While reports have surfaced claiming that Apple and China Mobile have struck a deal to bring the iPhone to the world's largest mobile phone carrier, the two companies have yet to confirm that such a deal is in place. But according to a new report from Reuters, China Mobile chairman Wang Jianzhou has confirmed that those talks have included Apple CEO Steve Jobs.
The world's largest mobile operator by subscribers said it has met with Apple chief executive Steve Jobs several times on introducing an iPhone based on its home-grown TDSCDMA network standard.
The companies hope to launch an iPhone as soon as possible, China Mobile's Chairman Wang Jianzhou said, without giving any timeframe.
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"I met Steve Jobs several times already, but we haven't come to an agreement yet," China Mobile's Wang told a news conference. "All I can say is, it's a common wish of China Mobile and Apple to come to an agreement as soon as possible."
Bloomberg also reports that Wang has confirmed that Apple Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook's visit to China Mobile in June was regarding a potential iPhone deal.
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The two companies have reportedly also already struck a deal to develop a future iPhone model based on China Mobile's homegrown 4G TD-LTE standard, a variant of the LTE standard that has been said to not be included in the iPhone 5.
China Unicom is currently the only official iPhone carrier in China, although both China Mobile and China Telecom are said to be working hard to strike deals for the device. China Unicom is apparently not sitting still on its current deal, however, as company executives have reportedly recently traveled to the United States to meet with Apple about the iPhone, potentially securing a deal for the upcoming iPhone 5.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)Jobs is a driven guy. I'm not being critical - it's how he got Apple to where it is today.
I just hope he is not totally sacrificing his health by his continued active involvement in company affairs. I know someone else is supposed to be handling day-to-day operations - but Jobs still very involved.
I know it's his baby, but I'm not sure it's worth dying for.
He is who he is. He'll work until he can't, because he loves it. We all die some time. Staying active can help your mental approach when you are ill, and attitude is one of the most important factors in survival. Death is coming for us all.
Whats up with the status bar clock in those iphone images, China gets a different clock?
Um, I think you'll find those are, like, Chinese characters in front of the numbers.Jobs is a driven guy. I'm not being critical - it's how he got Apple to where it is today.
I just hope he is not totally sacrificing his health by his continued active involvement in company affairs. I know someone else is supposed to be handling day-to-day operations - but Jobs still very involved.
I know it's his baby, but I'm not sure it's worth dying for.
The man has my respect that's for sure.