Qualcomm’s Cloud AI Chip Gambit Is a Big Deal
Qualcomm is making a serious push from edge devices into the cloud AI accelerator space. Its strategy hinges on new chiplet tech and convincing cloud giants to look beyond GPUs.
Category: Semiconductors
Trump Orders Chinese-Owned Firm to Unwind $2.9M Chip Deal
President Trump has ordered HieFo Corporation, a firm owned by a Chinese national, to divest its acquisition of chip assets from U.S. defense contractor Emcore. The White House cited national security concerns over the deal, which was not filed with the CFIUS review committee. HieFo must now unwind
Why Loop Capital is betting on these two lagging chip stocks for 2026
After a 2025 rally focused on AI data center chips, Loop Capital analyst Gary Mobley is spotlighting two laggards for a comeback. He sees Synopsys jumping 28% and ON Semiconductor surging 38.5% this year as growth broadens.
AMD’s Linux Drivers Get Faster, Strix Point APUs Get Official ROCm
AMD is kicking off 2026 with significant updates for its Linux software stack. The RadeonSI graphics driver is undergoing a major compilation refactor, and the ROCm 7.10 release now formally supports the upcoming Strix Point APUs.
NVIDIA’s Blackwell lineup just got five new mystery GPUs
NVIDIA appears to be expanding its Blackwell GPU family with five newly spotted PCI IDs. The additions include one GB110 and the new GB112 and GB120 chips, likely targeting data centers, not gamers.
TSMC Gets US License for China, But the Real Story is AI Talent
TSMC secured a US license to import chip tools to its Nanjing fab. Meanwhile, analysts are buzzing about a “Great Reversal,” where top Chinese AI talent is now decamping to the West, with Meta’s acquisition of a Beijing-based AI startup as the prime example.
Biren’s $717M IPO Shows China’s AI Chip Push Is Heating Up
Chinese AI chip startup Biren has successfully raised $717 million in its Hong Kong IPO, pricing at the top of its range. The offering saw massive oversubscription, highlighting intense investor interest in China’s domestic semiconductor efforts. This comes as the country pushes hard to develop alte
Samsung’s HBM4 is Suddenly the Hottest Chip in AI
In a massive win for Samsung, its upcoming HBM4 memory chips have been selected by AI giants Google, Nvidia, and Broadcom. This could lead to a global scramble for supply, driving prices and Samsung’s profits way up.
US Gives Samsung, SK Hynix a 2026 Pass for China Chip Tools
In a move offering temporary relief, the U.S. has approved an annual license for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to ship chip manufacturing equipment to their China facilities for 2026. This comes as a key waiver, known as validated end-user status, is set to expire on December 31, 2024.
Samsung’s $14 Billion Quarter Is a Memory Chip Bonanza
Samsung Electronics is on track to post its highest-ever quarterly operating profit of about $14 billion in the final quarter of 2025. This massive 30% beat over analyst expectations is almost entirely due to skyrocketing memory chip prices. The AI boom is creating a windfall for the industry’s bigg