Apple accepts payment in China’s yuan currency
Apple has started accepting payment in China’s yuan currency through its online store, opening it up to the biggest Internet market in the world, company officials said today.
The App Store, which sells software applications for devices such as iPhone and iPad, started accepting the unit last week in an unannounced move.
The App Store previously listed prices and accepted payment in US dollars, requiring consumers to use payment cards with access to foreign exchange.
The online store will now accept yuan credit cards as well as debit cards issued by more than 20 banks, a customer service representative said.
Die-hard fans in China, which has the world’s largest online population with more than 500 million users, have been known to line up for days to get their hands on the latest Apple products.
The California-based has recently expanded aggressively in China, opening its first store in Hong Kong and its third in Shanghai in September, which brings the total to six in Greater China.
Greater China — which includes Hong Kong and Taiwan — has become Apple’s fastest growing region, with revenue there second only to the United States.
But analysts said allowing yuan payment might not give a big boost to revenue since Apple users can also download pirated applications for free.
Still, the craze for all things Apple in China has triggered widespread cloning of the company’s devices.
Several Chinese online stores have offered Apple fans the opportunity to buy a next-generation iPhone 5 — even though it does not yet exist.
In July, an American blogger uncovered fake Apple stores in the southwestern city of Kunming, where even staff working there did not appear to know they were fake.
Source AFP
I think that it is only fair to say that Apple has engaged in too many “UnAmerican” business practices. As an extremely patriotic and upstanding citizen of this Great Nation, I am very disappointed with Apple regarding these decisions. As with so many men, once the smoke and mirrors disappear, you are left with the ugly truth behind the curtain. As a result of these findings, I am switching my admiration and loyalty to a REAL true and blue “American” company. I am sure that they will be very sorry to hear this and suffer greatly from it. : ) LOL
If anyone has any suggestions for Great American Companies led by Great American Entrepreneurs, please nominate them. I think we really do need to look back to the time of Eli Whitney, Sir Isaac Newton, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Alexander Fleming and Albert Einstein for true inspiration. So many of these VISIONARIES/INVENTORS overcame tremendous obstacles in life and were disabled which in my opinion, puts them in a special category unmatched by anyone! In other words, the next Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Albert Einstein etc. hasn’t arrived yet. Sorry if that offends anyone. I tell it like it is. Dare to prove me wrong. Being a role model and visionary for America unlike most other things does involve great integrity and strength of character. There will never be a shortage of geniuses in the world who lack those traits.