Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) had an eventful last week with a number of interesting developments, including the launch of the iPhone on China’s largest mobile carrier.
After six years of talks between Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and China Mobile, the iPhone was finally available on the largest global carrier last week. China Mobile chairman Xi Guohua said there were “several million” preorders received for the iPhone, but he also stated that the pricing is still “a little bit more expensive than competitors.” A 16 GB unsubsidized iPhone in China cost around $870, while rival devices with similar features are available at $327. China Mobile did mention that it would offer promotional deals and subsidies on the iPhone, but details were not provided.
Rumors swirling around the iPhone 6
At the launch event in China, Apple CEO Tim Cook did touch upon the next gen iPhone dubbed as the iPhone 6. On being asked about the iPhone 6, Cook said “We never talk about future things. We have great things we are working on but we want to keep them secret. That way you will be so much happier when you see it.”
Last week witnessed two new rumors regarding the iPhone 6. The first one comes from the research firm Display Search, which claims that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) would come up with two versions this year; one with a 4.7-inch display and the other with a 5.5 inch. Another report from MacRumors says that fans sould expect a lighter and thinner iPhone, which is mainly because the use of new alloys from LiquidMetal Technologies.
Other Apple news
Walter Isaacson, who wrote the best-selling biography of Steve Jobs, told CNBC that Apple is not the greatest tech firms, as of now. “The greatest innovator in the world right now is Google—not Apple,” said Walter Isaacson. However, Isaacson said that he is counting on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) to do something big in 2014.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced last week that Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has agreed to pay at least $32.5 million in a refund to parents of children who made unauthorized charges. Apple also revised its in-app purchase policy so that buyers are aware of what they are being charged for. Apple CEO informed its employees that the company already settled a lawsuit over in-app purchasing, and paid 37,000 claims last year.
This week will mark the 30th anniversary of Macintosh, which was introduced by Steve Jobs on January 24, 1984 at the Flint Center in Cupertino. To celebrate the historic moment; the original Macintosh development team will meet at the Flint Center on Jan. 25.
