Foxconn is Trial Manufacturing Apple Upcoming iWatch

Star Chang, May 21, 2013 2:12 AM, 284 views, Got something to say ?,

With Apple’s “iWatch” likely to release this year, we’re starting to hear rumors about components being cobbled together just before the company starts ramping up production of the device. The latest news came in from Taiwan media Economic Times, Foxconn has received 1000 trial products of the iWatch from Apple. The Curpertino company is looking into using 1.5-inch display panels for its upcoming smartwatch. Early rumors claimed that iWatch would have a 1.8-inch display, so it seems that Apple may be thinking of reducing the device’s size to make it look good on your wrist. The displays are being manufactured by the organic EL panel maker RiTdisplay of Taiwan with touch sensors integrated right into the display, rather than there being a separate multitouch layer. The new iWatch is using bluetooth connection, so we believe it’s able to scyn data and info from iPhone and iPad. The news also pointed out that Apple will be released the iPhone 6 first (not iPhone 5s ? ), no release schedule for the iWatch yet.

Suicides Return, Foxconn Workers Forced to Work Long Hours in Silence

Star Chang, May 1, 2013 8:57 AM, 1,284 views, 14 Comments »,

Foxconn has found itself once more embroiled in a suicide scandal after two apparent staff suicide attempts within four days were witnessed by workers from the company’s Zhengzhou plant in central China’s Henan province. The two factory worker, one male and one female, attempted suicide by jumping from buildings between April 24 and April 27. The man has died, while the fate of the woman remains unknown. Sources claim that the Zhengzhou factory entered “silent mode” from the beginning of April, restricting workers from discussing anything unrelated to work while on company premises. Many workers have complained about the new rule, which some believe is related to recent media reports about Foxconn products not meeting quality standards …

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Microsoft Goes After Foxconn to Achieve Biggest Android Patent Licensee

Randy Cheung, Apr 20, 2013 3:20 AM, 449 views, Got something to say ?,

Microsoft has insisted for years now that any company making Android phones needs to license its patents. The campaign has been so successful that the American software giant was making more money from patent licensing than from its own mobile phone system. More than 50 percent of the Android phones in the world have agreed to take licenses to its patents, including smartphone makers like LG, HTC, and Samsung. And that number is likely going to jump up today, as it announces that Foxconn, the Taiwanese company that makes 40 percent of the world’s consumer electronic devices, has agreed to join its licensing program. Foxconn will be paying Microsoft, the agreement will apply to all Android and Chrome OS devices made by Foxconn worldwide, including smartphones, tablets, and televisions …

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Foxconn Recruit New Workers to Build Apple’s Next iPhone

Cyril Chang, Apr 17, 2013 8:01 PM, 205 views, Got something to say ?,

Foxconn has begun taking on new workers in China as it prepares to begin production of Apple’s next iPhone. The company has added to its numbers at Zhengzhou factory located in eastern China, which is mainly produced iPhone device, ending a freeze on recruitment that was implemented back in February. According to a source from supply chain, the new workers will assemble the upcoming “iPhone 5S,” as well as existing models that Apple has requested to boost capacity. The Zhengzhou plant employs between 250,000 and 300,000 people, and around 10,000 assembly line workers have been added per week since the end of March. Recent reports have claimed that the iPhone 5S will enter production during the second quarter of 2013, ahead of its launch later this year. It could also be joined by a low-cost iPhone which is going to be built by Pegatron, instead of Foxconn. The cheaper version iPhone could help Apple compete in emerging markets, especially in China. Foxconn is said to be feeling the pressure of the increased competition Apple is receiving in the smartphone and tablet markets recently, however, the Taiwanese contractor thought that business will pick up around May when Apple’s new devices enter production. We hope the so-called new iPhone 5S has enough innovative features, minor upgade just won’t cut it.

