The output value of Taiwan's compound semiconductor industry grew 26.4% on year to NT$36 billion (US$1.28 billion) in the first half of 2021, according to statistics compiled by the Photonics Industry & Technology Development Association (PIDA).

The persistent tight supply of controller ICs for memory devices, particularly those built using a 28nm process node, will stretch into the end of 2022, with related suppliers expecting only to fulfill no more than 80% of their orders, according to industry sources.

Texas Instrutments has given a less optimistic outlook for the third quarter of 2021, but industry sources have claimed that TI still sees prolonged lead times. TSMC has disclosed it is in early talks with clients about the feasibility of constructing a fab in Germany, and industry observers say such a fab could be a boost to Europe's car supply chain. DIGITIMES Asia president Colley Hwang has just published the first of his latest series of analysis of the global IT supply chain.

Propelled by the relentless efforts of Korean and Chinese panels makers, the application of the AMOLED panels has made significant headway in the tablet and notebook sector since 2021.

Although the supply of automotive chips in the second half of the year remains slow and the overall shortage of materials continues to affect future shipment, the automotive lighting module maker, Excellence Optoelectronics (EOI) still expects its sales performance in 2021 to be better than 2020.

Taiwan's optoelectronics industry in the first half of 2021 shows strong growth, compared to the same period in 2020, due to the large-scale stimulus plans from major economies and the steady global economic demand. Among the optoelectronic industry, panels have increased the most, because of the stay-at-home economy and shortage of raw materials and components, which have stimulated the increase in panel price.

China's Great Wall Motors and South Korea's Hyundai Motor are challenging Japan's dominance in Southeast Asia's car market.

COVID-19 has prompted many people to rethink life and work, and many industries to accelerate their development. Vehicle electrification has been picking up pace, and the car industry and smart mobility have entered a new era promising better, faster and more efficient development.

India-based Reliance Industries to step into domestic production of PV modules

Compal Electronics and its networking device-making subsidiary Arcadyan Technology are both expanding their factory sites in Vietnam where COVID-19 infections are resurging, and they have claimed no impact thus far from the local pandemic.

Optical component and module maker Young Optics saw operation for the second quarter of 2021 swing into profitability from consecutive net losses for six quarters, according to the company.

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, at an online investors conference, has pointed out that he expects PC total available market (TAM) to grow all the way to 2022, despite the pandemic being gradually contained, corresponding to the views of several executives at Taiwanese ODMs, according to some market observers.

Although Europe's four major telecom operators – Vodafone, Orange, Deutsche Telekom, and Telefonica – had signed memorandum of understanding on the implementation of Open RAN (O-RAN) based networks in Europe in early 2021, Rakuten Mobile's ongoing operating losses have put uncertainty to O-RAN's future.

Sales of smartphones in India in the second quarter in 2021 declined by 13% on quarter as the country battles through resurgences of COVID-19. Sales were still up on year; online stores were rapidly installed after the pandemic hit last year. As vaccines rolled out at the end of the second quarter, Chinese vendors turn more optimistic about sales in the coming months.