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Surprise, surprise! Talks between China Mobile and Apple over bringing the iPhone to China (legally) have stalled yet again - this time over the iTunes apps store. Allegedly, China Mobile is itching to operate the application store itself in a typical ploy to retain as much control as possible. Also, unlike their Western counterparts, Chinese phone users don't typically have credit cards, preferring to pay for things by depositing money into their mobile phone accounts. Add that to already ongoing issues like figuring out which of the three 3G networks the iPhone plays the nicest with, and it's probably safe to say we won't be seeing any Made-for-China goodness soon.
China Mobile, Apple arguing over app store in iPhone talks
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The latest rumour among Chinese news outlets is Apple and China Unicom and the launch date is May 17 - when the company is said to launch their version of a 3G network (which is based on a specification closer to that of AT&T in the US).
The other rumour is that it won't ship with wifi wireless because of local regulations.
However, this is Apple and they are rumours. Where the truth lies in all this will be anyone's guess until they appear in stores.
From "sources" and general common sense, it's pretty much sure to be China Unicom and likely as part of rolling out their 3G service in May. We all doubt that Apple is going to support the insane mess that is TD-SCDMA [China Mobile's standard] and they can launch the exact same phone they sell globally on Unicom's 3G network with no change.
Unicom is highly motivated to give them something different that will outpace China Mobile's marketing budget and subscriber base. Apple could do just that.
On a side note, China Mobile is destined to become China's Verizon - a US carrier with good coverage and shitty phones thanks to their use of technology that no one else in the world does.
I'm baffled by mobile phones these days.
Do they still play Snake?
Been using the same China Mobile number for six years now but ready to hop over to China Unicom anytime if that means I can buy a 3G phone from anywhere else in the world and use it here. Let the exodus begin!
Yes, I have had it too. An iPhone without wireless, AppStore and Cydia is not an option. Down with things incompatible!
Why on earth are they still trying for China Mobile? Stop talking to them and start talking to China Unicom! The balance of power is shifting- lots of people already have "standard" 3G phones purchased from Hong Kong and elsewhere; they'll be moving to China Unicom as soon as the network goes online.