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Apple takes delivery of 188 mysterious ocean containers

Marshalus   on 25 May 2008 - 15:54 · 12 comments & 8451 views

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ImportGenius, a search engine that gathers "competitive intelligence" by monitoring U.S. Customs records of ocean containers entering American ports, reported on Friday that they’ve spotted a “major spike” since mid-March in ocean containers received by Apple marked with a mysterious new label: “electric computers”

“They have never before reported this product on their customs declarations,” says ImportGenius managing director Ryan Peterson, who notes that there has been no corresponding falloff during this period of shipments labeled “desktop computers” or any of the other labels Apple usually uses.

“The fact that they are importing millions of units, combined with dwindling stocks of the first generation of iPhones,” persuades Peterson that these “electric computers” are, in fact, the 3G iPhones Apple is expected to release in a matter of weeks. He makes a strong case, citing records of a total of 188 ocean containers shipped to Apple from two trusted Asian suppliers, Hon Hai Precision Corp. and Quanta Computer.

View: CNNMoney

Post a comment · Send to friend Comments · There are 12 additional comments
(2 replies) #1 Screaming Slave on 25 May 2008 - 16:03
What, we have international spies at every harbor, charting and logging every trace of cargo that has Apple's logo on it? Come on. This is just a tad extreme and creepy.
#1.1 MrA on 25 May 2008 - 17:07
It seems like this company, ImportGenius, tracks ALL cargo coming into the US via containers, not specifically Apple stuff. People tend to notice things that are out of the ordinary, and I think this qualifies.
#1.2 solardog on 25 May 2008 - 19:43
Its not extreme and its not creepy and these aren't spies. This is what they do and you should probably be thankful.
(1 reply) #2 LTD on 25 May 2008 - 16:15
Sounds like an episode of LOST.

Cool.
#2.1 Beastage on 26 May 2008 - 08:18
(LTD said @ #2)
Sounds like an episode of LOST.

Cool.


Lulz! my thought exactly!... guess that what happened when there is a 1 week break in Lost.
(1 reply) #3 on 01 Jan 1970 - 00:00
#3.1 Islander on 25 May 2008 - 19:00
Nevermind, but you can keep using your whatever-mainstream-and-same-price-anyway-after-all-product. I'm no Apple Fanboy (in fact I don't own Apple computers), but I'm getting one of those new iPhones. Why? Because I have indeed tried many, and the iPhone does have the user interface and usability others have dreamt of for years (or dozens of years, watch Star Trek). And you can bet, it's not going to cost me more (or much more) than other phones with similar stuff.
#4 Airlink on 25 May 2008 - 21:06
Commence wild speculation and apple-bashing..... now.
#5 rm20010 on 25 May 2008 - 22:01
With Apple marketing's ever so clever choice of words to advertise their products, you'd think they come up with something snappier than 'electric computers.' Or, possibly, their Asian exporters are suffering from a bad case of Engrish.
(1 reply) #6 ajua on 26 May 2008 - 00:22
Wow, they are coming!

Come on, this is just very silly.
#6.1 excalpius on 26 May 2008 - 18:15
Yes, yes it is. Some people really need a life outside of consumerism.
#7 winmoose on 26 May 2008 - 13:09
Apple has just invented the "electric computer", we are saved!
#8 carmatic on 26 May 2008 - 16:00
quick, we must get the dock workers union to blockade this shipment! ummm....

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