June 19 - 10:35am EDT   A pact between Apple and cellular carrier China Unicom may already be sealed, according to Merrill Lynch analyst Cynthia Meng. "Our industry checks reveal that Unicom and Apple have most likely reached a deal for an exclusive 2-plus year agreement," reads a Meng note obtained by Reuters. "We expect iPhone products to be available in conjunction with the Unicom commercial scale 3G launch in Q4, starting on Oct 1." A Unicom spokeswoman insists that the two companies are still in talks, and has refused to comment further on Meng's claims. [full story]

June 11 - 9:55am EDT   After more than a year of efforts, a deal for a Chinese iPhone may finally be nearing completion, writes IDG. An unidentified Apple phone has appeared in the approved product list of the State Wireless Inspection Center, having last month been granted clearance for an assigned frequency range for up to five years. Apple is also said to have posted an ad for a Beijing-based worker, who would oversee creating training material for Asian iPhone carriers. [full story]

May 26 - 7:50pm EDT   Hewlett-Packard has recalled 15,000 batteries contained in notebooks distributed across China, as the lithium-ion cells are known to potentially overheat, according to Reuters. The affected devices include HP Pavillion, Compaq Presario and HP Compaq models manufactured between late 2007 and early 2008. China's quality-control regulator, AQSIQ, suggests the batteries pose a fire hazard when used in extreme conditions. [full story]

May 20 - 9:55am EDT   Members of Foxconn Electronics' research and development team are working on iPhone applications, claim industry sources from Taiwan. Foxconn is itself based in Taiwan, and known to be the primary manufacturer behind the iPhone 3G. The apps are believed to be written in one or more forms Chinese, with the specific intent of promoting the iPhone in China. [full story]

April 13 - 11:05am EDT   Apple has ordered the production of four million next-generation iPhones, claims the Chinese-language newspaper the Commercial Times. Delivery is expected by the end of the current quarter, ending in June, which could presage shipment to stores in late June or early July. A formal unveiling of new phones is anticipated at this year's WWDC event in San Francisco, scheduled to start June 8th. [full story]

March 30 - 2:55pm EDT   A deal between Apple and China Unicom is unlikely to take place in the near future, says Wedge Partners. The research firm notes that while Unicom is now often seen as close to becoming the official Chinese iPhone carrier, a variety of factors suggest that a deal could be delayed for months more. Central among these is a new list of phones to be authorized for the company's 3G network, which include a number of other major manufacturers, but not Apple. [full story]

March 27 - 4:05pm EDT   Apple could control as much as 20 percent of the smartphone market in China if it launches the iPhone there, argues Bank of America analyst Scott Craig. The data is said to be based on Apple's own assertions, as exposed through sources in the company's Asian supply chain. Apple feels it can easily meet the 20 percent target, according to Craig, and may even believe it can do better if given the right circumstances. [full story]

March 24 - 1:30pm EDT   Cellphone carrier China Unicom is now hosting images and specifications for the iPhone 3G -- as well as the Android-based G1 -- on one of its websites, reports observe. The content is only associated with the Shanghai branch at the moment, and does not suggest any sales information, such as release dates. Animations also inaccurately depict the iPhone as supporting payments through near-field communication. [full story]

March 19 - 12:05pm EDT   Cellphone carrier China Mobile remains in talks with Apple, the company's CEO claims. "We have been discussing with Apple, but until now no agreement has been reached," Wang Jianzhou explained to reporters following an annual results announcement. The executive went on to insist that the company is entirely open to outsiders, so long as there is profit to be made, according to Agence France Presse. [full story]

March 4 - 11:05am EST   The chairman of China Unicom, Chang Xiaobing, has admitted to talks with Apple in regards to selling the iPhone in China, Reuters reports. Although a manager is said to have confirmed the information early last month, Xiaobing himself has not spoken about negotiations until today. "We are in talks with many handset suppliers, including Apple," the executive told gathered reporters at an event. [full story]

February 18 - 1:25pm EST   Chinese maker Meizu has at last officially launched the M8, a phone widely seen as an attempt to clone Apple's iPhone. Though technically already available for a short space of time, the M8 has only now left testing status, losing Wi-Fi support, likely in accordance with Chinese law. An 8GB model is selling for 2,380 yuan ($348), while a 16GB version costs 2,880 yuan ($421). [full story]

February 12 - 4:10pm EST   China Unicom is in talks to carry the iPhone, say Chinese publications. China Business News says it has received confirmation from a manager, and also learned that negotiations are being led by board chairman Chang Xiaobing. A source within the company claims that talks have actually been off and on with Apple since October, but are being held up by several obstacles, including business and legal issues. [full story]

February 9 - 10:10am EST   Distribution of apps has led to another breakdown in talks between Apple and China Mobile, according to Interfax China. A source for the news agency claims that China Mobile president Wang Jianzhou recently visited the company's Research Institute, and explained in detail how talks with Apple have stalled not only recently but three times over the course of 18 months. China Mobile wants considerably more control than Apple is willing to give, the source suggests. [full story]

January 20 - 10:20am EST   Online sales of refurbished Apple gear have begun in China, according to a company announcement. As in the United States and a number of other countries, the Chinese program takes products returned to Apple and submits them for quality testing; approved products are then resold at a lower cost. Reuters notes that prices for major refurbished products range from 308 yuan ($44) for an iPod shuffle, to more than 14,000 yuan ($2,047) for an iMac. [full story]

December 31 - 9:15am EST   Finland's Nokia has revealed the existence of the 6208c, a new touchscreen phone. The phone is aimed primarily at Chinese speakers around the world, and supports Chinese-language input from a stylus designed to resemble a bamboo slip. The phone's color display, otherwise described only as "large," is said to be modeled after a traditional Chinese ink stone. The rest of the device uses more modern design cues, and is built of material such as stainless steel. [full story]