Russian Silicon Valley

Russian Silicon Valley
by Daniel Nenni on 11-14-2010 at 6:22 pm

In case you missed it, last June Dmitry Medvedev (the 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] President of Russia) visited Northern California to better understand and hopefully replicate the success of Silicon Valley in Russia. Last month Governor Schwarzenegger returned the favor by visiting Moscow with a delegate of Silicon Valley business leaders… Read More


TSMC Versus Intel?

TSMC Versus Intel?
by Daniel Nenni on 11-07-2010 at 7:18 pm


The big announcement last week was Intel opening up its 22nm manufacturing facilities to an outside company. Even better it’s an FPGA company. There are literally hundreds of write ups on this landmark event so it is definitely blog worthy. But what does it really mean? I have read (5) possibilities:

(1) Intel enters the FPGA businessRead More


Mobile 2Drive Semi 4Ever!

Mobile 2Drive Semi 4Ever!
by Daniel Nenni on 10-30-2010 at 12:07 am

In case you didn’t notice, TSMC’s communications revenue jumped 22% last quarter for a total revenue share of 42%, and that is just the tip of the iceberg for mobile internet. According to the global marketing research company Nielsen, double digit mobile internet adoption rates are the new normal and will continue to be so in the… Read More


Steve Jobs’ 5 Minute Anti Open Systems Rant!

Steve Jobs’ 5 Minute Anti Open Systems Rant!
by Daniel Nenni on 10-24-2010 at 12:58 pm

First of all it was not a rant, it was a clearly scripted rebuttal to the competitive pressures Apple is feeling from Android (here). As I blogged before, Apple is the Open Standards Antichrist and is trying to monopolize the trillion dollar mobile internet ecosystem with a CLOSED platform. According to Steve Jobs, “Open systems… Read More


Semiconductor Supply and Demand in 2010/2011

Semiconductor Supply and Demand in 2010/2011
by Daniel Nenni on 10-22-2010 at 6:41 pm


The semiconductor analysts are at it again, revising numbers, polishing their guesstimates, and patting each other on the back for being equally as inaccurate. I blame these crystal ball hacks for the semiconductor shortages and price hikes we are experiencing today.

These people get paid to guide investors, and the industry… Read More


Semiconductor Forecast: 2010 Boom – 2011 Bust?

Semiconductor Forecast: 2010 Boom – 2011 Bust?
by Daniel Nenni on 10-15-2010 at 6:34 pm


Again, my economic bellwether is TSMC, and judging by the first half, 2010 will go down as one of the most profitable years the semiconductor industry has ever seen. In the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] quarter the foundries again posted record breaking wafer shipments, revenues, and profits. 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] quarter foundry financials should… Read More


Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation 2010

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation 2010
by Daniel Nenni on 10-13-2010 at 11:01 pm

In celebrating the 10th anniversary of SMIC, CEO David Wang ushers in a new era of China semiconductor manufacturing with triumphs versus promises. By triumphs David means profits, which SMIC saw for the first time in Q2 2010. The future looks even brighter for SMIC as the China semiconductor demand versus supply gap is an estimated… Read More


TSMC OIP Conference 2010 Critique!

TSMC OIP Conference 2010 Critique!
by Daniel Nenni on 10-10-2010 at 10:18 pm

Okay, this is more of a, “What I would do if I was TSMC” than a critique, but I needed a one word descriptor for the title. This was the third TSMC OIP Conference and I would guess about 250 people attended. This was the first time I have seen TSMC in “reactive” mode versus “proactive” leadership mode, so I was a bit disappointed. TSMC is … Read More


Semiconductor Forecast 2010-2011 Update!

Semiconductor Forecast 2010-2011 Update!
by Daniel Nenni on 10-03-2010 at 10:35 pm

It’s that time of the quarter again, where the semiconductor analysts revise forecasts, passing off glorified guesstimates as valid financial planning data. They aren’t forecasts! They are observations! I blame these hacks for the 12.5% Silicon Valley unemployment rate! I blame these hacks for the dwindling available capitol… Read More


TSMC GigaFab Tour!

TSMC GigaFab Tour!
by Daniel Nenni on 10-01-2010 at 9:44 am

During my most recent Taiwan trip I was not only afforded a meeting with Dr Mark Liu, Sr VP of TSMC, a guided tour of GigaFab #12 was also included. Even more impressive, I’m now considered “Elite” by Eva Airlines so I automatically get the good seats, better food, and VIP service. My wife, however, is not impressed with my Elite status… Read More