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  • TSMC Warns a Chinese Invasion of Taiwan Would Shut It Down

    TSMC Warns a Chinese Invasion of Taiwan Would Shut It Down

    TSMC is sounding the warning about a potential Chinese invasion, saying such an eventually would effectively shut down the chipmaker.

    TSMC is the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturer, with its chips used in smartphones, computers, and other products. Apple, Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, Nvidia, and MediaTek are just a few of the companies that rely on TSMC’s foundries, as do many Chinese companies. With the ongoing threat of a Chinese invasion, companies and governments are increasingly concerned about what the impact would be.

    In an interview with CNN, TSMC Chair Mark Liu directly addressed the concerns, saying an invasion would hurt everyone.

    “The war brings no winners, everybody’s losers,” Liu said.

    When asked if China would consider invading Taiwan specifically to control TSMC, which it relies on heavily for its semiconductors, Liu made it clear that controlling TSMC by force would not work.

    “Nobody can control TSMC by force,” Liu added. “If you take a military force or invasion, you will render TSMC factory not operable. Because this is such sophisticated manufacturing facilities, it depends on the real-time connection with the outside world, with Europe, with Japan, with US, from materials to chemicals to spare parts to engineering software and diagnosis.

    “If you take it over by force, it can no longer make it operable.”

    The interview comes at a time when House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is visiting the island, bringing condemnation from China and a warning of “targeted military operations.”

  • Chinese Economist: China ‘Must Seize TSMC’ If the West Imposes Sanctions

    Chinese Economist: China ‘Must Seize TSMC’ If the West Imposes Sanctions

    TSMC is once again factoring into geopolitical posturing, with a Chinese economist saying the country should invade Taiwan and seize TSMC in the event of sanctions.

    TSMC is the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturer, responsible for making chips for some of the biggest names in the industry, including Apple, Qualcomm, Nvidia, Intel, AMD, and others. Concerns have been mounting over China’s posturing regarding “reunification” with the island. Given TSMC’s prominence in the tech industry, should China take over Taiwan, TSMC falling under Chinese control would send ripples throughout the tech industry and the world at large.

    The concerns run deep enough that, according to The Register, a US Army War College paper suggested that Taiwan should destroy TSMC in the event of a Chinese invasion. Now The Register is reporting that a top Chinese economist is saying that China should invade Taiwan and seize TSMC if the US and its allies impose the kind of sanctions on China that Russia is currently under.

    The comments were made in a speech by Chen Wenling, chief economist for the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, at the China-US forum that was hosted by Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China. Chen said that if the West imposed sanction on China, like those Russia is under, China “must recover Taiwan” and “seize TSMC, a company that originally belonged to China.”

    It’s a safe bet Chen’s speech will only flame further doubt and angst over TSMC’s future.

  • Taiwan Claims to Have Enough Water to Keep Chip Industry Going…For Now

    Taiwan Claims to Have Enough Water to Keep Chip Industry Going…For Now

    The Taiwanese government has offered assurances there is enough water to keep the country’s chipmaking industry running till May.

    Taiwan has become one of the most important semiconductor manufacturing hubs in the world. TSMC is one of the biggest chipmakers, relied on by companies across a number of industries. That demand is at a record high, with multiple industries impacted by shortages.

    Unfortunately, Taiwan is currently in the midst of its worst drought in 56 years, impacting the water supply that’s available for a number of critical industries, including semiconductor manufacturing.

    According to Bloomberg, the government has offered reassurances the country has enough water to last until May. At that time, the yearly monsoons should alleviate the drought, although experts are already warning rainfall may fall short of historical levels.

    In the meantime, manufacturing at TSMC has not yet been impacted, and the company says it has contingency plans in place.

  • Not So Fast: Tesla Plows Into Overturned Truck in Autopilot Failure

    Not So Fast: Tesla Plows Into Overturned Truck in Autopilot Failure

    Autonomous driving critics were handed another example supporting their skepticism, as a Tesla Model 3 plowed into an overturned truck.

