Tag Archives: China
iPad mini tipped to make a massive splash in China
We’re used to hearing about Apple devices selling out here in the US, and it appears that in China things aren’t much different. Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White is saying today that iPad minis are flying off shelves there, after its launch in Hong Kong on back in November and China earlier this month. According to White, many stores in China and Hong Kong are out of stock, while the fourth-generation iPad, which launched at the same time, is still relatively easy to get.
So, it would appear that the iPad mini is quite a bit more popular than the fourth-gen iPad, something that White attributes to the smaller size and price tag. “Prior to the China launch, we indicated that the iPad Mini would be the ‘next big thing in China’ and we believe this phenomenon is starting to develop,” he said in a note to CNET. “In our view, the smaller form factor and lower price point will allow Apple to sell the iPad Mini in more meaningful volumes versus the regular-size iPad.”
The iPhone 5 has been selling well too, though unlike the iPad Mini, it remains readily available. Apple has experienced some issues with yields when it comes to iPad mini components, which means that the company hasn’t been able to keep up with demand. A recent rumor said yields are improving though, and that Apple should be able to sell as many as 13 million iPad minis in quarter 1, 2013.
Achieving that figure relies heavily on Apple getting these yield issues sorted out, which we hear are mainly affecting iPad mini screens. Whatever the issue, you can bet that it’s a top priority for Apple to get more iPad minis shipping out to stores. We’ll see if Apple can hit that 13 million mark soon enough, as quarter 1 2013 is right around the corner. Stay tuned.
iPad mini tipped to make a massive splash in China is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
SlashGear
China requires real names for internet and phone sign-ups, handovers for illegal posts
It’s no secret that China keeps a tight lid on internet freedoms, and it’s not about to lighten up today. The government has passed regulations requiring that locals use their real names whenever they sign up for internet- and phone-based services; while those were already common practices, there’s now the real threat of punishment behind them. Anyone who clears those hurdles also has to be more mindful of what they write. If a page or post is deemed “illegal information,” service hosts now have to delete its public presence, archive it and pass the content along to authorities. The state unsurprisingly argues that those who already stay on the sunny side of the law have nothing to fear from the new measures (where have we heard that before?), but the reassurances won’t be much help to privacy advocates or those challenging corruption.
Filed under: Internet
No need to panic: Apple sold 2M iPhone 5 units in China this weekend
Despite some investor handwringing on Friday, Apple ended up having a record-breaking weekend in China. The company announced it sold 2 million iPhone 5s in China between Friday and Sunday, by far the biggest launch of one of Apple’s devices there.
After some analyst reports indicated on Friday that perhaps the iPhone 5 wouldn’t be as successful in China as the iPhone 4S, coupled with video footage of the opening day lines outside of Apple Stores on Friday — which were very small or non-existant — some investors panicked, and sent Apple’s stock tumbling. But it turned out that those early reports didn’t indicate lack of interest at all. Instead, Apple’s reservation system and its two carrier partners in the country, China Telecom and China Unicom, brought it a big first weekend.
Two million might sound low for a country with China’s population. It is less than half of the number of iPhone 5 units Apple sold in the U.S. in its opening weekend in September, for instance. But besides Apple devices being much more expensive in China, 3G isn’t as widely available to subscribers, and the iPhone is not the first or even the second-most popular phone model in China. Rather, Apple is competing with entrenched local brands making inexpensive devices that run Android.
China is huge for Apple — CEO Tim Cook calls it one of Apple’s most important markets in the world. So even if the company has a long way to go to eat into Android device sales in the country, it should be encouraging for Apple (and its investors) that this launch of the iPhone in the country is larger than the last.
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iPhone 5 launches in mainland China and Taiwan today, lines show up as usual
While the iPhone 5′s been out for some time already, it wasn’t until today that our friends in China and Taiwan (along with many other countries) can finally buy the device locally. Since midnight local time, several carriers and shops welcomed customers with balloons, drinks and even musical performance. But with the case of the Apple Stores in China, the lines were much shorter than before as interested buyers have to first make an online reservation, before making their way to the stores once they are notified — a policy no doubt welcomed by residents of the bitter cold Beijing at this time of the year. On top of that, both China Unicom and China Telecom are simultaneously offering the iPhone 5 — with WCDMA or CDMA radio, respectively — alongside several tariff options. In China, the unsubsidized iPhone 5 starts from ¥5,288 or about $ 850.
Our brethren in Taipei went to check out the various shops today and saw warm reception for the iPhone 5 launch as well, with Chunghwa Telecom getting the most attention, followed by local resellers Studio A and Data Express. Including tax, the Taiwanese iPhone 5 starts from NT$ 21,900 or about $ 750 unsubsidized. More pics after the break.
Continue reading iPhone 5 launches in mainland China and Taiwan today, lines show up as usual
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple
Via: Engadget China, Engadget Chinese, Sina Tech, China Unicom (Sina Weibo)
Source: Apple Store (China)
Amazon releases Kindle apps and e-books into China
Amazon has started its Chinese Kindle incursion by launching the reader app for Android and iOS in that market, along with a large selection of e-books. There’s no mention of any Kindle devices like the Fire HD in the nation yet, but Amazon just did a similar launch in Brazil and said the hardware would be along there in a few weeks. Four Kindle devices recently showed up China’s FCC-like Radio Management Agency as well, according to TNW, another good omen for those anxious to get the devices in that country. And the number who want one could be considerable — China’s been carrying on an illicit love affair with the Kindle for quite awhile, after all.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Storage, Amazon
Via: TNW
Source: Amazon China
China Unicom continues to rack up iPhone 5 reservations
I mentioned a couple days ago that Chinese wireless carrier China Unicom was taking reservations for the Apple iPhone 5. The Apple smartphone will hit the Chinese network on December 14. In the first day, the carrier took reservations from 100,000 people who signed up to purchase the iPhone 5.
