February 19, 2026

Apple Is Quietly Working On These Three New AI Wearable Devices Apple is actively developing three AI-powered wearable devices: smart glasses, a clip-on pendant, and upgraded AirPods. According to Bloomberg, all devices will rely on an iPhone connection, signaling Apple's strong push into the wearable AI market. BGR

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VIEWPOINT 2026: Joel Scutchfield, General Manager, Koh Young America Looking to 2026, electronics manufacturers will face a familiar squeeze: tighter margins, higher quality expectations, smaller geometries, and fewer experienced hands on the line. The opportunity is not collecting more information, but converting trusted measurement data into decisions that keep production stable. ... Koh Young America

How pH Cleaning Agents Affect Production Performance Establishing a reliable cleaning process requires a good understanding of all influencing factors, including pH, and defining the correct balance to meet final product reliability. Technical Paper

Why India joining this U.S.-led tech alliance could help supply chains India will join the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative, strengthening Washington's push to secure silicon supply chains and shape global access to advanced chips and AI infrastructure. The move deepens U.S.-India tech ties as geopolitical competition over AI hardware intensifies. CNBC

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The Global Electronics Association and ISC3 Announce Strategic Partnership to Advance Circular and Sustainable Electronics The Global Electronics Association Europe and International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre launched a strategic partnership to advance circular, sustainable electronics, kicking off with an April 24, 2026 Brussels workshop to drive practical, industry-led solutions. Global Electronics Association

How the Chip Shortage Reshaped the Electronics Supply Chain The global chip shortage that started in 2020 sent shockwaves through the electronics manufacturing industry, disrupting production lines and forcing companies to rethink their supply chain strategies. This shortage not only delayed production but also highlighted critical vulnerabilities in the electronics supply chain. Technical Paper

Technical Papers ■ Engineering ESD-Safe PCB Assembly for High-Reliability IoT and Industrial Electronics ■ The Analysis of Variance: Drawing Conclusions from Data That Are Correct, Unambiguous, and Defensible ■ PCB Rework Evolves, With X-ray a Constant Support ■ How pH Cleaning Agents Affect Production Performance ■ A Universal AI-Powered Segmentation Model for PCBA & Semiconductor ■ RAIG Minimizes Corrosion, Allows Higher Gold on ENEPIG ■ High Reliability Lead-Free Solder Paste with Rosin and Anti-Crack Resin ■ Understanding Solder Dross: Causes and Control Strategies ■ Optimizing BGA Rework: Challenges, Techniques and Quality Control ■ Maintenance: The Basics of Cleaning Series Part 4 MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

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RAM Shortage Could Kill Products, Companies by H2 2026 Phison CEO Pua Khein-Seng warns that AI-driven RAM shortages could push some electronics makers into bankruptcy by late 2026. As hyperscalers divert memory to AI infrastructure, consumer device manufacturers face soaring costs, shrinking margins, and potential collapse. The Tech Buzz

The hidden risk of driving a car that runs on someone else's code After Fisker's 2024 bankruptcy left Ocean SUVs immobilized by failed software, the auto industry confronts a harsh reality: modern vehicles depend on cloud servers and updates. Earlier collapses like Better Place show how digital infrastructure failures can brick cars despite intact hardware. TechSpot

Process Control of Ionic Contamination in Assembly of Electronic Circuits This paper reviews a testing protocol based on IPC-TM 650 2.3.25 to enable monitoring of ionic contamination within series production. Technical Paper

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How China Struggles to Reach WFE Self-Sufficiency China is reportedly requiring new fabs to source at least 50% of wafer fabrication equipment domestically, aiming to boost self-sufficiency amid sanctions. While authorities allow flexibility for advanced nodes, rising spending increasingly favors local toolmakers over foreign suppliers. EE Times

Robots pave way for trillion-dollar market Barclays PLC analysts predict AI-powered robots and autonomous machines could become a trillion-dollar market by 2035. Autonomous vehicles will lead growth, followed by drones and humanoids, as automakers and tech firms like Tesla & Amazon expand physical AI deployment. Taipei Times

How To Rework Warped PCBAs? From a large lot, 20 populated boards with components of varied heights on both sides are warped. What methods can they use to flatten them? Board Talk

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Microsoft's Brad Smith says U.S. tech should 'worry a little' about Chinese firms' government subsidies Microsoft President Brad Smith warned U.S. tech firms to worry about Chinese AI subsidies, citing Beijing's funding model that helped Huawei expand globally, as lower-cost Chinese AI tools gain traction across developing markets. CNBC

Remote Work Is Making a Major Comeback — Here's What That Means for You Remote work is poised for a strong resurgence over the next decade as younger leaders replace older executives. Embracing flexibility and modern work values, this new generation is expected to expand work-from-home policies and reshape traditional workplace norms. Entrepreneur

Sponsor Introducing our new Board to Board Connectors These new Board to Board Connectors feature pitch sizes from 0.50 mm to 1.00 mm with multi-pitch and custom pitch designs available. Designed for long-life applications and robust handling. Advanced Interconnections Corp

Meta signs major Nvidia deal to power AI data centers with Blackwell and Rubin GPUs Meta Platforms has signed a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar deal with Nvidia to buy millions of GPUs and CPUs for global AI data centers, adopt Confidential Computing for WhatsApp, and expand privacy-enhanced AI, while continuing development of its in-house MTIA chips. TechSpot

Novel Pogo-Pin Socket Design for Automated Linearity Testing A novel pogo-pin block array and corresponding motorized test socket has been designed to stimulate the MCM and acquire full functional test data. Technical Paper

Tech Is Taking Over Olympic Curling A disputed double-touch at the Italy Winter Olympics has intensified debate as AI-driven analytics and curling robots like Curly reshape the sport. While teams chase data-powered gains, athletes and ethicists warn that algorithms threaten curling's long-cherished Spirit of fair play. IEEE Spectrum

Refurbished PC sales surge in Europe as memory shortages drive up prices Europe's memory crunch drives consumers toward refurbished tech, with UK second-hand PC sales doubling in late 2025. Rising RAM prices, GPU hikes, and supply shortages boost demand for affordable devices, while upcoming EU right-to-repair laws are set to accelerate the trend. TechSpot

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Nvidia China Gamble Meets Washington's Regime After three years of restrictions, the Trump administration reopened China to U.S. chipmakers like Nvidia & AMD under strict tariffs & export caps. New compliance, congressional scrutiny & supply constraints now tie Chinese AI access to U.S. demand, reshaping global semiconductor trade. EE Times