    The accident occurred in Taiwan, on the National Highway 1. In video provided by a Twitter user, a truck is clearly overturned in the far left lane. Rather than braking or moving to avoid it, the Tesla continues toward it at full speed, with only a single attempt at braking shortly before the impact. Whether that was the Autopilot system or the driver attempting to brake at the last minute remains to be seen. Whatever the case, it was too little, too late.

    In the second video in the Twitter thread, the Tesla is shown completely impacted into the roof of the overturned truck. Even more distributing, despite the crash occurring at reasonably high speeds, the Tesla’s airbag doesn’t seem to have deployed.

    As Jalopnik points out, this isn’t the first time this kind of accident has happened, as Tesla’s Autopilot system seems to have trouble discerning large, immovable objects in its way.

    Needless to say, Tesla will need to make some serious improvements to its system before Autopilot can be completely trusted.

  • Google Shutting Down China Offices Due to Coronavirus

    Google Shutting Down China Offices Due to Coronavirus

    The Verge is reporting that Google is taking the drastic step of temporarily shutting down all of its China offices in the face of the coronavirus.

    Google confirmed to The Verge Wednesday that it was shutting down all of its offices in mainland China, as well as its Hong Kong and Taiwan locations. The company has also placed temporary travel restrictions on flying to either China or Hong Kong.

    The move comes as the Chinese government works to contain the outbreak. The government has been encouraging citizens to minimize travel and try to stay indoors as much as possible. Corporate offices were already closed during the extended Lunar Year Holiday, but Google is keep them closed longer in an effort to help protect employees.

    It’s still unclear the level of impact the virus will have on industry and finance, but Google is just the latest company to take defensive measures in response to the outbreak.

  • Netflix Is Launching In These Countries In Early 2016

    Netflix Is Launching In These Countries In Early 2016

    Netflix announced that it will launch in South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan in early 2016. The news follows a September 2 launch in Japan, which was the company’s first launch in Asia.

    The company reaffirmed its plans to complete a global rollout by the end of next year.

    “The combination of increasing Internet speeds and ubiquity of connected devices provides consumers with the anytime, anywhere ability to enjoy their favorite TV shows and movies on the Netflix service,” said CEO Reed Hastings. “These four markets well represent those trends.”

    “Netflix will be available at launch on smart TVs, tablets and smartphones, computers and a range of Internet-capable game consoles and set-top boxes,” the company says. “Additional details on pricing, programming and supported devices will be available at a later date.”

    Netflix is poised to launch in Portugal, Italy, and Spain next month. Earlier this year, it launched in Cuba, New Zealand, and Australia.

    Image via Netflix

  • Katy Perry Dons Taiwan Flag, Sunflower Dress At Concert: Fashion Choice Or Political Stance?

    Katy Perry ignited a political controversy Tuesday night when she donned Taiwan’s flag as a cape during her concert in Taipei, as well as a dress covered in sunflowers — the symbol of Taiwan’s anti-China protest, known as the Sunflower Student Movement, last spring.

    Taiwan has been the center of controversy for some time. Many countries, including the United States, consider Taiwan an independent nation, while others believe Taiwan falls under the People’s Republic of China.

    Katy Perry has become a semi-hero in the country that firmly believes it is independent. According to Entertainment Weekly, her seemingly pro-Taiwan stance brought tears to the eyes of concert-goers and social media blew up with the news of her apparent solidarity.

    However, was Katy Perry truly making a statement about Taiwan?

    Before she started her set, Katy Perry told the audience she couldn’t speak the language.

    “I don’t even know how to speak Mandarin,” Katy Perry told concert-goers. “That’s what you speak, right?”

    The sunflower dress is not new. Katy Perry previously wore it during her Prismatic tour. Granted, donning Taiwan’s flag is, if anything, acknowledgement that the nation is sovereign. Or maybe not.

    Needless to say China pulled out its digital eraser and deleted references to Katy Perry’s makeshift cape from social media, which only fueled speculation that she was making a political stance.