Even if a large portion of those people who signed up never actually turn up to pay for the smartphone, 100,000 reservations in a day is an impressive number. With a couple more days of the iPhone 5 reservation availability, China Unicom has continued to receive an impressive number of pre-orders. China Unicom has now racked up 200,000 reservations for the new smartphone in three days.
The number indicates that while the pace of reservations has definitely slowed after the initial onslaught, there still a very impressive amount of Chinese smartphone users interested in the iPhone 5. China Unicom is also announced that it will be offering a subsidy for the iPhone 5 with a minimum deposit of $ 947 for the 16 GB version.
The Chinese carrier requires a deposit that’s more than the cost of the phone and then refund credits monthly depending on length of the contract spanning from one to three years. The deposit required for the 32 GB iPhone 5 works out to $ 1107 and the deposit for the 64 GB smart phone works out to $ 1268. The contract on the 16 GB iPhone over 2 years would cost Chinese users $ 62 per month.
[via TheNextWeb]
China Unicom continues to rack up iPhone 5 reservations is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
SlashGear
Samsung remains #1 in China smartphone market, Apple falls to #6
Last week, we announced that the iPhone 5 is finally making its way into the smartphone market in China, but while Apple may be dominating in the US, the company’s status isn’t the same over in China. Apple fell to the sixth spot in smartphone market share in China, being overtaken by Huawei. Samsung still remains at the top with Lenovo in the #2 spot.
During Apple’s third quarter this year, the company saw its market share fall two spots compared to where they were at during the second quarter, and according to research firm International Data Corporation (IDC), Apple’s market share by shipments was under 10% during the third quarter, when China’s own smartphone shipments hit a record high at more than 60 million shipments.
However, the iPhone 5 will launch in China on December 14. It’s expected that Apple’s market share will rebound at that time, but it’s anyone guess if the company can make their way back into the top five in market share. The drop to #6 comes close after Apple’s shares fell more than 6%, making it the biggest single-day loss in four years for the company.
While Samsung and Lenovo claim the top two spots in smartphone market share in China, Coolpad has the third spot and ZTE fell to the fourth spot. China has more than one billion mobile phone subscribers, so the market for smartphones is booming in the country. We’ll see how well the iPhone 5 sells and if Apple can boost up its market share in China.
[via Reuters]
Samsung remains #1 in China smartphone market, Apple falls to #6 is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
SlashGear
It’s official: new iPad, iPad mini, iPhone 5 head to China
Here’s an early Christmas present for Apple: the company announced Friday morning that it will begin selling the latest iPad, iPad mini and the iPhone 5 in China in early December. The fourth-generation iPad and iPad mini go on sale on Dec. 7, while the iPhone 5 hits a week later, on Dec. 14. China is one of the fastest-growing markets for Apple’s devices and sales of these new tablets and smartphone should provide a nice boost to the overall holiday season sales.
Fair warning though: the new iPads, large and small, are strictly Wi-Fi only — no cellular option yet. The iPhone 5 just this week received regulatory approval to operate on two carriers’ networks in China, China Telecom and China Unicom.
For Apple, the iPhone 5 represents its most rapid rollout yet, and has demonstrated the might of its supply chain and operations. With China, the new phone will be available in 47 countries in less than three months after release. Its goal is 100 countries by the end of the year.
The iPad mini and new iPad aren’t far behind: by the end of next week it will be in 42 countries after about five weeks.
Getting the devices on store shelves in China, though, is an important milestone. China already is the region with fastest growing uptake of new devices running iOS and Android in the world, and by early next year should pass the U.S. for largest total number of active iOS and Android devices.
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Galaxy Note II with dual-SIM slots goes official in China
Picking between LTE and HSPA iterations of Galaxy Note II was difficult enough already but now Samsung China has gone official on its previously-spotted twin-SIM variant. It’s the same exotic mix of micro and full-size SIM slots, alongside that potent 1.6GHz quad-core processor and 5.7-inch Super AMOLED HD screen. The phone has a respectable collection of radios (GSM 850/900/1, 800/1,900, WCDMA 850/900/1,900/2100 MHz) too — just ensure you have all your SIM sizes in order when the device goes on sale December 3rd.
[Thanks Terence]
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung
Source: Samsung China (translated)
Android dominates China, takes 90% of the mobile market
Little green robots have invaded China and conquered its mobile market. The Android operating system has seen substantial growth in the Asian country and is now estimated to have captured 90.1% of the market, a year-over-year increase from 58.2%. The numbers come to us from Analysys International, which in a new report also revealed that Apple’s (AAPL) Chinese market share declined from 6% to 4.2% in the same timeframe. Numbers for both operating systems may be higher than recent estimates, however. The research firm does not include knock-off Android smartphones, nor does it include iPhones that have been smuggled in from Hong Kong. Budget smartphones continue to be a hot seller in the country with the average price of an Android device being roughly $ 220, compared to the iPhone’s average of $ 720. While China has more than 1 billion mobile subscribers, Google’s (GOOG) mobile monopoly isn’t as lucrative as it sounds. A number of the Internet giant’s services are blocked or constricted in the country and make it difficult for it to capitalize on Android’s success.
