Next-generation consumer and automotive audio is becoming increasingly sophisticated, and market drivers such as generative AI-based audio processing, immersive soundscapes, and advanced infotainment in software-defined vehicles demand stepped-up audio DSP performance. However, a single DSP can no longer meet escalating compute needs, while multiple DSPs pose significant programming challenges.

Today, OEMs and SoC vendors must perform all multicore hardware design and software development on their own while facing increased time-to-market pressures. At the same time, programmers are grappling with the complexity of software-based synchronization of shared memory regions and the proper partitioning of tasks across the multicore cluster. This can result in designs falling short of performance expectations.

MSI, a global leader in high-performance computing, is committed to advancing innovation in AI, design, and productivity. MSI proudly introduces the Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG, a groundbreaking mini PC that harnesses the power of Copilot+ PC in an exceptionally compact 0.826-liter form factor. This device is engineered to deliver intelligent computing and seamless AI experiences without sacrificing performance or versatility.

The Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG is equipped with a powerful Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that enables advanced on-device AI capabilities. Users can benefit from features such as Live Captions with Live Translation, Cocreator, Click-to-Do, Recall, and more. These AI tools empower users to work more efficiently, create at a faster pace, and interact with their PCs in a more natural way, all while ensuring smooth multitasking and responsiveness in daily operations.

TrendForce's latest investigations reveal that 1Q25 revenue for the global IC design industry reached US$77.4 billion, marking a 6% QoQ increase and setting a new record high. This growth was fueled by early stocking ahead of new U.S. tariffs on electronics and the ongoing construction of AI data centers around the world, which sustained strong chip demand despite the traditional off-season.

NVIDIA remained the top-ranking IC design company, with Q1 revenue surging to $42.3 billion—up 12% QoQ and 72% YoY—thanks to increasing shipments of its new Blackwell platform. Although its H20 chip is constrained by updated U.S. export controls and is expected to incur losses in Q2, the higher-margin Blackwell is poised to replace the Hopper platform gradually, cushioning the financial impact.

TrendForce's latest report on the display industry reveals that OLED technology—valued for its self-emissive structure, high contrast ratio, and lightweight design—continues to expand its market presence, primarily in small-size applications such as smartphones. However, its penetration into the large-size display segment has been hindered by high production costs and limited capacity. In contrast, the mid-size segment, including monitors, notebooks, tablets, and automotive displays, is emerging as a new battleground, driven by growing consumer demand for premium visual experiences.

TrendForce forecasts that OLED monitor shipments will grow by 80.6% YoY in 2025, with market penetration rising to 2%, and potentially reaching 5% by 2028. Amid this upward momentum, Chinese panel makers Visionox and TCL CSOT are distinguishing themselves by investing in alternative OLED technologies: Visionox through its proprietary technology, Visionox intelligent Pixelization (ViP), and TCL CSOT through inkjet printing OLED—setting themselves apart from Korean manufacturers focused on QD-OLED and WOLED evaporation-based technologies.

TrendForce's latest investigations find that DDR4 contract prices for servers and PCs are expected to rise more sharply in the second quarter of 2025 due to two key factors: major DRAM suppliers scaling back DDR4 production and buyers accelerating procurement ahead of U.S. tariff changes. As a result, server DDR4 contract prices are forecast to rise by 18-23% QoQ, while PC DDR4 prices are projected to increase by 13-18%—both surpassing earlier estimates.

TrendForce notes that DDR4 has been in the market for over a decade, and demand is increasingly shifting toward DDR5. Given the significantly higher profit margins for HBM, DDR5, and LPDDR5(X), suppliers have laid out EOL plans for DDR4, with final shipments expected by early 2026. Current EOL notifications largely target server and PC clients, while consumer DRAM (mainly DDR4) remains in production due to continued mainstream demand.

Logitech G, a brand of Logitech and a leading innovator of gaming and sim racing technologies and gear, today announced the launch of the Logitech G522 Gaming Headset, a new addition to its award-winning G5 series, designed to elevate both gameplay and personal expression. "G522 was made for gamers who bring passion and personality to everything they do," said Ujesh Desai, vice president and general manager of Logitech G. "Whether you're climbing the ranks, streaming for your audience, or pulling all-night gaming sessions, the G522 ups your game with top-tier performance, features, and style."

