China

iPad sales in China and Japan more than doubled since last year

By Derek Kessler, Tuesday, Apr 23, 2013 a 5:39 pm

In today's conference call after the Q2 2013 fiscal results, Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer revealed that Apple products are selling like gangbusters in East Asia. In China and Japan both, iPad sales more than doubled this quarter from the quarter the year prior. In China specifically, iPad sales were up 138% from last year.

Apple’s challenges in China, and what investors need to know

By Chris Umiastowski, Thursday, Apr 4, 2013 a 10:19 am

In the not-so-distant past, Tim Cook has been quoted as saying he expects China to emerge as the company’s largest source of revenue. Back in January, we discussed this growth in China, along with Asymco.com’s estimate that China would overtake US sales at Apple by 2016.

Has anything changed?

Apple praised by Chinese media after apology over warranty policy

By Joseph Keller, Tuesday, Apr 2, 2013 a 11:30 am

Following Tim Cook’s apology yesterday, the state-controlled media in China has begun to praise Apple after a constant barrage of negative stories over the past couple of weeks. Apple’s apology and policy change were inevitable, as the company was an underdog against the Chinese state media machine. At least according to Reuters:

Chinese propaganda campaign could sap $13 billion in sales from Apple

By Derek Kessler, Monday, Apr 1, 2013 a 5:12 pm

The long-term results the three-week-old Chinese state-driven propaganda assaults on Apple haven't yet surfaced, but it's clear from CEO's Tim Cook's recent apology for alleged warranty inconsistencies. But looking at past examples of hostile media campaigns orchestrated by the Chinese government, Citigroup analyst Glen Yeung believes Apple could face lost sales up to $13 billion in China.

Tim Cook announces changes to Apple's Chinese warranty policy

By Joseph Keller, Monday, Apr 1, 2013 a 2:44 pm

Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced changes to Apple’s warranty policy in China, along with apologizing to Chinese customers for any confusion with the original policy. In a letter on Apple’s Chinese website, Cook announced that going forward, Apple would provide more warranty information and train staff members based in China better.

Apple sued by Chinese animation studio over pirated materials in apps

By Joseph Keller, Friday, Mar 29, 2013 a 12:16 pm

Apple is being sued by a state-run animation studio in China over apps that contain unlicensed material from the studio. Shanghai Animation Film Studio is seeking total damages of 3.3 million yuan, or $530,000.

Tim Cook reportedly uses Town Hall meeting to address Android, Wall Street, and more

By Rene Ritchie, Sunday, Jan 27, 2013 a 9:58 am

CEO Tim Cook reportedly held an all-hands Town Hall meeting last week to address the state of the Apple with employees. Subjects covered were said to include employee perks, production from supply chain to sales, the retail stores, the competitive landscape with Google's Android, and opportunities in China. 9to5Mac's ace reported, Mark Gurman, has a full rundown. Here's a highlight from the competitive part:

Cellular versions of iPad 4 and iPad mini launching in China this Friday

By Rene Ritchie, Monday, Jan 14, 2013 a 8:31 pm

Apple has just announced that the Wi-Fi + cellular versions of the iPad mini and iPad 4 will be launching in China this Friday, January 18. According to Apple

Apple's China Factor

By Chris Umiastowski, Sunday, Jan 13, 2013 a 11:31 am

Earlier this week, Asymco’s Horrace Dediu wrote a wonderful post about the huge differences between Microsoft and Apple in China. He makes a very strong case for how difficult of a position Microsoft is in. I encourage you to the Asymco post in detail to understand his arguments. Pretty compelling stuff.

Tim Cook makes second trip to China in 10 months

By Joseph Keller, Tuesday, Jan 8, 2013 a 11:37 am

Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, is making is second trip to China in 10 months. While many details of his visit were not disclosed by Apple, it is known that he met with the head of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to discuss, among other things, Apple’s business in China, which is growing rapidly. As Bloomberg reports, Apple has almost doubled the number of stores they have in China after Cook’s last visit to the country in March, where he said that Apple would make larger investments in the country: