Chip Shortages: An Extended Detour on the Technological Highway
The world of silicon is getting a little spice‑y—the global chip shortage is proving to be more stubborn than a stubborn pumpkin on Halloween. It looks like we’ll be waiting a bit longer for the sweet slice of tech you want.
ASML’s Crystal Ball
Peter Wennik, the big‑shot CEO of ASML, has issued a crystal‑ball warning: expect shortages in ASML’s lithography machines for the next two years. These machines are the gold standard for carving circuits into silicon wafers, and they’re practically the “pencil” that writes our tech stories.
Industry Goliaths Weigh In
- Flex announced in June 2021 that the shortage would drag on into 2023—think of it as a marathon that’s still running.
- Foxconn predicts the crunch to keep marching into the latter half of this year, staying on the slow‑mo with demand.
Pricey Pay‑Out
All of this means the price tag for smartphones and PCs is set to rise higher than a balloon at a birthday party. The Financial Times and 9to5Mac both round up the details, with the story first hitting Hardware Zone. Here’s what matters:
- Expect longer waiting times for key manufacturing tools.
- Phones and PCs will have steeper price hikes before the supply chain straightens up.
- Manufacturing houses like Flex and Foxconn are flagging the delay, keeping the global tech landscape on a high‑altitude hold.
Bottom line? The chip shortage is still in session—expect a few more months of heightened anticipation before your next gadget lands on the shelves. Stay tuned as the industry works through this nostalgic but pricey detour.
