02
Jan
02
Jan
Asus to pause new smartphone launches in 2026, maintain mobile operations
Smartphone distributors in Taiwan have recently said they are no longer able to obtain Asus handsets through local agents and claimed they had received information indicating that Asus’s smartphone unit would operate only through December 31, 2025, after which the company would stop launching new smartphone products.
02
Jan
Memory shortages to persist through 2026 as AI server demand surges
Global memory markets are expected to remain tight through 2026 as aggressive spending by cloud service providers (CSPs) on AI infrastructure continues to outstrip supply growth for both DRAM and NAND flash, pushing prices higher, according to industry estimates.
02
Jan
MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24 and MSI MAG 321UP QD-OLED X24 with DarkArmor go official
02
Jan
Samsung Display launches 360Hz V-Stripe QD-OLED panels for 2026 ultra‑wide gaming monitors
02
Jan
Taiwan networking firms expect 2026 growth as AI drives switch upgrades and Wi‑Fi 7 adoption
Taiwanese networking companies are broadly optimistic about returning to growth in 2026 as an AI-driven expansion moves beyond chips and servers into network transmission layers, and Wi‑Fi 7 device penetration is expected to rise significantly. The outlook reflects rising demand for higher-capacity switches and consumer broadband upgrades.
02
Jan
Walsin Lihwa and Taya see copper price gains extend to 2026 on AI, EV, grid demand
Copper prices are expected to continue rising through 2026, driven by strong demand from AI data center construction, growth in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, and power grid modernization projects. Wire and cable manufacturers such as Taya and Walsin Lihwa stand to benefit from the international copper price surge, with market reports suggesting planned price increases for related products.
02
Jan
Meta finalizes Butterfly Effect acquisition, eyes Manus as monetization model
Meta announced on December 30, 2025, that it had acquired Butterfly Effect, the company behind the AI application, Manus. Compared to nearly two years ago, when ByteDance attempted to acquire Manus for US$30 million but was rejected, Meta has now brought Manus into its fold at a price that has reportedly surpassed several billion dollars.
02
Jan
Baidu’s AI chip unit Kunlunxin confidentially files for Hong Kong IPO
Baidu is moving forward with plans to spin off its AI chip unit, Kunlunxin, and list it in Hong Kong, highlighting the company’s push for semiconductor self-sufficiency. On January 1, 2025, Baidu said Kunlunxin confidentially filed a listing application with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, formally setting the stage for a potential initial public offering, though key details such as the offering size, structure, and timing remain undecided.
02
Jan
Global auto market faces turning point in 2026 as competition in China intensifies
The global automotive market reached a critical turning point in 2025 amid unprecedented pressures from tariffs, policies, and inflation, triggering preemptive buying before expected downturns. In China, domestic sales are estimated to have hit 27 million units in 2025, nearing the historic peak of 2017.