MIC Gadget

Apple will open its biggest flagship retail store in Dalian, China, according to advertisements spotted in Parkland Mall (via M.I.C Gadget). A translation of the ad claimed, “Apple’s World’s Biggest Flagship Store will be coming soon” to the shopping center.

It appears the initial stages of construction are already underway due to the large Apple barricades outside of the mall, but the report claimed rival shopping center Dalian Department Store sent its security team to “push down the Apple Store banners.” The video below shows the security guards from the Dalian Department Store destroying the barricades after negotiations were unsuccessful.

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With all the controversy surrounding Apple’s supply chains abroad, Foxconn, one of Apple’s biggest partners responsible for assembling the majority of its products, has received the brunt of criticisms. We already know what the Taipei-based assembler thought about Mike Daisey’s fabrications of working conditions at Foxconn plants, but today we get another first hand account from an actual Foxconn employee.

A report from China Business News (via MIC Gadget) profiled Foxconn worker and iPad assembler Wang Xiaoqiao (who opted to hide his real name). According to Wang, iPad line workers are beginning to work fewer hours and get more days off as supply meets demand. Wang said iPad production was ramped up in March, bringing assembly time from 10 hours a day down to 8 hours. However, he is not happy about working less. Wang explained:

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