Apple and Foxconn may team up to bid for Toshiba chip business

Apple Inc is considering teaming up with its supplier Foxconn to bid for Toshiba Corp's semiconductor business.

Toshiba is also the world's second-biggest flash memory chipmaker.

Apple is considering investing at least several billion dollars to take a stake of more than 20 percent as part of a plan that would have Toshiba keep a partial holding so the business remains under U.S. and Japanese control

Apple was not immediately available to comment. Taiwan's Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, declined to comment. A Toshiba spokesman said he could not comment on specific transactions.

Foxconn, which participated in the first round of the chip sale auction, has been considered a national security risk due to its ties with China. The bulk of Apple's iPhones are made at Foxconn's extensive manufacturing base there.

NHK said Apple wants Foxconn to own a stake of around 30 percent of Toshiba's chip business.

An investment by Apple would be its first direct stake in a major global memory chipmaker, as it seeks to secure a stable supply of key components. Samsung Electronics is the biggest maker of flash memory chips, followed by Toshiba, SK Hynix and U.S.-based Micron Technology Inc.

The NHK report comes as Western Digital Corp, Toshiba's partner and one of the bidders for its chip business, warned this week that the Japanese firm's plans to sell its chip unit violates a joint venture contract. Western Digital wants to be given exclusive negotiating rights.

The auction of Toshiba's prized chips asset is essential to the company's plans to cover multi-billion dollar writedowns at its U.S. nuclear unit Westinghouse. Those costs have plunged the Japanese conglomerate into crisis, prompting it even to warn that it may not be able to continue as a going concern. 

Toshiba has narrowed the field of bidders for its chip unit to four suitors, sources have said: U.S. chipmaker Broadcom Ltd, which has partnered with private equity firm Silver Lake Partners LP; SK Hynix; Western Digital; and Foxconn, the world's largest contract electronics maker.

Apple was not part of any of those four bids, according to the person. It's unclear whether Apple participated in the first round of the auction, which sources have said drew around 10 offers.

Shares in Toshiba fell more than 5 percent on Friday, hit by a Bloomberg report that the chip business sale had been temporarily put on hold to address the concerns raised by Western Digital.

"It is not true Toshiba has put the chip sale process on hold," a spokesman said.

TOSHIBA ALTERNATIVE

By the other hand, Toshiba is likely to get the go-ahead from creditors to offer its chip business stake as collateral for new loans and loan commitments worth around 1 trillion yen, people briefed on the matter said.

Access to fresh funds would help tide Toshiba over before it can complete the sale of the chips business.

Some small lenders have baulked at the idea as they have been offered other Toshiba assets as collateral, such as group companies' shares and real estate, but Toshiba's main lenders expect all creditors to approve the move, the people said.

In exchange for the chip unit stake as collateral, Toshiba hopes to get about 300 billion yen in fresh loans and be able to draw down existing loan commitments worth 680 billion yen.

An executive at one of the main creditor banks said it was still uncertain if Western Digital would agree to Toshiba offering its chip unit stake as collateral.

"We would be running risks of being sued by our shareholders if we provide loans to Toshiba without collateral," the executive said.

Reuters.

Foxconn to ship 60.000 Pepper robots.

Foxconn Electronics is expected to ship a total of 60,000 Pepper robots from its plant in Shandong, China in 2016, valued at US$500 million, according to a Chinese-language Commercial Times report.

The Shandong plant is currently rolling out 2,000 Pepper robots a month and is shipping the robots to the US and Europe, in addition to the initial markets in Japan and Taiwan.

The Pepper is developed by Japan-based SoftBank Robotics Holdings (SBRH), of which Foxconn and the Alibaba Group have a 20% stake each.

In addition to the Pepper robots, Foxconn has also begun volume production of a toddler-care mini robot, the ibotn, which is developed by Taiwan ShouDe International Electronics.

Production of the ibotn robots will reach 5,000 units a month by the second quarter of 2017.

Is Apple`s iPhone "Made in the USA" for real?

As you know  the Apple`s iPhone is thought, designed for the software as the well as the hardware in California but it is made in Taiwan by Foxconn Technology Group.

Foxconn has been seriously thinking to move its production to the US.

Apple asked both Foxconn and Pegatron, the two iPhone assemblers, in June to look into making iPhones in the U.S.," a source said. "Foxconn complied, while Pegatron declined to formulate such a plan due to cost concerns." 

 Chairman Terry Gou had been less enthusiastic due to an inevitable rise in production costs. 

"Making iPhones in the U.S. means the cost will more than double," the source said. 

