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Quanta scores contract for next iPhone model -- Why do we care?

If you're the type to monitor Apple sites for any sign of a rumor or news story, this will probably be old news. But for those of you who don't mind waiting to hear the news from another source, it looks like Quanta -- a prominent Taiwanese cell phone ma

Don Reisinger
CNET contributor Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
Don Reisinger
2 min read

If you're the type to monitor Apple sites for any sign of a rumor or news story, this will probably be old news. But for those of you who don't mind waiting to hear the news from another source, it looks like Quanta -- a prominent Taiwanese cell phone manufacturer -- has scored the right to manufacture the next version of the iPhone. Wow. Now that's some interesting news isn't it? Uh, sure.

Why in the world do people care when Apple signs a contract with a manufacturing company? I think it's one of the most ridiculous reactions to non-news anyone can have. Companies sign contracts with manufacturers everyday, why don't people jump up and down for those announcements too?

I really don't know what Apple has done to us, but we're knee-deep in an environment where the most boring topic becomes a front-page story. It even got me -- I'm writing an article about it. No one makes a big deal when the RAZR hits the manufacturing floor -- and then proceeds to break. (Sorry about that one, I couldn't resist.). Why should they make a big deal when the next iPhone will "allegedly" be hitting the plant?

I couldn't care less when the iPhone starts production, but I know I'm in the minority. It doesn't have any impact on me -- I need to wait like the rest of you for the phone and just because it's being produced doesn't mean it'll somehow make me love it any more. I've actually come to a point with Apple news that I take everything (everything!) with a grain of salt.

And yet, when a rumor hits the wire claiming Apple has signed an exclusive contract with a Taiwanese-based manufacturer in the hopes that iPhones available in the fourth quarter, fireworks light up the northern sky. Do you get pleasure out of hearing this news? Sure, I understand that it may hint at the timetable for the iPhone's next release, but how many times have we heard news like this on the iPod side of things? On any given day you'll look over your news feeds and find out that the iPod may be in production by a manufacturing company in China or Taiwan and the device may be coming to store shelves sooner than you thought. I've read at least five such news stories in the past few months and yet no iPod. Odd isn't it?

I don't know, maybe I'm just missing out on all the fun. Maybe I should be more in tune with the finer things in life like an Apple-manufacturer contract. Surely that will somehow bring the iPhone to my front step sooner.

Nothing is interesting about manufacturing news unless you're into big greasy machines and assembly lines. Sorry, but it's true.