Commentary: Foxconn relies too heavily on Apple

Apr 18, 15:07

Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) is exposing itself to high risks by relying too much on a single client. Foxconn has revealed that its biggest client accounted for 50.63%, or NT$2 trillion of its revenues in 2013, up from 47.77%, or NT$1.86 trillion in 2012.

Digitimes Research: Qualcomm rethinks AP development strategy

Apr 17, 14:02

Qualcomm has received recognition from brand vendors for its mobile application processors (APs) based on its in-house developed architecture. However, its competitors have started to pick up their pace in releasing new products, and the CPU cores have become less important in SoC products. Amid such...

Young Optics to deal out 2013 cash dividend of NT$1.88

Stockwatch - Apr 17, 12:13

Optical lens module maker Young Optics has announced it will distribute a cash dividend per share of NT$1.88 (US$0.062) for 2013, accounting for 89.95% of the corresponding net EPS of NT$2.09.

Taiwan market: Epson launches CISS printers

Apr 16, 21:10

Seiko Epson on April 16 unveiled two CISS (continuous ink supply system) A3/A4 printers, the 6-color L1800 and 4-color L1300, for immediate launch in the Taiwan market at recommended retail prices of NT$16,990 (US$563) and NT$13,990, respectively, according to Epson Taiwan Technology & Trading.

Intel reports 1Q14 results with income of US$1.9 billion

Apr 16, 16:30

Intel has reported first-quarter revenues of US$12.8 billion, operating income of US$2.5 billion, net income of US$1.9 billion and EPS of NT$0.38. The company generated approximately US$3.5 billion in cash from operations, paid dividends of US$1.1 billion, and used US$545 million to repurchase 22 million...

Leadtek pushes virtual desktop products for 2014, says paper

Newswatch - Apr 16, 15:46

Taiwan-based graphics card maker Leadtek Research is currently focusing on businesses such as virtual desktops, medical health equipment and online game hosting, and is looking to turn profitable in the second quarter, according to a Chinese-language Apply Daily report.

Motherboard players pushing non-motherboard businesses for profit growth

Apr 16, 14:11

Despite expectations of a strong second quarter thanks to the launch of Intel's Haswell Refresh platform, motherboard players such as Asustek Computer, Gigabyte Technology, Micro-Star International (MSI) and ASRock have also been pushing their non-motherboard businesses aggressively, hoping to raise...

Taiwan battery module makers eye orders from China 4G base stations

Apr 14, 21:57

Taiwan-based battery module makers are looking to enter the supply chain of China's telecom carriers for backup battery orders for their 4G base stations. However, since the China government is trying to nurture local lithium battery players, Taiwan makers have little chance of landing related order...

Intel aggressively promoting tablet CPUs in China

Apr 14, 15:34

Intel has resorted to an aggressive pricing strategy to promote sales of its tablet-use processors, particularly in China, a move which apparently will take on Qualcomm and MediaTek, while ramping up its market share, according to industry sources.

Intel to enhance water resistance in new products

Apr 14, 14:13

Following its recent acquisition of fitness wearable device maker Basis Band, Intel has been working with US-based waterproof coating solution provider HzO to improve its high-end mobile device and smart watch products, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.

Taiwan electric vehicle supply chain faces competition from South Korea, says Fukuta chairman

Apr 11, 16:04

While Taiwan-based makers have formed quite a complete supply chain for electric vehicles (EVs), South Korea-based makers are competing for orders from EV vendors, according to chairman Gordon Chang for Fukuta Elec. & Mach, which is a partner of US-based Tesla.

Altek expects more smartphone vendors to adopt double-lens modules

Apr 11, 14:57

Altek has developed double-lens modules for use in front cameras of smartphones and has won adoption by HTC for its flagship smartphone M8, according to company president Alex Hsia.

Delta Electronics March revenues up

Apr 11, 11:00

Taiwan-based power supply maker Delta Electronics on April 10 reported consolidated revenues of NT$15.353 billion (US$505 million) for March, increasing 18.65% on month and 8.97% on year, and NT$43.036 billion for January-March, rising 10.83% on year.

Intel to launch Haswell Refresh CPUs and 9-series chipsets in early May

Apr 9, 21:32

Intel is set to launch its new Haswell Refresh processors and 9-series chipsets for desktops in early May, postponing the CPU giant's original schedule from April, according to sources from motherboard players.

Lite-On Technology March revenues increase

Apr 9, 11:40

EMS provider Lite-On Technology has reported consolidated revenues of NT$18.275 billion (US$602 million) for March, rising 18.76% sequentially and 11.21% on year, and January-March consolidated revenues reached NT$51.392 billion, up 10.68% on year.

Qualcomm announces highest-end Snapdragon 810 and 808 processors

Apr 9, 10:47

Qualcomm Technologies has introduced its next-generation mobile processors for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 tier, the Snapdragon 810 and 808 processors. The Snapdragon 810 and 808 processors are Qualcomm Technologies' highest performing platform to date, completing Qualcomm Technologies' lineup of 64-bit...