G522 builds on the strong foundation of the widely popular Logitech G733 headset, carrying its legacy further while introducing an exciting evolution. At first glance, the family resemblance is clear, but as you look closer, the G522 reveals a fresh, elevated design. It's all about progression - sleeker curves, a more sophisticated silhouette, and thoughtful design choices that reflect a modern take on performance and style. The sharper edges of the G733 have been transitioned into smooth, flowing lines showcasing a refined aesthetic.

THX, Ltd., a world-class high-fidelity audio and video tuning, certification, and technology company, and producer of the iconic THX Deep Note Trailers, has announced today the expansion of its THX Spatial Audio technology. Innovating for enjoyment of gaming, movies and music while listening on consumer electronics and mobile devices such as laptops, headphones, earbuds and soundbars, THX today announced a feature-rich new immersive audio architecture, THX Spatial Audio+.

To ensure that gamers and audio- and videophiles alike can enjoy the pinpoint audio accuracy and true-to-life realism of immersive entertainment like never before comes THX Spatial Audio+. THX Spatial Audio+ improves the core spatial experience with an enhanced and flexible architecture designed to support continued innovation, including such unique features as adding height channels to the immersion and camera-based AI head tracking, depending upon the demands of the device.

A month ago, Sony increased its PlayStation 5 home console prices for EMEA and ANZ regions—affecting customers in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Australia and New Zealand. At the time, industry experts surmised that company leadership was considering a similar strategy for a primary market: North America. Instead of freshly implemented 25% upward hikes for certain products/packages, reports suggested a 30% climb—for the North American market. Weeks later, company leadership has discussed this hot topic. During yesterday's (projected) earnings call with investors, top brass confirmed their consideration of "passing along" additional costs to consumers—in response to a reported/anticipated 100 billion yen (~$680 million) impact from US tariffs. They outlined a stockpile of PS5 consoles; enough units have been accumulated for roughly three months of supply—unaffected by adjusted conditions, in the States.

Despite this provision, Hiroki Totoki—Sony's president/CEO—is open to exploring alternative production avenues, in the face of looming extra charges. When asked about this matter, he replied with: "hardware can of course be produced locally, I think that would be an efficient strategy. PS5 is being manufactured in many areas, whether it is going to be manufactured in the US or not—it needs to be considered going forward." In efforts to navigate a trying situation, Nintendo has juggled its geographic manufacturing footprint—recent-ish developments have shifted away from a complete reliance on Chinese facilities. Industry insiders reckon that the bulk of US-bound Switch 2 units will be Vietnamese-made. Like Sony, Nintendo's executive team has publicly disclosed thoughts about future price hikes—maybe following the launch of its much-anticipated "next-gen" hybrid console. Earlier this month, Microsoft upped modern Xbox portfolio price tags—affecting customers across the world.

Join us at Cooler Master HQ for an exclusive COMPUTEX experience. From cooling the demands of AI and high-performance systems to enabling everyday reliability and modular design, discover how we're shaping the future through smarter, more adaptable solutions. Cooler Master invites you to experience the future of tech—live from our headquarters. As the tech landscape evolves, we're pushing cooling further: powering the rise of AI, delivering smarter performance for everyday systems, and unlocking new possibilities through modular design. This year's showcase brings it all together under one vision.

One Cooler Master—Where Cooling Drives the Future
It's the fusion of our industrial and consumer expertise. For over 30 years, we've built advanced cooling solutions for businesses, including: AI data centers, telecom, and mobile—then brought that same innovation to gamers, creators, and everyday users. One Cooler Master reflects our unified vision: engineering that drives performance at every level.

Acer today announced that several products have been honored with the iF Design Award 2025. This year's product design winners, all under the computer category, include the TravelMate P6 14 AI business laptop, the Aspire C Series All-in-One PCs, and the multiple-award-winning Aspire Vero 16. Notably, this marks the Aspire Vero 16 series' second iF Design Award, having first been recognized during the 2022 ballot.

This year's evaluation process was based on five criteria: idea, form, function, differentiation, and sustainability. Nearly 11,000 submissions were assessed by 131 jurors, highlighting the rigorous selection process to determine this year's award recipients. Receiving these accolades celebrates Acer's exceptional product designs and the company's efforts to align with current social trends, particularly developments in sustainability and artificial intelligence, areas that were noted to have a strong influence on product submissions across all disciplines.

