Impulsive moment brings fame to Chinese “iPhone girl”
When a fellow worker in Chinese iPhone factory casually snapped her picture, neither could have imagined the Internet buzz they would generate.
It started when a visitor to MacRumors posted three pictures of the winsome young lady (her name has not been released) in an iPhone forum on the site Aug. 20.
“Not sure if this is or is not the 'norm' but I just received my brand new iPhone here in the UK and once it had been activated on iTunes I found that the home screen (the screen you can personalise with a photo) already had a photo set against it!!!!” wrote Markm49uk of Kingston Upon Hull. “It would appear that someone on the production line was having a bit of fun - has anyone else found this?”
The photos attracted enough attention that news organizations both in the U.K. and China soon took an interest. This morning the South China Morning Post tracked down someone at Foxconn Technology Group, the Taiwan-based contractor that builds the iPhone for Apple, who confirmed the girl works in a factory in the city of Shenzhen.
The spokeswoman explained that the workers may have taken the photos to test the device but neglected to delete them. Another Foxconn official told China’s, Southern Metropolitan Daily that the mystery girl had not been fired, as several of those commenting on the MacRumors forum had predicted.
Apple as usual had no comment when contacted by the Associated Press, but I think it could be missing a big opportunity here.
Apple could encourage factory workers in Asia to put their photos -- or even their names -- on the iPhones, iPods and Macs they build as a fun gimmick so customers could see the person who built their device. Apple could even supply a template for the workers: “Designed by Apple in California. Built by [insert name here] in Shenzhen, China.”
Not every device would have a photo of course, so getting one would be like winning a raffle. It could be one more thing that would set Apple apart from the competition and make its products even more personal.
Why not?
in iPhone
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Comments
That's a cute idea, David. A very minor thing, but every little bit helps with product differentiation.
Posted by: Marcos El Malo | August 27, 2008 8:08 PM
In case you don't remember, the very first 128K Macs had the signatures of the original design team inscribed on the interior of the plastic case.
Here's a link:
http://www.digibarn.com/collections/weirdstuff/mac-case-signatures/index.html
You weren't supposed to open the case, but when a 3rd party came out with a 512K upgrade kit, it was easy to take the Mac apart and see these for yourself.
Posted by: Alan | August 27, 2008 9:04 PM
It is an awesome idea. It connects people. There should be more of it.
While it is minor its also big. We are always buying stuff made by some unknown person and never think of it. I would love to say thanks sometimes, especially when it is built well, which isn't always the case.
Apple would do well by taking on the idea, and though they are all marketing savvy I think this would scare them.
Posted by: Cy Starkman | August 27, 2008 9:24 PM
NO..I DO NOT want to see ANY "added" material to the product I buy unless I ordered it that way. China has already shown they like to add viruses, this is just another form of product invasion demonstrated by a quality depraved country.
Posted by: Realist | August 28, 2008 1:10 AM
I think it's a brilliant idea, both for Apple and the workers. The new iPhone's quality has slipped a little, understandable given it's reduced costs, but it's still a monumental piece of kit and anyone involved deserves their 15 seconds.
Posted by: Pascal | August 28, 2008 3:57 AM
I love this cutie and I want to be her fan.
Posted by: Al | August 28, 2008 4:56 AM
Well, I'd want pictures if the factory worker was as cute as that one, otherwise, nope. No need.
Posted by: Ana-chan | August 28, 2008 5:31 AM
Yay, for the iPhone Cutie. I hope it boosts her career and she gets lots of marriage proposals (when she gets of age). At least she got her 15 minutes of fame. I'm still waiting for mine.
I can't see why she should get fired. She just posed for the picture. It's not like she was the one who took the picture. Heck, I'd like to see more of the FoxConn factory. Maybe it's filled with Chinese cuties that came from farming villages.
I wish they would put iPhone Cutie pictures on every millionth iPhone as a prize and maybe get an iTunes or App Store voucher for free music or software.
Posted by: Constable Odo | August 28, 2008 9:57 AM
Nice...we give them all our jobs then we praise them....we should boy cott anything NOT made in the usa. But we are so stupid we wont...and please go ahead and flame me on this....just shows what wanks we are here in the US.
Posted by: RICK | August 28, 2008 6:53 PM
@Rick: We only gave them our po-dunk manufacturing jobs, but I'm a designer and I love my job! Get off your high and mighty horse because if you owned a company, you'd do the same thing to save operating costs. It's called, "harnessing the power of a global economy".
Besides, Apple stuff is "Designed in California"
Posted by: @Rick | August 28, 2008 8:00 PM
Your exactly what I am talking about...I know to YOU it might be low podunt job but YOU need to get off YOURE high horse and realize not everyone is as educated as you are, there are plenty of people whom I am sure would want that podunt job "try the local overpass down the street for one" and as far as "podunt" goes since when does working in a tech lab become podunt? I guess it takes no skill to run a scope for quality control...Your typical of the "ignorant" people who are on the "high"....
Posted by: RICK | August 28, 2008 8:42 PM
Very cool idea.
Posted by: Partners in Grime | August 28, 2008 10:32 PM
Might be nice if they got some kind of compensation for it. Having been in China I'm pretty sure this girl got a massive dressing down by her supervisors for what she did here and will get the sack as soon as all the media attention dies down. Might be fun for us - but line workers as pop stars? I hardly think any Chinese manager is ever gonna like that idea.
Posted by: Daniel | August 30, 2008 2:52 PM
The risk/benefits of privacy/security in finding "added material" by non-licensed individuals on our new digital appendage...can be gratifying for the ignorant, scary for those with enough security knowledge to hang themselves, and a nice surprise to those with the tech maturity to realize and contain the implications. And remember that the ignorant come from Red and Blue states. The bipartisan effort to end stupidity will inevitably fail. -Brought to you by "Briefly on topic, with a heaping scoop of random" CEO Palin.
Posted by: Dr. (D)addy | September 27, 2008 8:32 PM
wtf? whatever u call it, it is a USED PHONE and i say it's bollocks to pay full price :D
Posted by: estanis lao | September 28, 2008 4:48 AM