Apple CEO Tim Cook to Visit China, Meet Government Officials This Month

[69Mustang]

Do Apple products need those rare earth materials?

Can't they do without them?

The short answer is no. Unfortunately, all the lovely tech we enjoy today is utterly dependent on rare earths. It's one of the reasons the rest of the world is scrambling to develop resources other than China. The biggest problem with rare earths is the horrendous environmental impact caused by mining and production. The US used to be the largest producer until we realized we were poisoning the water table in the western US. In China, sadly it's not so much of an issue. Our efforts to responsibly produce the rare earths have thus far met with less than stellar results.

It's gonna "get real" in the near future. With the increased popularity of e-vehicles the supply constraints are going to be heightened. Phones and other electronics use relatively small amounts. A lot of it, but in small quantities. E-motors use large quanties.

edit: Here's an old Ars article that does a good job of explaining things in layman's terms: http://arstechnica.com/science/2013/12/the-metals-in-your-smartphone-may-be-irreplaceable/ Things haven't gotten appreciably better since this was written.

 

[macs4nw]

TC really is a fantastic outspoken ambassador for the RFK Center for Justice. No wonder they put him on the board. First donating his time to earn it $400K, and now on to China to protest... ooooh... never mind.

lol.... glad that was tongue-in-cheek.... I agree Tim wouldn't dare be too pushy over there. With respect to the taking off-line of Apple's iTunes Movies and iBooks stores, the Chinese aren't going to tolerate being lectured on how to run their country, that would be counter productive to the nth degree. Tim and his team will have to walk on egg shells and practice Chinese diplomacy if they want to accomplish even the slightest items on their agenda.

We're talking about censorship here, controlling the population, lest the latter become too empowered in which case a popular uprising, or even a revolution, could mean an end to the Communist's comfy, but repressive, existence.

God forbid, smart, young, idealistic citizens (students usually) see the shortcomings of communism, and want something better for their, and their offspring's future. Yes, I'm of course referring to the Tiananmen Square Massacre.

 

[scott911]

Someone in China it no doubt preparing little gift bags for the apple visitors;
I recommended they include come of those classy leather wallets with IPHONE stamped on them!

 

[pat500000]

Hey Tim (aka Dorothy from wizard of oz), how does it feel to be a wimpy CEO in front of Chinese leaders (the Wizards of oz)? You do know they see you like a desperative house wife, right?

Although China is still their biggest target, it also has a negative impact if depending on them for sales just like depending iPhones or whatever idevices.

I wouldn't be surprise if China buys the company off and declare ownership.
If president Putin was the CEO of the company, he wouldn't take crap from anyone....but that's wishful thinking.
Apple need a "real man" to run the company.
Since tim disrespected Americans as well...Tim needs to kiss up to ours as well.

Man...I love these type of news...it's like Chester got high from Cheetos.
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Many butts to kiss. Poor Tim...

And many fortune cookies to break.

 

[SHNXX]

I hope that Tim Cook doesn't grovel the way Mark Zuckerberg did.

 

[Zirel]

The short answer is no. Unfortunately, all the lovely tech we enjoy today is utterly dependent on rare earths. It's one of the reasons the rest of the world is scrambling to develop resources other than China. The biggest problem with rare earths is the horrendous environmental impact caused by mining and production. The US used to be the largest producer until we realized we were poisoning the water table in the western US. In China, sadly it's not so much of an issue. Our efforts to responsibly produce the rare earths have thus far met with less than stellar results.

It's gonna "get real" in the near future. With the increased popularity of e-vehicles the supply constraints are going to be heightened. Phones and other electronics use relatively small amounts. A lot of it, but in small quantities. E-motors use large quanties.

edit: Here's an old Ars article that does a good job of explaining things in layman's terms: http://arstechnica.com/science/2013/12/the-metals-in-your-smartphone-may-be-irreplaceable/ Things haven't gotten appreciably better since this was written.

Thanks.

 

[tuna9720]

After all, Apple has taken the success for granted, period..

This statement comes from someone who loves Apple. I love Apple but I'm not a fanboy, and I'm not happy how Apple thinks that they can milk the customers as long as they want.

Today, Apple's mindset is "We'll give them as low as we can, we will charge them whatever the premium price is, and they will keep buying it!". I expect & hope this strategy will NOT work out.

 

[jonnysods]

I wonder how a meeting with a powerful man in the West goes with a government that doesn't particularly care about western status goes. How will they treat him? How hard can he push?

 

[iZac]

When does "third world" become first world, and when does "first world" become "second world", etc? Since these "developing" countries can do eeeeeeeeeeeeeverything for better...

I know you're being sarcastic, but First World countries have systems in place to support their neediest members. (Wether they work or not is another matter) Access to education, medicine and quality of life. The only reason China and other developing countries can sustain their growth is the abuse of its own human life.