Foxconn following Apple's lead into 'made in USA' expansion

Apple brings Mac manufacturing back to USA, and Foxconn may follow

Now that Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook has spilled the beans on plans to bring manufacturing of its Mac computers back to America, its major Asian supplier has confirmed its intentions to do the same - someday.
Bloomberg reported Thursday that Foxconn Technology Group is exploring the possibility of expanding its largely Chinese-based manufacturing facilities into the United States.
"We are looking at doing more manufacturing in the U.S. because, in general, customers want more to be done there," Foxconn spokesman Louis Woo confirmed without elaborating on specific plans, clients or timing.
The comments come on the heels of an interview today with Apple's CEO in which he detailed a $100 million investment in U.S.-based Mac manufacturing in 2013.

Supply chain growth

Based in Taipei, Foxconn already has U.S. factories in California and Texas to provide partially assembled products for its server clients.
With more than 1.6 million workers globally, the supplier wants to leverage what it calls "high-value engineering talent" in America, compared to the "low-cost labor of China."
Apple may be Foxconn's highest profile client thanks to the iPhone and iPad, but the 38-year old company also manufactures Sony PlayStations, televisions and other products for the likes of Hewlett-Packard Co.
While most of Foxconn's suppliers are also based in China, some key components such as core processors and Corning's Gorilla Glass are already manufactured in the USA.

Via Bloomberg

Apple and HTC settle disputes with 10-year licensing agreement

No more litigation between Apple and HTC

HTC and Apple have resolved to shake hands on their global legal disputes and agree to a wide-ranging patent licensing deal.
In a surprise announcement, the warring smartphone giants issued a join press release confirming that all current lawsuits would be dropped under the ten year accord.
The agreement, the companies said, would cover current and future patents held by both companies.
HTC CEO Peter Chou said: "HTC is pleased to have resolved its dispute with Apple, so HTC can focus on innovation instead of litigation."
His counterpart in Cupertino, Apple CEO Tim Cook added: "We are glad to have reached a settlement with HTC. We will continue to stay laser focused on product innovation."

New dawn rising?

The announcement comes just a couple of months after HTC said no settlement with Apple was in sight.
The end of legal proceedings between Apple and HTC could herald a new dawn of co-operation between tech companies when it comes to intellectual property.
The headlines in 2012 has been largely dominated by the bloody patent wars, so an end to the courtroom drama would surely be welcomed by everyone. Except the lawyers, obviously.
The terms of the settlement will remain private but a HTC representative told The Verge that he doesn't expect the deal to negatively affect the company's bottom line.

Via The Verge, Apple