Toto reportedly bets bigger on semiconductor materials as AI pushes industry toward 1nm era
Japanese bathroom fixture maker Toto is deepening its commitment to the semiconductor industry, unveiling plans to invest JPY80 billion (approx. US$495.3 million) over the next five years to expand production of advanced ceramic materials used in chip manufacturing. According to a Nikkei Asia report, the company aims to support future-generation semiconductor processes in the 1nm range, extending a business that has become a major profit driver amid the AI boom.
Memory costs push Samsung Galaxy A37 pricier as S26 holds steady
AI-driven memory price spikes are presenting a challenge for Samsung’s smartphone business, with rising component prices eroding the affordability of its budget phones. At the same time, Samsung is seeking to use its new AI features to encourage new device purchases as memory prices dampen smartphone sales globally.
Global suppliers race accelerates: TSMC’s first CoPoS demo tools enter validation
Qatari LNG could reach Taiwan by September — if the Strait of Hormuz reopens in time
Taiwan’s CPC Corporation said Qatari liquefied natural gas shipments could begin arriving in Taiwan from early September 2026, as the US and Iran move toward an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though key details of the arrangement remain unclear.
MSScorps expands Taiwan investment again for silicon photonics
Taiwan’s investment office, InvesTaiwan, under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, has approved expanded Taiwan investment plans from four companies, led by MSScorps, which will invest NT$1.5 billion (US$47.4 million) and is filing for the third time. The company plans to add production lines and adopt AI technology at its Hsinchu, Tai Yuen Hi-Tech Industrial Park, and Southern Taiwan Science Park (STSP) facilities.
Interview: MetaComp on its KYA framework and the agentic future of finance
India roundup: Apple’s India manufacturing bet faces reminder of operational risks after Tata probe closure
India is accelerating its electronics manufacturing ambitions through AI infrastructure, semiconductor packaging, rare earth development, and foreign investment, even as regulatory compliance, traceability, and supply chain resilience remain key challenges.
Google co-founder says AGI’s missing piece is the physical world, not language
Two years after returning to Google, co-founder Sergey Brin recently made his first public appearance and participated in an open Q&A session at the AGI House event in Silicon Valley. During the discussion, Brin addressed Google’s current development status, explained the company’s technological direction, and revealed that a debate over the definition of artificial general intelligence (AGI) is beginning to emerge. The outcome of this debate could directly influence the future development path of AGI.