Foxconn’s next plant could kill Apple leaks

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foxconn
Big Apple leaks could become a thing of the past.
Photo: Foxconn

Foxconn is planning to build a new prototyping facility right alongside Apple’s upcoming research and development center in Shenzhen, China.

The move will “better help Apple create prototypes” of products in the development process, and could mean a lot fewer leaks for curious fans.

Apple is famously the most secretive company in consumer tech, but the bigger it gets, the harder it becomes to prevent big leaks. Very few Apple products now come as a surprise; most are pictured ahead of their official unveilings as parts and components spill in China.

But that could end soon. A report from Nikkei reveals Foxconn is planning a new facility with a view to assisting Apple with producing prototype devices during the product development phase. It will be located in the same city as Apple’s upcoming R&D center.

Not only will this allow Apple to obtain prototype products much faster, but it means devices can be transported quickly between its R&D facility and Foxconn’s manufacturing plant without passing through too many hands.

This will make it more difficult for tipsters to take blurry photographs of new devices and components and leak them to the press while they’re in development. Bummer!

As for that rumored Foxconn factory in the U.S., Donald Trump might as well forget about it. “Foxconn will not leave,” chairman Terry Gou told reporters in Guangzhou this week when asked about new facilities on American soil. “Foxconn will stay [in China].”

Gou was actually invited to Trump’s inauguration in Washington today, but decided not to attend due to instructions from Chinese authorities. It is believed “a high-ranking Chinese official” expressed concerns about the Taiwanese billionaires intentions in the U.S.

However, Gou is still keen to meet with the incoming U.S. president at some point, Nikkei adds.

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