April 23, 2026

Gartner Forecasts Worldwide IT Spending to Grow 13.5% in 2026, Totaling $6.31 Trillion Gartner forecasts global IT spending to hit $6.31 trillion in 2026, rising 13.5%, driven by surging AI infrastructure demand, rapid data center investment, and GenAI software growth, while device spending climbs more slowly amid rising memory costs. Gartner

Sponsor A Lifespan of Reliability Nordson Electronics Solutions makes reliable electronics an everyday reality. Selective soldering, dispensing, coating, and plasma solutions. Nordson Electronics Solutions

Meta is tracking employee keystrokes on Google, LinkedIn, Wikipedia as part of AI training initiative Meta plans to capture employee keystrokes and mouse clicks via its MCI tool across apps like Google, LinkedIn and Wikipedia to train AI models, prompting internal backlash over surveillance risks as it races to build AI agents. CNBC

RAIG Minimizes Corrosion, Allows Higher Gold on ENEPIG Paper describes a mixed reaction RAIG electrolyte that minimizes galvanic corrosion and allows higher ENEPIG gold thicknesses, enabling robust designs and world-class quality on target with minimal variation. Technical Paper

IBM shares drop as company beats but opts to maintain guidance IBM shares fell 6% after hours after the company reported strong first-quarter results, with revenue rising 9% and profit increasing. However, it maintained full-year guidance, signaling caution despite growth in software and infrastructure segments and stronger cash flow outlook. CNBC

Sponsor iX7059 Series by Viscom: Inline X-ray Inspection Power High-performance Inline X-ray Inspection Systems for complex electronics, semiconductors, and power modules up to 200 kg. Seamless integration, AI-powered accuracy, and maximum reliability for every application. Viscom SE

Florida investigating ChatGPT over mass shooting at school Florida has launched a criminal probe into whether ChatGPT contributed to a deadly Florida State Univ. shooting, after prosecutors reviewed chats where the suspect sought weapon and targeting advice. Officials examine OpenAI's potential liability, while the company denies responsibility. Taipei Times

Understanding and Prediction of Bi Electromigration This paper will review an effort to describe the expected microstructures in use case settings as well as a model to predict effective Bi boundary layer conditions created during current stress. The estimates will be compared with actual accelerated samples and the impacts of the current stress plus thermal aging on solder joint mechanical performance. Technical Paper

Technical Papers ■ 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 ■ 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 MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

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Taiwan signs arms deals with US totaling US$6.58bn Taiwan signed six US arms procurement agreements worth $6.59 billion, securing rocket systems, howitzers, missiles, and ammunition production. The deals support its 'Taiwan Shield' air defense plan as lawmakers debate a stalled NT$1.25 trillion defense budget in the legislature. Taipei Times

Nvidia backs AI company Vast Data at $30 billion valuation Vast Data secured $1 billion in new funding, tripling its valuation to $30 billion with backing from Nvidia and others. The AI infrastructure firm supports massive GPU workloads, reports strong revenue growth, and benefits from surging global investment in artificial intelligence. CNBC

Managing Thermomechanical Behaviour in Automotive Electronics With high density interconnection designs, advanced packaging, localised self heating, sources of thermomechanical stress are introducing complex failures. Technical Paper

Sponsor Cold Underfill Component Removal A significant Rework challenge is reworking where there is minimal or zero clearance between adjacent parts near an underfilled area array device. A precision milling machine makes this possible. Air-Vac Engineering

Game, Set, Bot: Sony AI's 'Ace' Serves Up a Defeat to Table Tennis Pros Sony AI introduces "Ace," an autonomous table tennis robot that rivals expert players. Trained with large-scale simulation and reinforcement learning, it integrates advanced perception, control, and hardware to master spin tracking and high-speed rallies. EE Times

China's Greenhouse Tech Is Revolutionizing Farming - Here's How Global greenhouse coverage has surged since 1987, led by China, which deploys systems, solar power, and AI-driven farming to raise yields, reduce water and energy use, support growth, and advance sustainable agriculture despite cost pressures. BGR

Cause of Long-Term Soldering Joint Cracking in Automotive Application We are seeing field returns due to solder joint cracking on the pin of a 16-pin through-hole connector. What might be the cause of the joint cracking? Board Talk

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

Proposed Chinese Robot Ban Is Latest U.S. Tech Sovereignty Move U.S. lawmakers push the American Security Robotics Act to limit government use of Chinese robots, deepening tech decoupling. While U.S. firms may benefit, reliance on Chinese parts, sudden policy shifts, and supply gaps add industry uncertainty. IEEE Spectrum

Gartner Survey Reveals 80% of CEOs Say AI Will Force Operational Capability Overhauls A Gartner survey finds 80% of CEOs expect AI to significantly reshape operations, accelerating a shift to autonomous business. Leaders plan wider adoption of self-learning systems, rethink revenue models, and rebuild enterprises around AI-driven decision-making. Gartner

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This Tech Investor Hasn't Touched a Laptop or Desktop Computer Since 2010. Here's Why. Investor Keith Rabois says he has worked without a laptop since 2010, running his career on an iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad. Inspired by Jack Dorsey, he argues mobile-first computing boosts focus as AI tools further shift work to phones. Entrepreneur

Developing a Low Palladium Activation System for Electroless Copper Deposition This paper summarizes experiences gained while developing a new cost effective Palladium containing ionic activation system. Technical Paper

CATL unveils ultra-fast charging battery and expands push into full energy ecosystem China's battery giant CATL is accelerating its bid to transform the global EV market, rolling out ultra-fast charging, high-energy-density batteries, sodium-ion technology, and an integrated charging-and-swapping network to boost performance, accessibility, and infrastructure efficiency. Digitimes

Will New Apple CEO John Ternus, Hardware Engineer & F1 Fan, Deliver Next Transformational Device, AI Strategy & Stay The Course In Streaming? Apple will install John Ternus as CEO, succeeding Tim Cook, signaling continuity with a hardware-led vision. He must accelerate AI, strengthen Services, and deliver breakthrough products while maintaining Apple's privacy-first strategy and tightly integrated ecosystem. Deadline

Sponsor Sawa Ecobrid Fully Automatic Stencil Cleaner This cleaner has 2 ultrasonic cleaning head panels for cleaning the front & back sides together. Ultrasonic energy is applied directly to the stencil. Seika

The iPhone Fold's first major red flag is waving high Apple grabs attention with a new CEO announcement and rumors of an iPhone Fold featuring a side camera control button. Critics question its relevance, arguing foldables prioritize display and multitasking over photography, unlike traditional smartphones. Phone Arena