February 12, 2026

Rising Chip Prices to Curb Phone Sales Surging memory chip prices could slash global smartphone shipments by up to 15 percent this year to 1.061 billion units, TrendForce said. Chinese brands, especially Xiaomi and Transsion, face sharper declines, while Huawei, Samsung and Apple may weather the downturn better. Taipei Times

Sponsor Tough Engineering Changes? Where Can You Turn? Engineering changes are a reality that need to be dealt with. Do you have qualified rework technicians to do the job efficiently and reliably? Circuit Technology Center

VIEWPOINT 2026: Daniel Carrasco, General Manager, Texmac/Takaya We are formally launching our next generation of single and double sided machines early 2026: the 2400 series (single sided) and 2600 series (double sided sided). These machines are available in "Super Large" (-SL) versions that allow for testing of significantly larger boards with expanded test area and "Automated" or "In-Line" ... Texmac/Takaya

Optimizing BGA Rework: Challenges, Techniques and Quality Control The complexity of BGA packages introduces challenges during rework requiring innovative methods and inspection practices to ensure performance and reliability. This paper outlines best practices for removing and replacing BGAs. Technical Paper

Researchers Studied What Happens When Workplaces Seriously Embrace AI, and the Results May Make You Nervous UC Berkeley researchers found that AI tools intensified workloads at a 200-employee tech firm, driving "workload creep," multitasking & blurred work-life boundaries. Instead of easing jobs, AI raised expectations, fueled burnout & often shifted extra tasks onto workers & their colleagues. Futurism

Sponsor Viscom: Next Level of Inspection at APEX Viscom Inc. presents its AI-powered inspection software vAI ProVision at APEX Expo 2026 in Anaheim. See live demos of faster AOI and AXI programming at Booth #2836. Viscom SE

Seven Criteria to Help Choose the Right Logistics Partner in 2026 In 2026, electronics leaders elevate logistics to a strategic priority, using AI-driven visibility, strong cybersecurity, reverse logistics expertise, and strict data governance. They vet partners for resilience and alignment to protect performance, sustainability, and customer trust. EE Times

Risk Mitigation in Hand Soldering A new validation technology in concert with visual inspection represents a change to the status quo in hand soldering. 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 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

Google is expanding tools to remove personal data from search results Google has automated its privacy protections by upgrading "Results About You" to detect exposed ID numbers and synthetic images. Users can opt in, receive alerts, and request delisting, while new tools speed removal of non-consensual explicit content and enable proactive monitoring. TechSpot

Ray-Ban maker EssilorLuxottica says it more than tripled Meta AI glasses sales in 2025 EssilorLuxottica more than tripled sales of its Meta AI glasses to over 7 million units last year, driven by strong demand for Ray-Ban and Oakley smart eyewear. The surge signals accelerating consumer adoption and deepens its long-term partnership with Meta. CNBC

Process Optimization for Fine Feature Solder Paste Dispensing In this paper the authors evaluate variables in the solder paste dispensing process, and review the impact on dispense quality of the solder paste. Technical Paper

Sponsor Want High-Reliability BGA Service? BGA rework and reballing solutions for commercial, military and aerospace perfected over 20-plus years of reliable, repeatable and proven success. BEST Inc.

Supply chain lessons from Japan Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi won a two-thirds majority in a snap election despite Beijing's trade pressure over her Taiwan remarks. China's sanctions failed to shift voters as Japan bolstered rare earth resilience, cut reliance, and strengthened long-term economic security. Taipei Times

Taiwan may work with US on rare earths: Kung Taiwan plans to buy rare earths from the US and negotiate with Australia and Canada to secure critical mineral supplies, Minister Kung Ming-hsin said. Taipei will focus on mining and separation abroad, expand domestic refining capacity, and deepen US cooperation. Taipei Times

Flowers of Sulfur Creep Corrosion Testing of Populated PCBs Creep corrosion testing of printed circuit boards using a specially designed flowers of sulfur chamber has been pioneered by an iNEMI technical committee. Technical Paper

Sponsor Malcom Paste Mixers Unlike hand mixing, the Malcom SPS Solder Paste Mixer is a non-contaminating mixer which utilizes pseudo planetary motion to stir the solder paste. The SPS-1 provides uniform consistency. Seika

Intel has abandoned its controversial "On Demand" processor technology Intel has quietly killed its controversial Software Defined Silicon/On Demand program, shelving plans to charge customers to unlock disabled Xeon CPU features. The archived GitHub repository signals broad customer rejection as Intel shifts focus toward AI accelerators. TechSpot

How Can AI Companions Be Helpful, not Harmful? Researchers led by UT Austin's Brad Knox warn that AI companions, powered by large language models, offer emotional support and social skill practice but also pose risks, including reduced real-world connection and potential harm, urging deeper research to guide safer design and use. IEEE Spectrum

Sponsor Affordable Profiling Excellence Four channels of precision data capture from the most trusted name in thermal profiling. New and improved V-M.O.L.E.™ 2 is the ideal solution for budget-conscious electronics pros. Learn more here. ECD

How Do You Define an AI Companion? AI companionship models are surging as millions form emotional bonds with chatbots through apps like Character.ai and Replika. Companies now embed AI in toys and devices, despite rising concerns over mental health risks, privacy issues, and impacts on young users. IEEE Spectrum

The Best Storage Method to Protect Against Corrosion Which storage method will better protect against corrosion, nitrogen or super dry? You want to do it in compliance with IPC 1602, which covers storage and handling of circuit boards. Board Talk

Musk's xAI loses second co-founder in two days Elon Musk's xAI has lost multiple co-founders, with Jimmy Ba and Tony Wu exiting this week amid a merger with SpaceX and pending IPO plans. The departures come as regulators investigate xAI over deepfake abuses tied to its Grok AI tools. CNBC

China consumer inflation rises less than expected in January as producer price deflation persists China's consumer inflation rose just 0.2% in January, missing forecasts, while producer prices fell for a third straight year, underscoring persistent deflationary pressure. Analysts cited Lunar New Year distortions as policymakers pledged looser monetary policy to support recovery. CNBC

Sponsor Introducing our new Board to Board Connectors These new Board to Board Connectors feature pitch sizes from 0.50 mm to 1.00 mm with multi-pitch and custom pitch designs available. Designed for long-life applications and robust handling. Advanced Interconnections Corp

Life on Earth is lucky: A rare chemical fluke may have made our planet habitable A new study finds Earth formed in a rare chemical "Goldilocks zone," with just the right oxygen levels to retain life-essential phosphorus and nitrogen. Researchers say this delicate balance, tied to stellar chemistry, could reshape the search for habitable exoplanets. Space.com