    While it’s unclear whether Katy Perry was making a political statement intentionally, she has certainly not been shy about her political views. Last year, Katy joked about writing Hillary Clinton a theme song and campaigned for President Obama.

    Katy Perry has not commented on the brouhaha boiling up over a flag cape and an innocuous sunflower dress.

    Do you think Katy Perry intentionally chose her outfit to make a political stance?

  • TransAsia Airways Plane Crashes, 47 Dead

    A TransAsia Airways turboprop airplane crashed on an island near Taiwan on Wednesday, killing 47 people. The crash set buildings on fire, however no one in those buildings suffered injuries or died. The plane–a 70-seat ATR 72–was making its second attempt at landing on the island of Makong during a severe thunderstorm.

    Eleven of the TransAsia Airways passengers were transported to the nearest hospital with injuries.

    “It was thunderstorm conditions during the crash,” Hsi Wen-guang, a spokesman for the Penghu County Government Fire Bureau. “From the crash site we sent 11 people to hospital with injuries. A few empty apartment buildings adjacent to the runway caught fire, but no one was inside at the time and the fire was extinguished.”

    About 100 firefighters were sent to the scene, as well as 152 military personnel and 255 police officers. An official at the Civil Aeronautics Administration reported that the weather conditions at the time of the crash didn’t exceed international regulations for landing a plane of its size.

    TransAsia’s president, Chooi Yee-choong, has appeared on national television stations, bowing in apology for the loss of so many lives.

    “We express our deepest apologies to everyone for this unfortunate event,” he said.

    Of course this tragic TransAsia Airways plane crash comes on the heels of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 that was reportedly shot down over Ukraine, as well as Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 that disappeared without a trace back in March. It is no doubt making people from around the world rethink their travel plans.

    This TransAsia Airways plane was part of a fleet of 23 Airbus and ATR aircraft. Based in Taiwan, the airline features flights to and from mainland China, Japan, Thailand and Cambodia, as well as other Asian destinations.

    Condolences are going out from around the world to TransAsia Airways and the passengers and crew members who died on this tragic flight.

    Image via YouTube

  • XYZprinting To Launch Da Vinci 2.0 3D Printer In April

    Taiwan-based XYZprinting shook up the 3D printing industry earlier this year when it announced it would be a launching a hobbyist 3D printer for only $500. The Da Vinci sported performance on the level of a MakerBot Replicator 2 at a quarter of the price. Now the company has an even better 3D printer set to launch next month.

    XYZprinting announced this week that it will be shipping the Da Vinci 2.0 3D printer in April of this year. As its name suggests, the Da Vinci 2.0 is merely an upgraded version of the original, but it does feature some big improvements.

    To start, the Da Vinci 2.0 sports a dual extrusion head which allows it to print multi-colored objects. This alone already puts it on par with the MakerBot Replicator 2X. Unfortunately, the dual extruder head comes at the expense of a slightly smaller build volume when compared to the original. The original Da Vinci had a build volume of 200x200x200mm while the Da Vinci 2.0 has a build volume of 150x200x200mm.

    The Da Vinci 2.0 isn’t the only new 3D printer out of XYXprinting this year. The company will also be releasing the Da Vinci 2.1 – a Da Vinci 2.0 with even more features. While the two will be mostly the same, the 2.1 features a 5-inch color touch panel, multi-language display, cloud database access and more.

    Here are the specs for both printers:

    XYZprinting To Launch Da Vinci 2.0 3D Printer In April

    The Da Vinci 2.0 will retail for $649 when it launches in April, and the Da Vinci 2.1 will retail for $999. Both are significantly cheaper than the competition and should provide an inexpensive entry point for those interested in 3D printing. Of course, the original $500 Da Vinci 1.0 will still be available as well for those who want an even cheaper option.

    [h/t: 3ders]
    Image via XYZprinting

  • Giant Rubber Duck Explodes In Taiwan [VIDEO]

    A giant inflatable yellow duck measuring about 18 meters suddenly burst on Tuesday under unclear circumstances, leaving the locals, organizers and its designer disappointed. The organizers could not exactly tell what had caused the collapse but speculation is that it was attacked by eagles. One tourist claimed she saw something similar to an eagle scratching the giant duck with its claws.

