chain

Nokia happier to live on the edge when buying components

PARIS -- Overhauling Nokia hasn't just been a matter of slapping a new operating system on older mobile phone hardware.

In reality, the company had to rebuild its entire supply chain -- the vast network of business partners that build everything that makes up a phone. And a big part of the change: accepting more risk as the company tries to move back to the cutting edge of mobile phone technology.

"For us as a company, our risk appetite has increased a lot in the way we work," said Kari Kulojarvi, Nokia's senior vice president for … Read more

Without Apple, 'supply chain' shrinking, says analyst

Apple is so important to the group of companies that build tech-related electronics products that without Apple there would be negative growth, according to Citibank.

The tech electronics supply chain is barely showing year-to-year growth and would be in the red if it wasn't for Apple, according to a research note today from Citibank analyst Jim Suva.

The supply chain is an amorphous collection of manufacturers, many located in Asia.

In a subheading titled "Ex-Apple, the Tech Supply Chain is Still Not Growing Y/Y," Citibank said Apple is the linchpin for growth.

"Projected annual sales … Read more

Apple catches flak in China supply chain saga

The maker of iPads and iPhones is hardly alone among tech companies that rely heavily on Chinese factories under scrutiny for labor practices. But it has become the flashpoint.

Cook: Apple's improved working conditions more than anyone else Apple CEO Tim Cook, speaking at an investor conference, defended the company's track record and its process of manufacturing hit products like the iPhone. (Posted in Apple by Roger Cheng and Josh Lowensohn) February 14, 2012 1:07 p.m. PT

Apple's mess in China: What you need to know faq Apple says it's got a third-party group … Read more

Apple-Foxconn relationship probed by 'Sunday Morning' (video)

What's the dirty secret behind all our glittering tech gadgets? That question was on the minds of many this week as The New York Times turned up the heat on a long-simmering story about Apple supplier Foxconn's labor practices (and Apple's response to the situation). In the following video, reporter Martha Teichner of the CBS News program "Sunday Morning" takes a look at the Foxconn-Apple relationship.

Apple-Foxconn tale goes well beyond Apple, and tech

Apple CEO Tim Cook has responded to a New York Times report about the working conditions at its Foxconn contract manufacturer as false and offensive.

In a long letter to employees published by 9to5Mac, Cook outlined how Apple cares about workers in its supply chain and takes steps to audit how they are treated. The response comes after a New York Times went into detail about how Apple’s China manufacturing efforts are a) necessary due to U.S. inability to be nimble and b) the cost advantages of making your electronics abroad.

Apple was the main target of the … Read more

For Apple, $7.1B should keep supply chain humming

Apple's tight control of the supply chain has been one of its competitive strengths. And that control should get even tighter next year as the company plans to double its current level of spending.

With a treasure chest of more than $80 billion in cash and investments, Apple is looking to spend a whopping $7.1 billion on supply chain expenditures in 2012 and another $2.4 billion in prepayments to major suppliers, according to a profile by BusinessWeek.

Citing interviews with former Apple employees, executives from suppliers, and management experts, BusinessWeek revealed how Apple has spent big bucks … Read more

Analysts dubious about iPad supply issues

Following claims from a J.P. Morgan analyst that Apple cut the number of iPads it plans to order from suppliers, other analysts have chimed in to disagree.

J.P. Morgan analyst Gokul Hariharan yesterday issued an investor note saying Apple would slash its iPad orders by 25 percent for the fourth quarter, a move that would affect such suppliers as Hon Hai Precision. The report triggered a Bloomberg report and prompted speculation that Apple may be seeing weaker demand for the tablet in Europe or just trying to work with less inventory.

The analyst's claims also took a … Read more

Taiwan pub steadily criticizes Intel's Ultrabook

A Taipei-based technology news site has been publishing a steady stream of flak centered on Intel's Ultrabook laptop strategy. Intel counters, however, that this is little more than rumor and speculation.

Over the last week or so, DigiTimes has been offering up almost a daily dose of grievances, seemingly emanating from that region's suppliers, including ODMs (original design manufacturers) and OEMs (original equipment manufacturers).

For example, on its front door as of Tuesday night PT, the publication has three articles critical of Intel's Ultrabook strategy.

The Ultrabook is defined roughly as an ultraportable laptop under 0.8 … Read more

Apple supply chain sees smooth sailing ahead

Apple's manufacturing partners expect their relationships with the iPhone maker to remain strong, even though there's a new CEO at the company.

In a statement yesterday, Taiwan-based manufacturer, Hon Hai Precision Industry, said that it expects its relationship with Apple to become even closer under the new leadership. That sentiment was echoed by DigiTimes sources at Apple suppliers, who said that they don't anticipate any order changes to come about.

Earlier this week, Steve Jobs stepped down as CEO of Apple. In a resignation letter to the board, Jobs recommended his chief operating officer Tim Cook assume … Read more

Maneuver lasers and pearls in Link It

Link It asks players to use mirrors and rotating pearls to maneuver a chain of laser light around each brain-teasing level. It only sounds complicated because it is--at first.

Each level is littered with different configurations of pearls, one of which is your starting point--the green pearl--which fires off the initial laser. Your job is to rotate the pearls so that they reflect the laser around obstacles and eventually back to the green pearl. Oh, and every pearl must be linked in the resulting chain of light.

As you've probably guessed, Link It is not the simplest game in … Read more