Miami’s Ultra Music Festival 2024 - Your Entertainment for the Week End

 Coinciding with spring break the Ultra Music Festival returned to Miami last week, March 22 -24. Fortunately most of the festival’s performers have completed their uploads to YouTube and other media outlets in time for our arm chair viewing this weekend (see concert links below). The UMF is noteworthy for its performers and show case of state of the art technology made possible by the semiconductor and technology industries. This year the sound stage featured an enhanced high resolution video display which seemingly wrapped around the performers. The combination of video display, lighting and monstrous sound system no doubt taxed the local power grid. But Miami was prepared, power to spare.

This year the city of Miami was well prepared to manage the traditional spring break crowds, enforcing later evening curfews (to the chagrin of some). Strategic crowd control redirected many spring breakers away from Miami Beach and further north to Fort Lauderdale. The word is that the party hearty crowd camped out in Jacksonville further north along Florida’s east coast. That said, the Ultra Music Festival was one hell of a party. Although the festival’s ticket pricing and venue differentiates it from spring breakers, the UMF crowd is a mix of all ages and traditionally brings an international audience. As an international celebration of music the Ultra Music Festival is welcomed to many host cities around the world. Fortunately Miami is home to the festival every year.

A note to fellow semi industry types. Miami’s mayor, Francis X. Suarez (Miami’s 43rd) is semi industry friendly. He recognizes the silicon valley talent pool and potential synergy with Florida’s resident high technology expertise. Thinking of building a fab or high tech venture? Think Florida. There are considerable advantages for start ups here; no state income tax, and lower business taxes/expenses. Some trade offs with Silicon Valley, no earth quakes but an occasional hurricane. Alligators are sometimes encountered on golf courses and in swimming pools. Surprisingly tropical Florida resembles Silicon Valley in many ways; warm climate year round, palm trees and high technology talent.

Ready to party? You have something to do this weekend.

Go to YouTube and search for Ultra Music Festival 2024. YouTube will list all of the available performances uploaded to date. Select your favorite artist/DJ. New uploads may become available weeks after the festival so check over the next week or so.

Armin Van Buuren is a Dutch DJ and annual UMF participant. Although Dutch companies are working immigration issues to find skilled labor we’re happy Armin made it here to UMF 2024. His show begins at sunset and stretches into the evening hour (run time about 1 hour 18 min.) See Armin’s show here:
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnyvzMfADm4

I won’t list all of the performances as the uploads are being updated as we speak.

For best viewing/listening: Surround sound headphones and a big screen 4K HDR display. I recommend a YouTube subscription (about $15 per month) to eliminate annoying adds.

If you need an audio volume boost try the latest FireFox browser. Below the video window on the left, click on the second icon (a lightning bolt in parentheses). This will boost audio levels (adjust yours accordingly).

The transformation of the internet and media have been remarkable. 4K video and 1 Gig network speeds are now common in most metro areas. I hope you’ll find time to enjoy the Ultra Music Festival this weekend.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Regards to all,

Thomas D. Jay
Semiconductor Industry Consultant
Thomas.Dale.Jay@gmail.com
TDJ Technology Group.com
Thomas D. Jay YouTube Channel



Corporate, private entities or publications referenced or linked in this article are the respective owners of their logos, trademarks, service marks, media content and intellectual property. Unless otherwise disclosed, Thomas D. Jay has no financial interest in companies referenced in blog articles or other published media communications. Thomas D. Jay is not a registered financial advisor. No representation is made to either buy or sell securities. Opinions expressed by Thomas D. Jay are his own. Thomas D. Jay does not employ or otherwise utilize/authorize third party agents to express his opinions, represent his interests or conduct business on his behalf except where formally contractually designated. Thomas D. Jay opts out of requests to share personal information or unidentifiable user data. Thomas D. Jay does not agree to indemnify or hold harmless vendors, clients or third parties to related contractual agreements and reserves the right to applicable legal remedies in lieu of arbitration. Thomas D. Jay retains all copyright and moral rights to his published material, content and brand marketing, and shall in no case be represented, depicted or characterized by parties/entities other than his published "About Thomas D. Jay" descriptor. Contractual agreements are to be written and interpreted in the English language and are subject to the laws of the United States. These terms and conditions shall supersede any conflicting agreement. Clients, vendors and concerned parties should check my blog site at www.thomasdalejay.blogspot.com for periodic updates or changes to theses terms.

References and acknowledgements:

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnyvzMfADm4  YouTube, Ultra Music Festival, Armin Van Buuren.

The Chips and Technology Act – I’m from the government and I’m here to help you build a wafer fab. (Updated 2/23/24)

In 1986 President Reagan warned that adverse effects could result from misdirected government policy. His famous quote is preserved in the hope of guiding future generations of Americans. [1] "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help."

