Pentagon gives Intel a needed boost: Intel will lead a DOD program to bolster the US domestic semiconductor supply. The deal will benefit Intel and could have long-term strategic benefits for US manufacturing, but it will likely do little to alleviate the short-term chip crisis.

China’s output could bring much-needed relief to various industries dependent on an influx of chips, and set the pace for other countries to accelerate their own chip production to overcome the shortage in the long term.

Additionally, overall costs were higher than usual due to supply issues, chip shortages, and high costs of raw materials and shipping. Because of this, auto brands held back on advertising in 2020. Auto brands spend heavily on digital video advertising: More than 3 in 10 digital ad dollars spent go to in-stream and outstream video formats.

Given the continuing global chip shortage, and Intel’s persistent product delays, high demand for Samsung’s variety of products is likely to help it remain on top for the foreseeable future. This marks a massive and likely continuous shift from PC processor-dominant Intel to Samsung’s widely-diversified product mix of RAM, SSD storage, and mobile chipsets which are in high demand heading into Q3.

Earlier this month, Toyota, the world’s No. 2 automaker, was forced to shut down factories and cut production in Japan and North America by 40% as a result of the chip shortage and surging COVID-19 cases.

South Korea sees a semiconductor opportunity: South Korea’s recent $450 billion semiconductor spending plan—the latest global government-backed chipmaking move—may signal a move away from a chip industry once dominated by a small handful of countries

What this means: The report indicates a steady rise in smartphone production despite the challenges from the global chip shortage and, more recently, surging cases of COVID-19 shuttering factories and affecting production in various countries. The report said Apple’s iPhone sales are expected to jump 13.8%, outpacing rival Android’s 6.2% growth.

This could adversely affect PC manufacturing, which is also compounded by the various chip and component shortages. PC makers could now have to tamp down their sales expectations, adjust their supply chains, and fine-tune their output for the coming year.

Government policies, particularly in the US, Europe, and China, and automaker commitments toward bringing EVs to the mainstream, are all positive signs—but the outlook is not all rosy—lithium shortages, battery scarcity, and the protracted chip shortage will continue to limit EV sales, at least in the short term.

But the outlook is not all rosy—lithium shortages, battery scarcity, and the unrelenting chip shortage will hold back EV sales.