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Apple confirms December launch for iPhone 5, retina iPad, iPad mini in China
As was previously rumored, the iPhone 5, fourth-generation iPad and iPad mini will land in China in December. Apple confirmed on Friday that the WiFi versions of the iPad mini and the new iPad with Retina display will be available starting December 7, while the iPhone 5 will debut two weeks later on December 14. By mid-December, the fourth-generation iPad and the iPad mini will be available in 42 countries, and the iPhone 5 will be available in 47.
China's Blu-ray competitor CBHD brings HD DVD back from the dead
CBHD, née CH-DVD -- the Chinese version of the now-deceased HD DVD format -- is in production, gearing up for a fourth quarter launch. DigiTimes cites reports from enorth.com.cn that Shanghai United Optical Disc has laid out the first production line, although Taiwanese disc makers (already burned by HD DVD) aren't as confident it can take on Blu-ray, even with considerably lower royalty fees and hardware costs for disc replicators. Coming alongside news that Chinese-built Blu-ray players based on increasingly affordable hardware is on the way, plus a decided lack of studio support, it's not hard to see how this one will turn out (again.) Not to underrate China's national pride, but unless it can gain an unexpected foothold among DVD pirates, CBHD will probably be on the high definition scrap heap alongside HD DVD, EVD and the rest before long.