What's Trending: America's First Smartphone Factory; Meat Labeling Rules

Here's a deeper look into the top trending stories in manufacturing today based on reader feedback. Inside America's first smartphone factory; meat labeling rules; and Apple's new iPhones.

Sep 16, 2013

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Here's a deeper look into the top trending stories in manufacturing today based on reader feedback. Inside America's first smartphone factory; meat labeling rules; and Apple's new iPhones. Below these stories, check out links to other related news and features at Manufacturing Business Technology.

Motorola Opens First U.S.-Assembled Smartphone Plant

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Gov. Rick Perry and top executives are attending the opening of a Fort Worth plant where cellphone pioneer Motorola will produce the first smartphone ever assembled in the U.S.

Motorola is owned by Google, whose Executive Chairman, Eric Schmidt, will be on-hand Tuesday, as will Motorola CEO Dennis Woodside.

Motorola will produce its new flagship device, Moto X, there, creating 2,000 jobs.

The factory will be run by Flextronics International Ltd., a Singapore-based contract electronics manufacturer that has had a long relationship with Motorola. Continue reading...

To take a tour of the Motorola facility, take a look at this video showcasing the new operations: Inside America's First Smartphone Factory.

Judge Refuses To Block New Meat Labeling Rules

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- A federal judge has refused to block new rules that require the meat industry to include specific information about the origin of their products on labels. But industry groups say they'll continue fighting.

The new rules took effect in May. They require that labels for steaks, ribs and other cuts of meat include clear information about where animals grown for the meat were born, raised and slaughtered. Continue reading...

There have been a number of stories related to the U.S. new meat labeling rules (also see Canada Threatens Tariffs Against U.S. Products; Meat Groups Sue USDA Over Meat Labeling Rule; and Canadian Beef Farmers Fight U.S. Meat Label Rules).

Commenter Miles had this to say:

"The industry wants to blend inferior meat products with, say, an Angus source, and call it what they want.

"Let's have 'labeling democracy' and let consumers choose what they want to eat and be secure in their decisions.

"From a business perspective, lack of common-sense regulations/standards hurts 'Brand.' How many overseas countries don't want U.S. meat imports because of this issue? The answer is many."

Apple Unveils Its Two Newest iPhones

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Technology editor Wilson Rothman reviews Apple's newest additions to the smartphone market, the 5S and the 5C.

Among the new features the new iPhone has is a fingerprint scanning technology that unlocks the phone, but there may be some confusion as to which of the new phones is getting which new technologies.

Commenter KingMel has this to say:

"To the best of my knowledge, the Touch ID functionality is only included on the 5s. This is one of the design characteristics along with the A7 processor, M7 motion coprocessor, and upgraded camera, that differentiate the 5s from the 5c.

"Most of the cost of a smartphone is associated with the voice/data contract. If I had the option, I would pay the extra $100 to get the 5s."

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