Largan sees large growth in March revenue

Stockwatch - Apr 8, 11:35

Handset-use lens module maker Largan Precision has reported consolidated revenues of NT$2.835 billion (US$93.3 million) for March, hiking 77.09% sequentially and 74.64% on year.

Digitimes Research: Taiwan ODMs losing out as PC brand vendors turn to China supply chain for tablets

Apr 7, 15:46

Among global top-7 PC brand vendors, only Apple (sixth place) still outsources its tablet orders mainly to Taiwan-based EMS providers and ODMs, while the rest - Lenovo, Hewlett-Packard (HP), Dell, Acer, Asustek Computer and Toshiba - have gradually shifted their entry-level tablet design and manufacturing...

Lenovo to buy mobile patents from NEC

Apr 7, 13:06

Lenovo has announced that it has purchased a portfolio of patents from NEC consisting of more than 3,800 patent families filed in numerous countries around the world.

Taiwan becomes largest source of China electronics imports in 2013, says MOEA

Apr 7, 12:07

China imported electronic devices and components worth US$307.04 billion in total in 2013 and Taiwan-based makers together accounted for 27.3%, making Taiwan become the largest source followed by South Korea with 18.7%, Japan with 7.7% and the US with 5.4%, according to Taiwan's Ministry of Economic...

Suppliers to start pilot production of components for 4th-generation Surface in September

Apr 7, 11:41

Microsoft unveiled its third-generation Surface at the Build 2014 conference, but the company has already started developing the fourth-generation model and will start pilot production for some of its components in September, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.

Simplo, Catcher Technology see March revenues increase

Apr 7, 10:02

Taiwan-based notebook battery pack maker Simplo Technology has reported March consolidated revenues of NT$4.512 billion (US$149 million) up 45.18% on month and 26.10% on year, while metal-alloy chassis maker Catcher Technology had those of NT$4.076 billion, growing on month by 47.54% and on year by...

Altek, Asia Tech Image March revenues up sequentially

Stockwatch - Apr 7, 09:48

Taiwan-based digital camera ODM Altek has reported March consolidated revenues of NT$1.573 billion (US$51.8 million), up 41.44% on month but down 0.28% on year, while contact image senor module maker Asia Tech Image had those of NT$278 million, growing on month by 21.24% and on year by 6.13%, according...

Intel CEO outlines new opportunities, investments and collaborations with China technology ecosystem

Apr 3, 12:15

As the computing industry landscape undergoes rapid transformation, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich has outlined the company's plans to build upon its nearly 30-year history in China, and collaborate with the growing technology ecosystem, particularly in Shenzhen, to accelerate new innovation and reshape...

Digitimes Research: Over 50% white-box tablets to come with phone functions in 2H14; MediaTek to benefit most

Apr 3, 12:08

China white-box tablet players' shipments increased sequentially in the fourth quarter of 2013 thanks to strong demand from mature markets worldwide. Demand from emerging markets has also started picking up after mid-December 2013.

Taiwan component suppliers cautious about headhunting from China

Apr 2, 20:54

Taiwan upstream supply chain players have been taking a cautious attitude about the aggressive headhunting by China-based competitors as demand for mid-level executives and R&D technicians has been rising.

Digitimes Research: Tablet application processor shipments in China slip 2.7% in 1Q14

Apr 2, 12:11

Shipments of tablet-use application processors (AP) in China edged down 2.7% sequentially in the first quarter of 2014, affected by seasonality, according to preliminary findings by Digitimes Research. However, the first-quarter shipments still represent a 37.6% on-year growth.

Nvidia expects better 2014, says company product marketing VP

Mar 31, 21:17

Nvidia vice president of corporate and product marketing Ujesh Desai at a recent interview pointed out that the company's graphics card shipments enjoyed slight growth on year in 2013 and expects its performance in 2014 to be better than 2013.

Foxconn nets NT$8.16 per share for 2013

Mar 31, 10:00

EMS provider Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) has reported net EPS of NT$8.16 (US$0.273) for 2013, with consolidated revenues reaching NT$3,952.318 billion, gross margin 6.44%, net operating profit NT$109.314 billion and net profit NT$107.346 billion.

HDD vendors promoting ultra-slim models

Mar 28, 11:07

HDD vendors have been promoting 5mm ultra-slim HDDs for ultrabooks, 2-in-1 devices and above 10-inch tablets, with Dell, Asustek Computer and Lenovo expected to be initial adopters. Large-volume shipments will begin at the end of 2014, according to supply chain makers.

Lite-On Technology to acquire LarView Technologies

Mar 28, 10:13

Taiwan-based EMS provider Lite-On Technology on March 27 announced that it will acquire a 100% stake in LarView Technologies, its CCM (compact camera module) joint venture established in 2012 with handset-use lens module maker Largan Precision and Japan-based TDK, for NT$500 million (US$16.4 million)...

