Articles for March, 2017

Strong iPhone 7 sales saved Apple’s manufacturer from record decline

Strong iPhone 7 sales saved Apple’s manufacturer from record decline

The fate of Apple and Foxconn, its gargantuan Chinese manufacturing partner, are closely linked. When iPhone and iPad sales flatlined a little around the iPhone 6s era, Foxconn slipped into decline. From Q3 2015 to Q3 2016, Foxconn's revenue was declining on a year-by-year basis. With little structural change in the business, a decline was expected for the fourth quarter of 2016. But once again, analysts underestimated the iPhone 7.

Net profit was up 30 percent for Foxconn compared to the same quarter in 2015, a major jump by any measure. The fact that it beat analysts' predictions of a loss -- and beat it by $660 million -- shows how far off some predictions were. Net profit was T$68.77 billion ($2.26 billion), up from T$52.93 billion in Q4 2015, according to Reuters.

The turnaround was mostly attributed to increased iPhone sales. Apple drives about half of Foxconn's profits, so it makes sense that Apple's record shipment of iPhones in Q4 last year would see Foxconn turn around sharply. Other investments, such as Foxconn's in-house manufacturing robots division and its purchase of screen-maker Sharp, are also starting to pay dividends.

With a strong 2016 final quarter on record, Foxconn is now well set up for a record year. Apple is expected to release three new iPhone models this year, including updates to the iPhone 7 generation and an all-new iPhone 8 (also referred to as the iPhone Edition or iPhone X). Those updates promise a growth in the number of iPhone sales overall, and if the iPhone 8 actually sells for more than $1,000 as has been rumored, the profit margin on every iPhone could also go up.

Add in a revamped iPad line with a new budget model, and things are looking rosy for Foxconn.


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Authorities: Missing teen spotted with teacher in Oklahoma

Authorities: Missing teen spotted with teacher in OklahomaNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — There's been a confirmed sighting in Oklahoma of a 15-year-old girl who disappeared more than two weeks ago with her 50-year-old teacher, Tennessee authorities said Friday.


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Mylan says EpiPen manufacturing partner to expand device recall
(Reuters) - Generic drugmaker Mylan NV said on Friday that its manufacturing partner for EpiPen devices had expanded a recall of the life-saving allergy shot in the United States and other markets. The announcement comes a week after Mylan said it had...
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Moon Girl’s Mentors

Over the course of her adventures, Lunella Lafayette has met quite a few of the Marvel Universe’s most famous players. Most recently, we’ve seen her teaming up with the X-Men. As a budding super hero and child genius, this has given Moon Girl the opportunity to learn a lot about how the hero thing is done. We caught up with writer Brandon Montclare about some of the lessons these mentors (and a couple peers) have taught her.

Totally Awesome Hulk

The big, green version of Amadeus Cho introduced Lunella to the heroes of Marvel. It didn’t go well. She definitely didn’t like finding out that Hulk was the Eighth Smartest Person in the World. The “unranked” Moon Girl tried to pretend it was NBD, but recognition secretly means a lot to Lunella. So their next meeting was incredible: by testing Moon Girl with the legacy Banner B.O.X., the whole world learned that Lunella is the Smartest There Is. 

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015) #4

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015) #4

What is Marvel Unlimited?

Ms. Marvel

Everyone’s favorite Marvel hero made a big impression on Moon Girl — before they even met. She saw Kamala Khan as her idol. The perfect super hero who (from Lunella’s POV) had it all. That they could become friends (albeit awkwardly) came as a big boost for Lunella. 

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015) #10

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015) #10

What is Marvel Unlimited?

Kid Kree

The super-smart, sci-fi swashbuckler tried to teach her the ways of the heart — but he was no match for Moon Girl. 

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015) #9

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015) #9

What is Marvel Unlimited?

The Thing

Not known for his brains, Ben Grimm took it upon himself to educate Lunella in her worst subject: street smarts. As Moon Girl became a bigger part of the Marvel Universe, she discovered that most things you can’t learn in a book. 

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015) #14

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015) #14

Ironheart

Riri Williams and Lunella Lafayette have a lot in common. And the older kid genius was the first one to give Lunella what she wanted most: respect. This played a big part in Lunella’s learning to temper her ego and establish a healthier form of self-respect. 

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015) #15

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015) #15

Forge

Moon Girl is kindred spirits with the X-Men’s uncanny engineer. This friendship helped save both the Mutants and the Inhumans as both clans of outsiders warred in IVX.

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015) #17

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015) #17

Dr. Strange

The Sorcerer Supreme lives only a few blocks west of Yancy Street, but the two never met until a random coincidence brought them together. Or maybe there is no such thing as a coincidence? Dr. Strange definitely taught Lunella to expand her mind, and helped her learn to appreciate the realms of knowledge that lie beyond science and math.

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015) #16

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015) #16

The X-Men

They taught Moon Girl that, sometimes, “family” is what you choose to make it.

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015) #17

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015) #17

Devil Dinosaur

Lunella has learned more from him than all of the other heroes of the Marvel Universe combined. Courage. Responsibility. Loyalty. Believing in others. Believing in yourself. It’s almost easier to make a list of the things Devil Dinosaur didn’t teach his partner in crime-fighting. Not too bad for a prehistoric terror in monstrously giant body, but only the tiniest T-Rex brain.

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015) #1

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015) #1

What is Marvel Unlimited?

