Tag Archives: Apple

Foxconn: Not Apple’s Problem

The last few days the internet has been ablaze with talk of Apple, China and Foxconn. For those of you who don’t know, let me bring you up to speed quickly. Foxconn is the place where Apple and many other electronics companies have their products built and assembled. It’s a place where factory workers have threatened mass suicides, a place where suicide happens frequently and where fair treatment and labor are always an issue. It’s nothing new, especially in China, but it’s being brought to light because of the immense success of Apple and an article by the New York Times.

Apple’s latest quarterly results were astounding! It was the best quarter for any technology company in history. Apple’s profits are doing nothing but rising and they have amassed a huge surplus of cash. So naturally, when you are on top, you become a target. This latest assault places partial blame on Apple for the poor working conditions and poor treatment of the people working in China building their products. However, Apple isn’t the only company using Foxconn and the technology industry is by far not the worst when it comes to worker treatment.

The NYT didn’t take aim at Microsoft, who has the Xbox built at Foxconn, when 300 workers threatened suicide over pay. They failed to point out that Sony has the Playstation built there, that HTC and Motorola both use Foxconn to make their smartphones, and Amazon’s Kindles are all built there as well. Do all of these companies get a pass because they aren’t recording record breaking profits? Why weren’t they targeted?

Editorial: Can RIM Save This Ship

Dear Reader:

Let me first introduce myself by a name that most of you haven’t heard in a long time. I’m Nic Ball the “Berry Guru”. Before there was a Gadget Gurus, before there ever was an Angry Guru and much before I secured my doctorate, I was simply a blackberry junkie. I walked around with my head held down and my thumbs busy typing away on a keyboard as I weaved through pedestrian traffic. It was the best of times. The smartphone market was on in it’s early childhood. We’d finally crossed over the threshold of Windows Mobile and the world was ours to take. Then the iPhone came along and started the downward slide. Android came on the scene and it was as if all the air in the room had been let out. Now here we are only a few years later but it seems like forever ago. Now here we are, RIM, the former king of the market is now the ugly red-headed step child of smart phones. What, if anything, can RIM do to save this ship?

The most obvious problem with RIM has been the total consumerization of IT. No longer are system admins able to keep everyone on an easy to manage and easy to control system without justification for that granular control. Now days CEO’s are demanding the use of an iPhone or iPad and the notion of using a BlackBerry is quickly fading away. RIM has missed out on consumer market in belief that there would always be a rock solid business market. As this layer starts to fade away we have to look at other solutions at RIM.

The Gadget Gurus Podcast Ep 144 – Donny and Vic Get Married, Awwww

The Gurus are back with another fun filled episode of tech greatness. So the week was a little slow for gadget related news, The Gadget Gurus didn’t let that stop them from putting on an awesome show! Oh and shout out to Nic for the lovely album art this week. What a lovely couple!

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Why the Galaxy Nexus can’t Replace my iPhone 4S

There are a lot of thoughts rolling through my mind on all what to say in this post, hopefully I can get them out like I want. First, let me preface this whole thing with a little info about my history in mobile for those who don’t know. I love tech and trying out new operating systems. I use a lot of the main platforms frequently and have switched back and forth several times. I am currently an iPhone 4S full time user, I love Windows Phone, and like Android also. I have been using Android since it’s launch on the G1, and have used every version to date, along with multiple skinned devices. I have been called an Apple Fanboy before, I personally do not label myself that because I am honest about the products that work best for me. They just happen to be mostly Apple. If that labels me a Fanboy, then so be it.

Okay, now that you know where I am coming from, let’s talk about the Galaxy Nexus. I was really hesitant to buy the Nexus to try, knowing how hard it would be to replace my iPhone. I waited a couple of days after the release and could not pass it up any longer. I needed to get the phone and use it extensively, day in and day out. I wanted to experience Ice Cream Sandwich on Google’s flagship phone, especially since I have owned the past two Nexus phones.

The Gadget Gurus Podcast Ep 142 – Who the Hell are these Guys?

Join The Gadget Gurus this week on an adventure of fun, tech, and magical splender beyond your wildest fantasies. The regular Guru squad has been replaced by Victor Von Doom’s Alt Guru team and they mean business! Check out this week’s Gadget Gurus Podcast from another dimension!

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