On the newest episode of Exponent, the podcast I co-host with James Allworth: We discuss Xiaomi’s ambition to own the home, why we’re frustrated with patents, why the West is unfair to the developing world, and what makes China unique. Links Jordan Lewis: Exponent Bingo – Twitter Ben Thompson: Xiaomi’s Ambition – Stratechery Ben Thompson: […]
The iPhone in India (versus China), and the Week in Daily Updates
This week’s Daily Updates have had a heavy international focus, especially on China but also India. This particular update is from this morning and seeks to understand why Apple fares so differently in these two critical markets. To read all of the Daily Updates for $10/month or $100/year, please visit the membership page. Bloomberg writes […]
The China Mobile iPhone is specific to China Mobile
The China Mobile iPhone deal is official. From Apple’s press release： Apple® and China Mobile today announced they have entered into a multi-year agreement to bring iPhone® to the world’s largest mobile network. As part of the agreement, iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c will be available from China Mobile’s expansive network of retail stores as […]
China Mobile Adds the iPhone Follow-up
I received some really interesting feedback from several readers to yesterday’s piece about China Mobile finally adding the iPhone: China Mobile may not need its own iPhone. I updated yesterday’s post with this point, but in case you missed it, Naren Balaji pointed out this Forbes post: Apple AAPL new iPhone 5s and 5c support […]
Apple, China Mobile Sign Deal to Offer iPhone
From the WSJ China Mobile Ltd. has signed a long-awaited deal with Apple Inc. to offer iPhones on its network, a person familiar with the situation said, an arrangement that would give the U.S. technology giant a big boost in the world’s largest mobile market. The rollout of iPhones on the world’s largest mobile carrier […]
China Mobile May Need the iPhone
Tech In Asia (emphasis mine): China Mobile announced a minuscule 0.3 percent profit growth over the first quarter of this year and a rather terrifying 2.98 percent drop in monthly average calling compared to the same period last year. China Mobile is China’s biggest telecom and has been one of the country’s fastest-growing state-owned enterprises. […]
China Losing the Global Propaganda War to Apple
The Financial Times: There was another important lesson that came out of the skirmish between the iPad maker and the propaganda apparatus. On the internet, which the party can corral with the “Great Firewall” but cannot really control, and particularly on Twitter-like Weibo, the backlash against the state and the cheering for Apple was devastating. […]
China’s Telecoms to Charge for WeChat?
WSJ: China’s state-run telecom companies are no strangers to angry customers, who complain loudly and often about poor service or hidden charges. But the companies experienced a new level of consumer rage over the weekend as rumors emerged that they’re working on a plan to charge for the use of the country’s most popular free […]
Apple Apologizes in China
9to5Mac: Following controversy in China with state-controlled media outlets going after Apple over its warranty policies, Apple CEO Tim Cook today addressed the issue in a letter published to the company’s website in China. Within the letter (translation below), Cook apologized to customers and announced the company would implement a number of changes to “improve […]
Did China Just Declare War On Apple?
Gordon Chang, Forbes contributor:1 Is Beijing beginning a campaign against Apple? The best way to avoid attention on 3.15 is to advertise on CCTV, so perhaps there is a simple explanation for this year’s attack on the brand: the broadcaster was giving the company a powerful incentive to purchase ad time on its channels. Unfortunately, […]