Category：Finance

TSMC announces A16 technology, paving way for 1.6nm chips by 2026

TSMC has unveiled its newest semiconductor process, the A16. At a conference in California, TSMC said the process will be used for ultra-advanced 1.6-nanometer chips as early as 2026. The announcement is a direct challenge to rival Intel, over who can make the world’s fastest chips.

The headline on Reuters says it all. At the 2024 North America Technology Symposium in Santa Clara, TSMC unveiled its A16 semiconductor process. It will be used to produce 1.6-nanometer chips as early as 2026.

Nobunaga Chai
Semiconductor industry expert
TSMC’s advanced process will integrate technology from the 2-nanometer process. The A16 process will offer an upgrade on backside power delivery, and feature super power rail architecture. That is to say, the power delivery network will be placed on the backside of the chip, separate from the signal component. That allows for a higher density of signal interconnects.

The A16 technology puts TSMC one step ahead of competitors such as Intel and Samsung. The process will improve speed, energy efficiency, and logic density, positioning TSMC to meet AI demands. But the good news failed to sway investors in the stock market. TSMC shares closed down NT$17 on Thursday, to end at NT$766.

Lin Han-wei
Analyst
After all, the process will only start commercial production in 2026. So the discussions about this chip technology at the tech symposium were more about the future, more about a direction for TSMC’s technological development. Regarding the impact on TSMC’s performance, currently it seems that manufacturing in advanced processes has already hit full capacity. So it’s challenging for the new chip technology to significantly lift financial growth prospects.

Dragged by heavyweight stocks, the Taiex Iost 274 points, falling back below the 20,000-point mark. Whether the index will regain the threshold remains to be seen.

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2024-04-25

2024 Touch Taiwan opens with country’s largest curved interactive display

The three-day Touch Taiwan expo opened Wednesday at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. In collaboration with industry partners, the Ministry of Economic Affairs is showing 23 forward-looking display technologies. They include Taiwan’s largest curved interactive display, featured in an installation titled “Wishing Tree.” The tree has even been the backdrop to a marriage proposal, a moment celebrated in a short film produced by ITRI, the Industrial Technology Research Institute.

Distinguished guests gather onstage at the launch of the economics ministry’s display technologies pavilion. President-elect Lai Ching-te was present to show his support.

The 2024 Touch Taiwan expo opened Wednesday at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. At the three-day expo, ITRI is showcasing its collaborations with the private sector.

The “Wishing Tree” installation features Taiwan’s largest curved interactive display, measuring 375 inches. Visitors can upload wishes to the tree using mobile technology. The tree even served as backdrop for a marriage proposal, a moment celebrated by ITRI in a short film.

Lewis Liu
ITRI Electronics and Optoelectronics System Research Laboratories
The tree was displayed at Weiwuying for nearly three years. Nearly 3 million people interacted with it.

Besides the “Wishing Tree,” there’s the High Clarity Transparent Projection Window. It’s the world’s first large-scale transparent projection technology. It’s not limited by projection distance, affording viewers an enhanced experience at exhibitions and sports events. There’s also this transparent vehicle display. It can be integrated into car windshields to present in-vehicle information and details on the driver’s physiological state, for enhanced driving efficiency and safety.

Lee Cheng-chung
ITRI Electronics and Optoelectronics System Research Laboratories
This head-up display can present a variety of in-vehicle information on the windshield. As for the High Clarity Transparent Projection Window, as you look at a sports field outside, the information is shown in real-time on this screen inside the VIP room. The Wishing Tree helped bring one couple together in marriage.

In 2023, the global display market was estimated to be worth US$108.1 billion. Working with the private sector, ITRI aims to use technology to bring more convenience to everyday life.

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2024-04-25

Taiex soars to 20,131 points following Wall Street rally

Taiwan’s stock market soared on Wednesday after Wall Street rallied for a second straight day. The Taiex climbed 542 points to close at 20,131, on turnover of NT$427.5 billion.

Nvidia stock surged overnight on the Nasdaq, giving a boost to Taiwan tech stocks like TSMC, Hon Hai, and MediaTek. TSMC closed up NT$29 at NT$783. One analyst says the Taiex has the potential to rise further, so long as Wall Street’s rally continues. But the analyst expects short-term volatility and warns traders against chasing highs.

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2024-04-24

AI singing platform creates official versions of Chinese-speakers’ voices

In the rising world of AI, Taiwan has a new AI voice platform. It specializes in creating official versions of Chinese speakers’ voices. A special song featuring the voices of four beloved folk singers has been released to mark the platform going online. Users will be able to put their own compositions and lyrics on the platform, and get them sung by one of these beloved singers within two or three minutes.

Four folk singers collaborated on this new release. But the whole track, from the singers’ voice to the music video, was made by AI.

Li Ming-teh
Singer
I can tell my grandson, “Grandpa sang this song,” and then he’ll say he doesn’t believe it. And I’ll say, “No, really, we recorded it 60 years ago.”

This is the first time these singers have heard their own voices produced by AI.

The singer faces off against her AI rival, showing just how lifelike the imitation is. She says she likes to listen to it.

