Technology News: International

Lack of WiFi Puts Damper on iPhone's China Debut
October 30, 2009

Apple's iPhone is making its long-awaited formal debut in the world's most populous mobile phone market, without a key feature and at higher prices than widely available black market models. Apple's local service provider, China Unicom, hopes the iPhone will give it an edge against giant rival China Mobile, the world's biggest phone company by subscribers.

The SEC's Hard Look at Apple and Apple's Slow Boat to China
July 15, 2009

Public statements issued by Apple over the past year concerning the health of CEO Steve Jobs may have caught the attention of federal regulators -- the Securities Exchange Commission is rumored to have launched an investigation. What the SEC wants to know is, did Apple mislead investors with its statements? However, that is difficult to prove, and it's counterbalanced by solid company performance.

China Takes Its Hammer to iTunes
August 22, 2008

China has apparently blocked access to Apple iTunes, perhaps in response to the publicity surrounding a pro-Tibet album that was released about a month ago and just recently made its way onto the much-trafficked Web site. Produced by the Art of Peace Foundation, the album features songs from such artists as Moby, John Mayer and Alanis Morrisette, as well as a 15-minute talk by the Dalai Lama.

Apple, IT and the Specter of Sweatshop Labor
January 31, 2008

In 2006, iPod users -- not to mention Apple shareholders -- were stunned to hear news accounts that workers at a Chinese factory that manufactured the devices were being subjected to abusive living and working conditions. In reality, Apple customers -- or the shareholders at least -- had little to worry about.

Apple, China Mobile Talks Fizzle
January 14, 2008

Apple's bid to sell its iPhone in China has apparently failed with the news that China Mobile is ending talks to market the device there. The two firms reportedly ceased negotiations because they were unable to agree upon a revenue-sharing model for the music, games and video downloads that China Mobile would offer.

iPhone Freedom Is Costly in Europe
November 28, 2007

Would you pay $1,478 for an iPhone? France Telecom's Orange subsidiary didn't think so. That's why Orange is offering iPhones in France for the door-bustingly low price of only $959. U.S. readers aren't seeing typographical errors. Those truly are the prices being asked in France and Germany for iPhones.

Telecom Carriers Wrangle Over iPhone Lock
November 20, 2007

Dark clouds are gathering over Apple's iPhone in Germany. Monday marked the start of a legal tussle over Apple's contracting arrangement with cellular carriers -- in this case T-Mobile's German arm -- that, if not resolved, could put a damper on iPhone sales in Europe.

Apple Looking to Nibble at China's Ripe iPhone Market
November 13, 2007

Apple is working hard to break into the market for mobile phones in China. The company is reportedly in talks with China Mobile, which has more mobile subscribers than any other company in a world -- a mind-blowing 350 million. Of course, Apple wants in. The company's latest moves came to light after Wang Jianzhou, China Mobile's CEO, spoke to reporters at the GSM Association's Mobile Asia Congress.

Your Cash Is No Good at the iPhone Store
October 29, 2007

Consumers planning to splurge this holiday season and buy iPhones for the whole family will have to make other plans and they will have to pay for any iPhone purchased with a credit or debit card. Apple and AT&T have tightened restrictions on sales of the popular sought device in an effort to prevent resellers from scooping up the handsets.

iPhone Hackers Flip Off Apple With Complete Brick Fix
October 12, 2007

Undaunted by Apple's recent firmware update for iPhone, which renders useless iPhones that were unlocked from the AT&T network, a company that sells unlocking software says its product can now restore the "bricked" devices. The company, iphonesimfree, has new software that breathes life back into iPhones that were disabled two weeks ago when Apple released firmware version 1.1.1.

iPhone to Make Deutschland Debut in November
September 19, 2007

On the heels of announcing it will begin selling iPhones in the UK on Nov. 9, Apple said the phone's German debut will take place on the same day, but the device will be tied to a different carrier. The company said T-Mobile will be the exclusive German carrier for the iPhone. In the UK, Apple chose O2 as the exclusive carrier, a position held in the United States by AT&T.

iPhone Says 'Allo to UK
September 18, 2007

Ending yet another round of intense speculation -- this time among Britons and Europeans anxious to get their hands on the iPhone -- Apple announced Tuesday that it has granted O2 the right to exclusively bring the iPhone to the British market. The handset maker also finally revealed the date for the release of the iPhone in the UK, set for Nov. 9, a little more than five months after its U.S. launch.

O2, Orange and T-Mobile: European Winners in the iPhone Competition?
September 17, 2007

Apple is widely expected to announce soon which companies it has selected to play a role in the European iPhone network, and it looks like O2, Orange and T-Mobile will likely be among the lucky winners. At a media event in London on Tuesday, O2 reportedly will be made the official iPhone company in the United Kingdom.

T-Mobile, Orange, O2 Snag European iPhone Deals
August 22, 2007

Apple may have signed contracts with three mobile phone operators in Europe to carry its popular iPhone. Apple's deals are reportedly with T-Mobile in Germany, Orange in France, and O2 in the UK. Furthermore, the contract allegedly requires the operators to give Apple 10 percent of the revenues generated from iPhone services.

Apple's Not-So Excellent European Adventure
July 30, 2007

Like every major technology company, Apple needs the rest of the world to love its products just as much as a growing cadre of Americans already do. For Apple, however, expanding overseas has never been an easy task. Its high-end products aren't well-suited for tackling emerging markets, and it has taken its share of lumps in moving into markets such as Japan.

iPhone to Enter More Complex Market in Europe
July 05, 2007

Wireless carrier O2, owned by Spain's Telefonica, is leading the race to become the exclusive iPhone provider in the UK, according to press reports. However, the company has denied cutting a deal with Apple. A variety of other carriers also reportedly are making headway in vying for contracts in other European countries: T-Mobile in Germany, Orange in France and Vodafone in a number of other areas.