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Hindustan Times
26 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
iPhone 17 trial production kicks off in India, faces setbacks from China: Report
Apple's next flagship, the iPhone 17, is now entering trial production in India, according to a report by The Economic Times. Foxconn Technology Group, Apple's primary manufacturing partner, has started importing key components from China, including display assemblies, rear camera modules, and mechanical housings, in preparation for assembling the new model. These shipments, though limited in volume, suggest the components are for trial production rather than mass manufacturing. iPhone 17 is expected to launch in September.(Majin Bu) Mass Production Begins August, Launch Expected in September Sources indicate that full-scale mass production of the iPhone 17 is scheduled to begin in August, ahead of the anticipated September launch. Apple plans to manufacture the iPhone 17 simultaneously in China and India, a major strategic move that underscores India's increasing importance in Apple's global production ecosystem. This follows a gradual shift in Apple's supply chain strategy over the past few years. While the iPhone 14 was assembled in India six weeks after China, the iPhone 15 was produced nearly simultaneously in both countries. In 2024, Apple integrated India into the New Product Introduction (NPI) process for the iPhone 16, breaking China's long-standing exclusivity on early-stage production. US Market Shift and Tariff Avoidance The move aligns with Apple's broader strategy to reduce its reliance on China, particularly for devices bound for the US. Since the imposition of steep tariffs on Chinese imports under former President Donald Trump, Apple has been ramping up Indian manufacturing as an export hub. The company is aiming to transition most of its US-bound iPhone production to India by 2026, despite pressure from the US government to bring more manufacturing back home. Production Disruption as Foxconn Sends Chinese Engineers Back However, the ramp-up is facing unexpected challenges. According to Business Standard, Foxconn has started pulling back hundreds of Chinese engineers and technicians from its Indian facilities. The decision is believed to be influenced by the Chinese government's efforts to retain critical manufacturing know-how and technology within China. Additionally, there are reports of Chinese Customs delaying the shipment of essential machinery required to upgrade Indian production lines for the iPhone 17. The combination of logistical hurdles and staff pullout could impact Apple's goal of matching production timelines across India and China. Nevertheless, the company appears committed to expanding its footprint in India, with new Foxconn assembly plants already under construction in locations such as Bengaluru.
Indian Express
27 minutes ago
- Indian Express
From Donald Trump's pick for Singapore ambassador to 'embarassador': Why Anjani Sinha grilled in US Senate
Anjani Sinha, US President Donald Trump's nominee for ambassador to Singapore, faced intense criticism during his Senate confirmation hearing on Wednesday after struggling to answer basic questions about the island-state and US interests in the region. Sinha, an orthopaedic surgeon and entrepreneur with no diplomatic background, was pressed by Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth on issues ranging from Singapore's trade surplus to the country's role in ASEAN and the US Navy's presence in the region. His inconsistent and often incorrect responses drew swift rebuke. Dr Anjani Sinha, a Florida-based orthopaedic and sports medicine surgeon, was nominated by President Trump in March to serve as the US Ambassador to Singapore. Hailing originally from India, Sinha graduated from MGM Medical School and Delhi University with a Master's in Orthopedic Surgery and has worked across both public and private health sectors in the US. He is also an entrepreneur who built a network of clinics across New York and later served as a senior surgical consultant in Florida. Trump praised him as a 'highly respected entrepreneur' and posted on Truth Social: 'I have no doubt that Anji will strongly represent our Nation's Interests, and put America First. Congratulations Anji!' The US State Department cited his 'native respect for both American and Asian values' and strong business background in the Indo-Pacific region as reasons for his selection. He and his wife, Dr Kiki Sinha, a retired anesthesiologist and former NYU faculty member, as per a document by Department of State, have donated to several educational institutions in the US and India. During the Senate confirmation, Duckworth questioned Sinha's knowledge of US-Singapore relations, ASEAN, and key regional issues. The nominee stumbled repeatedly, most notably when asked about Singapore's trade surplus with the US. He first claimed it was $80 billion, then corrected himself to $18 billion. The actual figure, Duckworth said, was just $2.8 billion. Dr. Anjani Sinha is deeply unprepared to effectively lead our nation's diplomatic mission in Singapore.