General Apple Megathread

[silentsim]

Originally Posted by Barnes

What! Boy have I been doing it wrong. You sir have now eliminated the last remaining out of wall wire in my living room.

Laptop needs to be mid 2010 to newer I believe

[Cactus Jack]

I have a question about syncing. I bought the new iphone and plugged in to get everything that was on my old phone to my new one. All my apps and contacts synced, but music was a different story. All my music files showed up on my new phone post-syncing but I'd say about half of the files are grey. I can't click them and can't listen to them on my new phone, only on itunes. Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks

[Devils'Advocate]

I typically buy whatever I can from 1st world countries... I buy American made shoes, Canadian made jeans, Canadian made winter boots... my winter jacket cost $450 but I know it wasn't made in a sweatshop (I actually know someone that works in the Quebec factory where it was made). However, I can't buy a Canadian-made iPad.

So this type of story just burns me up:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/bu...2&pagewanted=1

But as one Apple executive said, "The consumer wants newer, faster products with more features more than they are concerned about working conditions. So we place our resources accordingly."

Real TIme with Bill Mahar did a segment about this last Friday evening.

[Russic]

I would be shocked if Apple didn't do something about this. A few years ago people started talking about how eco un-friendly all their products were. Now in every single keynote they take time to explain what they've done to make the products as "green" as possible. It's a very complex problem, but I can see Apple making some kind of change even if it's just to save face.

What's unfortunate is that the Apple executive mentioned above is telling the truth. While people are making big noises about the problem, some tech websites are reporting the stories generate an incredibly low amount of interest. Sadly we notice if our electronics are too expensive, but we don't notice (or care) the human rights violations that make them cheaper.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by silentsim

Is it the bytec one? If so should work.
When you hook it up, go to system prefs, sound, then choose hdmi (probably list the tv)

Thanks again for the help. What you said works perfectly and I did not need another cable for audio - the HDMI adapter from my MacBook is carrying audio and video.

Also downloaded Boxee onto the laptop and was enjoying that. I had to make a Future Shop run for a Bluetooth keyboard, but it's worth it for all this adds to my set up.

[silentsim]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Thanks again for the help. What you said works perfectly and I did not need another cable for audio - the HDMI adapter from my MacBook is carrying audio and video.

Also downloaded Boxee onto the laptop and was enjoying that. I had to make a Future Shop run for a Bluetooth keyboard, but it's worth it for all this adds to my set up.

Glad to hear! Plex> Boxee though

[Sliver]

Man, I should just get your phone number and ask you before I do anything tech related haha. I'll check out Plex tonight.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by silentsim

Glad to hear! Plex> Boxee though

Does Plex let you legally watch TV shows from the networks' web sites? That's a big thing about Boxee for me, but apparently they are discontinuing their PC/Mac software now and concentrating on the Boxee Box.

Obviously, if you're using Plex you'll have a computer hooked up, so you could just navigate to the shows using the web browser. But I do like being able to use the large-format interface on Boxee to access the TV show content. I'll have to play with Plex a little bit when I have some time.

Good to hear that the HDMI adapter is working nicely, Sliver. It is so much easier that messing around with a separate DVI or VGA cord and an audio link.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

Does Plex let you legally watch TV shows from the networks' web sites? That's a big thing about Boxee for me, but apparently they are discontinuing their PC/Mac software now and concentrating on the Boxee Box.

Obviously, if you're using Plex you'll have a computer hooked up, so you could just navigate to the shows using the web browser. But I do like being able to use the large-format interface on Boxee to access the TV show content. I'll have to play with Plex a little bit when I have some time.

Good to hear that the HDMI adapter is working nicely, Sliver. It is so much easier that messing around with a separate DVI or VGA cord and an audio link.

Yeah, I'll have to check out Plex, but last night I was loving Boxee for the way it aggregates all the network TV shows into one interface.

[MickMcGeough]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

I typically buy whatever I can from 1st world countries... I buy American made shoes, Canadian made jeans, Canadian made winter boots... my winter jacket cost $450 but I know it wasn't made in a sweatshop (I actually know someone that works in the Quebec factory where it was made). However, I can't buy a Canadian-made iPad.

So this type of story just burns me up:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/bu...2&pagewanted=1

But as one Apple executive said, "The consumer wants newer, faster products with more features more than they are concerned about working conditions. So we place our resources accordingly."

Real TIme with Bill Mahar did a segment about this last Friday evening.

Those stories burn me up too, but it's because I'm interested in the situation and so very few articles have objectively reported on it (this one is not an exception).

I'd be interested in seeing the Bill Maher piece on it.

As it was explained to me a large piece of the manufacturing work force comes from the hundreds of millions of rural Chinese residents who still lack access to clean water or any type of medical facilities. Working conditions in Chinese factories are deplorable in our social context, but it could still be a huge increase in the quality of life for many.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

Those stories burn me up too, but it's because I'm interested in the situation and so very few articles have objectively reported on it (this one is not an exception).