Foxconn Ready to Produce Apple’s iTV with Sharp’s Technologies at Low Manufacturing Cost

Star Chang, Mar 28, 2013 9:11 AM, 1,419 views, 1 Comment »,

Market insiders speculate that Taiwan’s Hon Hai, better known internationally by its trading name Foxconn, may secure orders from Apple to produce its iTVs. Japan TV maker Sharp, which is so-called partially owned by Hon Hai, has just sold a portion of its shares to Samsung, leading to speculation that it may lose its iTV orders because of the much-publicized competition between the two tech giants. Foxconn is already Apple’s main manufacturing partner for its iPhone and iPad, but Apple is likely to diversify manufacturers for its up coming new products, Foxconn will properly be losing iPhone’s orders from Apple. While the news on iTV comes on the tails of Hon Hai chairman Terry Gou visited Japan early this month, where he reportedly met Apple’s senior executives in Osaka. Gou has personal investments in an LCD TV plant, which he used to show Apple executives that Hon Hai has the ability to produce iTVs …

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The Rise of Chinese OEM, BYD is Making HP Slate 7

Star Chang, Mar 23, 2013 1:00 PM, 460 views, 1 Comment »,

HP has chosen China’s BYD Electronic Company to be its original equipment manufacturer for producing its new Slate 7 tablet. BYD, the well-known Chinese manufacturer for automobiles and rechargeable batteries, is one of the Chinese supplier for Apple too. The aluminum back shell of first-gen iPad was made by BYD. The company also produces handset components including microelectronics, keypad, shell and module. In recent years, electronics manufacturers from Taiwan such as Hon Hai (Foxconn) and Quanta Computer have secured the majority of OEM orders for global tablet brands. HP move is a sign of leveling the playing field between Taiwan and China’s OEM manufacturers …

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Foxconn is Losing Orders for Apple’s Low-cost iPhone

Star Chang, Mar 17, 2013 10:29 PM, 922 views, 1 Comment »,

Apple was likely to diversify manufacturers for both its low-cost and legacy iPhones. Apple biggest contractor Foxconn would be losing orders for the upcoming low-cost iPhone. According to the analysta from KGI Research, who has a reliable track record in predicting Apple’s future product plans, said that the less expensive iPhone model will be offered in a range of colors and have a “super-thin plastic casing mixed with glass fiber.” The new material will make it stronger, thinner and lighter than typical smartphone plastic casings. Green Point of the Jabil group and Hi-P from Singapore are being tapped for producing the case, Foxconn will assemble the majority of the units, with Pegatron taking care of the rest …

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So Much News in China… #074

Star Chang, Mar 11, 2013 11:06 AM, 344 views, Got something to say ?,

There are so much news from China that passes by that we couldn’t possibly cover it all. Here are the Chinese tech news that have left behind because we are just too busy or too lazy to post. There are stories onSmart TV’s user habit in China, Alibaba’s online shopping credit, China better internet infrastructure and so on, check them out after the break. Video for this week: a tourism video of Dongguan city telling the world they are not “Dickensian Factory City”… Hope everyone have enjoyed your weekend and a fresh start to your week.

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Xiaomi M3 Leaked From Foxconn, Showing It’s a Phablet With Aluminum Back Cover

Herman Lai, Feb 27, 2013 12:58 AM, 1,045 views, Got something to say ?,

Much of the spotlights are focusing on the latest smartphone and electronic devices at Mobile World Congress over in Barcelona. Unfortunately, we don’t see the Chinese superstar Xiaomi’s latest M2 at the show, but it seems like the company is working on the next gen Xiaomi phone with Foxconn right now. The photo above is allegedly taken inside the factory, which is believed to be one of the prototypes of Xiaomi M3 comparing with Xiaomi M2 back cover. Having a 5-inch or bigger display is certainly going to happen, but it’s unlikely to see a fancy glowing LED Xiaomi’s logo at the back cover as previous concept shot showed. There’s another M3 prototype leaked on the Chinese internet as well, but it looks totally different from what you see above. Check it out after the break to see which one you prefer.

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Did Lesser Demand of iPhone 5 Cause Suspension in Hiring of Foxconn Workers ?

Star Chang, Feb 20, 2013 3:59 PM, 562 views, 5 Comments »,

[UPDATE] According to Financial Times report, Foxconn has imposed a recruitment freeze this week across most of its factories in China. Human resources officials at Foxconn’s largest factories, local government officials and external recruiters working with the company said there had been internal notices to halt hiring until at least the end of March, in response to reduced orders for the iPhone 5. Recruiters said hiring has stopped for the iPhone and production lines in Shenzhen and Zhengzhou. Taiyuan, which makes iPhone parts, and Chengdu, which makes the iPad, were also putting a freeze on hiring. The suspension in hiring by Foxconn is the first such countrywide move since the 2009 downturn, prompted by the financial crisis. No large recruitment take place also give us a hint that there will be no Apple major new product coming soon …

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