Microsoft reveals new Windows Phone hardware partners

Just when we thought Nokia was the only Windows Phone hardware maker left, Microsoft has announced a bevy of hardware partners slated to make new handsets in time for Windows Phone 8.1 this Spring which is really Windows Phone 9 if you consider the massive list of new features and upgrades. Aside from Nokia, HTC and Samsung (the last two which were the last non-Nokia makers to release WP devices), we see Lenovo, Huawei, LG, ZTE, Foxconn, Longcheer and a few other brands I've honestly never heard of. 

Microsoft VP Nick Parker says, "we're open for business on Windows Phone to anyone who wants to build one." Great for consumers who now have some choice to look forward to in the Windows Phone space.

Source: Engadget

Foxconn plant in China closed after 2,000 workers get in brawl over dispute

A huge brawl involving 2,000 factory workers has forced the closure of a Foxconn plant in Taiyuan, China. The brawl was an escalation over a dispute between how workers were treated. Foxconn is one of the more prominent factories that manufacture products for various technology companies. The Taiyuan factory has 79,000 workers and is said to be the plant where the iPhone 5 is being manufactured.

Foxconn is the biggest contract factory of electronic goods, in China it employs a total of about 1 million workers.

Source: Toronto Sun

Video: Marketplace shows How iPads are Made

American Public Media's Marketplace takes to Foxconn, the controversial electronics manufacturing company headquartered in Tucheng, New Taipei,Taiwan. The video shows how Apple's iPads are made and touches on how factory workers try to find jobs in manufacturing at Foxconn. Numerous computer and consumer electronics companies get their products made in Foxconn.