    There is another theory that suggests the duck burst from internal pressure due to heat from the sun after days of cold and rainy conditions. No official cause for the burst has been announced yet. “We haven’t found the cause of the burst. We will carefully examine the duck to determine the cause,” explained Keelung City’s Council Speaker Huang Ching-ta

    The duck was designed by the Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman to remind people to be conscious of each other and the environment. Sadly, giant version of a popular bath toy only lasted only 11 days after arriving in Keelung City Harbor. However, all is not lost for fans as the city has announced that it will  replace the floating art installation as early as Saturday. “We want to apologize to the fans of the yellow rubber duck,” said Ching-ta.

    The duck arrived in Taiwan in September and stirred up a craze. It was first docked at Kaohsiung City before being taken to Taoyuan and finally to Keelung where it burst. Other versions of the famous duck have been set up temporarily in such cities as Osaka, Beijing, Sao Paolo, Sydney and Amsterdam.  This is not the first time a similar incident as happened. In 2009 the giant duck met its demise after being stabbed by a vandal in Belgium.

    Watch the giant duck explode

    Image via YouTube

  • Giant Rubber Duckie Deflates in Taiwan

    A giant, inflatable yellow duck burst this week in Taiwan.

    The duck was modeled after the popular “rubber duckie” bath tody design and had been floating in a Keelung City, Taiwan port for 11 days prior to New Year’s Eve. According to a Straits Times report, the duck was created by a Dutch artist and was to have been part of a local New Year’s celebration that evening.

    Event organizers have yet to determine the cause of the incident, but have stated that they will “carefully examine” the duck’s remains to try and find out. According to a BBC News report on popped bird, the theory that the duck was attacked by eagles is being thrown around.

    The nearly 60-foot-tall duck burst sometime around noon on New Year’s day. Video of the incident has surfaced online, showing a giant rip opening up across the bird’s right side before it quickly deflates in front of a disappointed crowd:

    Oddly enough, this is the second time a giant yellow duck has deflated in Taiwan in the past two months. The first incident occurred in November and was caused by an earthquake.

  • The Cheap Asian 3D Printer Rivals Are Here

    Over the last few years, we’ve seen the price of 3D printers drop dramatically as key patents expire or the cost of components decrease. They still cost quite a bit of money, however, as much of the manufacturing and labor takes place in the U.S. Now Asian rivals, complete with cheaper labor costs, are trying to muscle their way into the market.

    New Kinpo Group, an electronics manufacturer out of Taiwan, has announced its first 3D printer – the da Vinci. It’s very similar to the Makerbot Replicator 2 and even has a similar build volume of 20x20x20 cm. Here are the full specs:

  • Technology: FFF (FUSED FILAMENT FABRICATION)
  • Maximum build volume (WxHxD): 7.8W X 7.8H X 7.8D INCH (20 X 20 X 20 CM)
  • Printing Mode: FINE: 0.1 MM (100 MICRONS); STD: 0.2 MM (200 MICRONS); SPEED: 0.3 MM (300 MICRONS);
  • ULTRA FAST: 0.4 MM (400 MICRONS)
  • Print Head: SINGLE NOZZLE
  • Nozzle Diameter: 0.4 MM
  • Print Speed: 150 MM/s
  • Filament Diameter: 1.75 MM
  • Print Material: ABS

    • The da Vinci’s similarity to the Makerbot Replicator 2 is no accident. In fact, New Kinpo Group explicitly called out Makerbot as its main rival and vowed to sell 100,000 units in 2014. If successful, it will beat out Makerbot in global sales of 3D printers.

    To beat Makerbot, the da Vinci is going to have be pretty affordable. Well, it certainly is that as the da Vinci only costs $499 in Taiwan and will remain at that price when it launches in the U.S. early next year. It also has a few more models in the works that will add even more functionality over what Makerbot currently offers at a price cheaper than the Replicator 2’s price tag of $1,299.