The person added that one view among the Apple supply chain in Taiwan is that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump may push the Cupertino, California-based tech titan to make a certain number of iPhone components at home. 

According to research company IHS Markit, it costs about $225 for Apple to make an iPhone 7 with a 32GB memory, while the unsubsidized price for such a handset is $649. 

Apple, Foxconn and Pegatron all declined to comment.

nikkei asian review 

Japan: SHARP may introduce its entry-level and mid-range smartphones with Foxconn products.

Foxconn Electronics is expected to introduce its entry-level and mid-range smartphones into the Japan market through its subsidiary Sharp in the first quarter of 2017.

However, it remains unclear as to which brand Foxconn will use to market the smartphones it produced in-house in the Japan market,  adding that it is highly possible those smartphones will be sold under the Sharp brand.

Although Sharp's Aquos family products have a significant presence in the high-end segment of Japan's smartphone market, the Japanese vendor lacks entry-level to mid-range models, noting that the adding of Foxconn's products will enrich Sharp's product portfolios.

Apple`s new iPhones suppliers to make 85/90 million smartphones

Apple has ordered to smartphones manufacturers suppliers to make 85/90 million to Dec31, of the upcoming iPhone 6S and iPhone 6 S Plus combined.

Last year initial run  was  70/80 million smartphones for the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

In the first half of its fiscal year ended  September, Apple sold 135.6 million iPhones a 43% increase from the same period last year.

The new iPhones may arrive with more powerful hardware like the A9 processor that might include a Samsung`s made 14 nm octa core chip , a stronger aluminum frame maybe a little thicker than the last year models.

Apple`s assembly partners now are 3: Foxconn, Pegatron and Wistron, since the company diversified its phones portfolio.

Rumors are saying there will be a 4th color, in addition to the silver, gold and space gray.

The phones are expected to feature Apple’s Force Touch technology that can distinguish between a light tap and deep press, allowing users to control a device differently depending on how hard they push on the screen,. Apple has added this feature to the Apple Watch and MacBook laptop computer.

Apple will keep the look design of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus for the new models.

WSJ

The iPhone 6 5.5 inch exists, Foxconn leaked pictures confirms it.

Well finally some more leaked pictures from the direct source manufacturer of the iPhones in Taiwan, well known FOXCONN ,thanks to the french site igen.fr

The photos appear to be of internal information residing in a Foxconn factory, as the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 and 4.7-inch iPhone 6 carry code names of N56 and N61, respectively. 

On the pictures below you can observe that the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 will measure in at 158 millimeters long, 78 millimeters wide and 7.1 millimeters thick, although that thickness will grow to 7.7 millimeters when you take the phone’s protruding rear camera into account,weighing 184.6 grams, or 6.5 ounces. 

Also spotted is information for a first prototype, which retained the same length and width but was 7.0 mm thick and weighed 168.5 grams, or 5.9 ounces.

iGen.fr’s source also claims that the device will feature a 2,915mAh battery.

Confirmed then that 4.7 and 5.5 inch versions of iPhone 6 are in the works.

Which of the prototypes and model will finally come out to light at Apple`s unveiling September 9th event, just one of them or both?

igen.fr via macrumors

iPhone 6 latest leaked pictures.

The party of leaked iPhone 6 pictures continues. This time the source says the device was taken from the line of Foxconn production in Taiwan China by an employee.

The new phone is noticeably lighter ... and appears to have a new sensor on the front ... though it's unclear for what.

Check out all the pictures of the iPhone 6, 4.7 inch below:

 tmz

China's XIAOMI overtakes SONY in smartphone market share. April-June 2014.

                                                                                Xiaomi Mi4

China's Xiaomi has overtaken Sony in smartphone market share for the first time, reflecting the rising popularity of cheaper Chinese models made possible through a collaboration with Taiwanese companies.

Xiaomi ranked sixth in the April-June quarter with a global market share of 4.5%, up 0.4 point from the January-March term, according to Taiwanese research company TrendForce. Sony was seventh with a 4.4% share.

The Chinese company is a prime example of a manufacturer focused on volume sales of cheaper devices, generally within the $100 to $200 range. Xiaomi's popular Hongmi handset is priced at 699 yuan ($113).

Of the 10 largest players in the market, six -- including Lenovo in third place and Huawei in fifth -- are Chinese. Combined, they hold about 28% of the global market. The figure has risen sharply from a 16% share in 2012, and is quickly approaching Samsung's 31.4%.

So how did Chinese companies, whose research and development capabilities lag behind Japanese, South Korean and U.S. competitors, become prominent players in such a short period? The answer lies in the development of the Taiwanese industry.

