Electronics Industry News & Analysis | Market Outlook & Trends

Semiconductor Equipment Orders Increase 17%

The three-month average of worldwide orders for semiconductor equipment in July 2014 was $1.41 billion, up 17.1 percent compared to July 2013 when orders totaled $1.21 billion, according to trade association SEMI.

Fab Tool Book-to-Bill Dips

After increasing in June, the book-to-bill ratio of North American semiconductor equipment makers declined in July.

Healthcare Robots for the Elderly Making Progress

The healthcare industry is turning toward a variety of potential robotics providers that can assist in the care of the elderly.

Mouser Offers TI Dev Boards for IoT

SimpleLink Wi-Fi development boards said to allow users to develop Internet of Things products with quick connection, cloud support and on-chip Wi-Fi, Internet and security protocols.

Murata to Spend $471 Million on Peregrine Semi

As part of its strategy to expand its core business, Japanese firm set to acquire Peregrine Semiconductor for $12.50 per share.

Conditional Access Market to Peak in 2015

The global market for conditional access technology in set-top boxes is expected reach its peak revenue at $2.2 billion next year, according to IHS Technology.

HP’s Earnings up Slightly Thanks to PC Sales

Fiscal third quarter results encouraging for a company that has witnessed multiple quarters of losses due to a highly competitive PC market and the emergence of wireless devices eating away at PC market share.

Intel Foundry Gains Indian Chip Design Service

The Intel foundry ecosystem is expanding by taking a leaf out of TSMC’s playbook, a key development if Intel is to be successful in the sector.

Synopsys' de Geus: FinFET Transition Gaining Momentum

The move to FinFETs is picking up pace while alternative chip manufacturing technology FDSOI is getting some attention as a potential node-extender at 28/20nm, according to the CEO of leading EDA vendor Synopsys.

GigOptix Bids for GSI Technology

Cash and stock deal for SRAM maker represents 32 percent price premium.

Infineon to Buy International Rectifier for $3 Billion

One of the oldest companies in the semiconductor industry – International Rectifier – has agreed to be acquired by German chip company Infineon.

Report: Infineon Close To $2 Billion Acquisition

Infineon is reported to be close to a major merger with a U.S. power semiconductor company. Who is in the frame?

SPIL takes over ProMOS wafer fab

Taiwanese assembly and test firm Siliconware Precision is purchasing an idle 300mm wafer fab and reportedly turning it to 3D assembly and integration tasks.

TTI Acquires Chinese Distributor

Texas-based distributor adds distributor of Molex products to domestic Chinese mobile phone manufacturers.

AMD Enters SSD Market Targeting Gamers

AMD offering solid state drive series developed in collaboration with OCZ Storage Solutions, a branch of Toshiba.

Digi-Key Signs Agreement with BlueCreation

Distributor to carry UK firm's line of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules.

Energous, Dialog Semi Team for IoT

Firms to jointly develop reference designs to promote the use of local area wire free recharging in a host of wearable devices and the Internet of Things.

Intel Presents Broadwell CPU, 14nm FinFET Process

First products expected before end of 2014, volume coming in 2015.

Teardown: Samsung Chromebook 2

The Samsung Chromebook 2 is Samsung’s latest portable computing offering. The device runs on the Chrome OS, and has a Samsung Exynos 5 Octa apps processor.