X-Industry

The amount of computing power we can now squeeze into the smallest of devices is somewhat remarkable compared with what was achievable a decade ago.  Looking back even five or so years and a consumer desktop system that was the best in its class would be deemed outdated if put into a smartphone of today’s standards.  This is made possible simply because chip makers can increase the number of transistors on a chip significantly every year as developments in chip research advance.[1]

Back in 1965,

US tech firms that have received federal funding in the past will be prevented from creating advanced technology factories in China for at least a decade.  The Biden administration has announced new guidelines as part of a $53 Billion plan to build up the US national semiconductor industry.  The “brain” in every electronic device, from cars to household appliances, is predominantly manufactured in Asia, notably in Taiwan's sophisticated and immensely costly fabrication plants.

The US Chips and S

Computers need hardware, like semiconductors (chips).  Modern cars need computers and thus chips.  Subaru announced it will shut down one of its Japanese factories for more than two weeks because of the ongoing shortage of semiconductors.  The international car company will close its Yajima plant in Gunma, Japan.  The auto shut down is scheduled to begin between 10 April 2021 and the scheduled Japanese holiday of Golden Week, 29 April.  Operations will not resume until 10 May.  The factory build