Shokz, a pioneer in open-ear audio technology, is thrilled to announce its latest expansion of its quickly growing headphone line-up: the OpenDots ONE. These cutting-edge clip-on earbuds integrate Shokz's industry-leading open-ear innovation to enhance the modern lifestyle with a sleek design and premium sound.

The introduction of OpenDots ONE represents an exciting evolution for Shokz," said Roger Zhang, Head of Product Innovation at Shokz. "As our community has grown, we've seen more people using Shokz throughout everyday lives—from the gym to the office and everywhere in between. We're committed to developing products that support this expanding lifestyle segment, and OpenDots ONE was designed for those moments."

Recent trends in the NAS market and general tech market has shown a propensity to lock down their devices to prevent you from using the device you paid for as you see fit. We at ASUSTOR do not believe in locking down your NAS device. As such, all ASUSTOR NAS devices come in an unlocked state. Today, ASUSTOR is announcing its intention to continue to maintain its devices in an unlocked state for maximum freedom.

Owning Your Products!
In recent years, companies across the tech industry have announced tighter and tighter vendor lock-in requirements that are largely arbitrary in nature. This has been in the form of putting software locks that disallow the use of unauthorized software or peripherals on devices you purchase with your hard earned money. Examples of this include companies forcing use of in-house branded hardware like hard drives in a NAS, locking out third party operating systems and apps not approved by the vendor This is part of a general trend towards disposable technology, vendor lock-in, planned obsolescence, and anti-consumer practices all at an unnecessary expense to you, the consumer. At ASUSTOR, we believe that you own the hardware you purchase, and as such, ASUSTOR NAS devices come in an unlocked state. ASUSTOR NAS devices do not place arbitrary restrictions on your use of the device, while using a non-approved drive on NAS devices with vendor lock-in policies can cause error messages or loss of features like building a RAID pool or knowledge of drive health and more.

LG Electronics Inc. (LG) today announced consolidated revenue of KRW 22.74 trillion and operating profit of KRW 1.26 trillion for the first quarter of 2025. This marks the highest first-quarter revenue in the company's history and the sixth consecutive year in which operating profit surpassed KRW 1 trillion during the first quarter. Strong performance was driven by qualitative growth across key business areas, especially in B2B, non-hardware segments (such as subscriptions and webOS platform) and direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales.

Vehicle solutions and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) - both critical to LG's B2B strategy and future growth - delivered record-breaking quarterly revenue and operating profit. Combined operating profit from the Vehicle Solution Company and Eco Solution Company increased 37.2 percent year-over-year, with revenue climbing 12.3 percent.

TrendForce's latest research reveals that although the U.S. has granted a 90-day grace period before implementing reciprocal tariffs—offering temporary relief for notebook brands—the broader market remains clouded by policy and economic uncertainty. Brands began frontloading inventory in late 2024, pushing Q4 shipment growth to 5.1%, with 1Q25 seeing a 7.2% YoY increase.

However, given persistent economic weakness and rising tariff risks, TrendForce has revised the full-year 2025 notebook brand shipment growth forecast downward from 3.6% to just 1.4%.

Micron Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: MU), a leader in innovative memory and storage solutions, today announced a market segment-based reorganization of its business units to capitalize on the transformative growth driven by AI, from data centers to edge devices.

Micron has maintained multiple generations of industry leadership in DRAM and NAND technology and has the strongest competitive positioning in its history. Micron's industry-leading product portfolio, combined with world-class manufacturing execution enables the development of differentiated solutions for its customers across end markets. As high-performance memory and storage become increasingly vital to drive the growth of AI, this Business Unit reorganization will allow Micron to stay at the forefront of innovation in each market segment through deeper customer engagement to address the dynamic needs of the industry.

Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) today announced the introduction of Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic, an innovative, transparent, and strengthenable glass ceramic material to help bring advanced toughness to more mobile devices. Gorilla Glass Ceramic significantly improves drop performance on rough surfaces compared to competitive aluminosilicate glasses. The new material expands Corning's portfolio of durable cover materials for OEMs.

