Chip articles

Trump blocks China from key semiconductor design software

Apple pushes ahead with M6, M7, smart glasses, and AI chips in sweeping silicon roadmap

Opinion: Are we nearing the peak of custom ASIC adoption?

AI is reshaping chip design tools, and the results are impossible to ignore

Why it matters: As powerful as AI may be, many industries are still struggling to find clear-cut applications that make a measurable, demonstrable difference. Thankfully, that is not the case when it comes to chip design software. In fact, since their introduction just a few years ago, AI-powered features have become a mainstay of EDA (Electronic Design Automation) tools from companies such as Cadence and Synopsys.

Trump plans new tariffs on semiconductors, promises flexibility for some companies

Unlikely, but Nvidia's next gaming GPUs could be built using Intel's 18A process

Nvidia embraces optical chip tech in networking chips, not GPUs

European coalition pushes for second Chips Act funding to boost semiconductor sector

Qualcomm levels up handheld gaming with Snapdragon G-series chips

Samsung's ambitious 1.4nm plans in jeopardy as foundry challenges mount

Texas Instruments unveils world's smallest microcontroller, smaller than a pepper flake

China ramps up homegrown RISC-V push to break free from x86 and Arm

Google's Taara chip miniaturizes light-based connectivity for faster internet in underserved areas

Forward-looking: Silicon photonics could provide an alternative solution to the growing pains of purely silicon-based chips in computing and data transmission. Light-based CPUs are likely still a long way off, but connectivity is improving fast thanks to Google's X and other startup-focused ventures.

Intel pushes back Ohio chip plant opening to 2030, citing market conditions

A closer look at AMD's RDNA 4 and FSR 4 Upscaling

TSMC wafer found in a dumpster - is this the ultimate case of chip binning?

Apparently AMD has blocking rights for any acquisition of Intel. If a deal were to happen, what would AMD ask for?

Editor's take: We are frequently asked some version of the question, "Will someone acquire Intel?" At this point, we think it is highly unlikely, but these are unpredictable times. Setting aside all the principal considerations – like money, strategy, and regulatory approval – there are a few other hurdles. Chief among these is Intel's license for x86.

Intel says 18A process is ready, tape-out confirmed for the first half of 2025

Why it matters: As Intel's chip design and foundry businesses face mounting pressure that could jeopardize the company's future, much is riding on the success of its upcoming 18A node. As Intel finalizes its latest semiconductor process, 2025 will be a decisive year for its efforts to legitimize its foundry division and regain competitiveness against TSMC and Samsung.

Microsoft Majorana 1 chip promises real quantum computing within years, not decades

iPhone 16e debuts Apple's first in-house modem, putting it one step closer to cutting ties with Qualcomm

The rise of on-device AI is reshaping the future of PCs and smartphones

Arm wants to build its own chips, so it may be poaching from chip-making clients

Intel's 18A found to be faster but TSMC's N2 is denser in process node showdown

Bottom line: Intel and TSMC are both gearing up to launch their respective 18A and N2 process nodes, each offering significant advancements. On one side, Intel claims 18A will deliver much higher generational performance gains. On the other, TSMC is emphasizing N2's impressive transistor density. But which one is truly superior? As it turns out, the answer isn't so straightforward.