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Google went down after traffic was routed through China and Russia
Google's services went down for an hour yesterday after its IP addresses were routed way from normal paths to Nigeria, China and Russia. Google told Ars Technica it doubted the leak was malicious, despite the fact that government-owned China Telecom was recently caught routing Western carrier traffic through mainland China. Some of Google's most sensitive data, including its corporate WAN infrastructure and VPN, were reportedly redirected.
Samsung's W2018 flip phone has a variable aperture camera
Smartphone makers are always pushing for the fastest-possible camera aperture, and until today, the record was held by LG V30 with its f/1.6 lens. But it didn't take long before Samsung hit back with an even lower f-stop. Earlier today, the Korean giant announced the W2018 which is its tenth extravagant dual-screen flip phone -- likely priced at above $1,500 -- made exclusively for China Telecom's "Heart Of The World" charity series. To our surprise, rather than simply repackaging existing flagship components into this form factor, Samsung actually threw in some new tech this time: not only does its 12-megapixel main camera come with an even lower f/1.5 aperture, but it can also switch to f/2.4 for a deeper depth of field when lighting is ideal.
Apple's now storing some personal user data in China
It's no secret that the relationship between Apple and China hasn't always been the best. From the banning of its products for government use, to the Chinese state media wanting the Cupertino company "severely punished" for NSA spying, these cases are well-documented. That said, China's consumer market is extremely important to Apple -- which isn't really surprising, given the sheer magnitude of it. But now, with a number of new iDevices hitting shelves there of late, Apple's had to look to servers located in mainland China to store Chinese users' personal data. As Reuters notes, this is the first time the company has begun storing this type of data in that country -- Apple says the decision was made as part of a plan to improve the overall performance of its cloud service, iCloud.
Google backs an undersea cable that will give the internet a big speed boost
The internet is quickest when you have a direct connection to the sites you're trying to reach, but that's a daunting challenge in the Pacific -- undersea network cables can cost hundreds of millions of dollars. It's therefore good to hear that Google and a host of telecom giants (China Mobile, China Telecom, Global Transit, KDDI and SingTel) are backing FASTER, a $300 million fiber optic cable that runs between Japan and the US. As the name implies, it's all about speeding up data transfers between Asia and the Americas; the cable should offer a whopping 60 terabits per second of bandwidth between the two regions, which makes even Google's gigabit home internet service look puny by comparison. You won't see the difference until FASTER is finished in the second quarter of 2016, but it promises to improve the internet as a whole when it's ready. Don't be surprised if foreign multiplayer games and video streams get noticeably smoother within a couple of years. [Image credit: US Pacific Fleet, Flickr]
China finally grants 4G licenses, but still no iPhone deal for China Mobile
Just as promised, the Chinese government has finally granted TD-LTE licenses to the country's three carriers: China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom. This means the companies can launch their 4G services whenever they want, though the reality is only China Mobile, the world's largest carrier, has been conducting large-scale TD-LTE trials across the country. The remaining two companies have previously expressed that they plan to use the more common FDD-LTE as their main backbone, but the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is allegedly waiting for TD-LTE deployment to mature before it also grants FDD-LTE licenses. Either way, this is obviously good news for mobile phone manufacturers who want to dig deep into the Chinese market, as the faster service will motivate users to upgrade their phones -- especially with all the red pocket money they will be receiving in Chinese New Year at the end of next month. While there's already no shortage of TD-LTE devices out in the market, China Mobile recently told CNN that contrary to rumours, it has yet to secure a deal with Apple to sell iPhones. What's more bizarre is that a TD-LTE-flavored iPhone 5s has already been approved for use on China Mobile's network since September. Well, for the sake of Apple fans stuck with China Mobile, here's hoping the denial is just a cheeky decoy.
