🧑‍💻Noteworthy Bits -- 8/8/22

Start your week with a curated selection of technology insights, analyses, and perspectives. Don’t hog the ball — share with your team!

T-Day: The Battle for Taiwan

Taiwan has become the latest political football as both China and the U.S. recognize the critical role this tiny island has in the global semiconductor industry. Taiwan accounts for 92% of the world’s most advanced semiconductor manufacturing capacity, and the industry is considered the “holy mountain range” protecting the island. Reuters takes a fascinating look at the history, the players, and the politics driving one of the most important geopolitical issues in the world right now.

Google's subsea fiber optics, explained

Given how much of our focus on technology is digital, it’s easy to forget the amount of innovation and investment required in the physical infrastructure to ensure network reliability and lightning fast speeds. As of 2019, there were ~378 submarine fiber optic cables spanning the globe and connecting virtually every country in the world. Google explains how these physical networks are developed.

Cloud Giants Update

Still not sure Cloud is a big deal? It’s incredible to see how fast the Big 3 are growing off of huge baseline numbers.