In this episode of the Mobile Dev Memo Podcast, host Eric Sufert interviews Patrick McGee, author of the newly released book "Apple in China." The discussion centers on the intricate relationship between Apple and China, highlighting how Apple's manufacturing processes rely heavily on China's flexible labor force and the technology transfer that has inadvertently armed Chinese competitors. McGee explains Apple's internal "pyramid structure" (ID, PD, MD, Ops) and how manufacturing breakthroughs in China feed back into Apple's design process. The conversation also explores the rise of Chinese smartphone brands, the "Apple squeeze" on suppliers, and the complexities of navigating the Chinese government, as well as the story of John Ford and the rise of Apple retail in China.