    While Kinpo may be the first Asian 3D printer manufacturer with global ambitions, it is not the first. As we move into 2014 and onward, expect to see more Asian electronics firms getting into 3D printing. These devices will be far cheaper than their American rivals and may help to get desktop 3D printers into even more homes. The only question now is whether or not these Asian-made 3D printers will be able to offer the same build quality as their American counterparts while keeping prices low.

    [Image: xyzprinting]
    [h/t: 3ders]

  • Typhoon Fitow Pummels China’s Coast

    The east coast of China sustained the ravages of Typhoon Fitow, having been warned of the impending storm Sunday by the National Meteorological Centre in a red alert (the highest level). The typhoon is expected to weaken quickly as it makes its way northwest. Above is some raw footage of the typhoon.

    Thousands of citizens were evacuated, according to Xinhua news agency. Zhejiang province evacuated 574,000 and Fujian province evacuated 177,000. Fitow hits a mere two weeks after the region suffered Typhoon Usagi, which left at least 25 dead in southern China.

    The storm bore down on coastal towns with 94 mph winds and pummeling rains, hitting Fujian province early Monday and causing mass blackouts. Flood control authorities reported that some houses had collapsed due to the winds in Cangnan County, Zhejiang province. Authorities have been advised to check the safety of dams, reservoirs and chemical plants should the storm have compromised their integrity.

    A few injuries and missing persons have been reported. In Cangnan County, a boy was injured by flying glass. In the Zhejiang city of Wenzhou, two port workers are considered missing and may have been swept into the sea. Fishermen were urged to return to port as harbor facilities and sea walls were prepared for high tides before Fitow made landfall.

    Xinhua reports Fitow as the 23rd storm to abuse China in 2013. It traveled through the southern Okinawan island chain of Japan and past the north of Taiwan. There was little concern that the storm would make landfall in Japan or Taiwan though wild weather and power outages did affect some areas.

    Transportation was affected, flights and ferries cancelled as the storm traveled past Taiwan and on to China, and bullet train services in Zhejiang, Fujian and Jiangxi province cities.

    [Image via YouTube.]

  • Woman Quits Job: Viral Star’s Company Responds

    Next Media Animation, the company that got a resignation video from employee Marina Shifrin in the form of a dance to a Kanye West song, has responded to the video which has now gone viral.

    Mark Simon, a spokesperson for the company, wrote a letter to Gawker explaining that the company was getting a bad rap due to Shifrin’s video and said he wanted to clear things up. Shifrin, a young American woman working in their Taiwan office, has said she’ll be moving back to the U.S. after quitting. Her reasons for leaving include the company’s practice of valuing page views for their animated videos over quality.

    “I work for an awesome company that makes news videos. I have put my entire life into this job, but my boss only cares about quantity, how fast we write and how many views each video gets,” Marina Shifrin says on YouTube. “I believe it’s more important to focus on the quality of the content. When you learn to improve this, the views will come. Here is a little video I made explaining my feelings.”

    The video now has over 5 million page views and counting and has been shared on over 500 sites. Below is Simon’s letter in full.

    I am the one who hired Marina Shifrin, who danced her way to fame in her resignation video which she sent to Gawker.

    Currently, I am one of the senior executives of the group and she reports up to the folks who work for me. Marina actually thinks enough of me to have given me a call the Thursday before she released this to say that she was resigning, which I appreciated. I asked her to tell her bosses, as I took our call to be in confidence. The first her boss saw was the video.

    Look, I actually like Marina a great deal. Marina herself has said we are a great company to work for, and I do not think she intended to hurt anyone, but it has happened.

    There are a few things I would like just make a point of and if there is an interest I will be happy to be asked any question. (We do not have a PR department and we are wide open to any and all questions).

    There is an image now of a sweat shop, we are not. Marina made USD$42k per year. She had a 40 hr work week, 5 days a week. There is no expectation of OT on our behalf, you finish your shift and leave. In our office most folks leave when their shift is up as you work on news flow.