I'd be interested in seeing the Bill Maher piece on it.

As it was explained to me a large piece of the manufacturing work force comes from the hundreds of millions of rural Chinese residents who still lack access to clean water or any type of medical facilities. Working conditions in Chinese factories are deplorable in our social context, but it could still be a huge increase in the quality of life for many.

We are making them threaten mass suicide because of what they say by your own admission are deplorable working conditions, but because they have ruining water now that is ok? Not a compelling argument. Would a balanced view support your assertion that they enjoy it there?

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Russic

I would be shocked if Apple didn't do something about this. A few years ago people started talking about how eco un-friendly all their products were. Now in every single keynote they take time to explain what they've done to make the products as "green" as possible. It's a very complex problem, but I can see Apple making some kind of change even if it's just to save face.

What's unfortunate is that the Apple executive mentioned above is telling the truth. While people are making big noises about the problem, some tech websites are reporting the stories generate an incredibly low amount of interest. Sadly we notice if our electronics are too expensive, but we don't notice (or care) the human rights violations that make them cheaper.

You can say all you want in keynote speeches and press releases. It doesn't translate to real world results. Apple is still hiding the list of the majority of their supply chain and there is zero monitoring or auditing of the environmental policies of that chain. They are probably not actually green at all, despite saying so.

Furthermore, they have no incentive to improve working conditions at Foxconn. As long as demand remains high, lowering costs and speeding up production are the only metrics that matter to them.

Apple is just being singled out in the press because of its high profile and higher margins. Almost every consumer product we buy is made in China, many of them in conditions just as, or even more hazardous and deplorable than the stories we are getting out of Foxconn. The fact is that the Apple jobs are still in demand and Chinese migrant workers flood to Chengdu and Shenzhen to get them. It's still safer than working in a Chinese coal mine.

If our western companies actually started exerting any kind of ethical or environmental oversight for real, the costs of our products would soar and the release time tables would grow to extraordinary lengths. It's the nature of the beast. Sadly, the percentage of people who would really vote with their wallet based on ethical concerns is extremely low. Everybody just wants their latest gadget as soon as possible and at the lowest price possible. For them, out of sight is out of mind.

There is no need to demonize or defend Apple here. They are as guilty as almost every other large consumer goods manufacturer in the world that exploits cheap labor and lax environmental policies in developing countries.

There is a list of most trustworthy companies for clean-capitalism being awarded by a new think tank. I'm not sure if it actually means anything.
http://www.trustacrossamerica.com/index.shtml
http://www.trustacrossamerica.com/do...yCompanies.pdf

[MickMcGeough]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

We are making them threaten mass suicide because of what they say by your own admission are deplorable working conditions, but because they have ruining water now that is ok? Not a compelling argument. Would a balanced view support your assertion that they enjoy it there?

I really do try not to be overly condescending around here but stuff like this makes that challenging.

I made none of the claims or assertions that you're trying to debate here.

To rephrase:

Most journalists write these articles to vilify Apple (or Sony/Dell/HP/etc).
Foxconn workers live in conditions we'd consider deplorable.
Most of rural and lower-class China live in conditions we'd consider deplorable.
I've witnessed but not experienced either living condition, and thus do not pretend to know which is preferable.

To add:

A "suicide strike" sends one message: "I'd rather die than continue working in these conditions, and I'd rather die than quit working here." Take a moment to consider the sequence of circumstances that would push one to take that stance. What makes death preferable to resignation for these people?

[Russic]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

You can say all you want in keynote speeches and press releases. It doesn't translate to real world results. Apple is still hiding the list of the majority of their supply chain and there is zero monitoring or auditing of the environmental policies of that chain. They are probably not actually green at all, despite saying so.

Furthermore, they have no incentive to improve working conditions at Foxconn. As long as demand remains high, lowering costs and speeding up production are the only metrics that matter to them.

Apple is just being singled out in the press because of it's high profile and higher margins. Almost every consumer product we buy is made in China, many of them in conditions just as, or even more hazardous and deplorable than the stories we are getting out of Foxconn. The fact is that the Apple jobs are still in demand and Chinese migrant workers flood to Chengdu and Shenzhen to get them. It's still safer than working in a Chinese coal mine.

If our western companies actually started exerting any kind of ethical or environmental oversight for real, the costs of our products would soar and the release time tables would grow to extraordinary lengths. It's the nature of the beast. Sadly, the percentage of people who would really vote with their wallet based on ethical concerns is extremely low. Everybody just wants their latest gadget as soon as possible and at the lowest price possible. For them, out of sight is out of mind.

There is no need to demonize or defend Apple here. They are as guilty as almost every other large consumer goods manufacturer in the world that exploits cheap labor and lax environmental policies in developing countries.