Taiwanese semiconductor maker MediaTek slashed costs for system chips, essentially the core processor for smartphones, by using other company's licenses and partnering with global leader Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. Its products are 30-50% cheaper than U.S. competitor Qualcomm's.

The company also distributes reference designs for smartphones, allowing businesses with no prior experience in the field to easily enter the market.

Hon Hai Precision Industry, also known as Foxconn, led the way in assembling the devices. Other Taiwanese electronics manufacturing services have since followed suit.

Manufacturers of specific components have also grown dramatically. An example is Largan Precision, the world's largest producer of optical lenses used in phone cameras.

The symbiotic relationship between Chinese and Taiwanese companies enabled the mass production of cheap smartphones, shattering the high-profit business model pioneered by Apple and Samsung.

And the trend is accelerating. Taiwanese suppliers are now engaging India in a similar production scheme. The low-priced devices from Chinese manufacturers are being shipped to developing markets in Southeast Asia and South America.

The average smartphone price this year is projected at $259, 14% lower than in 2013, according to U.S. statistics company NPD DisplaySearch. Shipments of phones under $200 will likely soar 43% this year to 440 million units, accounting for 37% of the total tally. On the other hand, shipments of high-end products costing over $400 will likely decrease for the first time, slipping 6% to about 394 million.

The rise of cheap models spells trouble for Japanese smartphone makers. 

Sony, the largest Japanese manufacturer, just lowered its fiscal 2014 sales target from 50 million devices to 43 million. It now expects to break even in the segment, rather than raking in 26 billion yen in operating profit. The company is "pursuing earnings, not volume," according to Chief Financial Officer Kenichiro Yoshida.

On the other hand, electronic parts makers see this trend as a business opportunity. They are reaching out to leading producers of low-price models and are hoping to be included in the reference guides published by MediaTek.

Xiaomi Mi4 4g Lte Smart Phone Snapdragon 801 Quad Core 2.5ghz 3gb RAM 16gb 5 Inch FHD Glonass - Black

Apple ordered 70 to 80 million of iPhone 6 in 4.7 and 5.5 inch

Apple has asked its suppliers to manufacture between 70 and 80 million of the 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch both with metal cases handsets by Dec. 30

Apple's two main iPhone makers — Foxconn and Pegatron Corp — plan to start mass producing the 4.7-inch model in August while Foxconn parent Hon Hai will exclusively begin making the 5.5-inch handset in September. To get ready, Foxconn and Pegatron have been on a "hiring binge" in China, with Foxconn hiring workers by the hundreds every day.

The new iPhones are expected to make their debut this fall.

Another iPhone rumor, meanwhile, says that the handsets will sport super-durable sapphire crystal displays, which are practically indestructible. In addition, word has it that the Apple logo on the back of the phones will light up for notifications, meaning you'll be able to put the handset face down and still be alerted to an incoming message.

pcmag

Apple to order 90 million iPhone 6 to Foxconn.

According to City Group Markets and reported from chinese site  Commercial Times, Foxconn will recieve a 90 million order from Apple for the iPhone 6.

Apple is expected to increase demand of the iPhone to a 24% this year 2014 from a 13% of last year 2013 and despite IDC says average prices keep dropping as demand shifts to China and  projects a slow down smartphone demand to 19.3% in 2014  from 39.2% in 2013.

Rumors are saying the iPhone 6 will sport a super cristal saphire display, a more advanced camera, wireless charging, A8 chip, and  a bigger display near or similar to actual phatablets  sizes out in the market, or at between a  4.7  to 5.7 or both inch displays one Full HD 1920x1080 the other 2K QHD 2272x1280

Apple sold 51 million iPhones during its fiscal first quarter that ended Dec28th, 2013.

Display Search predictions:

Digitimes

Buy the iPhone 5S GOLD UNLOCKED on Amazon store:

MWC 2014: Blackberry to unveil first Foxconn made NEW affordable smartphones.

Francisco De Jesùs.

The news comes from Terry Gou, CEO of Foxconn who said: "We are working with them (BlackBerry) to design a new device, and we will showcase multiple devices at the trade show (MWC) in Barcelona in February,"

Foxconn signed a deal in December with BlackBerry to develop and produce new smartphones over the next five years. BlackBerry will supposedly target the rapidly growing smartphone market in Indonesia and other emerging markets such as Mexico.

The two companies will cooperate going forward, including 'mutual investments and global marketing'  calling the deal "a breakthrough in the global technology industry,"

Gou added that BlackBerry offers an 'excellent platform' with its BlackBerry 10 OS, with 'outstanding security features' but lacks strong manufacturing capability.