    Also we ask journalists to work one month per year on the midnight shift as we just need to cover the shift. We pay a differential of 30% for these hours, which I know are hard hours to work.

    Look, we do news animations. We are not investigative reporters. Two international outlets have asked us for comment, and her video is up on nearly 300 sites. We think we have something to say about this and we are hoping Gawker will have us.

    I am not looking to slam her, nor am I engaged in anything but trying to help some other managers in their early 30’s, understand why the young lady they hung out with just cashiered them. I don’t think she meant for it to be seen as so harsh, but we are getting some nasty attacks on our managers, who she says she respects.

    I just want any chance to answer any questions, answer anything on Skype or on phone.

    I am not spitting nastiness at Marina, but in her 9 months with us we sent her to Hong Kong twice, to Thailand for a media conference, and she just came back a month ago from two weeks in LA and NYC where she was pitching animation stories. She logged 170 hours the last 3 months in creative time working up ideas to pitch. She is a hard worker, but I cannot foresee results or always give her the best story of the day.

    We let her talk to all the press she wanted, we encouraged her stand-up, and frankly my folks in Taiwan are a bunch of granola’s… They are nice folks. We have 600 employees and I have not one outstanding case in labor tribunal. That is no small feat in Taiwan.

    I though Gawker played this fair and so if anyone wants anything we are open.

    Thanks

    Mark

  • Foxconn Could Become Mobile Provider in Taiwan

    Foxconn Technology Group, the manufacturer of Apple’s iPhone and iPad products, is looking to take its business beyond manufacturing. In addition to media and software investments, the company could soon become a mobile carrier in China.

    The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Foxconn has applied for a 4G LTE mobile spectrum license in Taiwan. If the company qualifies, it will bid against other qualified companies in a September spectrum auction. According to the Journal, Taiwan’s current mobile carriers only provide 3G data at this time.

    Foxconn’s moves into software and wireless come as PC hardware sales have begun to slow. In addition to its lucrative iPhone and iPad manufacturing deals, Foxconn also manufactures PCs and electronics for companies such as Microsoft, Sony, Nokia, Dell, HP, and Amazon.

    According to the Wall Street Journal, Foxconn’s earnings growth has also slowed due to rising employment costs in mainland China. Pressure on Apple and other electronics companies has resulted in audits that have forced Foxconn to improve working conditions in its factories. Factory workers themselves have also taken matters into their own hands, rioting and striking for better conditions, hours, and training.

    The mobile market in China, and Taiwan in particular, is growing rapidly. China is expected to overtake the U.S. and the top global smartphone market in 2013.

    (via Wall Street Journal)

  • HTC Cuts Shipment Outlook, Suspends Development on Some New Models

    DigiTimes, a Tiawanese publication that monitors technology manufacturing supply chains, reports this week that HTC has shifted its product outlook for 2013, preparing investors for a tough coming year.

    Citing unnamed “industry sources,” the report states that the device manufacturer has cut its smartphone shipment increase in half, down to 10-15% from 20-30%. In addition, the company is reported to have suspended development on “a number” of new models that were set to launch in 2013.

    2012 was a tough year for HTC. The Taiwanese smartphone maker saw its share of global smartphone shipments fall to 7.3% in the third quarter of 2012, down from 11.8% in 2011. In addition, the company’s profits in the third quarter of 2013 were down 79% from the third quarter of 2011.

    Most of the reason for HTC’s poor performance can be attributed to Apple’s continued dominance in the smartphone market, as well as Samsung’s rise this year as the top Android handset manufacturer and Apple’s main competition. HTC’s flagship Android smartphone, the HTC One X, launched on only a few U.S. carriers and failed to gain popularity in the country as Samsung’s Galaxy S III sales began to skyrocket. HTC also released several Windows Phone 8 smartphones which, while scoring high in customer satisfaction, were doomed to relatively poor sales along with other Windows Phone 8 devices.