Some claim American semiconductor manufacturers have lost their competitive edge in the global market place. It’s a complex market to be sure. Semi manufacturers have been evaluating foreign investment opportunities seeking over seas tax shelters but for strategic marketing and national security interests, emphasis is now being placed on US based wafer fab/foundry construction and operation. Although American technology is cutting edge, complications encountered in US wafer fab construction have been compounded by the Chips and Technology Act. Intended as an incentive for investment in the technology sector, applicants seeking Chips Act funding can incur significant barriers to program entry. Participants can experience delays in the resolution of application and compliance issues, construction schedules and the timely release of granted funding. Further delays can be incurred resolving regulatory and zoning issues, immigration policy and skilled work force/ labor union issues. Election cycles and the prevailing political climate can also impact capital amortization timing and future program cost. 

Some participants in the Chips Act program have experienced delays in the release of granted funding. Samsung’s new fab project near Taylor, Texas was scheduled to begin operation in late 2024 but has been delayed till 2025 awaiting the release of Chips Act funding and an improvement in the economy. Similarly, other fabs have been delayed (see Tom’s Hardware web site link: [2] https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/semiconductors/us-govts-sluggish-chips-act-payouts-slam-the-breaks-on-samsungs-fab-company-delays-mass-production-at-texas-fab-to-await-further-chips-funding-report.

A few industry pundits advocate US government intervention as a guiding force in strategic semi-industry program management. The automotive industry has already seen the unintended effect of government subsidies on electric vehicles. A glut of unsold EVs have auto manufacturers pondering a return to hybrid and gasoline vehicles until charging stations and the energy grid are complete. Auto makers will incur a huge loss in the interim. Ill advised political forces steering the Chips Act could similarly throw the semi industry out of sync. Multi $Billion delays in grant funding can result in the government defining semi market cycle timing. Given the size of the grants some may be content to await funding. The caveat: A government driven economy vs. a consumer economy.

Fabs and foundries have become multi-billion dollar projects with infrastructure and scale commensurate with the DOE. Semi industry management must be independent of undue US government influence on market strategy, finance or regulatory compliance requirements. At the same time we must consider the opportunity to secure funding on the scale required for tomorrow’s wafer fabs. Government grants are one such option provided they're in the best interest of the recipients.

Semi Industry CEOs must navigate global and financial markets with great skill and diligence. We might explore the idea of modifying the Chips Act, and to expand the transparency of program grant applications and awards. Only then can we ensure the success of capital intensive projects and their critical completion timetables.

That said, it’s important everyone understand the scale of the Chips Act and the positives/negatives of the program. I encourage you to click on this link to the Chips Act and study it in detail (all 78 pages). It's important to comprehend it’s scope, and potential to impact the semiconductor economy.

[3] The Chips Incentive Program
https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/2023/06/23/CHIPS-Commercial%20Fabrication%20Facilities%20NOFO%20Amendment%201.pdf

The semiconductor industry provides a strategic dual purpose product to the both the consumer and our military. American investors and capital markets have always sustained a robust and innovative US semi industry. Let’s stay the course and make sensible decisions for the future.

Regards to all,

Thomas D. Jay
Semiconductor Industry Consultant
Thomas.Dale.Jay@gmail.com
TDJ Technology Group.com
Thomas D. Jay YouTube Channel



Corporate, private entities or publications referenced or linked in this article are the respective owners of their logos, trademarks, service marks, media content and intellectual property. Unless otherwise disclosed, Thomas D. Jay has no financial interest in companies referenced in blog articles or other published media communications. Thomas D. Jay is not a registered financial advisor. No representation is made to either buy or sell securities. Opinions expressed by Thomas D. Jay are his own. Thomas D. Jay does not employ or otherwise utilize/authorize third party agents to express his opinions, represent his interests or conduct business on his behalf except where formally contractually designated. Thomas D. Jay opts out of requests to share personal information or unidentifiable user data. Thomas D. Jay does not agree to indemnify or hold harmless vendors, clients or third parties to related contractual agreements and reserves the right to applicable legal remedies in lieu of arbitration. Thomas D. Jay retains all copyright and moral rights to his published material, content and brand marketing, and shall in no case be represented, depicted or characterized by parties/entities other than his published "About Thomas D. Jay" descriptor. Contractual agreements are to be written and interpreted in the English language and are subject to the laws of the United States. These terms and conditions shall supersede any conflicting agreement. Clients, vendors and concerned parties should check my blog site at www.thomasdalejay.blogspot.com for periodic updates or changes to theses terms.

References and acknowledgements:

[1] Excerpt, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library https://www.reaganfoundation.org/ronald-reagan/reagan-quotes-speeches/news-conference-1/

[2] Tom's Hardware
https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/semiconductors/us-govts-sluggish-chips-act-payouts-slam-the-breaks-on-samsungs-fab-company-delays-mass-production-at-texas-fab-to-await-further-chips-funding-report.

[3] The Chips Incentive Program, NIST
https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/2023/06/23/CHIPS-Commercial%20Fabrication%20Facilities%20NOFO%20Amendment%201.pdf