Core Viewpoint - The recent disbandment of the chip division at TP-LINK (普联技术) indicates a strategic shift within the company, particularly following a rapid layoff in its WiFi chip department just months prior. This move reflects the company's focus on core technologies amidst increasing competition in the WiFi market. Summary by Sections - The chip division of TP-LINK has been completely disbanded, following a previous layoff in June at its overseas subsidiary, Lianzhou International, which also faced significant job cuts in its WiFi chip department [1][5][6]. - The layoffs at Lianzhou International were rapid, with the process from notification to completion taking only half a day. The compensation scheme for affected employees follows an N+3 standard for those with over a year of service, N+2 for six months to a year, and N+1 for less than six months [2][5]. - The layoffs primarily affected key positions in the WiFi front-end module (FEM) development, which is crucial for connecting WiFi chips to antennas. Despite the layoffs, TP-LINK is not exiting the WiFi chip market entirely but is reallocating resources to focus on core chip technology development [5][6]. - The company has struggled to commercialize its self-developed chip technology since forming its chip team in 2021, continuing to rely on external suppliers like MediaTek and Qualcomm for solutions [5].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the tragic transformation of a successful tech professional into a criminal due to the pressures of unemployment and financial distress, illustrating the darker side of the tech industry's challenges and the consequences of economic downturns [16][17]. Group 1: Background of the Individual - The individual, Song, was a successful backend developer in a leading internet company, earning over 500,000 yuan annually after ten years of hard work [4]. - In 2022, he was laid off during an industry downturn, which led to a significant personal crisis and a failed attempt at entrepreneurship [5][16]. Group 2: Entrepreneurial Struggles - After being laid off, Song raised 2 million yuan by mortgaging his property to start a tech company focused on smart home hardware, but faced immediate challenges due to poor market research and product compatibility issues [5][6]. - By March 2023, the company had accumulated debts of 1.87 million yuan, leading to the dismissal of all employees except for his brother [5][6]. Group 3: Descent into Crime - Influenced by a casual remark from his cousin about drug dealing being more profitable, Song resorted to purchasing drug manufacturing tutorials online and invested borrowed money into illegal activities [6][10]. - He attempted to produce caffeine-based drugs, but initial failures did not deter him; instead, he became more determined to refine his methods [10][12]. Group 4: Criminal Operations - Song utilized his technical skills to create a structured process for drug production, including detailed operational manuals and even coding a monitoring system for chemical reactions [12][14]. - He adopted a "buried mine" strategy for drug sales, using encrypted communication and virtual currencies to evade law enforcement [18]. Group 5: Legal Consequences - In March 2025, Song was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for drug-related offenses, while his brother received a four and a half year sentence for assisting him [2][14]. - The court rejected claims of mental distress due to entrepreneurial failure, emphasizing the premeditated nature of his actions and the potential societal harm of his drug production [14][15]. Group 6: Industry Implications - The case reflects broader issues within the tech industry, including the "35-year crisis" and the challenges faced by skilled workers during economic downturns, with a significant number of laid-off workers turning to entrepreneurship with low success rates [16][17]. - The article calls for improved unemployment support, targeted anti-drug education, and stricter regulations on chemical transactions to prevent similar cases in the future [17].