"Gorilla Glass has built a reputation of strength and resilience, and our new glass ceramic material continues this tradition. Designed to offer enhanced toughness, Gorilla Glass Ceramic reinforces our commitment to innovating and engineering high-quality, durable materials for display covers and enclosures," said David Velasquez, Vice President & General Manager, Corning Gorilla Glass.

Samsung Display today announced plans to boost sales of its QD-OLED for monitors to popularize this cutting-edge, self-emitting display technology. The company expects shipments of QD-OLED for monitors to grow more than 50% this year compared to last year's shipments of 1.43 million units, and is ramping up its supply to meet high consumer demand.

According to the market research firm Omdia, OLED panel monitor shipments have experienced significant growth over the past few years: 8,300 units in 2021, 160,000 units in 2022, and 820,000 units in 2023, reflecting an almost 300% annual increase from 2021 to 2024. This data highlights a rapid shift from Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) to OLED technology, largely driven by the adoption of QD-OLED. Last year, Samsung Display held a commanding 71.2% share of the OLED panels for monitors according to Omdia.

TrendForce reports that NAND Flash suppliers began reducing production in the fourth quarter of 2024, and the effects are now starting to show. In anticipation of potential U.S. tariff increases, consumer electronics brands have accelerated production, further driving up demand. Concurrently, inventory restocking is underway across the PC, smartphone, and data center sectors. As a result, NAND Flash prices are expected to stabilize in the second quarter of 2025, with prices for wafers and client SSDs projected to rise.

Client SSD prices to rise 3-8% while enterprise SSD prices to remain flat
After three consecutive quarters of inventory depletion, client SSD demand is rebounding as OEMs resume production early. The upcoming end of Windows 10 support and the launch of new-generation CPUs are expected to drive replacement demand for PCs. Meanwhile, the DeepSeek effect is accelerating the adoption of edge AI, further fueling client SSD demand. With production cuts and supply adjustments gradually restoring balance, client SSD contract prices are projected to rise 3% to 8% QoQ in Q2.

TrendForce's latest findings reveal that U.S. tariff hikes prompted most downstream brands to frontload shipments to 1Q25, accelerating inventory reduction across the memory supply chain. Looking ahead to the second quarter, conventional DRAM prices are expected to decline by just 0-5% QoQ, while average DRAM pricing including HBM is forecast to rise by 3-8%, driven by increasing shipments of HBM3e 12hi.

PC and server DRAM prices to hold steady
In response to potential U.S. tariff hikes, major PC OEMs are requesting ODMs to increase production, accelerating DRAM depletion in their inventories. OEMs with lower inventory levels may raise procurement from suppliers in Q2 to ensure stable DRAM supply for the second half of 2025.

At its annual Amplify Conference, HP Inc. today announced new products and services designed to shape the future of work, empowering people and businesses to create and manage their own way of working. The company unveiled more than 80 PCs, AI-powered print tools for SMBs, and Workforce Experience Platform enhancements all built to drive company growth and professional fulfillment.

"HP is translating AI into meaningful experiences that drive growth and fulfillment," said Enrique Lores, President and CEO at HP Inc. "We are shaping the future of work with game-changing AI innovations that seamlessly adapt to how people want to work."

TrendForce reveals that the combined revenue of the world's top 10 IC design houses reached approximately US$249.8 billion in 2024, marking a 49% YoY increase. The booming AI industry has fueled growth across the semiconductor sector, with NVIDIA leading the charge, posting an astonishing 125% revenue growth, widening its lead over competitors, and solidifying its dominance in the IC industry.

Looking ahead to 2025, advancements in semiconductor manufacturing will further enhance AI computing power, with LLMs continuing to emerge. Open-source models like DeepSeek could lower AI adoption costs, accelerating AI penetration from servers to personal devices. This shift positions edge AI devices as the next major growth driver for the semiconductor industry.

ASUS executives have warned investors that consumers may face higher prices later this year as the company accelerates its manufacturing exodus from China in response to anticipated US tariff policies. Despite efforts to absorb costs internally, ASUS acknowledged during its recent earnings call that production relocation expenses could eventually impact retail pricing. This comes as the PC industry braces for trade policy changes under the new US administration. While competitors like Dell and HP have already established diversified supply chains outside China over several years, ASUS faces the financial pressures of rapidly developing alternative production capacity. Such transitions induce significant costs beyond facility construction, including workforce training, supply chain reconfiguration, and temporary production inefficiencies.

