Apple, China Mobile in talks over iPhone
updated 11:50 am EST, Tue November 13, 2007
iPhone destined for China
Apple is currently in talks with China's largest cellular phone carrier about launching its iPhone there, according to BusinessWeek. The companies have yet to come to an agreement, however, as both firms are still hashing out revenue sharing details. China Mobile's CEO gave reporters at the GSMA (GSM Association) Mobile Asia Congress in Macau, China confirmation of the dealings, coinciding with Apple's promise to bring its iPhone to Asia in 2008. Apple is also reportedly in talks with various other cellular carriers in the region. [updated]
Apple's iPhone has seen much success both with its U.S. launch in late June and now its European debut in Germany as well as the UK. Britain's exclusive wireless provider O2 has said the iPhone is its fastest-selling device ever, reporting more than 8,000 activations during the first day of sales. Customers lined up outside German stores braving wind as well as rain to ensure they would become one of the first iPhone owners there, serving as further testament to the fervor over Apple's unique multitouch device.
Apple has predicted as many as 10 million iPhone sales globally in 2008, and some estimates in the UK are placing 400,000 devices in the hands of customers there by the end of the holiday shopping season.
No better time
11/13, 12:37pm reply
AAPL is up 15 today on the news. After the 35 point drop it's had the last few days, this is good news indeed.
Zaren
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Halo Effect- worldwide
11/13, 01:17pm reply
The iPhone going global to this extent may push mac sales even higher. This kind of device is always a really hot item in China, where people actually have about 4+ cell phones on the same number so they can use them as a fashion statement.
I'd be really interested to see how iPhone ads work for that demographic.
danviento
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Dec 2005
4+ Phones???
11/13, 03:02pm reply
Not sure where you are getting your info from - bue I live in Taiwan -have been here for over 10 years.. I am in China constantly for business and i don't know anyone that regularly uses more than one phone. Yes, occasionally you see someone with 2 phones - one for business and one for personal.. but even that is very rare - due to the fact that the higher end business phones actually come with 2 sim card holders in the phone for just this purpose.
anyhow - it is all about the numbers.. even though an EXTREMELY SMALL percentage of people in chine could even afford to travel to a store to buy one of these phones - this still puts the huge numbers into the stratosphere category. And that's - at the end of the day is why we tolerate all the c*** that is going on over there.. the numbers.
bennco
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2007
close the trade gap
11/13, 03:57pm reply
with the iphone, the US may close the trade gap by .0000000000000000001%. yay!
Rezzz
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2006
Re: no better time
11/13, 10:15pm reply
AAPL is up 15 today on the news. After the 35 point drop it's had the last few days, this is good news indeed.
Hahahahahahahahaha. Oh, that's funny. So if the stock is up because of this, why was Apple's stock down $35 over the last 4 days? The threats of lawsuits from Greenpeace?
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
iPhone in Asia
11/14, 05:35am reply
any idea when in 2008 they'll be in Asia ? the wait is killing me!
tonglokman
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2001
iPhone in China
11/22, 05:54am reply
I think it will be difficult for Apple to launch iPhone in China, firstly because it is costly and secondly there are many imitations of iPhone cropped up in China in the recent months which are much cheaper that the real ones.
Sachin QTP
sachxn
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2007