Let’s start this week’s news roundup with a “chip war” update which does not concern China. The Biden administration has reportedly forced a Saudi venture capital firm to sell its shares in Silicon Valley AI chip startup Rain Neuromorphics. According to Reuters, the move follows other actions the US has taken to slow AI development in the Middle East.
Smartphone market is set for an upturn
According to International Data Corporation (IDC), the drop in smartphone sales is finally over: the market research firm expects worldwide smartphone shipments to grow 7.3% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2023. The market recovery will continue in 2024 with 3.8% growth expected, followed by low single-digit growth for the rest of the forecast period, resulting in a five-year compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. According to IDC, the smartphone sector is entering the new era of low single-digit growth and lengthened refresh cycles, as the market is maturing. While the total available market will remain below pre-pandemic shipment levels throughout the forecast, average selling prices and market value will remain significantly higher than before.
Credit: IDC
Synopsys 2023 revenues
Synopsys has reported results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2023. Revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023 was $1.599 billion, compared to $1.284 billion for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022. Revenue for fiscal year 2023 was $5.843 billion, an increase of approximately 15% from $5.082 billion in fiscal year 2022.