Fan Yi-wen
Singer
It’s just like my real voice. I don’t usually sing such high ranges, songs in such high keys. So when I heard it, it was very interesting.

Tu Pei-tsen
Singer
It gave me goosebumps. I feel touched. I personally feel it’s very like myvoice’s real timbre.

The driving forces behind the AI music platform are Taiwan AI Labs founder Ethan Tu, and famous campus singer Li Chien-fu.

Li Chien-fu
Singer
It took way less time and money, because, for example, getting a singer into the studio means you have to pay the singer, pay for the studio. All that is a burden on the creator.

Ethan Tu
Taiwan AI Labs founder
In the past, people were always talking about “deepfakes” which were pirate versions and imitations. But we use the same profit-sharing model, and we tidy up the workflows. We’re telling people this could be the future model of the AI voice economy.

Fake voices abound on the internet already. But a platform like this shows that an official AI voice can beat a pirate version. The project gives artists protections and works with a charity for the visually impaired, and gives more creators a platform to make music.

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2024-04-23

Hualien night market to launch voucher programs to draw crowds back

The earthquake on April 3 in Hualien has dealt a devastating blow to the county’s tourism sector. Tourist spots, such as Dongdamen Night Market, have seen profits crumble. In a bid to lure crowds back, the Ministry of Economic Affairs will launch a night market voucher scheme starting in May. Let’s hear from those affected in Hualien.

Huang Chia-ming
Dongdamen Night Market
There are more market stands than visitors. Crowds aren’t even 10% of what they used to be during weekdays. Vendors selling food aren’t even opening up shop. Because if they do, their ingredients will go bad and they’ll have to throw it all out.

Chang Chih-hsiang
Hualien Tourism Department
The April 3 earthquake caused very big losses for Hualien’s tourism industry. Especially at night markets, and commercial districts. Immediately after the quake, the Hualien government sought relief and revitalization packages from the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The first voucher scheme will launch in May and last through July. Buy a voucher for NT$100 to get NT$200 to spend at Dongdamen Night Market. The second scheme will launch in August. Show proof that you are staying overnight in Hualien to get a NT$100 cash voucher at the market.

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2024-04-23

Smartphone market updates: Samsung stays level as Huawei hammers Apple

It’s a changeable time in the smartphone industry. Late last year, Apple overtook Samsung as the world’s biggest smartphone supplier. But in the first quarter of this year, that was reversed, with Samsung back in the top spot. New launches from Huawei are having a big impact on the market, primarily taking Chinese custom away from Apple, which has seen huge sales falls so far this year. Meanwhile, Samsung just launched a new AI phone that is drawing lots of attention, while Apple’s latest model won’t be out until September.

With a 50 MP lens, this phone has very superior camera functions, and with a few clicks, you can delete passersby from the photo. Another brand has launched the first AI phone, offering real-time translation on phone calls, as well as summaries of articles. Many brands launched new flagship phones in the first quarter of 2024, with cutting-edge functions aimed at reinvigorating the flagging phone market.

Kao Hung-hsiang
IDC research manager
Shipment of AI phones could exceed AI PCs this year. Looking at the apps that exist now, there aren’t any really market-beating applications, so I wonder if they will be able to stimulate much demand for phone upgrades.

Analysts are not convinced the new AI functions will convince users to trade in their phones for new models. Research from market analytics firm IDC showed that 289 million new smartphones were shipped in the first quarter of 2024, a growth of 7.8% from the same period last year.

Samsung has come back to the top spot, holding 20.8% of the market. The new flagship and flip phones from Huawei last year were a blow for Apple, which now occupies just 17.3% of the market. In at No. 3 is Xiaomi with 14.1%.

Kao Hung-hsiang
IDC research manager
Huawei will probably have a very noticeable comeback this year. So other manufacturers will probably see very weak growth or even stay level. In order of the magnitude of impact, it should be Apple, Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi and Honor.

Experts say that Samsung’s new S24 series launched earlier this year shipped over 60 million units in Q1, representing contraction of 0.7% compared to that period last year. Apple shipped 50.1 million units, shrinking 10% year-on-year. But the Chinese firm Xiaomi grew 33% in the same period. It’s a turbulent time for the phone industry, and analysts are watching to see if changes are afoot in the supply chain.

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2024-04-23

Taiwan, Japan to team up on growing mushrooms

Taiwan and Japan are teaming up to grow mushrooms. Due to global warming, shiitake mushroom production in Taiwan has dwindled to just 200 grams per bag of sawdust substrate. Over in Japan, researchers are developing mushroom strains that can better tolerate heat. Because Japan has a labor shortage that limits mushroom production, it’s chosen to partner with Taiwan.

Hu Jong-i
Former Agriculture and Food Agency head
Japan is very eager to partner with Taiwan, because we are meticulous about safety and putting consumers at ease. There’s full traceability in our mushroom production.

Lo Wen-cheng
Xinshe farmers’ association head
Japan is currently researching heat-resistant strains, so we see an opportunity here. Through the exchanges of our Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute, these heat-resistant strains can be introduced in Taiwan to improve farmers’ incomes.