    HTC isn’t alone in its smartphone struggles. Nokia has also bet big on Windows Phone 8 taking off while watching its smartphone market share plunge, and RIM is hoping that its upcoming BlackBerry 10 launch will save it from obsolescence and bankruptcy. Next year will see the sorting out which companies have the designs and technology to challenge the big two of Apple and Samsung.

    (via BGR)

  • Apple TV May Come In Sizes Ranging From 46 To 55 Inches [Rumor]

    The Apple TV is already a thing, but people are still holding out for an actual television from the hardware giant. Rumors of an Apple HDTV have been around for years, but 2012 saw a decided jump in reports and rumors. Now at the end of the year, it’s looking more and more like Apple really is making some televisions.

    A report out of Focus Taiwan says that Foxconn is now testing several hardware designs for an Apple TV. The rumor states that Apple’s current TVs are being tested with displays ranging from 46 inches to 55 inches. The LCD panels for the televisions would come from either Japanese or Taiwanese companies.

    That being said, the rumors point to Sharp being the LCD panel supplier for Apple’s first real dive into the television market. The reasoning is that Foxconn’s chairman Terry Gou holds a stake in Sharp. Even then, the report states that it’s not yet known who exactly is providing the LCD panels.

    So, when can we expect to see an Apple TV unveiled or even mentioned? The report points to CES as a likely option, but Apple has traditionally avoided the trade show. The company usually opts to host its own events, but an Apple TV would most likely destroy the competition if it were to be shown at the largest consumer electronics trade show in the world.

    As for when the devices will actually be made available, the report says it’s “unlikely” for shipments to “begin as soon as the end of the year.” If true, we probably won’t see an Apple TV until 2014.

    It should be noted that all of this is just a rumor at this point. None of it has been confirmed and Apple has been famously tight lipped over the potential existence of an Apple TV. It’s looking like we won’t know for sure until next year, and even then, I wouldn’t expect it to be announced at CES. Apple always holds an event early in the year, however, and an Apple TV could be on the menu.

    [h/t: AppleInsider]

  • YouTube Presents Hosts First Ever Chinese-Speaking Band, Mayday

    YouTube Presents Hosts First Ever Chinese-Speaking Band, Mayday

    YouTube Presents, the site’s exclusive concert series, has been around for just under a year and half. In that time, they’ve hosted performances from Taylor Swift, Florence + The Machine, Common, The Shins, Justin bieber, and Blondie. Today, YouTube is announcing the next band that will be featured on the series.

    Mayday, a five-piece alternative rock band from Taiwan will perform at YouTube HQ on Wednesday, November 28th at 7pm PT. Mayday will be the first ever Chinese-speaking band to perform as part of the YouTube Presents series.

    If you like what you hear, you can enter to join the band in a Google+ Hangout following the concert:

    “After the concert at 8:30pm PT, Mayday will hold a Hangout with fans on Google+. To get a chance at joining this Hangout, post a question you want to ask the band with the tag #HangoutsWithMayday on Google+. Seven lucky fans will be invited to participate,” says YouTube.

    Mayday has sold over one million albums and is one of the most popular bands in Chinese rock.

    You can check out the livestream on the YouTube Presents channel.

  • Senkaku Islands Landing Highlights Japan-China Tensions

    Japanese nationalists have highlighted tensions between Japan and China by landing on the disputed Senkaku Islands and raising the Japanese flag.

    According to Japan Times, members of the nationalist group called Gambare Nippon were protesting in response to a similar demonstration by pro-Beijing protesters last week. The pro-Beijing protest was scheduled to coincide with the anniversary of Victory Over Japan Day, the day the Japanese surrendered and ended World War II.

    The islands, called Senkaku in Japan, Diaoyu in China, and Tiaoyutai in Taiwan, were returned to Japanese control by the United States in 1971 with the passage of the Okinawa Treaty. China and Taiwan, however, both claim the islands as well, citing maps from the 18th century that show the islands on Chinese maps. Despite political disagreements between China and Taiwan, both agree that the Senkaku islands are a part of Taiwan. Japan does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation.