In addition to focusing on tapping the rapidly growing smartphone market in Indonesia, the two will make new devices for other emerging markets, including Mexico, Hon Hai said in a statement.

Apparently all those smartphones to be unveiled with one code named Jakarta , are budget devices made for emerging markets. No clues yet, if them will also arrive to  the USA and Europe.

Blackberry Z30 and z10 unlocked:

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.       

Apple’s  iTVs 46" to 55”  Enters Testing phase at Foxconn.

Initial testing of Apple Inc.'s television sets have gotten underway at Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., a source at the Taiwan-based company said Wednesday. (Hon Hai, the conglomerate behind Foxconn)

Foreign news media have reported recently that Apple is working with Hon Hai, the main assembler of the U.S. consumer electronics giant's iconic iPhones and iPads, to test several designs for its long-talked-about TVs.

Hon Hai, the world's largest contract electronics maker, has declined to respond to the reports, saying that it never comments on specific business deals with any single client.

However, the Hon Hai source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the initial phase of tests on the TVs has kicked off.

Nevertheless, the source said it is unlikely that shipments of the appliances will begin as soon as the end of next year.

The source also predicted that Apple TV shipments could be huge and that new Apple TV-related products might be put on display at the well-known international consumer electronics trade fair, CES, to be held in Las Vegas in January.

Asked whether the new Apple TV will use display panels produced by Japan's Sharp Corp., the source said the possibility is not high.

According to the source, Apple's new TVs will need flat panels ranging between 46 inches and 55 inches, which means that Hon Hai will not need to get its supply exclusively from Sharp.

Hon Hai Chairman Terry Gou's investment company holds a stake in a liquid-crystal-display factory owned by Sharp, Sakai International Operation, which focuses on producing 60-inch LCD panels.

The Hon Hai source said Apple's new TVs will probably use flat panels produced by either Japanese or Taiwanese suppliers.

"We have not yet confirmed the LCD panel supply source with our client," he said.

Apple CEO Tim Cook told NBC News recently that the company's interest in TV has grown beyond a "hobby."

"It's an area of intense interest," Cook said. 

Softpedia

2013: Amazon to ship 5 million units of a US$100-200 smartphone. Foxconn exclusive manufacturer.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.       

mock up

2013: Amazon to ship 5 million units of a US$100-200 smartphone. Foxconn exclusive manufacturer. 

Foxconn International Holdings Ltd., an affiliate of Hon Hai Group, has allegedly manufactured a new smartphone model for Amazon on an exclusive basis, according to industry sources. 

Amazon’s new smartphone model, which is scheduled to be launched between the second quarter and the third quarter of 2013 at a unit price of US$100-200, said that Foxconn is expected to ship as many as five million units of the new device in the year.

Rumours have said  the phone could sport a  4 or 5 inch  display. 

cens.com

Foxconn Taiwanese component manufacturer to expand operations in the USA.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

Foxconn Taiwanese component manufacturer to expand operations in the USA.

Demand for products made in the U.S. is pushing Taiwanese component manufacturer Foxconn to expand its North American operations.

We are looking at doing more manufacturing in the U.S. because, in general, customers want more to be done there," said Foxconn spokesperson Louis Woo in an interview with Bloomberg.

The Foxconn customers prompting the expansion are Apple and HP.

"Supply chain is one of the big challenges for U.S. expansion," Woo said. "In addition, any manufacturing we take back to the U.S. needs to leverage high-value engineering talent there in comparison to the low-cost labor of China."

Foxconn currently has factories in California and Texas involved in the assembly of products such as servers.

Source: ZDNet

Related post: Video: Apple`s CEO Tim Cook talks about Mac, made in the USA.

China: Microsoft`s new smartphone will be launched in 2013.

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesùs.

 (mock up)

China: Microsoft`s new smartphone will be launched in 2013.

According to Chinatechnews Suning  stores a China company who started to work with Microsoft in 2007 and was its channel in the debut of Windows 7, recieved the visit of Jean-Philippe Courtois, Microsoft's global executive vice president and Microsoft worldwide president, in Suning`s new headquarters in Nanjing and implemented comprehensive talks with Zhang Jindong, chairman of the Chinese consumer electronic retail chain.

The two companies reached an agreement on their comprehensive cooperation over the next few years, and they expressed cooperation intent in various sectors, including e-commerce, product sales, and marketing. 

Based on the agreement, Microsoft's new smartphone, which will be launched in 2013 (before rumors said mid 2013), will be first sold via the retail channels of Suning.

Microsoft said that it will consider Suning as its prior sales channels for these two new products.

In other rumors Foxconn has already secured a manufacturing deal with Microsoft for the Surface phone,