Samsung W2014 is world's first Snapdragon 800 flip phone, costs over $1,640
China Telecom's obsession with Samsung's luxury clamshells isn't dwindling any time soon. In fact, the two companies have just launched a new model, the SCH-W2014, at their annual "Heart Of The World" charity concert in Nanjing last night. While it shares a similar appearance with the W2013 and the more recent Galaxy Golden, the new W2014 is by far the most powerful dual-screen flip phone in Samsung's line-up, featuring Android 4.3, a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 SoC, 2GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel main camera, a 2-megapixel front-facing imager and dual-SIM connectivity (CDMA2000 800/1900 and GSM 900/1800/1900). You'll also find 32GB of internal storage plus microSD expansion. Compared to the Galaxy Golden and the W2013, the only notable downsides on the W2014 are the same 800 x 480 resolution on its 3.7-inch Super AMOLED displays, as well as its similar 1,900mAh battery capacity (but removable). On the flip side, the weight has gone down to 173.5g, making this the lightest model in the "Heart Of The World" clamshell family since the W699 -- the first of the series -- from 2008. Chinese website iFeng, which got to check out the device at the event, praised the phone's overall design and keypad feedback, but also criticized the plastic look and feel of the hinge. There's no launch date or price just yet, but expect the W2014 to cost beyond CN¥10,000, which works out to be about US$1,640. Yes, it's certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but you can still head over to PCPOP for more hands-on photos.
Leaked Samsung flip-phone flexes muscles with Snapdragon 800 CPU
Samsung's recent foray into flip-phones with the Hennessy and Golden is no joke, judging by a new model leaked from China's Tenaa certification body. The SM-W2014 features the latest Snapdragon 800 processor and an ample 2GB of RAM to go along with its dual 3.67-inch, 800 x 480 Super AMOLED displays. There's also a 13-megapixel rear camera, 2-megapixel front camera, 802.11ac WiFi and Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. Now that you've digested all that, don't get too excited about a retro fling -- like it's sibling devices, the brassy-looking model is probably bound for China only.
iPhone once again boosts China Telecom financials
While it remains to be seen if China Mobile -- otherwise known as the world's largest mobile carrier -- will begin selling the iPhone anytime soon, China's smallest carrier is experiencing a notable amount of success with Apple's popular smartphone. In a statement posted about a week ago, China Telecom released some financial and business results captured from the company's first six months of 2013. AppleInsider reports: China Telecom added 18.3 million 3G subscribers for the six-month period ending in June, pushing the number of customers who subscribe to revenue-generating mobile data plans to 87.33 million, or 50 percent of the company's total mobile subscriber base. Revenue from mobile data increased by 39 percent to 26.2 billion yuan ($4.3 billion). The average monthly data usage of 3G subscrbers increased by 51 percent to from the same period last year, the company's first with the iPhone. iPhone users are known to consume significantly more mobile data than users of other smartphones. Overall, 3G subscribers on China Telecom increased by 26.5 percent since the end of 2012. ABC News adds: State-owned China Telecom, the country's third-biggest mobile phone operator by subscribers, said Wednesday that profit grew in the first half of the year as revenue from iPhone sales kicked in. News that the iPhone is helping to pad China Telecom's bottom line shouldn't be all that surprising. Back in March, we reported that China Telecom was able to increase sales of wireless data plans on account of the iPhone.
Nubia Z5 mini official, touts full-size hardware at a tiny price
ZTE's sub-label Nubia may want a refresher on the definition of "mini," because we're not seeing many sacrifices in its just-shipped Z5 mini. At 4.7 inches, the Android phone is nearly as large as the 5-inch Z5 flagship; it also shares the bigger Z5's quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro, 2GB of RAM, 2,300mAh battery, 13MP f/2.2 rear camera and 5MP front camera. The mini is likewise a first-class citizen in its home country with 3G support for China Mobile, China Telecom and China Unicom. Prospective owners are only really giving up screen resolution (down to 720p) and storage (down to 16GB), and they're getting a choice of pastel-colored, replaceable backs in return. As such, that makes the Z5 mini a potential bargain at its ¥1,888 ($308) price -- buyers are getting most of the Z5 experience for considerably less cash.
Xiaomi M2S with Snapdragon 600 revealed in curtailed China Telecom listing
China Telecom looks to be getting a supercharged flavor of the small-ish but powerful Xiaomi Phone 2, if an inadvertent listing for a Xiaomi M2s proves accurate. MyDrivers.com grabbed some screenshots before it was pulled, revealing the same 4.3-inch, 720p resolution screen and other specs but with a 1.7GHz quad-core APQ8064 CPU -- likely a Snapdragon 600, a nice jump from the already powerful S4 Pro in other Xiaomi Phone 2 variants. The carrier may have jumped the gun ahead of an April 9th Xiaomi event, but the $370 or so phone looks to be good news for users there who don't want downmarket specs with a downsized screen -- as seems to be the trend lately.
