June 22, 2026

Amazon's Newest Gambit: Selling AI Chips Nvidia faces emerging competition as Google and Amazon move to sell custom AI chips like TPUs and Trainium to external data centers. While they target cost and workload efficiency, Nvidia retains dominance through its full-stack ecosystem, CUDA, and developer support. EE Times

Sponsor Keeley Pedals Perfected with Manncorp Keeley Electronics revolutionizes production with Manncorp pick & place machines, achieving unprecedented speed, precision, and innovation in the guitar pedal industry. Manncorp Inc.

EU pledges to diversify and de-risk from China European Commission will propose a law requiring EU companies to diversify key supplies, aiming to reduce reliance on China after rare earth export restrictions and rising trade deficits, as leaders consider new trade measures and retaliation risks. Taipei Times

Redesigning Material Logistics for High-Mix EMS Production High mix electronics manufacturing requires reliable material management. This white paper explains how BMK enhanced traceability, inventory accuracy and picking efficiency using integrated automated storage, digital workflows and reel-level visibility. Technical Paper

Why Did Apple Stop Using Stainless Steel For iPhones? Apple has repeatedly changed iPhone materials from stainless steel to titanium and then aluminum, prioritizing lighter weight and cooling. Each shift aimed to reduce heavy Pro models while balancing durability, with stainless steel largely phased out across devices. BGR

Sponsor 5 Keys to Component Lead Tinning Success Re-conditioning of electronic components mitigates gold embrittlement, eliminates tin whiskers enhancing quality and sustainability prior to soldering. BEST Inc.

What does resilience even mean? Writer argues that Taiwan's overused 'resilience' must go beyond infrastructure and technology to include people, especially migrant workers. He urges multilingual communication and inclusive planning so societies can adapt, cooperate, and recover effectively during crises. Taipei Times

The Maximum Allowable Compression Load Per Solder Interconnect An attempt to identify the maximum quantitative allowable compression load per solder ball in a large component configuration with 600μm in solder ball diameter is investigated. Technical Paper

Technical Papers ■ Redesigning Material Logistics for High-Mix EMS Production ■ Unlocking Academic-Industry Synergy: A Collaborative Model for Hands-On Electronics Manufacturing Education ■ Viscosity Does Not Equal Rheology: What Solder Paste Measurements Really Tell You ■ Salvaging Electronic Components: A Reliable Method for Reducing Electronic Waste and Ensuring Economic Reuse ■ Digital Warehouse Automation in High-Mix PCB Assembly ■ Evaluation of Techniques for Intentional Contamination of PWB Substrates for Quantitative Cleanliness Analyses ■ Scaling SMT Traceability ■ The Drawbacks of Internal Recycling Systems for Solder Dross ■ 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 MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

Sponsor Is your PCB surface finish surviving the wash? Aqueous cleaning can stain or strip ImSn, ImAg & ENIG finishes. Get test data on protecting surface finish integrity post-reflow. ZESTRON Americas

AI buildout gives tech investors new reasons to watch bond market Artificial intelligence pushes tech investors to focus on Federal Reserve policy as rising rates and heavy debt-funded AI infrastructure spending increase borrowing costs, pressure cash flows, and expose even major hyperscalers to tighter financial conditions and market volatility. CNBC

ChatGPT's New Internet Browser Can Run 90% of a One-Person Business (No Hiring Required) Most entrepreneurs still don't realize ChatGPT includes a browser called Atlas that goes beyond search. It executes workflows inside your tools, handling research, planning, and shipping tasks so users avoid copy-pasting, tab switching, and repetitive prompt-by-prompt guidance. Entrepreneur

Cleaning under Bottom Terminated Components This paper demonstrates continuously detecting the proper quality of rinsing water and the status of chemical filters, which provide the required parameters. Technical Paper

Sponsor Depaneling machine for separating circuit boards SCHUNK offers solutions for the entire spectrum of the depaneling operation — from product selection, workpiece holder solutions and optimization of milling. SCHUNK

Is it bad that Elon Musk has a trillion dollars? Yes, and this is why Elon Musk's rise as the first trillionaire intensifies debate over extreme wealth concentration. Critics argue vast fortunes deepen inequality, weaken democracy, reduce tax accountability, and amplify social and environmental harms, fueling calls for wealth limits and systemic reform. Taipei Times

Indian Tata plant investigated over claims of pollution Indian health officials investigate wastewater from Tata's Apple iPhone components plant in Hosur after farmers report foul-smelling contamination, skin issues, and unsafe water. Tests found E. coli, intensifying an environmental dispute amid India's expanding iPhone manufacturing push. Taipei Times

When is it Time to Switch from Manual Assembly to Automation? We are a new start-up assembling wireless sensors. All assembly is now manual. We are experiencing large reject rates due to hand soldering of components. Board Talk

Sponsor 440-R + Ultrasonics = Safe & Efficient Cleaning Clean any type of solder paste in the same machine using 440-R-SMT Detergent. It is the one detergent that will do it all: stencils, pallets, misprints & SMD adhesives. Smart Sonic

Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon on the new world of AI agents Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon envisions AI agents coordinating across apps to handle tasks like restaurant bookings via smart glasses and wearables. He says apps will evolve rather than disappear as new agent-driven devices reshape consumer technology. CNBC

Musk's SpaceX stake is worth over $1 trillion. Here are the other billionaire shareholders SpaceX's record-breaking IPO lifts Elon Musk's stake above $1 trillion and creates thousands of new millionaires. Early investors and executives, including Gwynne Shotwell and Luke Nosek, gain billions as markets fluctuate and valuation briefly tops $2.4 trillion before cooling. CNBC

Sponsor Precision Control for BGA Rework Vacuum sensing electronics provide control for gentle, automatic component removal while a non-contact site cleaning tip's height is accurately monitored and maintained. Air-Vac Engineering

All Semiconductor Roads Lead to Taiwan Taiwan anchors the global semiconductor supply chain, producing over 60% of foundry revenue and 90% of leading-edge chips. It expands Hsinchu Science Park, attracts global firms and startups & deepens collaboration in AI, advanced packaging & strategic technology sovereignty. EE Times

Thermal Fatigue Reliability of SAC305 due to Mixed Metallurgy Assembly This study presents thermal fatigue data generated in thermal cycling for the case of BGA mixed metallurgy assembly. Technical Paper

Tata's iPhone parts factory faces India health probe after farmer contamination complaints Tamil Nadu health officials investigate allegations wastewater from Tata Electronics' iPhone plant contaminated nearby farms and wells; farmers report crop damage Tests found E. coli; Tata denies pollution, says regulators cleared samples. Reuters

Taiwan's Foxconn says AI data centers face huge power demand Foxconn Chair Young Liu warns AI data centers need huge investment and energy as adoption accelerates. Developers cloud providers governments AI-native firms will drive growth while hardware depreciation and rising electricity costs boost expenses. Taiwan News

Sponsor Drop-in SAC305 Alternative: Try REL61TM lead-free alloy 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

What Amazon's Astro Taught Me About Giving Robots a Soul Amazon's Astro team chose to give the home robot its own identity instead of making it "Alexa on wheels." Designers used sound, motion, and facial expressions to create emotional presence, showing that character design is essential for embodied AI to feel trustworthy and alive. IEEE Spectrum