Wall Street Journal:
For the first time, the Apple Watch can have an independent cellular connection, allowing people to use it to make voice calls, send and receive text and data even if the watch isn’t wirelessly connected to an iPhone.
But in China, the feature was abruptly cut off for new subscribers, without explanation, after a brief availability with one telecom company.
Industry analysts say the suspension likely stemmed from Chinese government security concerns to do with tracking users of the device, which uses different technology than standard mobile phones.
This is a stunning development. After all the approvals were in place, prototypes no doubt submitted for inspection, deals signed with all players, manufacturing process completed, product packaged and distributed, and cash laid on the table as promised product was delivered and paid for, the rug was pulled out from under.
Here’s hoping this is a temporary setback.
Because…China
yep sigh… that’s how they make a deal that you can’t refuse…
I applauded Apple’s refusal to backdoor the San Bernadino iPhone.
I understood why they removed VPNs from the China store.
But at some point Apple, and all American tech companies, are going to have to decide just how far they’re willing to bend in China and everywhere else with massive restraints on the Net.
Given the size of the market there, my guess is they’ll bend until they can kiss their own asses.
Yes, when you deal with authoritarian governments, no deals are truly set or final.
Shakedown
They are simply withholding features and products that do not conform to the local laws, not adding extra ones that are compromising their own securities and what not upon request.
I thought the function is disabled when the watch is physically in China, while the watch itself is still being sold, and I assumed the feature can be enabled once outside of China boarder.. did I skim too fast?? 🙁
It’s not that simple. They’re dealing with a government that does things like suddenly remove the single most important feature of your new device despite your having followed all laws and gotten all clearances. No company should have to put up with that in a fair market. I bet you’ll never see something like this happen with a Chinese company.
You won’t see that with a Chinese company, because they are either government-owned, or they would be working closely with the government since day 1 to make sure the government can monitor/regulate every aspect as they please.