Technology Report: Renesas outsources top-end chips to TSMC as shake-out looms

Click to View in Browser 05/28/2012 Renesas outsources top-end chips to TSMC as shake-out looms TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Renesas Electronics will outsource its top-end chips to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co to survive cut-throat global competition after falling behind in investment and as it grapples with a costly restructuring. RIM's top lawyer joins parade of resignations TORONTO (Reuters) - The top lawyer at Research In Motion Ltd has resigned and will soon leave the struggling BlackBerry maker, RIM said on Monday, joining a parade of long-time company executives to depart since Thorsten Heins took over as CEO earlier this year. Powerful "Flame" cyber weapon found in Iran BOSTON (Reuters) - Security experts have discovered a highly sophisticated computer virus in Iran and the Middle East that they believe was deployed at least five years ago to engage in state-sponsored cyber espionage. Green thumb app tells users when plants need watering TORONTO (Reuters) - Wilted, starving, thirsty houseplants could soon be getting more tender loving care thanks to a new plant sensor and app that tells owners when it is time for watering and feeding. SpaceX capsule docks at space station, opens new era CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - Astronauts aboard the International Space Station captured the SpaceX Dragon cargo ship and guided the privately owned craft into a docking berth on Friday, opening a new chapter in the U.S. space program. Analysis: Falling prices to kill off half of Chinese LED chipmakers HONG KONG (Reuters) - In China, surplus capacity and sliding prices are sounding the death knell for half of the companies making light emitting diode (LED) chips used in Samsung television panels and Sharp computer monitors, with only the large, state-backed players likely to pull through. China's Huawei, ZTE face EU action on telecom subsidies: FT HONG KONG (Reuters) - The European Union is set to launch a major trade case against China's biggest telecom equipment makers, arguing that they have benefited from illegal government subsidies, the Financial Times said. Renesas: to start shipping 40-nm chips in 2014/15 TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese chipmaker Renesas Electronics Corp said it aims to start shipments of next-generation 40-nanometre microcontrollers during the business year starting in April 2014, by outsourcing more production to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, or TSMC. NBC may buy Microsoft's MSNBC.com stake (Reuters) - NBCUniversal is in talks to buy out Microsoft Corp's 50 percent stake in joint venture MSNBC.com, media reports said. Facebook options debut a wild card for volatility (Reuters) - Investors can hope the debut of options on Facebook Inc goes more smoothly than the long-awaited debut of the social networking service's stock on May 18. Related Video Foie gras farmers diversify, forcefeeding for fuel Scientists seek answers to Bolivian glacier melt Mediafile Sarah McBride Kleiner's Ellen Pao, the elephant in the room Kevin Kelleher Facebook, the most cynical tech giant ever A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. Register Today   The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today   » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add mail@nl.reuters.com to your address book. Details Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook Forward to a friend