Japan plans to send experts to the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute. Together, Taiwanese and Japanese specialists will develop a new variety of shiitake mushrooms that suited to Taiwan’s climate. This variety will be grown in Taiwan and imported to the Japanese market.

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2024-04-22

TSMC secures subsidies to build third fab in Arizona

U.S. President Joe Biden has announced a US$6.6 billion grant to Taiwan’s top chip manufacturer for semiconductor production in Arizona, which includes a third facility that will bring the tech giant’s investment in the U.S. state to US$65 billion. Voice of America’s White House correspondent Anita Powell reports.

A single semiconductor transistor is smaller than a grain of sand. But billions of them, packed neatly together on a chip, can connect the world, control weapons of war, and, someday, even drive your car. But U.S. production of this American-born technology has fallen off in recent decades.

Andy Wang
Northern Arizona University
As a nation, we used to produce 40% of microchips for the whole world. Now we produce less than 10%.

The Biden administration announced US$6.6 billion in funding for the world’s top chipmaker to build a third facility in the state of Arizona. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company says it will put the U.S. on track to produce 20% of the world’s leading-edge semiconductors by the end of this decade. The funding comes from the bipartisan 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, which President Joe Biden highlighted that year in a visit to TSMC’s first Arizona facility.

Joe Biden
US president
American manufacturing is back, folks. American manufacturing is back.

Engineers say the legislation addresses a key weakness in American chip manufacturing.

Todd Achilles
University of California, Berkeley
We’ve just gotten in the cycle of the last 15 to 20 years, where innovation has slowed down. It’s all about financial results, investor payouts, and stock buybacks, and we’ve lost that innovation muscle. And the CHIPS Act, pulling that together with the CHIPS Act is the perfect opportunity to restore that.

But, they say, America urgently needs talent. The White House says this new investment could create 25,000 construction and manufacturing jobs. Are there enough workers to feed this need?

Zachary Holman
Arizona State University
Our engineering college is the largest in the country, with over 33,000 enrolled students, and still we’re hearing from companies across the semiconductor industry that they’re not able to get the talent they need in time.

TSMC in 2022 broke ground on a facility that makes some of the world’s most advanced chips. With each jump, chip production can get more and more complex and expensive. Can the country that made the mighty chip keep up? Biden’s betting on it.

For Levi Stallings in Flagstaff, Arizona, Anita Powell, VOA News, Washington.

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2024-04-21

TSMC employees fuel demand for real estate near fabs

TSMC’s domestic expansion is fueling demand in the real estate market, as highly paid engineers snap up homes near factories. This trend has been observed in Tainan, Chiayi, and Kaohsiung. Last month, more than 300 of 800 pre-sale units in a residential complex were sold to TSMC staff. Let’s hear from a real estate agent.

Lin Meng-hsiung
Real estate agent in Tainan
One month ago, on a Saturday, there was a pre-sale offering. It started at 9 in the morning. By noon, all units were sold. There were more than 800 units, and deposits were taken for more than 500. Among those 500 buyers, there were more than 300 associated with TSMC.

According to property transaction records, prices have surged in areas near TSMC facilities. In Tainan’s Anding District, Kaohsiung’s Nanzih District, and Miaoli’s Zhunan Township, property prices have climbed more than 70% over the last three years.

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2024-04-21

High school baseball player opens burger shop after graduation

Lots of young people want to start a business, and 22-year-old Chan Chun-hsiang did just that. An athlete who played baseball up until graduation, Chan decided to become an entrepreneur after high school, first working in a food truck. Once he learned business basics, he set up a small burger stand outside his home in Banqiao. Now he has taken his business a step further by opening his own burger shop in east Taipei.

Chan Chun-hsiang uses both hands to beat the air out of freshly ground beef, then puts it on the griddle and fries it until the outer layer is slightly charred.

First comes lettuce, then the patty, bacon and onions, topped with a mild BBQ sauce that completes this American style burger. Toasted sugar and rich peanut butter add even more flavor that will make your mouth water.

Chan Chun-hsiang
Entrepreneur
We prepare all the ingredients ourselves, right down to grinding the beef. I’ve even tried many different kinds of sauces over time.

Chan may be just 22 years old, but he already has his own burger shop in east Taipei. Although he played baseball since he was young, he went into business because he felt uncertain about his future after graduating from high school.

Chan Chun-hsiang
Entrepreneur
I didn’t go to university, so after graduating high school I felt kind of lost. I just wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. Ever since I was young it was just sports, sports, sports. But the food industry is not that hard to get into, anyone can do it.

A friend introduced him to a food truck owner who taught him how to make burgers, purchase goods and keep basic accounts. Then he started his own small business, setting up a griddle outside his home in Banqiao.

Chan Chun-hsiang
Entrepreneur
At that time, we actually wanted to start a food truck, but didn’t have enough funds. So, I resorted to setting up a small food stand. After opening the restaurant in east Taipei, our sales shot up. Usually, our daily turnover will be over NT$10,000.

At the small stand in Banqiao, the daily turnover was around NT$3,000 at most. But after gathering a year of experience and moving to Taipei, revenue increased and customers became steadier. At such a young age, he is already a successful entrepreneur building his dreams.

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2024-04-21