China

8GB iPhone 5c only available in UK, France, Germany, Australia and China

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 18, 2014

Apple's newly launched cheaper iPhone 5c model with eight gigabytes of storage is only available in select few markets, a spokesperson for the company confirmed Tuesday. The device is available in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia and China. It is not, however, on sale in the United States, for the time being.

By comparison, the relaunched fourth-generation iPad with Retina display is available across all territories because that device is a replacement for the company's phased-out iPad 2 and now represents the new entry-level, full-size iPad offering. The introduction of the entry-level 8GB iPhone 5c is largely viewed as an effort to help boost the device's lagging sales...

Apple taking China’s patent office and Zhizhen Network Technology to court over Siri

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

According to a report by China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, Apple is suing both the country's State Intellectual Property Office and Shanghai-based Zhizhen Network Technology. The main point of contention: patent rights to Siri.

Now, eagled-eyed readers may remember that Zhizhen back in July of 2012 actually filed a case first against Apple as it felt Siri had infringed upon its patent for an instant messaging chat bot system called Xiaoi Bot.

Apple asked China's State Intellectual Property Office, which is in charge of patent rights protection in China, to invalidate Zhizhen's patent, but the request was declined. In turn, Apple is now suing both the patent office and Zhizhen...

Tim Cook on bigger iPhones, ‘crappy’ Android experience, not making junk and more

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 7, 2014

Following notable excerpts from Daisuke Wakabayashi’s interview with Tim Cook in The Wall Street Journal, the financial newspaper has now posted the whole thing on its Digits blog.

The full interview gives us a more detailed insight into the mindset of Tim Cook's Apple as the CEO discusses recent topics of interest, including Lenovo's $2.9 billion purchase of Google's Motorola Mobility unit and additional information regarding Apple's share buyback program.

He also took time to touch upon the ongoing discussion concerning supposedly bigger iPhones in the pipeline, the current products not yet hitting the ceiling and lots more. I've included the best quotes and tidbits for your reading pleasure after the break...

Tim Cook signs iPhones at China Mobile launch, says ‘great things’ coming

Cody Lee ∙ January 17, 2014

China Mobile's highly anticipated iPhone launch is now in full swing over in Beijing. After years of failed negotiations, Apple finally inked a deal with the carrier last month, giving it access to the worlds-largest subscriber base of 750+ million people.

We've been talking about the importance of this partnership for months now, but for those that needed a reminder, Tim Cook showed up in person at this morning's launch. The CEO took photos, signed autographs and even answered a few questions...

Tim Cook ‘incredibly optimistic’ about China Mobile deal

Cody Lee ∙ Updated November 22, 2017

Hot on the heels of a report claiming that Apple had shipped 1.4 million iPhone 5s units to China Mobile for its big launch this Friday comes word from the carrier's Chairman Xi Guohua that the total number of iPhone orders is in the 'multi-millions.'

After years of negotiations, Apple finally inked a deal with China Mobile last month and is set to begin offering iPhones through the provider this weekend for the first time ever. But according to Tim Cook, this is just the beginning of things to come...

Apple ships 1.4 million iPhone 5s units to China Mobile ahead of Friday’s launch

Cody Lee ∙ January 14, 2014

After several years of negotiations, and following months of rumors, Apple announced in December that it had finally inked a deal with China Mobile. The carrier will officially start offering the company's smartphone on January 17.

And it looks like they're expecting a big turnout. According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal, Apple supplier Foxconn has shipped roughly 1.4 million iPhone 5s units to China Mobile ahead of Friday's historic launch...

Apple discounts iPhones, iPads and more in Lunar New Year Sale

Cody Lee ∙ January 9, 2014

As promised, Apple kicked its 'Red Friday' sales event off today in several Asian countries to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Unlike the recent Black Friday event it held here in the US, Apple is offering cash discounts on its products—not gift cards.

Also different is the fact that the Red Friday promotion includes price cuts on all current iPhone models and the new Retina iPad mini. Apple doesn't usually discount its handsets, as they are extremely popular and provide (by far) the largest margins...

Apple opens official store on major Chinese e-commerce site Tmall

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

According to a new report this morning, Apple has opened an official store on popular Chinese e-commerce site Tmall. The move serves as the company's latest play in an ongoing effort to boost its device sales and overall presence in the country.

For those unfamiliar with Tmall, it's a major online marketplace run by the Alibaba Group. It's sort of like an online mall, with high profile brands like Nike and Levi's paying the required deposit to create a digital forefront and peddle their wares...

Apple confirms January 10 ‘Red Friday’ sales event in major Asian markets

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 7, 2014

Apple has announced that it will be holding a one-day special sales event in a number of key Asian markets this coming Friday, January 10.

The promotion known as Red Friday is in celebration of the Lunar New Year, which refers to the beginning of the year in several calendars across Asia. The shopping event actually takes place three weeks before the Lunar New Year.

Red Friday is akin to Black Friday in the United States, the Friday following Thanksgiving Day (the fourth Thursday of November) which unofficially marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season in the States.

And what surprises and discounts does Apple have in store for its customers in Asia? Read on for the full reveal...

Apple again reported to be working on iPhones with 4.7 and 5.7-inch displays

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

Since just before Apple unveiled the iPhone 5s last September, we've been hearing rumors that the company's eighth-generation handset is going to feature a larger display. Reports are calling for sizes from 4.8-inches all the way up to 6-inches.

But there's also another theory—first started by Reuters last June—going around that Apple is working on two larger screen iPhone models: one with a 4.7-inch display and one with a 5.7-inch display. And a new report out of China adds to the mix...

Apple officially signs deal with China Mobile

Sébastien Page ∙ December 22, 2013

The rumor that Apple was to sign a deal with China Mobile was almost as old as the iPhone itself, but it only started gaining speed within the last few weeks, based on reports from the WSJ, which were followed by contradictory reports.

But today, it's official. Apple and China Mobile have inked a deal that will bring the iPhone to the largest carrier in the world...

Weak iPhone 5c demand possible factor in missing China Mobile deal

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

The entire tech world let out a simultaneous gasp when China Mobile launched its 4G network on Wednesday and made no mention of the iPhone. Up until then we had seen a flurry of reports and evidence suggesting that Apple had finally reached a deal with the carrier.

But clearly that's not the case, and the big question now is: what's the holdup? Well according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the deal may have been slowed by unexpectedly weak demand for the iPhone 5c versus the iPhone 5s among China Mobile customers...