Hasta La Gadget!

Apple has shifted some assembly of its new 2012 iMac to the US from China, a teardown of the updated all-in-one computer has revealed, though the extent to which US labor and expertise have been relied upon is unclear. The new OS X machine torn down by iFixit bears the legend “Assembled in USA” where usually you’d expect to see “Assembled in China” on other Apple hardware, though while the Mac may have been pieced together closer to home, the chances of repairing it yourself have decreased dramatically.

For instance, the optically laminated display – which eliminates the air gap between LCD and cover glass, and makes for a slimmer panel, better-quality graphics, and a reduction in reflections – will make it particularly difficult to replace individual components in the screen section. If the cover glass breaks, for instance, you’ll need to replace the LCD too, even if it’s still working fine. Interestingly, Apple apparently uses the same LCD panel itself as on the last-gen iMac; the only difference is the optical lamination bonding system.

A shift from 3.5-inch to 2.5-inch hard-drives helps shave away bulk (and Apple has sensibly clad the drive in rubber, so as to help prevent vibrations), as does replacing the multiple small fans of the previous-gen with a single, large fan. That sucks in air through the squared-off vents along the bottom edge of the iMac, and blows it out of the back vents hidden by the stand mechanism.

Unfortunately, while the 27-inch iMac has user-accessible RAM, the 21.5-inch model hides it behind the logic board, and while you could remove the original chips you’d need to unglue the screen first. There’s also, unsurprisingly, no room for a second drive: even the Fusion Drive models, which pair traditional spinning HDDs with flash storage, use a small flash memory chip rather than an actual second SSD.

It’s not all bad repair news, however. The dual-microphones and webcam are now attached with sturdy – and removable – cables, making swapping them out more straightforward, while the antennas for Bluetooth and WiFi are also modular. Overall, though, iFixit rates the 2012 iMac 3 out of 10 for repairability, citing the troublesome upgrade process and replace-unfriendly components like the display sandwich.

But, how many of those components come from the US? According to the FTC, “Assembled in USA” is a so-called “qualified Made in USA” claim, where it’s considered deceptive to suggest that a product has been made within the country as a significant amount of the work that went into it was done overseas.

“A product that includes foreign components may be called “Assembled in USA” without qualification when its principal assembly takes place in the U.S. and the assembly is substantial. For the “assembly” claim to be valid, the product’s last “substantial transformation” also should have occurred in the U.S. That’s why a “screwdriver” assembly in the U.S. of foreign components into a final product at the end of the manufacturing process doesn’t usually qualify for the “Assembled in USA” claim” FTC

Since it is insufficient to simply piece together overseas-produced components and meet the standard, Apple must be doing more in the assembly process to justify its claim. Previously, only made-to-order Macs bore the “Assembled in USA” branding, but the iFixit machine was an off-the-shelf model of the standard base configuration.

More on the new iMac in our hands-on with the 27-incher.

Some 2012 iMac “Assembled in USA” tips tricky teardown is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Once again it really seems like with every week, we can expect to see something Blackberry 10 related, but with Google recently releasing some tips and some numbers on how to successfully market a smartphone prior to its release, it looks like RIM could be headed in the right direction. In any case a video was posted not too long ago which is basically a tutorial video on the Blackberry 10 L-series handset which is due for a release early next year. While there’s nothing new revealed in the video, it gives us some idea of what we can expect from the device, along with a tutorial on how to navigate the operating system along with the gestures that we can use on it. This is probably a great video for those who are preparing themselves for the Blackberry 10 L-series, or for eager fans who simply can’t get enough of Blackberry 10 or the L-series handset.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: The WiFi Mouse app will turn your Android smartphone into a mouse, HTC One VX reportedly arriving on AT&T December 7th,

Lasha Pataraya has an unusual gift. He’s not just insanely strong: he has insanely strong ears, too. Which is why he was able to use one of them to pull an 8-ton truck. More »

Mitsubishi has ditched its rear-projection TV product line, the company has confirmed, the last to abandon the the big-screen, big-bulk DLP category. Moving forward, Mitsubishi’s focus will be on business display equipment and home theater projectors according to a letter sent to authorized service centers and shared with CEPro, with a company executive subsequently confirming the discontinuation of 73-, 82-, and 92-inch RPTV sets.

The memo, signed by Mitsubishi Electrical Visual Solutions America Inv. (MEVSA) president and CEO Junichi Nose, described the change in strategy as an ”important change in business direction, which will necessitate a corresponding restructuring of the MEVSA organization.” The ethos was echoed by executive vice president of sales and marketing Max Wasinger.

“We are in the midst of an orderly exit from the DLP TV business” Wasinger told CEPro. “MEVSA will now focus on B-to-B (projectors, display wall, printers, digital signage, monitors, etc.) and the home theater projector business.”

Mitsubishi had the RPTV business to itself since 2009, after Samsung – the other remaining hold-out at that point – dropped out of the segment. While rivals chased LCD for big-screen sets, and saw the market for those panels dive in value, Mitsubishi instead decided to push DLP as its sole line, with no models under 65-inches.

Despite RPTV being far more cost effective inch-for-inch than rival flat-panel systems, however, the accompanying cabinet bulk proved an increasing turn-off to consumers. According to the leaked memo, MEVSA will continue to offer parts and accessories for the sets, and the network of service centers will continue to operate the same degree of warranty aftercare.

[via Slashdot]

Mitsubishi axes rear-projection TV range is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

While the HTC Windows Phone 8X might be HTC’s flagship Windows Phone 8 handset, its asking price (even on contract) might not be suitable for everyone, hence the Windows Phone 8S which HTC’s more affordable WP offering. However those living in the US who might be interested in getting their hands on the HTC 8S, you might be disappointed as HTC has confirmed via a statement that the HTC 8S is not destined for the US market. According to HTC, “The Windows Phone 8X by HTC is our signature Windows Phone available at AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless in the U.S. With our focus on the Windows Phone 8X by HTC, the Windows Phone 8S is not currently planned for distribution in the U.S. market.” Granted it’s not the most powerful WP phone that you can get at the moment, but with its lower price point, it might be attractive enough for those looking to make the jump into WP8 without having to spend too much. That being said, we wouldn’t be surprised if you are able to find the HTC 8S unlocked via various retailers or even on eBay, so if you really want the 8S, you’ll have to do a bit of searching and be prepared to pay full price for it.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: The WiFi Mouse app will turn your Android smartphone into a mouse, HTC One VX reportedly arriving on AT&T December 7th,