Cupertino, CA -- Is Apple going to break up its relationship with Motorola to introduce its own iPhone in late 2006? The long-rumored product once again made headlines last week as analysts speculated on an upcoming product introduction. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said there was a 75% chance that Apple would release an iPhone in the next 12 months. And over the weekend, JPMorgan analyst Johnny Chan told Barrons that Apple is working on "an iPod with phone functions."
Most speculate that Apple will end up using Hon Hai Precision, a Taiwanese contract electronics manufacturer, to help them make it. Hon Hai already has contracts for the Power Mac G5 line and the iPod nano. (Dell, Intel, HP, Sony, and Cisco Systems are also rumored to be current Hon Hai customers.)
BEIJING -- Two U.S. senators, part of a delegation to China this week, are pressing Chinese officials to ease protections on its currency before the Senate votes on possible punitive measures next week.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) claim that China is manipulating its currency, in violation of World Trade Organization rules.
NORWALK, CT -- The global market for self-service machines, nearly
$11.3 billion in 2005, will reach $24 billion by 2010, an average annual growth
rate of 17%. According to BCC Research, the global number of
machines in service will grow from 2.1 million last year to 2.8 million by 2010,
an AAGR of 6.1%.
Automated teller machines (ATMs) and vending machines will continue to be the
driving force for this market; the history and technology is long-standing and
well-tested, and consumers will continue to show their support. An offshoot of
the ATM, the self-service kiosk provides information to users instead of
currency. These kiosks will begin to take off through the forecast period as well, as more consumers worldwide
recognize their versatility and cost efficiency, BCC said.
CONCORD, CA -- March Plasma Systems has established an advanced plasma applications and demonstration laboratory in Shanghai, China. The new lab is located within the existing March-China offices and will be run by applications field service engineer Michael Zhang.
The laboratory is equipped with a variety of March plasma processing systems for processing PCB, semiconductor and microelectronic devices.
TOKYO - DENSO Corp. has established a new company in Tianjin, China. The addition is “in response to the production needs of Korean automotive manufacturers in China,” noted managing officer Mitsuharu Kato.
Tianjin Poong Sung Electronics Co., Ltd. will produce instrument clusters, beginning production at the end of 2006. By 2010, it is expected to employ 80 people with projected sales of US$23 million (2.7 billion yen).
This is DENSO’s second company to produce instrument clusters in China.
Kyzen Corp. will showcase AQUANOX A4630 in booth 2D01 at the upcoming Nepcon China/EMT China show in Shanghai.
The product was designed to clean Pb-free materials while providing low cost of ownership. The sixth-generation product brings ambient temperatures and low concentrations while exceeding industry standards for personnel and environmental safety.
Is typically used in aqueous spray-in-air equipment at 10 to 20% from ambient temperatures. Said to provide brilliant joints, pass after pass, without the use of sump side additives and throughout an extended bath life.
Effective on all no-clean materials.Is multi-solder safe for Pb-free and Pb-bearing solders in addition to most precious metals. It is part marking safe and compatible on all tested electronics industry labels (polyimide).