The iPhone is manufactured, assembled and is shipped from China. You all know that right? Now, isn't it funny that the iPhone is not officially available in that country?
Hmm, I'd say it's pathetic and shocking. China is simply out of the iPhone map because of the cantankerous negotiations between the prospective carriers and Apple and also because of Government regulations. This time around, we are hearing rumors again which we're already tired of hearing, 'the iPhone would be launched there very soon.'
China Unicom would be selling the iPhone "soon" according to reports. Hope the word 'soon' does not imply forever.
Bad Read More...
At times of recession, we often assume that people would spend very little on luxuries like gaming. However, the irresistible App Store, combined with the sleek hardware and touch screen of the iPhone has still managed to lure in the user and also provide the lucre to the developer.
In a report published by Information Week, Jupiter Research analyst Dr. Windsor Holden has this to say:
The combination of iPhone and the Apple App Store has galvanized the mobile games industry.
And this galvanization has meant that the entire mobile gaming has seen a steep 20% increase to hit $5.4 billion. Beside that Read More...
After the third round of negotiation broke down with China Mobile, Apple is now in talks with the second largest network provider China Unicom to launch the iPhone. If the negotiation between China Unicom and Apple is successful, analysts said the iPhone would be available as early as May 2009.
China Unicom has one hundred thirty million subscribers and would be rolling out it's 3G network based on the WCDMA standard used in the iPhone. China Mobile on the other hand would be rolling out its 3G network based on the homegrown TD-SCDMA.
For China Unicom, the launch of Read More...
The largest mobile phone operator in the world, China Mobile and maker of the iPhone, Apple have failed to strike a deal again. Talks between China Mobile and Apple to bring the iPhone to China has gone on for about eighteen months. The two parties have had three rounds of talks, which all ended in a stalemate. In the first meeting, Apple demanded 20 to 30 percent of revenue earned from iPhone users from the carrier, China Mobile rejected the proposal.
In the second meeting, Apple offered to sell iPhones to the carrier at $600 per unit with the condition that Read More...
The negotiation between Apple and China Mobile is likely to go on for a long time, China Mobile wants the iPhone 3G to be shipped Wi-Fi and 3G disabled. This way users will use the home grown TD-SCDMA and the carrier will be assured that users do not unlock their devices and jump to other rival networks. Apple is not so happy about the demands. Now, Apple has found a new way to deal with this unusual demand of China Mobile.
For the first time, Apple has started selling unlocked iPhone 3G in Hong Kong, a kind of back door Read More...
iPhone 3G for China? This is becoming really a painful wait and here is an extreme view that the possibility of launching the iPhone in China is still remote. This time, it is not the revenue sharing model alone that is putting off the release date. There are many reasons why the iPhone will not be coming soon to China.
This is weird, considering the phone is manufactured in China, but users have to order it from the US if they want even a jailbroken iPhone. It seems the final round of talk will go on for some more time. This Read More...
The iPhone should have been there in China by now if things were not that complicated between Apple and China Mobile. The exact reasons for the disagreement between the two companies is not known. China still is out of the iPhone map despite the many closed door conferences between the representatives. At this point, as observers we do feel that something is not going quite well and have this feeling that the negotiation may never happen or at least will take more time. Hearing the news, “negotiation is almost complete” has become a repetitive news.
Why still China Mobile, when talks Read More...
It's a year now since China Mobile revealed it's plan to bring the iPhone to China. They missed the first generation iPhone and the plan seems to be going cold even for the iPhone 3G. China Mobile is reportedly still not happy about the revenue sharing structure of Apple and Apple is not known for being good at bargaining either.
Here is an excerpt of what Wang Jianzhou, China Mobile's CEO said:
Steve Jobs and I hope the iPhone will enter China as soon as possible, We are discussing this issue but we do not have an agreement.
China Mobile has more than Read More...
There was plenty happening this week--pricing announcements, App Store launch, and much more. And in case you missed something, here's a quick recap.
NEWS
Mobistar sells iPhones in Belgium without any contract.
In anticipation of the iPhone launch, BlackBerry prices cut in Australia.
iPhone release delayed in France.
Apple negotiating with China Mobile regarding revenue sharing.
Future looks bright for Apple, as it could earn revenues of up to $1 billion in the initial launch of the 3G iPhone.
Apple's plan to open Beijing store moves forward.
App Store is now LIVE.
REVIEWS
An optimized version of Google talk launched for iPhone.
MobiFindr helps you retrieve your lost iPhone.
We reviewed some games and apps available for Read More...
China's population of one billion is an attractive market for the iPhone and Apple has been in talks with China Mobile, which is the country's largest cell operator.
However, it appears that China Mobile is not in favor of sharing its revenues with the company. No official reason has been given as to why they've broken off talks with Apple. But, there's a potential of resuming talks. If it doesn't work out there is China Unicom, China's second largest carrier waiting in the wings to take off where China Mobile left.
Another reason for the simmering conflict can possibly be due to Read More...
