consumer electronics

Global Lighting Technologies (GLT) has introduced new LED-based high-brightness backlights as thin as 0.4mm or less.

The harsh memory market has once again strongly impacted the overall semiconductor. The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reported worldwide sales of semiconductors in January reached US$21.5 billion, a 0.3% increase on January 2007 results of US$21.47 billion and a 3.6% decrease on December 2007 results of US$22.3 billion.

A panel of industry watchers chime in with their thoughts on what 2008 holds for the semiconductor industry.

The Bromine Science and Environmental Forum (BSEF) is turning the tables on Greenpeace, questioning the environmental group’s comments on the use of brominated flame retardants (BFR) in electronics. Greenpeace has been targeting electronics manufacturers that use BFRs for fire prevention in their products, including Apple and Microsoft. BSEF claims that such targeting, however, is irresponsible as BFRs discourage the fire danger electronics can pose if they overheat.

Apple Inc. is once again being bitten by Greenpeace, this time for materials used in the high-demand iPhone handset.

AMD announced an agreement to license cutting-edge graphics core technology to QUALCOMM Incorporated, a leading developer and innovator of advanced wireless technologies and mobile data solutions, for next-generation chipsets.

The latest in Apple Inc.’s Nano family isn’t just new to the line; it’s virtually a completely new design, according to a recent iSuppli Corp. teardown of the portable media player. The research firm said that the new Nano reuses almost no components and includes a bevy of new suppliers compared to the previous model.

Philips New Zealand has appointed Meech Aspden as its new CEO. Formerly a New Zealand resident, Ms Aspden takes on this position following eight years in Hong Kong and Singapore working primarily for Philips in several senior management roles.

Aerospace and defence projects, such as radar and satellite system deployments, often require many years of planning, research and development across several geographic regions. These projects require reliable test and measurement solutions that can adapt through time and are available in small form factor for easy worldwide deployment.

Royal Philips Electronics announced its next steps to grow the company further in the areas of Healthcare, Lighting and Consumer Lifestyle.

Worldwide semiconductor sales saw a boost in July, growing 2.2% year-over-year from July 2006 and 3.2% from June sales to $20.6 billion, according to a report released by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).

25 years ago, on August 17, 1982, Royal Philips Electronics manufactured the world’s first compact disc at a Philips factory in Langenhagen, just outside of Hanover, Germany. The invention of the CD ushered in a technological revolution in the music industry as CDs—with their superior sound quality and scratch free durability—marked the beginning of the shift from analogue to digital music technology.

Apple Inc.’s stock price hit a new record high in trading after the company’s fiscal Q3 report bested analyst estimates and revealed a whopping 73% year-over-year profit growth.