Thursday Apple Rumors: Tim Cook Visits Foxconn Plant

by Adam Patterson | March 29, 2012 2:07 pm

daily apple rumors AAPL[1]Here are your Apple rumors[2] and AAPL news items for Thursday:

Tim Cook Visits Foxconn Plant: As part of his ongoing corporate diplomacy mission, Tim Cook has made a highly public visit to one of Foxconn’s notorious iPhone production facilities. Bloomberg reports that photos have recently emerged of the Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL[3]) CEO personally meeting workers[4] at the newly built Foxconn Zhengzhou Technology Park, a complex that houses 120,000 employees. Cook embarked on the PR mission earlier this week[5], and seems intent on fostering broad goodwill in the world’s largest market for Apple’s handhelds[6] — having previously met with the current Premier’s presumptive successor[7].

Apple Under Scrutiny from Sweden’s Consumer Protection Agency: Earlier this week, Apple was the target of a complaint[8] filed by Australia’s Competition and Consumer Commission. However, according to Reuters, Sweden’s Consumer Protection Agency is also eyeing the tablet manufacturer[9]. The government bureau is investigating customer complaints that Apple’s iPad is unable to sync with Sweden’s 4G networks, and was filed shortly after Apple announced it would provide Australian purchasers of Apple’s new iPad a full refund[10]. While no direct action has yet been taken, the Swedish investigation will center around examining whether Apple committed a breach in marketing regulations by advertising the tablet as 4G compatible despite currently alignment solely with North American 4G networks. Ongoing foreign PR difficulties could prove challenging for the iPad designer if it hopes to overtake tablet competitors Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN[11]) and Barnes & Noble (NYSE:BKS[12]).

Apple Now Accepting iPhone Settlement Claims: Upon its release, customers had broadly complained about technical issues around the iPhone 4 antenna. However, according to Mac Rumors, Apple has finally made good on last month’s promise to provide a refund for dissatisfied consumers[13]. According to a company press release, “Apple will provide a $15 cash payment to Class Members who send in a valid claim form.” Certain iPhone 4 owners who had issued direct complaints about the antenna’s functionality have reportedly been mailed settlement claim forms.

Adam Patterson is Assistant Editor of InvestorPlace. As of this writing, he did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities[14]. For more from the company, check out our previous Apple Rumors[15] stories.

Endnotes:

  1. [Image]: https://investorplace.com/hot-topics/apple-rumors-stock-news/
  2. Apple rumors: https://investorplace.com/hot-topics/apple-rumors-stock-news/
  3. AAPL: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=AAPL
  4. personally meeting workers: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-03-29/apple-says-cook-visited-new-foxconn-plant-in-zhengzhou-china.html
  5. earlier this week: https://investorplace.com/2012/03/tuesday-apple-rumors-australian-regulator-targets-apple/
  6. largest market for Apple’s handhelds: https://investorplace.com/2012/03/friday-apple-rumors-china-now-worlds-top-iphone-purchaser/
  7. presumptive successor: https://investorplace.com/2012/03/friday-apple-rumors-china-now-worlds-top-iphone-purchaser/
  8. target of a complaint: https://investorplace.com/2012/03/tuesday-apple-rumors-australian-regulator-targets-apple/
  9. also eyeing the tablet manufacturer: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/29/sweden-apple-idUSL6E8ET28Y20120329
  10. full refund: https://investorplace.com/2012/03/wednesday-apple-rumors-apple-may-offer-ipad-refund/
  11. AMZN: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=AMZN
  12. BKS: http://studio-5.financialcontent.com/investplace/quote?Symbol=BKS
  13. refund for dissatisfied consumers: http://www.macrumors.com/
  14. securities: https://investorplace.com/investing-in-securities/
  15. Apple Rumors: https://investorplace.com/2012/02/hot-topics/apple-rumors-stock-news/

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