Apacer to ramp SSD sales to Europe

Mar 27, 14:32

Having posted record high revenues of NT$9.84 billion (US$322.15 million) in 2013, memory module maker Apacer Technology will aim to boost its sales of embedded, industrial, consumer and overclocked SSDs to Europe to sustain growth, according to the company.

Nvidia unveils new mobile supercomputer for embedded systems

Mar 27, 11:46

Nvidia has opened the door to the development of a new generation of applications that employ computer vision, image processing and real-time data processing - with the launch of a developer platform based on a mobile supercomputer for embedded systems.

Nvidia launches new high-speed GPU interconnect, helping pave the way to exascale computing

Mar 27, 11:35

Nvidia has announced that it plans to integrate a high-speed interconnect, called NVLink into its future GPUs, enabling GPUs and CPUs to share data five to 12 times faster than they can today. This will eliminate a longstanding bottleneck and help pave the way for a new generation of exascale supercomputers...

Foxconn cooperating with China-based BAIC for electric vehicle market

Mar 26, 22:05

Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) is reportedly cooperating with China-based Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC) to develop new-energy batteries for electric cars, hoping to gain advantages in China's new energy vehicle (NEV) market, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.

Apple placing next-generation iPhone battery orders with Simplo and Desay

Mar 26, 21:45

Apple has reportedly placed its next-generation iPhone battery orders with only two suppliers: Taiwan-based Simplo Technology and China-based Shenzhen Desay Battery Technology. Dynapack, a battery supplier for the iPhone 5 and 5c currently has no orders confirmed, according to sources from the upstream...

SSD penetration rate bound to rise in 2014

Mar 26, 16:03

The recent roll-outs of new SSDs by Kingston Technology and Memoright will help ramp up the penetration rate of SSDs in the data storage device segment, according to industry sources.

Western Digital expects growth in surveillance HDD demand

Mar 25, 14:42

Western Digital expects demand for surveillance hard disc drives (HDD) to grow 10% within the next 3-5 years and the growth will be contributed mainly by the Asia Pacific market, indicating that HDD makers will try to expand their cooperation with system integrators and surveillance product vendors...

IC market for personal computing systems to jump 6% in 2014, says IC Insights

Mar 25, 14:16

Following three consecutive years of declines, the IC market for total personal computing systems is forecast to increase 6% to US$77.7 billion in 2014 and climb another 6% in 2015 to US$82.1 billion, which will be just shy of the record-high US$82.3 billion set in 2010, according to IC Insights. A...

Intel desktop Haswell Refresh processors to be available in April

Mar 24, 22:35

Intel will release several new 22nm Haswell Refresh-based processors in April, aiming to boost demand for desktop products and the company will also unveil several new designs for all-in-one PCs and mini-PCs.

Micron introduces next-generation SSD

Mar 21, 15:19

Micron Technology has announced a new personal storage class solid state drive (SSD), the M550, which is designed to meet the increasingly demanding needs of high-performance computing, ultra-thin and media/video applications, according to the company.

Abico to push 3D printers into Taiwan procurement market in 2014

Mar 21, 14:08

Taiwan-based digital camera maker Abico Digital Imaging expects its 3D printer business to achieve good sales in 2014 with orders from the government and education procurement market in Taiwan.

SSDs bracing for strong sales in 2014, says Transcend top executive

Mar 21, 12:13

SSD (solid state drive) sales are expected to enjoy strong growth in 2014 thanks to falling NAND flash prices, according to Peter Shu, chairman of memory module maker Transcend Information.

Hong Kong Electronics Fair to push 3D printing, baby electronics and mobile communication products

Mar 19, 21:51

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is set to host the Hong Kong Electronics Fair – Spring Edition 2014, from April 13-16 and will promote products such as 3D printing, baby electronics and mobile communications, according to the council's Taiwan branch.

CCM makers see aggressive orders from smartphone industry

Mar 19, 21:47

Compact camera module (CCM) makers' orders from smartphone vendors have been growing strongly especially for high-end camera modules with visibility already reaching the end of the second quarter, according to sources from the upstream supply chain.

Worldwide external controller-based disk storage market grew 5% in 4Q13, says Gartner

Mar 19, 13:47

Worldwide external controller-based (ECB) disk storage vendor revenues totaled US$6.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013, a 5% increase from revenues of US$6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2012, according to Gartner.

Smartphone cooling module demand may remain weak until 2015

Mar 17, 22:01

Despite having received orders for tablet heat pipes, Taiwan-based cooling module makers are still not able to land orders from most smartphone vendors and are unlikely to do so until 2015, when demand for 4G LTE smartphones is expected to start picking up, according to sources from the cooling module...

Simplo posts strong profits for 2013

Mar 17, 11:16

Notebook battery pack maker Simplo Technology has posted net profit of NT$3.236 billion (US$108 million) for 2013, 4.96% higher than its paid-in capital of NT$3.083 billion.