Supply Chain
Ongoing coverage on Supply Chain.
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Where to buy NeeDoh, the viral toy sensation
The viral toy NeeDoh is experiencing extremely high demand, leading to widespread stock shortages. Schylling CEO Paul Weingard noted that the company sold its entire year's inventory within the first nine weeks of the year. The toy's popularity surged due to social media platforms like TikTok, creating a self-sustaining cycle of demand.
Framework says DDR5 memory costs 'remain fairly stable' but 'on SSDs, the pricing story is unfortunately not as positive' as it raises prices again
Modular laptop company Framework reports that while DDR5 memory costs have remained stable, SSD prices are increasing due to supply shortages. The company attributes these rising costs to increased demand from AI data centers and a general memory crisis. Framework has had to adjust its pricing upwards to reflect the higher costs of newly sourced components.
Nintendo Increased The Switch 2 Price to $500, And It Still Isn't Enough
Nintendo is increasing the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 from $450 to $500 in the US starting in September, citing rising component, currency, and oil costs. Despite the price hike, Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa stated the new MSRP will not fully cover production costs but believes a strong software lineup will maintain value for consumers. This follows similar price increases for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles.
Valve forming an orderly queue for the Steam Controller makes it clear we need the same for the Steam Machine, Frame, and perhaps a lot more in-demand tech too
Valve's implementation of a reservation queue for the Steam Controller highlights the need for similar systems for other in-demand tech like the Steam Machine. The article contrasts this with the frustrating purchasing experiences for the Steam Deck and PlayStation 5, advocating for reservation systems to combat resellers and improve customer satisfaction.
Valve commits to a reservation system for today's new batch of Steam Controller stock, which gives me a lot more…
Valve is implementing a reservation system for the Steam Controller to combat resellers and ensure fairer access for consumers. This system, similar to those used by Sony and Nintendo for their hardware launches, will limit purchases to one per customer and aims to prevent scalpers from profiting excessively. Valve is also applying lessons learned from past Steam Deck supply management to upcoming Steam Frame and Steam Machine hardware.
Sony forecasts decline in FY26 PS5 hardware sales due to memory price headwinds
Sony forecasts a 6% year-over-year decline in PlayStation 5 hardware sales for fiscal year 2026. The company cited challenges in procuring sufficient memory as a primary reason for the projected decrease.
'Regardless of the type of offer, available capacity is essentially zero right now': SK hynix is reportedly being swamped with 'unprecedented' offers to secure memory chips
SK hynix is reportedly overwhelmed with offers to secure memory chips due to an ongoing global shortage, with available capacity essentially at zero. Companies are proposing financing equipment and providing advanced machinery to secure contracts, but SK hynix is cautious about long-term deals that could lead to selling memory at a lower price. Other major players like Samsung and Micron are also reportedly in talks for multi-year contracts, while companies like Maingear and Phison express concerns about the crisis potentially leading to bankruptcies.
Nintendo announces price increase for Switch 2 handheld — but you still have time to beat it
Nintendo has announced a price increase for its upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 handheld console, set to take effect on September 1, 2026, in North America and Europe, and May 25, 2026, in Japan. The price will rise to $499.99 in the US, with similar increases in Canada and Europe, and a significant jump in Japan for both hardware and online subscriptions. This decision comes amid broader market conditions and price adjustments seen across the industry, including by Sony and Microsoft for their current-generation consoles.
Nintendo is raising Switch 2 prices around the world
Nintendo is increasing the prices of its Switch hardware and Nintendo Switch Online services in key markets including Japan, the United States, Canada, and Europe. The company cited "various changes in market conditions" and ongoing memory shortages as reasons for the revisions, which will take effect in late May and early September 2026.
Nintendo hounded by investors to increase Switch 2 price to protect margins
Nintendo is facing pressure from investors to increase the price of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 due to rising component costs and supply chain disruptions. Investors are concerned that the projected $450 price point may be unprofitable, especially when compared to Sony's ability to adjust PlayStation 5 pricing. The company is expected to address these concerns during its upcoming earnings briefing.
Nintendo Is Under Pressure To Increase The Switch 2 Prices
Nintendo is facing investor pressure to increase the price of the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 due to rising memory costs and concerns about profitability. Despite the original Nintendo Switch surpassing the Nintendo DS in sales, the company's stock has fallen, leading to discussions about pricing strategies. President Shuntaro Furukawa stated that the company will carefully consider all factors before making a decision.
The World Is In Such A Mess, Investors Actually Want Nintendo To Raise The Price Of The Switch 2
Nintendo investors are reportedly urging the company to raise the price of the Nintendo Switch 2 due to rising component costs and global trade pressures, which have led to a significant drop in Nintendo's share price. While some investors fear a price hike could hurt demand, others are concerned about the console being sold at a loss. Nintendo has previously indicated a price increase is possible but aims for long-term console success.
AMD CEO says gaming segment will be impacted by higher memory & component costs in 2nd half of 2026
AMD CEO Lisa Su stated that the company anticipates challenges in its gaming segment during the second half of 2026 due to persistent high demand and low supply of memory and other components. These supply chain issues are expected to impact the company in the third and fourth quarters of that year.
Apple said to be talking to Intel and Samsung about building key device processors
Apple is reportedly in discussions with Intel and Samsung regarding the manufacturing of key device processors. This move is driven by Apple's concerns about its current supply chain flexibility.
Steam Controller goes out of stock as Valve get a ton of "Game Console" shipments
The Steam Controller has sold out in multiple regions shortly after its standalone release, indicating high demand. Valve is reportedly receiving significant shipments of "Game Console" hardware, potentially including more Steam Deck units, Steam Machines, and Steam Frames, suggesting a potential restocking wave.
Apple CEO doesn't expect the RAM memory crisis to go away any time soon
Apple CEO Tim Cook anticipates that the current crisis of expensive RAM memory will persist, impacting the company's business. He noted that while Apple managed minimal impact in the last quarter, significant effects are expected on Mac models due to high demand and continued high memory costs. This situation is exacerbated by the increasing demand for AI data centers, contributing to a wider industry-wide supply crunch.
'We undercalled the level of enthusiasm': Apple's Tim Cook says supply is constrained for the MacBook Neo, but 'we could not be happier with how things are going at the moment'
Apple CEO Tim Cook stated that the new MacBook Neo is experiencing supply constraints due to unexpectedly high demand, exceeding the company's initial projections. Despite these challenges, Cook expressed satisfaction with the product's performance and uptake, noting its adoption by school systems and individual consumers. The company is also navigating increasing memory costs which are expected to impact business beyond the current quarter.
Toilet maker Toto is here to help with the RAM crisis
Toilet manufacturer Toto is investing more into its ceramics division, which produces components used in NAND memory manufacturing. This move aims to address the ongoing RAM crisis by increasing production capacity for essential semiconductor materials.
Tim Cook says Apple (AAPL) is not constrained by RAM supply in the next quarter
Apple CEO Tim Cook stated that the company's system-on-a-chip components, rather than RAM or storage, will be the primary constraint in the next quarter. This indicates a shift in focus for potential supply chain limitations.
'Our demand fulfillment rate is now at a record low' says Samsung as it makes its DRAM 90% more expensive than…
Samsung, the world's largest memory chip maker, is experiencing a record low demand fulfillment rate for DRAM. Despite this, the company has increased its DRAM prices by approximately 90% quarter-over-quarter, significantly boosting its profits. This surge in demand is largely attributed to the vast appetite of the AI industry for memory chips.
