TAIWAN NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - JAN 6, 2011.

TAIPEI, Jan 6 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers:

THE TAIPEI TIMES:

- Acer Inc, the world's third-largest PC brand, said yesterday that European snowstorms had adversely impacted its sales in the fourth quarter of last year, after Morgan Stanley analysts on Tuesday lowered their sales forecast and target share price because of the heavy snow.

- Taiwan's optoelectronics industry posted a record output value last year by hitting NT$2.27 trillion (US$77.6 billion) amid strong international demand for Taiwanese solar components, LED lighting and electronic paper, the Photonics Industry and Technology Development Association (PIDA) said yesterday.

- Asustek Computer Inc plans to start selling an array of tablet computers including hybrids that are something between a laptop and a tablet with the hope that variety is the best weapon against Apple Inc's iPad and other similar gadgets.

- The sale of Nan Shan Life Insurance Co continues to be dogged by controversy with an opposition party lawmaker issuing new allegations of government interference and under-the-table deals.

- Taiwan-based IC designer -MediaTek Inc said yesterday it would appeal against the sentence a former employee received for leaking trade secrets to a competitor.

- Largan Precision Co, the world's largest mobile phone camera lens maker, yesterday posted record-high sales for last month, thanks to strong demand for smartphones.

THE CHINA POST:

- The production value of Taiwan's optoelectronics industry totaled NT$2.2 trillion in 2010, a 40 per cent growth from 2009, reported the Photonics Industry and Technology Development Association (PIDA) yesterday.

- A Taiwanese firm plans to start importing the Indian-made Nano, the world's cheapest car, targeting the island's millions of motorcyclists as potential buyers, a company official said Wednesday.

- Chunghwa Telecom has recently announced several mobile phone plans that do not obligate users to pay deposits, sign a 24-month contract or choose a specific type of phone, part of the telecom giant's effort to promote mobile Internet.

- Taiwan's AsusTek Computer Inc. plans to start selling an array of tablet computers including hybrids that sit somewhere between a laptop and a tablet with the hope that variety is the best weapon against Apple Inc.'s iPad and other similar gadgets.

ASIA PULSE nt 06-01 1705