AI
Biren Revenue Jumps 2,000% as U.S. Controls Fuel Chinese AI Chip Surge
Biren posted 1,998% revenue growth in H1 2026 after Nvidia's exit from China amid U.S. export controls. We examine the drivers and challenges.
Tags: semiconductors
Gadgets
The Technology and Economics of Expanding USB Flash Drive Capacity
Advances in NAND technology and the structure of manufacturing costs have driven continuous increases in USB flash drive capacity, while low-capacity models are gradually disappearing from the market.
Dev
Criticism of RISC-V: Engineer Points Out Contradictions in ISA Design
An engineer's systematic critique of RISC-V's ISA design: contradictions in its universal-use philosophy and chip implementation challenges.
Gadgets
RAM Unit Prices Reverse to 2007 Levels: AI Demand Erases 20 Years of Progress
AI-driven HBM surge pushes memory GB prices to 2007 levels, erasing 20 years of declines in months—an unprecedented tech anomaly.
Gadgets
Qualcomm to Raise Prices on All Chips Starting September 1, Double-Digit Increases Expected
Qualcomm will increase the prices of all its processors starting September 1, 2026. The company cites soaring memory costs as the reason, amid a 20% decline in handset revenue. Diversification into data center and automotive sectors is also progressing.
Gadgets
TSMC to Invest an Additional $100 Billion in Arizona for New 2nm-Compatible Factory
TSMC announced an additional $100 billion investment in its Arizona semiconductor facility, increasing its total U.S. investment to $265 billion. A new factory supporting 2nm processes and advanced packaging will be constructed.
Gadgets
Samsung Surpasses Nvidia to Become the World's Most Profitable Company
Samsung has overtaken Nvidia to become the world's most profitable technology firm in Q2 2026. Its semiconductor division's annual profit is projected to exceed the cumulative total of the past 40 years.
Gadgets
Intel 18A Reportedly Resolves Wafer-to-Wafer Yield Issues
Reports suggest Intel has resolved wafer-to-wafer yield variation issues in its 18A process technology. While transitioning to a production capacity of 15,000 wafers per month, challenges such as defect density and parametric yield remain.
Gadgets
Apple Skips M6 Pro/Max, Accelerates AI Processing with M7 Series
According to Bloomberg, Apple plans to skip releasing M6 Pro/Max/Ultra chips, moving directly to the M7 series. M5 Ultra is expected this year, while M7 chips will significantly enhance on-device AI processing starting in 2027.
Dev
IBM's New Chip and Europe's Heat Wave Highlight Challenges for Power Grids
IBM unveils a groundbreaking chip with 100 billion transistors, as Europe's heat wave exacerbates energy and semiconductor-related challenges.
AI
China Officially Launches Space AI Data Center Initiative
The Chinese government has approved the establishment of a Space Computing Industry Innovation Center to build AI data centers in orbit. This move, made just a week before SpaceX's announcement of AI1, is intensifying the US-China space AI competition.
Gadgets
Intel 18A-P Enters Risk Production, Promises 9% Performance Improvement
Intel unveiled details of its 18A-P process during VLSI 2026 and announced its transition to the risk production phase, offering a 9% performance boost at the same power levels and introducing new transistor designs.