The founder of Apple’s chipmaking partner TSMC struck a worrying note this week when assessing US/Taiwanese relations. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts joins Ken to talk about that. Plus – Adventures in Sleep in the Apple Health app.
manufacturing
Working Longer and Sleeping Better - TMO Daily Observations 2023-03-14
Apple and Foxconn are seeing better conditions for manufacturing in India. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken talk over the changes and consider worker issues. Plus – Our Apple Watches tell us we’re not getting enough sleep. We’ll look at how our Apple Watches can help.
More iPhone Making for India and More Soccer for Everyone - TMO Daily Observations 2023-03-06
Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal have tales of more Apple manufacturing in India. TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken talk those over. Plus a quick trip to the Apple Store and Apple’s soccer push continues.
Questioning the Apple Silicon Mac Pro and Apple’s China Exit - TMO Daily Observations 2023-03-02
Will there be an Apple Silicon Mac Pro? TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts wonders aloud about that. Plus – Ken wonders whether Apple actually wants a China exit, or just wants to know where the exit is.
From One Frying Pan to Another? - TMO Daily Observations 2023-01-20
India has given Chinese companies a green light that should help Apple grow manufacturing on the subcontinent. But, if it requires Chinese companies, is diversification into India really diversification? TMO Managing Editor Jeff Butts and Ken puzzle over that. Plus – a how-to on making use of HomePod’s temperature and humidity sensors.
Western Digital NAND Contamination Leads to 6.5 Exabytes in Losses
Due to contamination issues with its NAND production, Western Digital Corp says it has lost approximately 6.5 exabytes of flash storage.
Intel Plans Ohio Factory for Semiconductor Fabrication
Intel plans an Ohio factory that will include at least two chip fabs on the 1,000-acre site. Construction will begin in 2022.
TSMC Quarterly Profits Rose to 6 Billion in Q42021
TSMC, the biggest contract manufacturer of computer chips, reported its quarterly profit rose 16.4% from the previous year to US$6 billion.
Apple Suppliers Create 20,000 Jobs in India
A report on Thursday says that Apple’s suppliers in India have created approximately 20,000 jobs.
Apple and US Manufacturing – TMO Daily Observations 2021-02-11
Bryan Chaffin joins host Kelly Guimont to discuss Apple’s current manufacturing and the possibility of some of it becoming US-based.
Apple Supplier ‘Lens Technology’ Used Forced Uighur Labor
Documents uncovered by the Tech Transparency Project show that Apple supplier Lens Technology has used forced slave labor from Uighur Muslims.
The iPhone 12 Pro Costs Apple $406 to Manufacture
In a teardown of the iPhone 12 Pro, an estimation of the device’s components suggest it costs about US$406 to manufacture.
Apple Looks for Tax Breaks for U.S. Chip Production
A report on Thursday says that Apple has been lobbying the government for tax breaks as it seeks to build its U.S. chip production.
Wisconsin-Foxconn Deal Called Off After Failed Negotiation
A Wisconsin-Foxconn deal in 2017 that called for a factory built in exchange for US$3 billion in tax credits has failed renegotiation.
‘Uyghurs for Sale’ Report Claims Apple Uses Forced Labor
A report from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute claims that Apple is among 83 companies to use forced labor from Uyghur Muslims.
Humans vs Robots, iOS 14 – TMO Daily Observations 2020-06-08
John Martellaro and Charlotte Henry join host Kelly Guimont to discuss humans beating robots at manufacturing, and a peek at iOS 14.
TSMC to Spend $12 Billion on a Chip Factory in Arizona
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is planning to spend US$12 billion to build a chip factory in Arizona.
Apple 2020 Supplier Responsibility Report Includes Info on COVID-19 Impact
Apple released its 2020 Supplier Responsibility report today. It includes a letter from Sabih Khan, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Operations.
White House in Talks With Intel, TSMC to Build U.S. Chip Foundries
Officials at the White House are reportedly in talks with Intel and TSMC to build semiconductor facilities in the United States.
U.S. tech companies and the government have been trying to reduce the country’s dependence on chip factories in Asia for years, underscored by national security concerns […]
In an April 28 letter obtained by the WSJ, Intel CEO Bob Swan told Defense Department that the company is willing to build a commercial foundry in partnership with the Pentagon “given the uncertainty created by the current geopolitical situation.”
The newspaper reports that TSMC has been in talks with Commerce and Defense department officials and Apple, one of the biggest clients, about building a semiconductor factory in the U.S.
Corporations have spent the last 30 or so years moving manufacturing to China in search of cheap labor. Did they not expect China to start competing with them?
Ming-Chi-Kuo Says Coronavirus Threatens Apple
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi-Kuo says that the Coronavirus is a threat to Apple’s business since much of it is based on China.
AirPods Suppliers Want to Expand Into Vietnam
Two Chinese companies, Luxshare Precision and Goertek, are seeking funding to expand AirPods production to Vietnam.
Apple's New Austin Facility, 100cameras and iPhone – TMO Daily Observations 2019-11-20
Andrew Orr and Charlotte Henry join host Kelly Guimont to discuss Apple’s Austin expansion and 100cameras using iPhones to teach photography.
Construction Begins of Austin, Texas Apple Campus
Construction has officially started on the Austin, Texas Apple campus which is expected to open in 2022 to manufacture Mac Pros.
President Trump Tours Texas With Tim Cook at Apple Facility
President Trump tours Texas at an Apple facility in Texas along with Apple CEO Tim Cook as soon as next week, although no official announcement has been made.