There is little doubt that China is the next location for explosive growth for Apple, where in recent months fake stores have popped up on the radar to take advantage of the company’s popularity there. Soon, mainland China will enjoy a 3G-equipped iPad 2 like the rest of us, as well as a retail store opening in neighboring Hong Kong.
MacRumors has collected a pair of Apple stories out of the far East, both of which are good news for Chinese fans of everyone’s favorite Cupertino-based company. First up is a Wall Street Journal story revealing that Apple has finally received certification to sell the iPad 2 with 3G after successfully launching the Wi-Fi only model there.
“According to China's Telecommunication Equipment Certification Center, a device by Apple with third-generation high-speed wireless data capabilities was issued the network access license needed for the company to begin official sales in China,” the report claims. “The device, listed under model number ‘A1396,’ is compatible with the 3G standard WCDMA, and would work with the cellular network operated by Apple's local iPhone partner, China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd.”
As noted by MacRumors, model number A1396 is the same one used for the 3G-equipped iPad 2 here in the United States.
Meanwhile, Apple is scheduled to open the company’s first retail store in Hong Kong on September 24 according to Engadget China, which will be located in the International Finance Center’s IFC Mall. A photo of the banner was submitted by a MacRumors reader, seen above.
Apple is rapidly expanding their presence in China, which newly appointed CEO Tim Cook has described as “a substantial opportunity for Apple and we’re just scratching the surface.” As of July, the company had racked up revenue six times that of the previous year, and that number is likely to continue to rise.
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(Image courtesy of MacRumors)