iPhone boost helps China Telecom profits beat estimates
It's a pattern that has been repeated over and over; a wireless carrier adds the iPhone to its mix of products and profitability improves. The latest beneficiary of this little bit of Apple magic is China Telecom, which began selling subsidized iPhones last year. The company reported that net income for the quarter fell 17 percent to 2.36 billion yuan (or about US$380 million) from the previous year, but that figure exceeded the 2.04 billion yuan analysts were predicting. The iPhone helped China Telecom by boosting sales of wireless data dramatically. The company noted that mobile data traffic on its network essentially tripled last year after adding the iPhone to its stable. China Telecom is the third-largest wireless carrier in the country with 160.6 million users, trailing far behind first-ranked China Mobile with 710.3 million customers and China Unicom at 239.3 million customers. The company was formerly a landline-only telecom operator, entering the wireless business in 2008 through the purchase of one of China Unicom's mobile divisions. Things aren't all rosy for China Telecom, though. The carrier has reported three consecutive declines in quarterly profit, and the company recently finished the purchase of a 3G network that it will now need to upgrade. As a result of those upgrades, the company expects its capital spending to rise 40 percent in 2013.
Huawei's dual-SIM Ascend D2 for China Telecom priced at $640, available online tomorrow
It's only been about a week since the Ascend D2's official debut at CES, but according to Huawei's latest announcement on Sina Weibo, the manufacturer will already be offering its unsubsidized 5-inch 1080p flagship at its online store right after 5pm local time tomorrow. Specifically, this will be a China Telecom (CDMA2000) variant with dual-SIM support, so Huawei fans outside China may want to wait for the WCDMA flavor (there's always the Oppo Find 5 as well). If you happen to be in China and don't mind using China Telecom, then feel free to fork out ¥3,990 or about $640 to be one of the first handful of owners of this 32GB, 1.5GHz quad-core device. That is, if you manage to get your order through "while stocks last."
iPhone 5 launches in mainland China and Taiwan today, lines show up as usual
While the iPhone 5's been out for some time already, it wasn't until today that our friends in China and Taiwan (along with many other countries) can finally buy the device locally. Since midnight local time, several carriers and shops welcomed customers with balloons, drinks and even musical performance. But in the case of Apple Stores in China, the lines were much shorter than before as interested buyers have to first make an online reservation, before trekking to the stores once they are notified -- a policy no doubt welcomed by residents of bitterly cold Beijing at this time of the year. On top of that, both China Unicom and China Telecom are simultaneously offering the iPhone 5 -- with WCDMA or CDMA radio, respectively -- alongside several tariff options. In China, the unsubsidized iPhone 5 starts from ¥5,288 or about $850. Our brethren in Taipei went to check out the various shops today and saw warm reception for the iPhone 5 launch as well, with Chunghwa Telecom getting the most attention, followed by local resellers Studio A and Data Express. Including tax, the Taiwanese iPhone 5 starts from NT$21,900 or about $750 unsubsidized. More pics after the break.
HTC 8X, 8S and Butterfly to reach China in mid-December
HTC isn't going to let Nokia keep the Chinese limelight for long: the phone maker has just launched three variants of its late 2012 flagship phones for China's mainland, all of which should reach local stores by mid-December. Those looking for sheer brawn will want the Butterfly. While it's ultimately a slight variant on the J Butterfly (Droid DNA to Americans) that should reach China Unicom, the 1080p smartphone should come to the country in rarer brown and white hues alongside the black we've already seen in the US. Localized models of the Windows Phone 8X and 8S are similarly inbound, but their aces in the hole should be sheer ubiquity -- variants are on the way for WCDMA (China Unicom), CDMA2000 (China Telecom) and TD-SCDMA (China Mobile) networks. We don't immediately have pricing for the two Windows Phone 8 handsets, but the Butterfly should cost a suitably large ¥4,799 ($771) contract-free.
iPhone 5 receives approval in China
It appears that the iPhone 5 has received a "network access license" in China, meaning that one of the major roadblocks to selling the newest iPhone on the mainland has been removed. According to a Wall Street Journal post from this morning, regulatory approval for iPhones supported by both China Telecom and China Unicom has been granted, meaning that the smartphones should go on sale within weeks. Wall Street analysts believe that Apple wanted to wait for demand for the iPhone 5 to be sated in the US before sales began in mainland China. With the impending release of the iPhone 5 on two carriers in China, Apple is on track to have the phone available in 100 countries by the end of the year.
iPhone 5 gets Chinese network license, expected to go on sale by mid-December
The Ministry of Industry and Technology of the People's Republic of China has rubber-stamped Apple's iPhone 5 as being suitable for sale in the country. It's the last of several regulatory hurdles the handset has had to leap through, and is expected to be on sale by Mid-December. The filings reveal that both a WCDMA and CDMA-2000 edition have been approved, confirming reports that it'll be available on both China Unicom and China Telecom. Presumably Tim Cook and chums didn't fancy building a TD-SCDMA version just for China Mobile, but don't worry folks -- Stephen Elop's got your back.