    The according to Japan Times, the Japanese nationalists spent around five hours on a Senkaku island while the Japanese Coast Guard broadcasted demands for them to leave the island. Several of the protesters were politicians from Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture. In the end, the protesters boarded ships back to the Japanese mainland, where they were questioned by authorities.

    Though Japan and China have a centuries-long history of conflict, recent tensions between Japan and China date back to the Japanese invasion of China at the turn of the 19th century and during World War II. As both countries changed dramatically and rapidly following the arrival of foreign powers and technology, tensions over disputed territories led to the first Sino-Japanese War in 1894.

    (Picture courtesy David Vasquez via Wikimedia Commons)

  • Diablo III Marathon Kills Taiwanese Teenager

    I will be the first person to admit that I have something of a video game addiction. If I’m not playing some sort of fighting game — the amount of hours I’m dumped into the recent “Mortal Kombat” is as embarrassing as it is impressive — chances are I’m wandering around the landscape of Skyrim in search of adventure. Bethesda’s latest offering has sucked down over 100-plus hours of my life, and I don’t anticipate it ending anytime soon. However, despite my devotion to such experiences, I do know when to draw the line.

    Unfortunately for a Taiwanese teenager with a major addiction to Blizzard’s action RPG “Diablo III”, a 40-hour marathon was simply too much for his body to handle. After securing a room at a local Internet cafe, the teen dove head-first into his virtual adventure, refusing to stop for such essential elements as sleep or food. By the time an employee discovered the poor guy on Sunday, he was already passed out at his table.

    Although the teen, who was only identified as Chuang, woke up when he was approached by the individual, he soon collapsed, prompting an emergency trip to a nearby hospital. Sadly, he was pronounced dead shortly after this arrival. Since an autopsy is currently pending, authorities are unsure what, precisely, caused his death, though doctors say that a blood clot could have formed as a result of sitting for such an extended period of time.

    As strange as it may sound, this isn’t the first time something like this has happened in Taiwan. In February, Chen Rong-yu suffered a fatal heart attack while playing “League of Legends” at an Internet cafe. According to reports, he was dead for nearly nine hours before anyone noticed.

    In May, gamer Russell Shirley also experienced a heart attack as a result of his devotion to Blizzard’s highly-addictive actioner. According to reports, Shirley had taken three days off from work to devote to “Diablo III”, a decision which ultimately resulted in his death.

    Video game addiction is an increasingly serious problem, particularly with the younger generation. In fact, if you need some pointers on how to stay healthy while enjoying your hobby, check out the Healthy Living Guide provided by the folks at Xbox LIVE. It may sound silly to those who don’t play video games, but many people simply aren’t aware of the damage prolonged gaming can have on the human body.

  • Taiwanese Man Killed Wife’s Facebook Friend

    Chou You-huang, a 34-year-old Taiwanese man, committed a crime of passion and killed a man after he found out his wife, Chen, was flirting with him on Facebook.

    Chen, in a Facebook status update, wrote, “I want to get McDonalds! Which nice man will take me there?” Chuang Shih-chang responded: “I am about to arrive at your house!”

    Apparently this was enough to send Chou over the edge.

    According to The Raw Story, Chou told police that he had requested a meeting with Chuang after he found out about the online relationship he had with his wife. Chuang agreed to meet the man and was confronted by Chou and two of his friends. Things escalated quickly and they beat him with baseball bats. Chuang died from an intracranial hemorrhage.

    The men called the police to report that they saw a man lying on the ground after they murdered him.

    They claim that they were unaware of the extent of Chuang’s injuries and did not mean to leave him for dead.

    Spousal jealousy stemming from Facebook has led others to murder in the past. The problem with social media is that it makes correspondence easier to monitor while giving users the impression that their information is protected. Because users feel that they can use forums like Facebook to entertain thoughts and ideas more openly, some people can get carried away and make advances that they wouldn’t normally.