There is a list of most trustworthy companies for clean-capitalism being awarded by a new think tank. I'm not sure if it actually means anything.
http://www.trustacrossamerica.com/index.shtml
http://www.trustacrossamerica.com/do...yCompanies.pdf

I can agree with pretty much everything here. I don't know nearly enough about the environmental impact of electronics to say Apple is making a difference one way or another, but I think that public pressure made them do something (I obviously don't know how significant that something is).

It reminds me of the oil debate. People will preach loud and hard about getting the world off oil, but in the end I imagine almost nobody is prepared to live in a world without it.

As angry as stories like this make people, I highly doubt they are willing to vote with their dollars against it. There will be those who would be fine paying an extra $50 if it meant the workers conditions were improved, but I feel that number would be quite low.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Russic

As angry as stories like this make people, I highly doubt they are willing to vote with their dollars against it. There will be those who would be fine paying an extra $50 if it meant the workers conditions were improved, but I feel that number would be quite low.

This is one of the reasons Apple is being singled out.

Most other electronics companies out there are working with small 1-5% margins in a cutthroat industry. Apple on the other hand has a near 35% margin overall on all their products. Depending on perspective, some might be viewing Apple with the same prejudice as they do with oil companies - companies which appear to be making money hand over fist and not visibly kicking back that money back down the chain where it could improve environmental or working conditions.

A 32GB iPad2 w/WiFi + GSM HSPA is estimated to cost $336 to manufacture. $326 of that is in material costs. The other $10 is all Apple pays for manufacture. Using the $1.11 USD/hour rate of Foxconn, that - works out to about 9 hours each to complete.

That 32GB iPad2 w/WiFi + GSM HSPA sells for $729 at the moment. Apple's margin on this particular product is 46% (may be closer to 35% after soft costs) or $393. That extra $50 you are asking for is only 13% of Apple's profit on this product. Apple is doubling their money on hardware alone.I don't think it's fair to be asking the consumer to pay more just to ensure decent working conditions and fair wages for their factory workers in China? That should come out of their profit margin to ensure ethical treatment of workers, not out of the consumer's wallet.

Pricing break-down:


Keep in mind, Apple also makes money on their software, application, and entertainment ecosystems. Most electronics companies sell hardware at near break-even to make money off their ecosystems. Others without this ecosystem have to rely on tiny margins on their electronics products alone. Apple has both.

[CKPThunder]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Keep in mind, Apple also makes money on their software, application, and entertainment ecosystems. Most electronics companies sell hardware at near break-even to make money off their ecosystems. Others without this ecosystem have to rely on tiny margins on their electronics products alone. Apple has both.

Last year every 16GB wifi only tablet was selling for $499. How is it that Apple can manufacture their tablet with a 35% gross profit margin while everyone else is making their tablet just to break even? Are these other electronic companies paying that much more to the employees than Apple?

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by CKPThunder

Last year every 16GB wifi only tablet was selling for $499. How is it that Apple can manufacture their tablet with a 35% gross profit margin while everyone else is making their tablet just to break even? Are these other electronic companies paying that much more to the employees than Apple?

I said that those with an ecosystem (ie: Amazon, Barnes & Noble) sell their devices at near break even in order to push their entertainment libraries. Apple doesn't have to sell at break even and they still make incredible amounts of money off itunes and app sales. The worst off are companies like Acer, ASUS, etc. There are always rumors they are going to get out of netbooks or they will be squeezed out of the tablet market, etc. since they don't have an ecosystem to sell and don't have that secondary revenue stream aside from the gross margins at retail for their hardware.

[HotHotHeat]

I don't think margins are the main reason Apple is being singled out in all of this. People hold them to a higher standard than 'cheap Chinese' electronics, and all the yuppies that have green peace stickers plastered all over their laptops are up in arms to find out Apple is the same as any other company. Personally, I'm baffled as to how one doesn't know Apple is the same.

Going after one company the way people are is going to do literally nothing to change the working conditions of people in poor nations all around the world.

Last thought.... Apple's largest growth in sales last quarter was in Chinese market, so the out of sight out of mind argument can't be applied across the board.

[Red]

Foxconn makes parts for all major electronics companies. The pay is the same across the board.

All except Apple (RIGHT....) lose money or barely break even.

I guess Apple being the evil that they are should triple the salaries to these workers and effectively kill the competition. They would only spend extra $20 per ipad and we know the competition can't do that.

Would that generate some anti competitive lawsuits? Who cares, it's Apple. They can afford it. Until they can't. Again, who needs these guys around?

Seriously though. It's a tough world out there. Apple is not the ones to blame for poor working conditions. The problem is much bigger than that and I don't believe that Apple with all their riches can fix that.

[InSutterWeTrust]

Need some help. My Laptop has died and well I didn't have a recent backup. My music isn't "purchased" through Itunes. Anyone recommend a good software that can pull music off my IPhone?