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One of T-Mobile’s best promos is going away

One of T-Mobile’s best promos is going away

"Capitalism breeds competition, and competition is good for the consumer" is one of the central tenents of the modern economic system. Much as you might doubt it when you're paying your cell bill every month, the wireless industry is one of the best examples.

When Verizon unveiled a new unlimited data plan last month, it didn't even take T-Mobile a day to release a counter: unlimited HD video streaming and 10GB of mobile hotspot data, making T-Mobile's plan comparable to Verizon's at a lower cost. Competition at work!

But as it turns out, T-Mobile's counter was only a limited-time promo, and starting soon, T-Mobile's One plan will be reverting back to what it was at the beginning of February, no hotspot data included.

A Reddit post, since confirmed by BGR with other customers, says that T-Mobile has begun warning customers about the end of the promo. "T-Mobile One customers! Offer ends soon. Activate HD streaming and up to 10GB 4G LTE Tethering at no additional charge. Visit the Plans page, select Manage data add ons and get the T-Mobile ONE Plus Promo," is the message appearing at the top of some customers' accounts.

A T-Mobile spokesperson did not confirm that the deal was ending imminently, but did reiterate that "our offers are always limited time opportunities."

If you were thinking about a switch to T-Mobile and you're even an occasional user of your phone's hotspot feature, you'll want to switch ASAP. The regular T-Mobile One plan only includes SD video streaming, and no 4G hotspot data is included. Instead, hotspot data is throttled to 512kbps, which is too slow to realistically stream video or get real work done.


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This Creature Is Captivating (And Terrifying) The Internet

This Creature Is Captivating (And Terrifying) The InternetIt wants you to think it’s a two-headed serpent, but this “snake” with three eyes is not what it appears.


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Women’s History Month: Jessica Jones

This March, we celebrate Women’s History Month by spotlighting some of the most iconic characters and creators from the Marvel Universe.

Did you know that one of Marvel’s most prominent characters almost didn’t get created? See, back when Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos were trying to figure out the 2001 series called ALIAS, the writer intended on using an existing character in Jessica Drew. However, when that proved unworkable, they created a new one by the name of Jessica Jones!

In that first ALIAS issue, readers met a woman named Jessica Jones who clearly had been through a lot in her life. The hard-boiled private detective they met cursed like a sailor, drank till she passed out in bars and tried to do the right thing even when the odds seemed fully stacked against her.

In the first arc, Jessica took on a job to find a woman’s sister who wound up dead not long after the PI found her. In the process of tracking the woman down, Jessica also accidentally recorded Captain America’s secret identity and became a prime suspect in the murder case.

The Marvel MAX series tackled some intense ideas and themes, especially when it came to The Purple Man and his role in making Jessica give up her superhero identity. It also established the relationship between Jessica and Luke Cage. The two have since become one of the more stable couples in comics with Jessica giving birth to their daughter Dani.

ALIAS ran for 28 issues and came to a conclusion in 2004. At that point, Bendis and a variety of artists moved Jones over to the world of reporting – and pregnancy – in THE PULSE which ran for 14 issues. 

The Pulse (2004) #8

The Pulse (2004) #8

What is Marvel Unlimited?

After marrying Cage in the pages of NEW AVENGERS ANNUAL #1, Jessica and her husband decided to actively work against Iron Man’s Pro Registration side, teaming up with Captain America and aiding him as seen in the pages of NEW AVENGERS. 

New Avengers Annual (2006) #1

New Avengers Annual (2006) #1

What is Marvel Unlimited?

For a time, Jessica even returned to her superhero roots, going by the name of Power Woman, but ultimately realized that living in Avengers Mansion offered far too many dangers for her beloved daughter and they left, though they she would soon return when Luke formed the Mighty Avengers.

These days, in addition to headlining a Netflix show, Jones also stars in a self-titled series by her creators Bendis and Gaydos. 

Marvel's Jessica Jones (2015) #1

Marvel's Jessica Jones (2015) #1

  • Published: September 14, 2015
  • Added to Marvel Unlimited: October 07, 2015
  • Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
What is Marvel Unlimited?

The Women Of Marvel

In creating a brand new character, Bendis still firmly rooted Jessica Jones’ origins in the existing Marvel Universe, though ALIAS readers had to wait a few dozen issues to discover this. She actually attended high school with Peter Parker, but missed the day he got bit by that infamous spider because she was on her way to Disney World with her folks. That car trip ended abruptly in a crash that killed her parents and left her in a coma for a while, bu also granted her super powers. She eventually took on the Jewel identity to fight crime after seeing Spider-Man do the same. Years later, when Spidey unmasked himself as Peter Parker in front of Jessica and the other Avengers, she was appalled to discover that he never once recognized her from their years of school! Making matters worse, he referred to her as “Coma Girl,” a revelation that did not gain the Wall Crawler any points.

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GE CEO: Focus On Smarter Workers, Not Robots Taking Your Jobs

GE CEO: Focus On Smarter Workers, Not Robots Taking Your JobsPolicy makers are worried about automation and if smarter robots will take your jobs, but GE's CEO says these concerns are too early to worry about.


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DC’S YOUNG ANIMAL ELECTRIFIES AT WONDERCON

DC kicked off WonderCon 2017 with a spotlight on DC’s Young Animal, the edgy and weird pop-up imprint curated by My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way.

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DC’S YOUNG ANIMAL ELECTRIFIES AT WONDERCON

DC kicked off WonderCon 2017 with a spotlight on DC’s Young Animal, the edgy and weird pop-up imprint curated by My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way.

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