Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
Apple R&D Center Reportedly Confirmed for Shanghai
BrightWire summarizes a report [Google translation] from Chinese financial news site yicai.com noting that the city of Shangahi has officially announced Apple will open a new facility including some research and development operations in the city this summer.
While Apple had previously been reported to be developing an R&D facility in Beijing, the Shanghai plans have reportedly been underway for quite some time. Initial reports of a Chinese R&D facility emerged following a meeting between Apple CEO Tim Cook and the acting mayor of Beijing just two weeks ago, so it is unknown whether those plans are still in the works.
China is an enormously important market for Apple, with revenues of $7.3 billion in the last quarter alone. Cook described China as Apple's second largest region.
- Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce has announced that Apple will open its R&D center this summer.
- Apple has registered three firms in three buildings in Pudong, Shanghai, and one of them will be dedicated to procurement management and R&D, according to documents on the Shanghai Municipal Administration for Industry and Commerce's website.
While Apple had previously been reported to be developing an R&D facility in Beijing, the Shanghai plans have reportedly been underway for quite some time. Initial reports of a Chinese R&D facility emerged following a meeting between Apple CEO Tim Cook and the acting mayor of Beijing just two weeks ago, so it is unknown whether those plans are still in the works.
China is an enormously important market for Apple, with revenues of $7.3 billion in the last quarter alone. Cook described China as Apple's second largest region.
If you look at our total Greater China, which would include our retail stores in China, our revenues were $7.3 billion in the quarter. So this is incredibly high, it’s up over 60% year-on-year … It’s clear that China is already our second-largest region … and it’s clear that there’s a lot of potential there.A key challenge for Apple in China is that its products are typically too expensive for workers on an average salary. Apple recently introduced payment plans of up to two years, and the rumored low-cost iPhone is also expected to be offered in the Chinese market.
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81 months ago
While this doesn't wont happen because of this move, the moment I see 'Designed by Apple in China,' on an Apple product I purchase, I'm done with them.
81 months ago
The human rights abuses in China are unacceptable and things are not getting better. You have got to wonder if this is a strategic move by Apple, done purely to give them more negotiation power against the Chinese Government and in their "courts".
Why would they choose Shanghai over Taiwan or Hong Kong or even a Japanese or Australian city?
Why would they choose Shanghai over Taiwan or Hong Kong or even a Japanese or Australian city?
81 months ago
The human rights abuses in China are unacceptable and things are not getting better. You have got to wonder if this is a strategic move by Apple, done purely to give them more negotiation power against the Chinese Government and in their "courts".
Why would they choose Shanghai over Taiwan or Hong Kong or even a Japanese or Australian city?
Think you pretty much nailed it there.;)
81 months ago
This will be a good move for Apple... the Chinese market is unique in many ways and having local talent to help make iOS and other Apple products more friendly to these cultures will help. A smart move for Apple in the long run.
81 months ago
The human rights abuses in China are unacceptable and things are not getting better. You have got to wonder if this is a strategic move by Apple, done purely to give them more negotiation power against the Chinese Government and in their "courts".
Why would they choose Shanghai over Taiwan or Hong Kong or even a Japanese or Australian city?
Because Shanghai is the oriental Paris even back to 1930s. The only city in East Asia that is comparative to Shanghai is Tokyo. Not like other places in mainland, Shanghai is also one of the most modernized and westernized cities in Asia. Do you have any idea how many westerners living in Shanghai?
81 months ago
The human rights abuses in China are unacceptable and things are not getting better.
And why do you say that? Things in China are much better than 50 or even 20 years ago.
A bit more perspective, the West's hands are not blood free either. Since the 90s, the United States has been involved in at least 4 or 5 major wars? China has been in none.
I think it's hypocritical for people from certain western nations to talk about human rights ...
In anycase, if you've been to China recently, most people happy with how things are. Yes, the country can do with more freedom of speech, better laws, equality, etc, but those things come with time. You don't want an overnight revolution, or else you end up with basket cases like Russia, Libya, IRaq, Afghanistan, etc.
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