Supposedly China Mobile is in 'preliminary contact' about introducing the Apple iPhone in China according to Agence France-Presse of 11/13/07.
China Mobile, the country's largest mobile operator, said it is in 'preliminary contact' with US-based Apple Inc. about introducing the iPhone to the Chinese market. 'Of course, we hope to bring the iPhone 
to China,' Huang Haibo, a China Mobile (nyse: CHL) executive, told Agence France-Presse. 'But for the time being we're only in preliminary contact with Apple (nasdaq: AAPL ), and we have not made any concrete progress yet,' he said.
The interesting thing about this is that it comes out of France, being adjacent to the core activity there surrounding Orange, O2-Telefonica and T Mobile's engagement with Apple, and not Cupertino, CA. Obviously China being an afterthought to a story about its entry in Europe.
The iPhone with it's internet-enabled mobile phone platform, portable digital media player and digital camera in one -- has now been released in Europe with O2 Telephonica, with a recent announcement by T Mobile DE that it will sell an unlocked iPhone for $999. Apple hopes to launch in Asia in 2008.
I'm sceptical on whether Apple will take the risk to launch the iPhone in China first. They have strong brand recognition in China--the iPod branding is an excellent spring board for Apple. Just look around Beijing and Shanghai--but I think the risk of knock off development combined with the relative high cost of the product in the market, makes China a risky proposition for Apple. Other markets in Asia such as Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore would have more traction, unfortunately they are quite small opportunities compared to China.
My prediction: the iPhone will be in China before the Olympics notwithstanding the risk and other barriers.
Now it's your turn...What do you think about an iPhone in China? I don't claim to be a prognosticator and prefer conversations, especially you regular readers, regardless of where you are. It helps fuel my muse and provide a better product. Please share your perspectives, additions, subtractions, bravos, taunts and tomatoes via comments. Thanks for your continuing interest.
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thans
Posted by: Muhammad ayaz | June 14, 2008 at 06:01 AM