China Telecom iPhone 5 pre-orders begin
Chinese TUAW readers, get ready -- China Telecom has begun taking pre-orders for the iPhone 5 in the world's largest market. According to Global Times, China Telecom -- which just happens to be the smallest of the wireless carriers in China -- confirmed on Sunday that the iPhone 5 would be going on sale "sometime in December," although an exact date wasn't mentioned. A China Telecom customer service rep told a Global Times reporter, "We'll contact you immediately if the iPhone 5 hits our shelves." That "if" sounds a bit fishy, but the China Telecom admission about pre-orders does jive with Apple CEO Tim Cook's October announcement that the iPhone 5 would arrive in China in December. There's no word from China Unicom, which was the first mainland carrier to sell the iPhone in 2009, on when they'll be selling the newest iPhone. The largest carrier, China Mobile, doesn't carry the iPhone yet, but is expected to sign a deal with Apple to begin carrying the iPhone 5 in 2013.
Samsung's SCH-W2013 is a quad-core, dual-screen flip phone, designed for Jackie Chan
It's been almost a year since the ridiculously expensive SCH-W999 launched on China Telecom, so it's about time for Samsung to come up with yet another dual-screen flip phone to lure folks with too much money. Launched in conjunction with a big charity concert (again) earlier today is the SCH-W2013, a 1.4GHz quad-core (likely an Exynos 4412) device with Android 4.0 and dual-3.7-inch 800 x 480 Super AMOLED touchscreens. On top of that there's 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, microSD expansion of up to 64GB, 1,850mAh of battery juice, an eight-megapixel main imager plus a whopping 1.9-megapixel front-facing camera. As with many flagship devices on China Telecom, the W2013 comes with dual-SIM support: one for CDMA2000 800/1900 and the other for GSM 900/1800/1900. The damage? Well, there's nothing official yet, but it's believed to be somewhere between ¥18,000 ($2,900) and ¥20,000 ($3,210). After all, it ain't cheap to hire Jackie Chan (and he was also given a W2013 at the concert).
Lenovo's upcoming five-inch 1080p phone to feature dual-SIM connectivity
By now you should already know that HTC, Sharp and Oppo share a common theme: 1080p display on their five-inch phones. As it turns out, Lenovo also wants in on the VIP list. Spotted on Sina Weibo earlier this week (but have since been deleted) are the above three screenshots showing off Lenovo's customized Android UI in 1080p glory. As with many phones in China these days, the device in question supports dual-SIM connectivity -- the screenshots indicate that it's connected to China Telecom's CDMA2000 network and China Mobile's 2G network simultaneously. Our own source wouldn't directly confirm that it's a five-inch display on this mysterious phone, but we were told that it'll be somewhere between 4.5 inches and 5.5 inches -- we'll take that as a yes, especially since the only 1080p mobile panels available right now are the five-inch, 440ppi ones from Sharp and JDI. Our source also said the phone's entered DVT (Design Verification Test) phase for some time, so it might not be long before we hear an official announcement in China. As always, stay tuned. %Gallery-171174%
iPhone 5 moves closer to launch in China
The iPhone 5 is allegedly one step closer to launching in China. Chinese blog Sina Tech reports that two models of the iPhone 5, model A1429 and A1442, have received government approval to run on the nation's wireless networks. The A1429 model is reportedly compatible with China Unicom's 3G network and the A1442 model is a CDMA version for China Telecom. China Mobile, the world's largest mobile carrier with almost 700 million subscribers, has supposedly been in talks with Apple about carrying the iPhone, but has not reached an agreement with the Cupertino company. These two models have cleared two of three regulatory steps required by the Chinese government. The pair were granted 3C (Chinese Compulsory Certificate) certification in September and, lastly, must receive a network access license before going on sale in China. [Via CNET]
