Amid surging AI demand, SK Hynix has unveiled a 61TB SSD tailored for AI data centers, marking a significant leap in the enterprise SSD (eSSD) market and intensifying competition with industry leader Samsung Electronics.

On December 17, Maggie Chen, chairperson of Chenbro, which has been designated as a server case supplier for Nvidia, was invited to speak at the 12th National Science and Technology Conference held by the Executive Yuan, where she shared her insights on the journey of managing a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) in Taiwan. Chen noted that while PC molds used to last for 20 years, AI server case molds are now discarded within a year due to constant specification changes from Nvidia, forcing suppliers into a cycle of trial and error.

The Chinese semiconductor industry faces a significant market correction as wafer fabs prepare for a downturn in 2025 amid oversupply concerns, causing substantial impacts across the global semiconductor industry. As one of the world's largest markets for semiconductor equipment, China's declining demand is compelling major international players to revise their strategies.

Long delivery times for cooling distribution units (CDU) are reportedly why increased production of GB200 server racks has been delayed from the first quarter of 2025 to the second quarter, opening up new opportunities for Taiwanese manufacturers, according to cooling solution players.

Google has newly unveiled Android XR, a spatial computing operating system (OS) designed for extended reality (XR) devices, poised to compete with Meta Platforms and Apple. The OS supports XR headsets, smart glasses, existing Android apps, and immersive VR content.

Leading heavy electrical equipment maker Fortune Electric has seen 2024 revenue and profit surpass last year's levels, as its order backlog now extends to 2027-2028, according to company president I-te Hsu. The company expects exports to account for as much as 50% of its revenue in 2025, which will help boost its bottom line as exports are more profitable than sales to Taipower and other green energy products.

The evolution of smart glasses has been marked by challenges and learning experiences that continue to shape the landscape of this innovative technology. From the initial hype surrounding Google Glass, which dwindled under privacy concerns and a lack of practical uses, to the ongoing developments by Microsoft with HoloLens and Magic Leap, the journey has highlighted crucial lessons in blending technology with consumer needs.

According to industry sources, the PC market should see some replacement demand in 2025, but visibility remains low for IC design houses despite the hype about AI devices.

TSMC's revenue in US$ terms is expected to grow by at least 20% in 2025, with almost all major chip vendors seeking its support for advanced manufacturing processes where the world's number one pure-play foundry sees little challenge from competitors, according to industry sources.

The upcoming US policy focus on "high tariffs" and "Made in America" initiatives could significantly impact Taiwan's machinery exports while potentially creating new opportunities for adaptable manufacturers, according to recent warnings from the Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI) and the Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders' Association (TMBA).

Apple's new vision for the future of computing is a giant, iPad-like foldable device. Also: The company rethinks the mouse, its next AirTag will have a new chip that lets you find items from farther away, and a shift to in-house Wi-Fi chips will kick off next year.

With Donald Trump poised to take office in January 2025, the acceleration of supply chain relocation is becoming increasingly evident. Tai-yuan Chang, chairman of Jarllytech, a Taiwan-based provider of hinge technology and precision components, announced plans to expand production capacity in Thailand and Vietnam amid a significant uptick in the pace at which notebook manufacturers shift operations away from China.

The traditional textile industry is facing dual challenges: the loss of skilled artisanship and increasing pressure to adopt eco-friendly practices. Japan-based printer manufacturer Epson is leveraging digital printing technology to revolutionize textile production, establishing digital textile centers worldwide.

Multiple media sources have reported that MediaTek's 5G modem chips may soon replace Intel's products in upcoming Apple Watch models. If true, it will mark MediaTek's first entry into Apple's supply chain.

Coretronic reported a self-estimated consolidated revenue of approximately NT$3.219 billion for November 2024, representing an 8% increase compared to the consolidated revenue of NT$2.993 billion (approx. US$92 million) in October. However, this figure reflects a 3% year-over-year decline.

Connector and cable assembly maker Sinbon Electronics has seen a drop in revenue, as inventory destocking beginning in the second half of 2023 led to slower demand. For the first eleven months of 2024, Sinbon posted NT$30.564 billion (US$940 million) in revenue, a drop of 0.66% compared to the same period in 2023. However, the company is confident about achieving positive growth in 2024 and is eyeing double-digit growth in 2025 driven by applications including green energy, AI, semiconductors, and electric vehicles.

MediaTek has announced its revenue performance for November, reporting a monthly revenue of NT$45.242 billion (approx. US$1.391 billion), which represents an 11.49% decrease from the previous month but a 5.04% year-over-year increase.

Apple plans to bring satellite connections to its smartwatch in 2025 and is ramping up work on a blood-pressure feature, seeking to entice hikers and health-conscious consumers into upgrading their devices.

Feng Ching Metal Corp., a Taiwanese manufacturer specializing in enameled and other insulated wires, anticipates stable sales growth in products catering to emerging energy applications, including AI data centers and electric vehicle (EV) wireless charging systems. According to company president Hsin-yu Chen, these trends are driving demand for high-performance insulation solutions.

Taiwan-based protective component manufacturer Polytronics reported a record high in revenue and gross margin for the third quarter of 2024, driven by increased demand for components. The company is set to venture into the semiconductor market in 2025 and expand its thermal substrate products into power supply and defense applications.

Apple is preparing to finally bring one of its most ambitious projects to market: a series of cellular modem chips that will replace components from longtime partner — and adversary — Qualcomm.

Leading power supply maker Phihong Technology held its quarterly earnings call on December 5, during which general manager Allan Lin noted that the company has begun low-volume shipments of power supplies for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite applications in recent months, with plans to gradually ramp up production in the first half of 2025. Meanwhile, the company is continuing its transition toward high-wattage products, with growth anticipated particularly in the network communications and industrial control markets.

EV charging specialist Zerova, a subsidiary of power supply maker Phihong Technology, expects performance in 2024 to remain roughly on par with 2023, but is eyeing a 20% increase in revenue next year as demand continues to grow in Asia and Europe, while the situation in North America will depend on Donald Trump's policies once he takes office, says company chairman Alex Lin.

FineTek, a leading Taiwanese sensor manufacturer, is experiencing a sharp increase in orders from server ODM clients this December, driven by the mass production of Nvidia's GB200 liquid-cooled servers. The company anticipates continued strong momentum beyond the first quarter of 2025, with expectations of "astounding" order volumes in the second quarter.

Merck has fundamentally reshaped its business strategy, evolving over a decade from a display-focused powerhouse into a crucial semiconductor materials supplier. Following its recent acquisition of Unity-SC, the German materials giant plans to rebrand its "Display Technology Solutions" business unit as "Optoelectronics" in 2025. The company's semiconductor segment currently generates 80% of its revenue, marking a dramatic shift from its display-centric past.