Aug 27, 2026 Will Foldable Phones Make Tablets Obsolete? Foldable phones offer tablet-like displays in pocketable designs, but high prices, durability concerns, shorter battery life and limited multitasking keep them from replacing tablets. Until manufacturers make foldables more affordable, larger tablets will remain the practical choice. BGR

Sponsor Copper Stud & CTE Nano Tech Underfill AIT's proven flip-chip and BGA multi-level underfills offer both 18 ppm/°C copper CTE matching fine-pitch & nano-pitch with 10 µm & 0.3 µm respective cut-off particles. AI Technology, Inc.

North American EMS Orders Surge in July as Book-to-Bill Stands at 1.29 North American EMS demand surged in July, lifting the book-to-bill ratio to 1.29 as bookings jumped 44.3% year over year. Shipments fell 0.3% year over year, but YTD shipments rose 6.2%, signaling stronger orders and potential sales growth ahead. Global Electronics Association

Digital Warehouse Automation in High-Mix PCB Assembly High mix SMT production demands full material visibility. This white paper shows how ASTER improved traceability, inventory accuracy and FIFO control through integrated automation and reel-level tracking across warehouse operations. Technical Paper

Apple Suppliers Diverge in 1H26: Lens Profit Halves on Rising Memory Costs, Luxshare Revenue Jumps 40% Apple suppliers are feeling the memory squeeze differently. Lens Technology’s profit plunged as costs weakened demand, while Luxshare's revenue jumped 40% by diversifying into automotive and AI data centers, highlighting the value of broader markets. TrendForce

Sponsor Depaneling machine for separating circuit boards SCHUNK offers solutions for the entire spectrum of the depaneling operation — from product selection, workpiece holder solutions and optimization of milling. SCHUNK

Foxconn eyeing likely investment in Gujarat Foxconn is scouting more than 200 acres near Sanand, Ahmedabad, to establish a technology park and high-end electronics manufacturing facility. Gujarat has offered customized incentives as the company evaluates locations, potentially strengthening the state's electronics ecosystem. The Times of India

Simple Test for Flux Penetration What is a good test for flux penetration through plated hole barrels on plated through hole circuit boards? Jim Hall and PHil Zarrow, also known as The Assembly Brothers, answer this question and share their own experiences and knowledge. Board Talk

Technical Papers ■ UHDI Fabrication for IC Substrates: SAP and mSAP Processes ■ Flux-Free, Reliable, Efficient: Soldering with Formic Acid ■ Redesigning Material Logistics for High-Mix EMS Production ■ Unlocking Academic-Industry Synergy: A Collaborative Model for Hands-On Electronics Manufacturing Education ■ Viscosity Does Not Equal Rheology: What Solder Paste Measurements Really Tell You ■ Salvaging Electronic Components: A Reliable Method for Reducing Electronic Waste and Ensuring Economic Reuse ■ Digital Warehouse Automation in High-Mix PCB Assembly ■ Evaluation of Techniques for Intentional Contamination of PWB Substrates for Quantitative Cleanliness Analyses MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

Sponsor High power atmospheric plasma system Our 1000 Atmospheric Plasma System is available with PC or PLC control for lab or high speed production use with the same high powered systems. Remove contaminants and increase bond strength! Plasma Etch

Global economy 'storm-tossed' between crises and AI opportunity IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva said the global economy remains resilient despite energy shocks, inflation, debt and trade wars. She warned that renewed oil price increases could worsen inflation, while AI investment provides a powerful economic boost but creates risks. Taipei Times

Apple sets iPhone launch event for Sept. 9, first under new CEO John Ternus Apple will hold its September 9 launch event in Cupertino, teasing "Surprise and shine." Analysts expect new iPhones, Apple Watches and its first foldable phone, while Siri AI will debut. The event marks John Ternus' first as CEO. CNBC

New Approaches to Develop a Scalable 3D IC Assembly Method In this paper, we will discuss various assembly options and the challenges posed by each. Technical Paper

Sponsor Counterfeit Components Identified With X-ray Inspection Automated component sourcing and procurement platform relies on real-time X-ray inspection to remove counterfeit components from supply chain. Glenbrook Technologies

Bill Gates warns 'there is no plan' for the 'upheaval' AI will cause Bill Gates warns that AI could rapidly displace workers, widen inequality and disrupt economies without adequate preparation. He urges governments to create national and international institutions to manage employment, education, safety nets and global AI risks. CNBC

From Days to Minutes: Accelerating 3D IC Debug with Agentic AI Agentic AI is transforming semiconductor debugging by automating failure analysis, root-cause identification, fix proposals, and verification. ChipAgents reports reducing complex root-cause cycles from days to 15–60 minutes, helping engineers tackle increasingly intricate 3D IC designs. EE Times

Uni-Directional Growth of CU SN in Microbumps The growth of CuSn has been proven as a preferential growth behavior on single crystal copper. However, a layer of single crystal copper is not possible. Technical Paper

Sponsor Unlock the Potential of Salvaged Devices Component harvesting is a reliable method of electronic component reclamation, reducing e-waste and ensuring economic reuse for automated assembly. BEST Inc.

Why Automation Is Essential to Achieve EU CRA Compliance The EU Cyber Resilience Act will affect far more products than many companies expect, including legacy connected hardware and software. Manufacturers must assess risks, implement security measures, manage vulnerabilities, and plan support periods for products sold in Europe. EE Times

A New NASA Design Turbocharges Nuclear Spacecraft NASA and General Atomics engineers propose a synchronal bimodal nuclear rocket combining high-thrust nuclear thermal propulsion with continuous electric power. The design could cut crewed Mars missions to 335 days while reducing engineering and astronaut health challenges. IEEE Spectrum

Sponsor Dedicated Tool for Process Development Advanced plating capability at Uyemura Tech Center: Process Development, UBM, pilot production. ENIG, ENEPIG, EPIG/EPAG, RAIG immersion gold; all substrates. On-site analysis. Uyemura

Accelerating Silicon Design for Physical AI Physical AI demands heterogeneous architectures that balance real-time performance, power, security, and scalability. The eBook offers architects guidance on inference sizing, hardware-rooted trust, and monolithic versus chiplet designs while reducing integration risks. EE Times

Failure Analysis and Assembly of Package-On-Package Module In this paper, both failure analysis and finite element analysis (FEA) were utilized to study the thermally-induced yield loss for POP modules. Technical Paper

Gartner Survey Finds AI Spending by Customer Service Leaders Has Surged by 38%, Despite Overall Service and Support Function Budgets Rising by Just 2% Customer service leaders increased AI spending by 38% while overall support budgets grew just 2%, Gartner found. Organizations are shifting funds from labor to technology, expecting GenAI chatbots, voicebots and connected AI agents to deliver greater value. Gartner

HP inks deal with U.S.-blacklisted Huawei for licensing the Chinese company's WiFi tech HP has signed a multi-year global agreement with Huawei to license Wi-Fi patents, following a patent dispute. The deal highlights Huawei's technology reach despite U.S. restrictions, while HP stressed it does not signal a broader partnership. CNBC

Sponsor iX7059 Series by Viscom: Inline X-ray Inspection Power High-performance Inline X-ray Inspection Systems for complex electronics, semiconductors, and power modules up to 200 kg. Seamless integration, AI-powered accuracy, and maximum reliability for every application. Viscom

China proposes new safety rules for autonomous vehicles and electric bicycles China's proposed Road Traffic Safety Law revision would regulate autonomous vehicles, distracted driving and electric bikes. The draft makes manufacturers liable for violations during autonomous operation, raises e-bike speed limits and toughens penalties for unsafe driving. China Daily