How the Earthquake in Japan Affects the Tech Industry

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704893604576199971886000168.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLTopStories

The gruesome earthquake that hit forced many manufacturing companies in Japan causing prices of some common technology components to rise.

Taking down the Apple and Google smartphone duopoly

http://money.cnn.com/2011/03/09/technology/wac_wholesale_applications/index.htm

It follows that the iPhone and Android devices are the hottest on the market. Google recently took over the top spot among smartphone operating systems in the United States, as BlackBerry and Microsoft are falling fast. HP's WebOS is a distant fifth.

Smart ways to ditch your old phone

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/06/23/iphone.old.phone/index.html?iref=allsearch

Article shows list of options that could be done to reduce cell phone waste. Electronic resell site such as Gazelle sounds attractive to the sellers who are willing to earn good amount of money as a return, however it is important to track how those phones are processed.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/03/08/auto.industry.gadgets/index.html

I found this article interesting because it shows how apple is working its products into different markets.

Should Electronic Manufacturers Be Responsible for Recycling?

Colorado lawmakers are trying to pass a bill that would hold manufacturers responsible for ensuring their products are recycled. The bill’s purpose is to keep toxic e-waste out of landfills. In Colorado alone, over 50 tons of electronic e-waste is produced every year, but only 16 percent of it is recycled. Some of it is stored, but the remainder is dumped in landfills in the U.S. and overseas.

http://www.toptenwholesale.com/news/should-electronic-manufacturers-be-responsible-for-recycling-3829.html

Futurama and E-waste

Here is an episode of Futurama that addresses the issues of e-waste and how they are being "recyled" in another country. The opening addresses the issue until around 3:30.

I felt this directly related to the article that we read for tomorrow's class and despite its humor does address what happens when we ship our e-waste to other countries.

http://futuramaepisode.org/episode-3-attack-of-the-killer-app/

Former Apple manager admits taking kickbacks from Asian suppliers

http://asia.news.yahoo.com/afp/20110301/ttc-us-asia-it-company-crime-apple-0de2eff.html

SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - – A former Apple manager has pleaded guilty to accepting kickbacks from suppliers and manufacturers in Asia seeking contracts with the California gadget-maker.

Paul Devine, 38, who worked at Apple from 2005 to 2010, entered a guilty plea in a federal court in San Jose, California, on Monday to charges of wire fraud, conspiracy and money laundering, US Attorney Melinda Haag announced.

Devine was accused of transmitting confidential Apple information, such as product forecasts, roadmaps, pricing targets, product specifications, and data obtained from business partners, to suppliers and manufacturers of Apple parts, the US Attorney's office said in a statement.

In return, the suppliers and manufacturers paid Devine kickbacks, including payments determined as a percentage of the business they subsequently did with Apple, it said.