⁰ ⁰He will not have my vote. — Tammy Duckworth (@SenDuckworth) July 9, 2025 When Senator Duckworth asked him when will Singapore chair ASEAN next, Sinha incorrectly stated that Malaysia currently held the position. Duckworth, a retired Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel and the first Thai-American woman elected to Congress, pressed him again, prompting a pause, before finally supplying the correct answer herself: '2027'. Sinha also appeared uncertain while trying to defend President Trump's tariffs on Singapore. On April 2, Trump had announced a baseline 10 per cent tariff on imports from Singapore — despite a longstanding free-trade agreement between the two countries since 2004. Higher tariffs are anticipated in specific sectors, including semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. Attempting to justify the decision, Sinha said: 'I believe in the president's decision of a free trade … and he's resetting the trade numbers with each country and he's open for discussion and dialogue with these countries.' Duckworth pointed Singapore's strategic importance during the hearing, describing it as 'one of the most important alliances, friends' that the US has in the Indo-Pacific. She added that it was a key location where the US would be 'going to be fighting against [its] greatest adversary in the region, the PRC', referring to China. The most heated moment came when Duckworth, visibly frustrated, accused Sinha of treating the posting like a 'glamour job.' Duckworth told Sinha: 'You are not currently prepared for this posting, period, and you need to shape up and do some homework.' She added, 'You think this is a glamour posting, that you're going to live a nice life in Singapore, when what we need is someone who can actually do the work.' President Donald Trump's pick to serve as ambassador to Singapore, Anjani Sinha, faced tough questioning during a Senate confirmation hearing in which he struggled to answer inquiries from Illinois Democrat Tammy Duckworth about the city-state and its ties to Washington.… — Bloomberg (@business) July 10, 2025 The exchange has since gone viral in Singapore, where the US maintains significant strategic and economic interests. Critics online have mocked Sinha's lack of preparation, with one comment as reported by BBC, labelling him 'more embarassador than ambassador.' Despite the grilling, Sinha defended his candidacy, calling himself a 'lifelong bridge builder' and pledging to strengthen ties with Singapore. He was introduced at the hearing by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham as 'a friend of President Trump for over a decade.' A final vote on Sinha's confirmation remains pending.
Hans India
28 minutes ago
- Hans India
Elon Musk's X Slashes Subscription Prices for Indian Users by Up to 48%
In a bold move aimed at deepening its footprint in India, Elon Musk's social media platform X—formerly known as Twitter—has announced substantial reductions in subscription prices for its Indian user base. The cuts, which go up to 48% across various plans, mark a major shift in the company's pricing strategy and reflect a growing trend of tech firms tailoring offerings to fit emerging markets. The most significant drop is seen in the Premium subscription for mobile users, which now costs ₹470 per month, a notable reduction from its earlier price of ₹900. Web users also benefit from this overhaul, with the Premium monthly fee slashed to ₹427 from ₹650, making it a 34% price cut. These new rates have already been updated on X's official portal. This recalibration of pricing underscores the platform's efforts to level the playing field between mobile and web usage—acknowledging that app store commissions typically inflate mobile subscription costs. By narrowing this gap, X is clearly attempting to enhance its appeal to smartphone-first users in India, one of the world's fastest-growing digital markets. The Basic subscription plan has also seen a welcome drop. It now costs ₹170 per month, down from ₹243.75. The annual billing option for Basic users has been brought down as well, from ₹2,590.48 to ₹1,700. While this tier does not include the coveted verification badge, it still provides several useful features such as post editing, the ability to write longer content, background video play, and media downloads. For those seeking the full range of benefits, Premium Plus subscribers are also in for a treat. On the web, the monthly cost has been reduced from ₹3,470 to ₹2,570—a 26% decrease. Mobile users will enjoy an even steeper drop, with the new monthly rate set at ₹3,000 instead of the previous ₹5,100. Premium Plus accounts go beyond just badges and editing tools. They include a completely ad-free experience, the ability to publish full-length articles, and access to SuperGrok, an AI-driven assistant powered by Grok 4. These features aim to cater to power users who want a seamless and enriched experience on the platform. The company's decision to reduce pricing in India is more than just a financial adjustment—it's a strategic move. By making subscriptions more affordable, X hopes to tap into a wider audience and boost user engagement in a competitive social media landscape that includes domestic and global players. India, with its growing internet user base and increasing smartphone penetration, presents an ideal market for such a shift. As more users come online, especially in smaller towns and cities, pricing plays a crucial role in product adoption. Musk's vision appears to acknowledge this, aligning with a broader industry trend where tech giants are localising their offerings to suit regional dynamics. With these changes, X positions itself as a more accessible and compelling platform for Indian users, potentially setting a benchmark for how global platforms can adapt to local markets.
