iPhone Officially Launches in China, With Crippled Hardware
Today was the official launch of the iPhone in the Middle Kingdom, and was met by an underwhelming reaction. Much of this problem arises from a governmental ban on WiFi in cellphones, which was only lifted after production was already completed on the Chinese iPhone. So the first generation of phones aremissing a crucial feature. Couple that with the high price of 4,999 yuan ($730) to 6,999 yuan ($1,025), consumer demand is low. Grey market, unlocked and WiFi enabled models are available on the streets of China for around 5,700 yuan ($835), which seems a wiser purchase.
The iPhone is being sold by Unicom, one of the major Chinese service providers. I first misread that as Unicorn, and am now far, far sadder. Because an iPhone being supported by a unicorn would be pretty freaking sweet.
[via 9to5Mac, picture via tech.163.com]
I am too far far sadder it is not owned by a unicorn.
Unicorns for the win.