Speaking of the Chinese government and the controlled economy, do you think the Chinese government would allow and encourage a foreign company like Apple to launch their product in China? Wouldn't it impact the local Chinese brands in some way?
@Barbara: Part of the hype created on the launch of any Apple's product is a marketing gimmick by Apple. Just because the media shows how crazy some of the fans are after Apple's products, other people are enticed to join in and become part of the gang.
China is currently in such a position where it can manipulate decisions of the corporations as the corporations know that their customer base and cheap cost production plants are in China; so they are dependant. And we know that the one who controls corporations, controls laws as well. Unfortunately, the capitalism culture is something that has no ethical boundaries and it can force relocation all the resources of the world to a single location if it sees the move profitable.
Recent trends indicate that many consumer electronics items are being inaugrated at the Far East Asian soils. The Sony Playstation 3 was an example. So it wont be surprising if China hosts the launch of the next iPhone. However, with the globalization revolution making way for the trend of manufacturers getting their production lines nearer to their highest consumer bases, probably due to supply chain cost avoidance, China and India will certainly be the biggest beneficiaries of the move. Also, with the US having a population of 1/4th of that of China, the incentive to technology manufacturers is clear.
Is asking for simultaneous launch days too much? I'm worried that if they launch in China first, they will need a few weeks before the hype goes down and they can tackle the US's hype. No?
Barbara,
Good observation and good question. I think there is a mass mind mentality in China as influenced by the government. If the government says censorship is good for the people, then it must be. Maybe technology and freedom of expression aren't mutually exclusive if every thing that needs to be said can be said as far as the people are concerned. Was there any outrage from within China when the Foxconn working conditions were exposed? Rhetorical question.
Bolaji,
I think the grabber in this article is worth some serious consideration. If by 2020, the US market is so diminished in favor of China, that new product introductions will be presented into China, then it will follow that whatever China thinks, China gets in the way of technology advancement benefits. That is like putting a turbo boost into China's economic engine. He who has the most coin, calls the shots. Very astute article.
Bolaji: put that way, it really does sound crazy. Worse yet, the media feeds the frenzy by covering the lines. It's similar to the Black Friday situation: people's desire for an item becomes a spectator sport. At least the folks in the Apple lines seem to behave better...
That about sums it up. You queue up for hours to pay $500 for a product, it heats up, gobbles up your air time, your service provider tells you to pay more, then somebody tells you the conditions under which the device is made isn't up to standards you would accept personally and you still don't see anything wrong with any of this! It's a religion and whatever the company does is just perfect.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
To save this item to your list of favorite EBN content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
