> The cheapest UMTS Android 2.2 device I can currently get in > Germany is at 129 EUR (most likely from some overstock clearance).
Android phones start around 20 USD at quantity 1000 in China, see HEDY as one example of many http://en.hedy.com.cn/product/mobile.htm Probably not with 3G for 25 USD, but that's just another detail and the costs of silicon are not the driver, so even with 3G expect it to be coming down into the sub-50 USD range fast, if it's not there yet (just call or email HEDY if you want to know, really. They have nice spreadsheets with their currently shipping products...). > http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-child-labor-2012-1 Apple is one of the few Western companies that truly care about worker conditions at their factories. The lobby-driven propaganda will go on because it works so well, but it's a flat out lie. Apple has the highest employee standards. Every worker at every Chinese IT industry factory would love to work on an "Apple line" or a product that eventually goes to Apple, because the standards are higher, deep into the supply chain. At least 20-30% higher pay, better dormitories, better food, better safety standards, and so on. Apple is the most humble and truly best company about all the good things they do every day, without wasting time on competing in the talk circus. If you worry about worker conditions, start everywhere non-Apple. Do you care whether this story is true, or whether it suits your needs? > 4. a final observation is that I have to conclude that some of us have > no realistic perception of the market prices. Many people seem to want to pay more for a good headphone nowadays than for a good phone. Maybe it is not clear to most what a 'good' phone should be? HTC bought Dr. Dre's Beats a few months ago to the reported tune of 300+ million USD http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/10/htc-to-buy-a-chunk-of-beats-electronics-keep-dr-dre-in-a-lab-w/ Keep up the good work, HTC! (and don't forget factory workers :-)) Cheers, Wolfgang _______________________________________________ Openmoko community mailing list [email protected] http://lists.openmoko.org/mailman/listinfo/community
