February 4, 2026

Apple Hits Record US Smartphone Market Share, Widening the Gap with Samsung US smartphone sales barely grew in Q4 2025, but Apple defied stagnation, hitting a record quarter and a 69% market share. Strong iPhone 16e and 17 sales, carrier promotions, and premium demand squeezed Samsung and buoyed mid-range growth. TechSpot

Sponsor Drop-in SAC305 Alternative: Try REL61 Upgrade your alloy without the downtime. REL61 requires no pot cleaning and your SAC305 scrap value often covers the cost of the changeover. Optimize your process today. AIM Solder

VIEWPOINT 2026: Doug Dixon, CEO, 360 BC Group Inc. As we move into 2026, higher power density, and HDI designs are tightening thermal and reliability margins across electronic systems. Rising junction temperatures and finer features are pushing current materials to their limits, increasing the need for higher-performance TIMs, metalized IMS substrates, and advanced ... 360 BC Group Inc.

Innovative Power Module Assembly Solutions Power module production utilizes many different technologies. When industry leaders from these different fields join efforts on the design of these lines, higher efficiency and yields are the result. Technical Paper

EMS Industry Sees Year-end Bookings Surge, Signaling Stronger Demand Ahead North American EMS data show steady momentum in December 2025, with a 1.24 book-to-bill as bookings outpaced shipments. Shipments rose 5.6% YoY, bookings jumped 5.1%, signaling stabilizing demand and a potential growth inflection heading into 2026. Global Electronics Association

Sponsor Dedicated Tool for Process Development Advanced plating capability at Uyemura Tech Center: Process Development, UBM, pilot production. ENIG, ENEPIG, EPIG/EPAG, RAIG immersion gold; all substrates. On-site analysis. Uyemura

Apple adds agents from Anthropic and OpenAI to its coding tool Apple is adding agentic coding to Xcode, letting AI agents from OpenAI and Anthropic write, test, and fix code. The move boosts "vibe coding" adoption among developers as Apple rolls out Xcode 26.3 in beta. CNBC

Void Reduction in Bottom Terminated Components Using Vacuum Assist Paper offers results of void experiments using an in-line convection reflow oven and three types of bottom terminated components. Technical Paper

Technical Papers ■ Engineering ESD-Safe PCB Assembly for High-Reliability IoT and Industrial Electronics ■ The Analysis of Variance: Drawing Conclusions from Data That Are Correct, Unambiguous, and Defensible ■ PCB Rework Evolves, With X-ray a Constant Support ■ How pH Cleaning Agents Affect Production Performance ■ 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 MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

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

The Hidden Physics of Running Data Centers in Orbit Talk of orbiting megawatt-scale data centers is gaining traction, but engineers warn thermal management is the real hurdle. In space, inefficient heat radiation demands massive radiator structures, making cooling physics a central design constraint from the outset. EE Times

Intel is moving into GPUs and has hired a chief architect, CEO Lip-Bu Tan says Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan announced a new, unnamed chief architect to accelerate GPU development as AI demand surges. Despite recent stock gains and major investments, Intel trails rivals, faces supply issues, and warns memory shortages driven by AI will persist until 2028. CNBC

Improving properties of a Lead-free Solder Alloy with Doping of Copper This paper reviews 3 lead-free solder alloys to assess the mechanical and thermal cycle properties by implementing drop tests and thermal cycle tests. Technical Paper

Sponsor EZ-FLO High Precision Ceramic Dispense Tips The ceramic molding process allows for smaller more precise inner diameters with a glass-like finish, giving you the ultimate control. Learn more. DL Technology

The ends of the rare earth Taiwan must urgently strengthen rare earth supply chains as China leverages its dominance in global production and processing. Heavy import dependence leaves Taiwan's export-driven, semiconductor-focused economy exposed amid intensifying geopolitical and trade rivalries. Taipei Times

Taiwan, US eyeing supply chain, drone plans Taiwan and the US will form working groups to bolster supply chain resilience, drone certification and AI security, deepen regulatory alignment, and reduce reliance on China, as President William Lai outlined three strategic pillars to strengthen economic security. Taipei Times

Challenges for Selecting Appropriate TIM2 Material for CPU This paper provides a methodology for a potential TIM2 material for applications including automotive, personal computers and internet of things. Technical Paper

Sponsor Discover the power of vAI ProVision from Viscom Create and optimize 3D AOI and AXI programs in minutes. vAI ProVision boosts inspection depth, quality, and speed. Viscom develops & produces premium inspection systems. Viscom SE

Manufacturing Sector Returns to Growth in January U.S. manufacturing expanded in January for the first time in a year, with ISM’s PMI jumping to 52.6% as demand and production rebounded. Growth broadened across industries, though executives warned inflation, tariffs, and trade uncertainty still cloud the outlook. EE Times

If Your Company Isn't Reskilling Employees Yet, You're Quietly Planning Your Own Demise Accenture drew attention after exiting 11,000 employees unable to retrain for AI. CEO Julie Sweet said the move reflects a blunt reality: companies must reskill workers, develop new talent strategies, and build competencies to effectively deploy AI. Entrepreneur

Sponsor Reclaim Your Factory's Future Space is a precious resource. With SELECT Synchro, reclaim it, and reimagine your factory's workflow for greater efficiency and scalability. Nordson Electronic Solutions

AI Hunts for the Next Big Thing in Physics From Anderson's accidental discovery of antimatter to today's Large Hadron Collider, physicists have relied on ever-stronger instruments. Now, facing stalled theories, they are turning to unsupervised AI to scour vast collider data for anomalies that could reveal entirely new physics. IEEE Spectrum

Minimum Lead to Lead Spacing for Wave Soldered Through-Hole Components What is the recommended minimum lead-to-lead spacing for through-hole components run through a wave soldering system? Jim Hall and Phil Zarrow, The Assembly Brothers, discuss this question and share their own suggestions. Board Talk

True Data Sovereignty Requires Control, Not Dependence on the U.S. Europe risks losing digital sovereignty as geopolitical fragmentation and U.S. tech dominance expose deep dependencies on foreign cloud infrastructure. Regulation alone can't restore control; Europe must build hyperscaler-scale infrastructure to secure data, systems & strategic autonomy. EE Times

Elon Musk merges xAI into SpaceX with plans for space-based AI infrastructure SpaceX is merging xAI into its launch and satellite business, betting that orbital, solar-powered data centers will become the cheapest way to run frontier AI. The plan envisions up to one million AI satellites, reshaping both computing economics and SpaceX's long-term mission. TechSpot

Sponsor How to Simplify Solder Paste Printing StikNPeel removable rework stencils simplifies selective printing of solder paste leaving no residue providing cleaner alternative to metal stencils. BEST Inc.

The new corporate alibi: AI is the go-to excuse for mass layoffs Tech leaders now pitch layoffs as AI-led transformation, but most automation is still experimental. Analysts warn the AI-washing hides plain cost cutting, misleads investors, and risks overselling productivity gains before jobs truly change. TechSpot