Asianometry

Before smartphones, there was little interest in mobile wireless broadband. Mobile operators only had to carry voice signals and a low data rate of 8-10 kilobits per second was more than enough for that. So from 1G to 3G, operators focused instead on improving their economics, by increasing how many calls can be made within a particular cell with the same amount of spectrum. Then in the mid-2000s came the smartphone, which turned wireless broadband into a real customer demand. Which meant drastically raising data transfer rates. But how are operators going to do that without buying vast sums of bandwidth? Or pumping huge amounts of power into the signal? What the industry devised and adopted was deviously clever. In this video, the story of Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output or MIMO. Get all episodes of Asianometry, Sharp Tech, Sharp China, Stratechery Updates and Interviews, Greatest of All Talk, and Dithering as part of Stratechery Plus for $15/month or $150/year. Listen to Stratechery. Listen to Dithering. Listen to Sharp China. Listen to Sharp Tech. Listen to Greatest Of All Talk.

DRAM has been the graveyard of semiconductor empires. Competing in this market is not for the faint of heart. After decades, the DRAM industry consolidated to just three big companies: Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron. But now they are being challenged by a new kid on the block. A Chinese DRAM monster emerging out of Hefei: ChangXin Memory Technologies, or CXMT (長鑫存儲). In today's video, we profile the third of the People's Republic of China's semiconductor titans: CXMT. Get all episodes of Asianometry, Sharp Tech, Sharp China, Stratechery Updates and Interviews, Greatest of All Talk, and Dithering as part of Stratechery Plus for $15/month or $150/year. Listen to Stratechery. Listen to Dithering. Listen to Sharp China. Listen to Sharp Tech. Listen to Greatest Of All Talk.

Solar and wind are some of the fastest growing energy sources. One problem is that they are intermittent. It is not always windy and the sun sets. Seasons change, cutting daylight hours. So on. To deal with this, we need a way to store electricity for use during times of peak demand: Energy storage. In this video, a simple and reliable energy storage scheme that has been used for decades and is now somewhat back in vogue. A lake up on a hill. Get all episodes of Asianometry, Sharp Tech, Sharp China, Stratechery Updates and Interviews, Greatest of All Talk, and Dithering as part of Stratechery Plus for $15/month or $150/year. Listen to Stratechery. Listen to Dithering. Listen to Sharp China. Listen to Sharp Tech. Listen to Greatest Of All Talk.

Dive into the world of gene therapy and uncover why it's the priciest treatment available today. Explore the labyrinthine production process of viral vectors, which poses unique manufacturing challenges. Discover the historical milestones that have shaped the industry and the regulatory hurdles that complicate development. This fascinating topic reveals the intricate balance between innovation and cost in biopharmaceuticals.

Dive into the intriguing history of AI in the 1980s, where Lisp machines promised to revolutionize computing. Discover how government funding fueled expert systems and the fierce rivalry between companies like Symbolics and Texas Instruments. The narrative explores the meteoric rise of these technologies, only to face challenges and decline due to the knowledge acquisition bottleneck. Uncover the dramatic collapse of Symbolics amidst a changing market and the lasting legacy of Lisp, which continues to influence AI development today.

Discover the explosive growth of data centers in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia and Singapore, as the industry races to meet soaring demand. Dive into the operational challenges and environmental concerns that accompany this boom. Geopolitical factors are shaping where data centers thrive, with a surprising shift towards Thailand. Get a firsthand look at cutting-edge facilities and learn about the intricate balancing act between infrastructure needs and global dynamics.

In May 2025, Japan faced a shocking rice price spike, with costs doubling in just a year. The government had to release emergency rice stocks to stabilize the market. Surprisingly, supermarkets began selling imported rice, including the controversial Calrose from the U.S. The discussion digs deep into the historical shifts in rice production and consumption policies, highlighting challenges from climate change and inefficiencies in agriculture. Ultimately, the episode uncovers the complex web of policies impacting food security and self-sufficiency in Japan.

The podcast delves into the history and current turmoil of ESKOM, South Africa's electricity monopoly. It highlights the recent surge in load shedding after a temporary reprieve, revealing the company's struggles. The narrative traces back to the early 1900s, showcasing how the gold mining industry shaped the energy landscape. Political shifts and rampant corruption exacerbate ESKOM's woes, with increasing pressure to adopt renewable energy amidst a dire energy crisis. A gripping exploration of power dynamics and public utility challenges.

Discover the fascinating history of nitrate mining in the Atacama Desert, a key player in global agriculture. Explore the territorial conflicts that arose over these valuable resources and meet the monopolists who shaped the industry. Uncover the technological advancements that led to the decline of this once-thriving enterprise, including a shift toward lithium battery production. This deep dive reveals the human stories and historical forces behind an industry that profoundly impacted nations.

Discover the fascinating evolution of photoresists in semiconductor manufacturing, transitioning from traditional methods to cutting-edge solutions for extreme ultraviolet lithography. Learn about the game-changing advancements in metal oxide and dry resists, as well as the fierce competition and patent disputes brewing between industry players. This technological shift poses exciting possibilities for the future of semiconductor efficiency and resolution.