August 15, 2025

Apple's 'Tabletop Robot' Companion Rumored for 2027 Launch Apple is reportedly pivoting its AI strategy toward smart home devices, developing a robotic tabletop companion and simpler home hub running a new "Charismatic" OS, with enhanced Siri, targeting releases in 2027 and 2026 respectively. Engadget

Sponsor Reliable drying of UV materials Rehm Thermal Systems launches the RDS UV dryer to meet faster hardening demands, enabling efficient, eco-friendly UV coating for electronics and various industries. Rehm Thermal Systems

Hon Hai reports profit rose 27% Hon Hai posted a 27% profit surge on strong AI server demand, offsetting currency pressures. AI revenue jumped 60%, driving capacity expansion in the US, while EV projects advance with Mitsubishi and upcoming Model B and Model C launches. Taipei Times

Probe Card Manufacturer 'Sees the Unseen' With X-ray Probe card manufacturer relies on mobile real-time x-ray inspection to verify the quality of its precisely aligned probes at different stages along the assembly line. Technical Paper

Moving Past "It Works" — Intelligent Optimization Is the Key to PCB Excellence Engineers confront growing PCB complexity, moving from trial-and-error to intelligent optimization. Siemens' SHERPA and MO-SHERPA algorithms adaptively explore designs, speeding development & uncovering performance trade-offs to guide smarter, data-driven decisions. Semiconductor Engineering

Sponsor AIT ORMET® TLPS for Thermal Conductivity AIT ORMET® TLPS is proven with stress relief for stable long-term metallic thermal conductivity & low thermal interface resistance for high temp >175°C Ormet TLPS

PC maker Lenovo reports record quarterly revenue despite the 'challenges' of US tariffs Lenovo posted record first-quarter revenue of US$18.8 billion, up 22%, as AI-driven PCs and servers fueled double-digit growth across all businesses. Diversified manufacturing offset tariff pressures, while R&D spending rose 10% to support its global AI expansion. South China Morning Post

Technical Papers ■ A Universal AI-Powered Segmentation Model for PCBA & Semiconductor ■ RAIG Minimizes Corrosion, Allows Higher Gold on ENEPIG ■ High Reliability Lead-Free Solder Paste with Rosin and Anti-Crack Resin ■ Understanding Solder Dross: Causes and Control Strategies ■ Optimizing BGA Rework: Challenges, Techniques and Quality Control ■ Maintenance: The Basics of Cleaning Series Part 4 ■ The Economics of Electronic Component Salvage and Reuse ■ Cutting Without Contact: How Laser Depanelling Redefines PCB Manufacturing ■ The "Fried Egg" Effect in Soldering ■ Flux Technology Development for Solder Paste Compatible with Formic Acid Reflow Ovens for Power Devices MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

Sponsor Inline Automatic X-Ray Inspection: TruView™ Verus TruView™ Verus is a high-resolution inline AXI system offering advanced 2D, 2.5D, and 3D imaging to detect defects in electronic assemblies with exceptional accuracy and speed. Creative Electron

Intel stock climbs 7% on report Trump administration is considering stake in chipmaker Intel shares jumped 7% after reports that the Trump administration may take a government stake to fund U.S. chip factories. CEO Lip-Bu Tan emphasized Intel's commitment to national security amid expansion and past setbacks. CNBC

Why Transparency Is Overrated in Times of Crisis Effective crisis transparency means filtering raw data, providing context & maintaining emotional discipline. Leaders should interpret facts, communicate thoughtfully & avoid overwhelming teams, ensuring clarity, confidence & stability without mistaking openness for consensus. Entrepreneur

Sponsor Are Your BGA Rework Operators Competent? Can every operator handle your BGA rework equally well? In real life, in all but just a few situations, the answer is no. Why is this so? Circuit Technology Center

Trump's Tariff Fallacy, a Self-Inflicted Defeat The U.S. semiconductor tariff strategy backfires, raising domestic costs, alienating allies, and accelerating China's technological self-reliance. Experts urge shifting from punitive tariffs to long-term investment, workforce development, and strategic global partnerships. EE Times

Chinese factories cut shifts and workers' pay as US tariffs bite Chinese factory owners like Mike Chai are cutting wages, shifts, and overtime to stay competitive amid US tariffs and fierce domestic rivalry, worsening underemployment, eroding consumer confidence, and intensifying deflationary pressure across the world's second-largest economy. Taipei Times

Sponsor Seven Facilities, One Trusted Source Partner with the industry leader. Summit is trusted and proven, with 7 integrated facilities to load capacity—from fast-turn prototypes to scalable production requirements. Summit Interconnect

China's Trump card: rare earths China's rare earths dominance, built on refining capacity, patents, and low-cost production, poses enduring U.S. vulnerabilities. Washington now seeks diversified supplies and calibrated tech engagement, hoping interdependence deters Beijing from weaponizing critical materials. Taipei Times

AI Intelligencer: Art of the chip deal OpenAI's GPT-5 launch drew backlash from users missing GPT-4o, prompting its return. The rollout highlights model trade-offs, competitive pricing pressures, booming AI demand, and rising concerns over self-affirming chatbots fueling AI-related psychosis. Reuters

Sponsor EZ-FLO High Precision Dispense Tips Each needle is machined from solid stainless steel as opposed to rolled tubing. The resulting smoother internal profile enhances material flow and consistency. Learn more. DL Technology

Power Grid Congestion Is a Problem. Here's a Solution Heimdall Power's drone-mounted sensors, called Neurons, clamp onto transmission lines to deliver real-time data that enables dynamic line rating. This technology boosts grid capacity, cuts costs & helps operators maximize existing infrastructure while awaiting transmission upgrades. IEEE Spectrum

Potted Assembly Interfacial Reliability Under Inclined 25000g Mechanical Shock This study investigates the time and temperature-dependent evolution of interfacial fracture toughness in four distinct potting compounds for PCBs. The investigation focuses on the evolution of the interfacial fracture toughness at the potting material-PCB interface. Circuit Insight - Analysis Lab

Experimental AI smart glasses can read lips to improve hearing aids UK researchers developed AI-powered smart glasses that read lips to improve hearing aids and cut costs. Trained to filter background noise, the glasses focus on single speakers, enhancing conversations in noisy environments for hearing-impaired & normal-hearing users. TechSpot

Sponsor Plasma as a Key Technology Plasma technology improves electronics manufacturing, reduces oxide layers, prevents delamination & enables environmentally friendly products by using Openair-Plasma ® & PlasmaPlus®. Plasmatreat GmbH

Head-In-Pillow Reject Rate We have rejects that look like head-in-pillow. We see rejects in 2 or 3 per 15,000 PCBs. Should we tinker with the reflow profile, or would you consider this reject rate acceptable? Circuit Insight - Ask the Experts

How Does Glass Let Light Through? The Science Explained Glass, an amorphous solid made by melting quartz sand and cooling it rapidly, lets visible light pass through due to its atomic structure. Centuries of innovation improved durability, transparency, and potential for self-cleaning, shaping modern windows. BGR

Memory Safety Will Be Key to Tackle Fundamental Cyber Security The U.K.'s Digital Security by Design initiative showcased CHERI, a memory-safe hardware technology, in London. Experts praised its cybersecurity potential but noted adoption challenges. With 160+ companies involved, standardizing memory safety remains a key priority. EE Times