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Apple Stories

November 21, 2013

Apple products are the must-have technology of a generation. But while most people know them, and many own them, few know about the conditions in which they're made. The documentary takes a look at Apple's darker side.

https://p.dw.com/p/1AHae

Apple is currently one of the most successful businesses in the world. Products such as the iMac, the iPhone, the iPad and iPod reap huge profits on the technology market. But while the latest i-Phone retails for up to €900, experts estimate it costs less than €30 to make.

So what makes this profit margin possible? The connections on an iPhone circuit board consist of 70% tin. This investigative documentary takes us to the hot, dusty and dangerous tin mines of Rwanda where workers mine for raw materials under the most primitive conditions, without helmets but wearing flip-flops. The tin is also used in the manufacture of the iPhone that's become a major Apple cashcow.

The documentary takes us from Africa to Asia and Shenzhen in China. The investigation here focuses on Foxconn, the Apple supplier that made headlines a few years ago due to suicides among its employees. With its methods of production the company has become synonymous with the dark side of all the smart phone hype.

21.11.2013 DW Im Focus Apple 11
Labor conditions at Apple suppliers like Foxconn have made negative headlines.
21.11.2013 DW Im Focus Apple 12
Apple's formula is to produce at low cost and sell at high prices.


Broadcasting Hours:

Part 1:

DW

THU 05.12.2013 – 22:15 UTC
FRI 06.12.2013 – 06:15 UTC
FRI 06.12.2013 – 13:15 UTC
FRI 06.12.2013 – 17:15 UTC
SAT 07.12.2013 – 04:15 UTC
SAT 07.12.2013 – 10:15 UTC

Cape Town UTC +2 | Delhi UTC +5,5 | Hong Kong UTC +8
San Francisco UTC -8 | Edmonton UTC -7 | New York UTC -5

DW (Europe)

FRI 06.12.2013 – 04:15 UTC
FRI 06.12.2013 – 17:15 UTC
SAT 07.12.2013 – 06:15 UTC
SAT 07.12.2013 – 13:15 UTC

London UTC +0 | Berlin UTC +1 | Moscow UTC +4

DW (Arabia)

FRI 06.12.2013 – 13:15 UTC
SAT 07.12.2013 – 04:15 UTC
SAT 07.12.2013 – 11:15 UTC

Tunis UTC +1 | Cairo UTC + 2 | Dubai UTC +4

DW (Amerika)

FRI 06.12.2013 – 06:15 UTC

Vancouver UTC -8 | New York UTC -5 | Sao Paulo UTC -2

Part 2:

DW

THU 12.12.2013 – 22:15 UTC
FRI 13.12.2013 – 06:15 UTC
FRI 13.12.2013 – 13:15 UTC
FRI 13.12.2013 – 17:15 UTC
SAT 14.12.2013 – 04:15 UTC
SAT 14.12.2013 – 10:15 UTC

Cape Town UTC +2 | Delhi UTC +5,5 | Hong Kong UTC +8
San Francisco UTC -8 | Edmonton UTC -7 | New York UTC -5

DW (Europe)

FRI 13.12.2013 – 04:15 UTC
FRI 13.12.2013 – 17:15 UTC
SAT 14.12.2013 – 06:15 UTC
SAT 14.12.2013 – 13:15 UTC

London UTC +0 | Berlin UTC +1 | Moscow UTC +4

DW (Arabia)

FRI 13.12.2013 – 13:15 UTC
SAT 14.12.2013 – 04:15 UTC
SAT 14.12.2013 – 11:15 UTC

Tunis UTC +1 | Cairo UTC + 2 | Dubai UTC +4

DW (Amerika)

FRI 13.12.2013 – 06:15 UTC

Vancouver UTC -8 | New York UTC -5 | Sao Paulo UTC -2