We’ve heard the rumors before. But now they may actually manifest.
According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, 2014 will be a whole new ballgame for Apple’s product release schedule, particularly when compared to what we’re used to.
Apple, we’re told, is hiring engineers from rival smartphone makers and other Taiwanese technology firms in Asia to “build up teams in Shanghai and Taipei.”
Apple will need all the talent and labor it can get as new iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs, Macs, and, yes, smartwatches enter production.
The hiring push reflects Apple’s need for more engineers to work with Asian suppliers on developing components for iPhones and iPads as it plans for faster and more-frequent product releases. Apple also is increasing its number of supply-chain managers, following criticism over factory conditions at some of its suppliers.
“Apple has added several hundred engineers and operations staff in China since mid-2013,” the same sources tell the WSJ. “The total number of engineers and operations staff in China now exceeds 600.”
Many analysts believe Apple will introduce its next product refresh sometime within the next eight weeks.
