains most in Inotera deal

Oct 14, 14:15

Micron Technology has come out as the biggest winner in the current DRAM industry downturn by reaching an agreement to take up Qimonda's 35.6% stake in Inotera Memories, a joint venture between Qimonda and Nanya Technology. Read more

Taiwan IC testing company GT looks to support itself

Oct 3, 16:41

With capital expenditures typically accounting for 60-70% of a testing company's total costs, companies such as Global Testing (GT) have pursued uniques strategies to minimize their overall long-term equipment costs. According to Paul Yang, president and CEO of the company, Global Testing has devised an equipment purchasing strategy whereby it focuses on only a few product models in a market segment. Read more

Commentary: AUO-Qisda LCD TV joint venture highlights integration trend in panel industry

Sep 29, 10:24

The joint venture between AU Optronics (AUO) and Qisda for LCD TV assembly highlights the trend where players in the panel industry are gearing up their business diversification and vertical integration in order to secure outlets for their products in a market that is expected to mature in a few years time. Read more

Commentary: LG Display and Amtran relationship off to embarrassing start

Sep 26, 12:32

The competitive landscape in the LCD TV industry has made for strange bed partners, with Korea-based LG and Amtran being one example. On the one hand LG Display (LGD) announced in early September that it would form a joint venture with Taiwan-based Amtran Technology to set up a plant in Suzhou Reken Technology in China for the production of LCD modules (LCMs) and the assembly of LCD TVs. The venture also aims to provide services to brand vendors such as Vizio and LG Electronics (LGE). Read more

Commentary: Are 18.5-inch LCD monitors in limbo?

Sep 19, 12:33

LCD panel makers are set on pushing 16:9 aspect ratio monitor applications to maximize their production at 6G lines. One of the new sizes is 18.5-inch and some monitor vendors have already shipped products to that segment. But some industry players have called for caution in handling 18.5-inch panels as acceptance in the end market is failing to meet expectations. Read more

Commentary: Elpida-He Jian joint venture could deal a serious blow to Taiwan DRAM makers

Sep 16, 14:23

The latest news from Nikkei saying that Elpida Memory is going to build a 12-inch wafer fab in Suchou, China in cooperation with He Jian Technology could deal a serious blow to Taiwan DRAM makers who are currently facing the most severe industry slump they have ever met. Read more

Commentary: LGD's lowered forecast sets tone for LCD panel industry's coming quarters

Sep 12, 16:30

The price slumps for LCD panels, as expected, are taking their toll on suppliers' profits, with LG Display (LGD) having lowered its earnings guidance for the third quarter. The Korean maker's grimmer outlook actually sets the tone for the coming quarters during which the panel market will be put to a tough test. Read more

Commentary: Will Intel be the last resolve for Taiwan's WiMAX industry?

Aug 27, 01:10

Intel, the Taiwan government and network-equipment makers all still seem to be positive about the business outlook for the WiMAX industry. Undoubtedly, Taiwan is Intel's closest ally regarding the development of WiMAX products. But is it wise for Taiwan to count solely on Intel for the development of 4G telecom technology at a time when more telecom operators around the globe have stated that they will throw their weight behind the development of LTE (Long Term Evolution)? Read more

Commentary: Are China's next-generation LCD fabs really coming?

Aug 20, 12:42

There have been talk coming out of China about Shanghai-based SVA Group planning to build its 6G LCD panel plant. But while the panel market is being hit by a price slump, as well as worries about serious over-supply emerging next year when major makers ramp up their next-generation productions, one cannot help but wonder how soon SVA will kick off construction of its 6G plant, if it ever materializes at all. Read more

Commentary: Increased output for small- to medium-size LCD panels may result in oversupply and price slumps

Aug 11, 10:56

LCD panel makers are increasing their output for the small- to medium-size segment as prices for large-size applications continue to drop amid weak demand. Although demand for small- to medium-size panels is relatively strong, increased output is likely to result in oversupply and price slumps. Read more

Commentary: Smartphone sales weathering threat of business slowdown

Aug 5, 15:25

Global sales of smartphones surged by 40% on year in the second quarter of this year, far outperforming the 15% growth for all handsets sold during the same period. This indicates consumer enthusiasm for smartphone devices remains strong, even under the threat of a potential business slump in the second half of the year. Read more

Commentary: The impact of netbooks on the LCD panel industry

Aug 5, 14:08

With low-cost notebooks (netbooks) having become a major application for LCD panels, no panels makers want to be shut out of the market. While panel makers have each set their own shipment goals for the new segment, none of them can be certain how big the market will really be, or the extent of the impact on the overall notebook market. Read more

Commentary: Taiwan handset shipments to grow 9-10% on quarter in 2H08

Jul 31, 01:05

With Nokia, LG Electronics and Sony Ericsson continuing to increase their handset outsourcing, and expanding shipment volumes of High Tech Computer's (HTC's) Touch Diamond, Taiwan's handset shipments are expected to grow 9-10% on quarter during the final two quarters of 2008, bringing total shipments for the year to 120 million units, up 10.7% from a year earlier. Read more

Commentary: LCD panel makers may still have satisfactory 3Q if production cut can accelerate inventory clearance

Jul 29, 11:46

With most major LCD players having cut their production amid slumping prices and a global economic downturn, the LCD panel market in the third quarter looks bleak. But global panel shipments in the third quarter may still stay flat, rather than drop, compared to the second quarter if the market is able to clear its inventory in time. Read more

Commentary: 6G LCD lines fall prey to miscalculations

Jul 17, 16:08

With the urge to cut production appearing to be rippling across the LCD panel industry amid a bleak market outlook, makers are axing output from their 6G lines first. It is not hard to see why 6G lines are falling prey, judging from the makers' reshuffling of their capacities earlier this year. Read more

Commentary: What awaits LG Display, AUO and CMO in 3Q LCD panel market

Jul 10, 15:54

LG Display (LGD) has reported strong results for the second quarter, as well as a rosy outlook for its third-quarter shipments, with 20% growth. Despite its optimism about shipment growth, LGD has forecasted 11-14% declines in its average selling prices (ASPs). LGD's guidance, coupled with messages from competitors and the general market sentiments, has provided a glimpse into what the market in the third quarter would be like. Read more

Commentary: Can cable TV operator Vastar successfully run a WiMAX network?

Jul 3, 17:15

Vastar Cable TV Systems, a cable TV operator in central Taiwan, made a surprise debut in Taiwan's WiMAX industry by managing to secure a WiMAX license in July 2007. While the company's move raised eyebrows of industry watchers in Taiwan, the common question is is expertise in traditional telecom services a must or a burden for would-be WiMAX operators? Read more

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