"We will try to limit these costs to within a reasonable level. However, as we make further adjustments to production lines, it may become possible that we need to offset some of these costs to our clients," stated an ASUS co-CEO during the call. The executive noted that several competing manufacturers have already implemented price adjustments to compensate for similar expenses. ASUS wants to maintain competitive pricing despite these pressures, indicating a willingness to accept margin compression in the short term. Component-level products may experience more immediate pricing pressure than fully assembled systems, where manufacturers can partially offset tariff impacts through internal efficiencies. ASUS's cautious messaging suggests the company is attempting to balance shareholder concerns about profitability with consumer sensitivity to price increases in the competitive PC market.

It seems that Sapphire is making a return to the Mini-PC consumer market as ComputerBase discovered during Embedded World 2025 event. There, Sapphire showcased engineering samples of its new Edge AI mini-PC family. These compact computing solutions are based on the latest AMD Ryzen AI 300 series processors.. The two models in this lineup—the Edge AI 340 and 350—feature AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 and Ryzen AI 7 350 processors respectively, with the former offering 16 GB of RAM and the latter providing 32 GB, both supporting impressive 5,600 MT/s memory speeds across two SO-DIMM slots. A more powerful model featuring AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 will also be available.

Even measuring just 117 × 111 × 30 mm in size (the power supply is just a regular external adapter), the Sapphire Edge AI series features a wide range of connections. They boast two HDMI 2.1 ports, two USB4.0 ports, 2.5 GbE LAN, Wi-Fi with Bluetooth, and two extra USB ports. As for storage, there's a regular 2280 M.2 slot for SSDs, plus another 2242 slot. Accessing internal components is easy; no tools are needed, as Sapphire makes use of a magnetic case-cover. This includes access to the SO-DIMM slots and storage areas. Sapphire says these mini-PCs will hit stores worldwide by late April (no word about pricing yet), however, some regions might get different setups or bare-bones versions without pre-installed RAM and storage.

ADATA Technology Co. Ltd., the world's leading brand for memory modules and flash memory, today announced the launch of the SC730 external SSD, the industry's first ultra-compact drive featuring both USB-C and USB-A connectors in a lightweight 7.8 g form factor. Designed for seamless multi-platform connectivity, it delivers up to 600 MB/s transfer speeds, making it ideal for users on the go. The SC730 also stands out with its eco-conscious design, featuring an exterior casing made from 50% post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials, aligning with ADATA's commitment to ESG sustainability initiatives.

USB-C & USB-A Miniature Form Factor
The SC730's standout feature is its dual-interface design, supporting USB 3.2 Gen 2 to achieve 600 MB/s read and write speeds. Whether transferring high-resolution media files, gaming data, or large business projects, this SSD ensures a smooth and efficient experience. Measuring only 36 mm in length, the SC730 is even smaller than a typical USB flash drive yet delivers the advantages of dual connectivity and high-speed storage, setting a new benchmark for portable storage solutions.

Realtek Semiconductor will participate in the globally acclaimed top technology event—the Embedded World 2025 in Nuremberg, Germany, from March 11 to 13. Highlighted exhibits will include networking multimedia applications, Ethernet solutions for various transmission media, industrial Ethernet switch application solutions, as well as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi/IoT solutions. These exhibits will demonstrate Realtek's innovation in multimedia and communication networks, combined with AI-powered smart applications, providing customers with stable, reliable, and high-performance solutions.

Networked Multimedia Application
Realtek provides end customers with a highly secure, sustainably upgradeable, open-source, and shared Linux platform. Designed to meet the needs of SoCs, it leverages an advanced 12 nm process, a high-performance CPU/GPU, and Edge AI computing with NPU to fully support 4K video decoding and all HDMI 2.1 functions. It also enables audio and video transmission via DisplayPort. Additionally, the platform features high integration with multiple interfaces, including USB, PCIe, GPIO, UART, and SDIO. For system integration, Realtek incorporates its NICs (1G/2.5G/10 Gbps) and Wi-Fi/BT chips. SoCs are able to seamlessly connect to panels of various sizes via built-in MIPI or eDP, ensuring compatibility with networked multimedia applications.