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Tim Cook Shows Off Apple Watch to Chinese Internet Official, Discusses Security Issues
China's minister of the Cyberspace Administration recently sat down with Tim Cook for a meeting that included discussion about the Apple Watch and Chinese security concerns, reports China.com.cn (via Bloomberg Businessweek). Lu's visit to the U.S. also included meetings with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.
Cook was photographed showing off his wrist watch to Internet Information Officer Lu Wei, who is holding the device in his hand. Though the device is not identified in the source photo, it certainly appears to be the Apple Watch with white Sport Band frequently worn by Cook, and a translation of the original report quotes Cook as telling Lu he is the first outsider to see the watch.
The comment is not strictly true as executives have shown the watch to others on occasion since its unveiling and it has been featured in Vogue China and at Parisian fashion boutique Colette, but Lu may be one of the first government officials to handle the device.
Apple may face some regulatory hurdles with Apple Watch in China, as Lu reportedly reiterated to Cook that China is willing to open its markets to new products and technology, but the devices must face scrutiny before they are released. Each device must pass an official network security assessment that ensures national security is not being compromised, and the user's information is being accessed properly.
Apple may be willing to subject its watch to Chinese government oversight to a certain degree, as China already is a hotbed for smartwatches with more than half of existing devices coming from Chinese companies. Most of these smartwatches are low quality, off-brand products available in the largely unregulated Chinese marketplace.
Cook was photographed showing off his wrist watch to Internet Information Officer Lu Wei, who is holding the device in his hand. Though the device is not identified in the source photo, it certainly appears to be the Apple Watch with white Sport Band frequently worn by Cook, and a translation of the original report quotes Cook as telling Lu he is the first outsider to see the watch.
The comment is not strictly true as executives have shown the watch to others on occasion since its unveiling and it has been featured in Vogue China and at Parisian fashion boutique Colette, but Lu may be one of the first government officials to handle the device.
Apple may face some regulatory hurdles with Apple Watch in China, as Lu reportedly reiterated to Cook that China is willing to open its markets to new products and technology, but the devices must face scrutiny before they are released. Each device must pass an official network security assessment that ensures national security is not being compromised, and the user's information is being accessed properly.
Apple may be willing to subject its watch to Chinese government oversight to a certain degree, as China already is a hotbed for smartwatches with more than half of existing devices coming from Chinese companies. Most of these smartwatches are low quality, off-brand products available in the largely unregulated Chinese marketplace.
Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 6
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[ 48 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
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63 months ago
"Thank you for letting me hold your watch. We can make cheap knock-offs of it more easily now."
63 months ago
Judging by the size of his mug he must be working for Samsung.
Wrong country.
63 months ago
"Each device must pass an official network security assessment that ensures national security is not being compromised, and the user's information is being accessed properly."
This statement ought to be followed with "by our government".
This statement ought to be followed with "by our government".
63 months ago
The Apple watch must cost a fortune if Tim is wearing the cheapest Sport edition band ;)
63 months ago
China is worried about security issues?
Probably concerned the Apple Watch is too secure. Not enough back doors to spy on users.
Probably concerned the Apple Watch is too secure. Not enough back doors to spy on users.
63 months ago
Minister of Cyberspace Administration, huh? The Chinese are used to their Communist government spying on them by now, but that title just creeped me out. Makes me wonder how much Lu really knows about the incessant hacking by Chinese nationals on US interests.
A bit pot-kettle-black given the NSA and GCHQ...
WOW! look at what the United States has taught china that just 40 years ago had nothing! Now what if the United States took it all away from them....
How can they do that?
63 months ago
I'm more interested in what his mug is on. Is it just a raised coaster or is it a cool mug warmer? But I don't see any wires. Would be cool if it was powered by plasma or something magic. I really want a mug warmer this winter :o
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