Foxconn

Apple may have underestimated its iPhone 3GS handset, as several sources are indicating that Apple has recently increased manufacturing orders for the iPhone 3GS by up to 20%. The company has apparently increased fourth-quarter orders for the iPhone 3GS to its Taiwan-based manufacturing partners Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) and Primax Electronics by 17-20%, noted the sources.

The final text messages of Sun Danyong, the Foxconn worker who committed suicide after losing a prototype iPhone, have been released to the public. They make the picture of what happened before his death a little clearer, and all the more disturbing.

Sun Danyong, a 25 year old employee of Chinese iPhone manufacturer Foxconn is believed to have committed suicide after losing one of 16 iPhone prototypes that had been placed in his care by the company. Reports claim that his suicide was after what may have been an illegal search of his home, as well as being physically detained and possibly even abused during questioning.

Foxconn, the company responsible for the manufacturing of the iPhone and now iPhone 3G, came under investigation in 2006 for claims that workers were being forced to work in inhumane conditions. Apple had the investigation done and issued a report touting mostly positive results with the exception of some pretty inhumane conditions. Afterward they said they were handling things, and that it was under control.