Tag Archives: Taiwan

Taiwan asks Apple to obscure radar defense system in iOS 6 Maps

Another day, another complaint about iOS 6 Maps. Today, the Taiwanese government is asking Apple to obscure details of a new radar system near Hsinchu Air Base on the island that appear in satellite images.

Apple's doing nothing illegal; it's just a request to have Apple use lower-resolution images in the map of this area. While we don't know exactly where the radar system is or what it looks like, a quick look at the Hsinchu Air Base in both iOS 6 Maps and Google Maps shows that the Apple images are already at a bit lower resolution than the Google images.

In the Google Maps image, I was able to easily discern Taiwanese F-16 fighters sitting next to a taxiway (below). The iOS 6 Maps images (above) were less sharp, although I was able to tell the difference between an F-16, what appears to be F-5E or F, and a Mirage 2000 on a taxiway.

A post on The Verge notes that Google has been asked to obscure images before in the past, so this similar request to Apple is nothing out of the ordinary. For the Maps team, it's probably just another few hours of overtime.

Taiwan asks Apple to obscure radar defense system in iOS 6 Maps

Taiwan asks Apple to obscure radar defense system in iOS 6 Maps originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daily Update for October 1, 2012

It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world.

You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here.


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Daily Update for October 1, 2012 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Taiwan information minister chastised for promoting iPhone 5

When you're in politics, even the most innocuous statement -- or Facebook post -- can land you in hot water. That's what Hu Yu-wei, Taiwan's information minister and a government spokesperson, discovered on Sunday when he posted a photo of an iPhone 5 on his personal Facebook page.

Hu's post seemed to be the typical type of thing you'd see on Facebook, with a picture of Apple's latest handset and the words "Help the economy and bolster consumption" underneath.

That seemingly harmless statement set off a firestorm in Taiwan, both in the media and on the Internet. Why? Many consider it to be a slap in the face to HTC Corp, a major Taiwanese tech company. HTC includes Taiwan's president Ma Ying-jeou as a major fan, and he often gives HTC smartphones to visiting foreign dignitaries.

After being accused of being unpatriotic, Hu reported that he uses an HTC One, but was considering possibly purchasing an iPhone 5. The Taiwanese press appears to have ignored the fact that the iPhone 5 uses many components made in Taiwan and that Taiwan's Foxconn Technology Group assembles the phones in China.

However, HTC's diminishing sales have been pointed out as a reason why Taiwan's exports have declined for the last half-year, and economics minister Shih Yen-hsiang has made public pronouncements that citizens should buy HTC products.

Taiwan information minister chastised for promoting iPhone 5 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iTunes Store opens in Hong Kong, Taiwan and 10 other Asia-Pacific territories

Our Apple-loving compatriots on the west side of the Pacific Ocean have been able to purchase the latest in iPhone and iPad software from the App Store for a while, but believe it or not, they've been shut out of the iTunes Store. Apple has just opened the virtual iTunes storefront in a dozen locations across the Asia-Pacific region.

The "big three" Asian markets that will get access to music and movies for the first time today are Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan. Other locations that are going live today are Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Macau, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

All of the new stores will feature local content as well as the big international favorites. Apple chose to launch the new branches of the iTunes Store complete with iTunes in the Cloud and iTunes Match subscriptions.

iTunes Store opens in Hong Kong, Taiwan and 10 other Asia-Pacific territories originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 27 Jun 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple supplier Hon Hai Precision Industry to "significantly" raise wages

Workers at Taiwanese plants run by Hon Hai Precision Industry -- the parent company of iPad and iPhone manufacturer Foxconn -- will begin to see some benefit of the popularity of the Apple products they manufacture in the form of "significantly" higher wages.

The company is doing this primarily to attract and retain top talent at its Taiwanese manufacturing facilities. Foxconn has recently worked on improving worker conditions at plants in mainland China, raising wages and reducing the number of overtime hours worked by employees.

Apple supplier Hon Hai Precision Industry to "significantly" raise wages originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 05 Apr 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone 4S reportedly to launch in Taiwan December 14-16

The iPhone 4S is rolling out globally and its next stop may be Taiwan. A Digitimes report suggests the iPhone 4S will go on sale in the Pacific Rim country starting next month. Apple has not confirmed the release, but industry sources in Taiwan claim the handset will hit Taiwan's three largest carriers sometime between December 14-16.

Chunghwa Telecom (CHT), Taiwan Mobile (TWM) and Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET) are supposedly working with Apple to lower the price of the 4S. The carriers want the iPhone 4S to debut at a price point that's only NT$1,000 (US$33) above the iPhone 4. Presumably, this lower price will entice current iPhone owners to buy the 4S instead of waiting for the iPhone 5 which could launch sometime in mid-2012.

Sales in the territory are expected to be moderate and Apple may supply carriers with only 30,000 total units. The bulk (50 percent) of these handsets will go to Chunghwa Telecom. Taiwan Mobile and Far EasTone will split the remaining shipment and get 25 percent each. Most of the iPhone 4S units will be 16 GB and 32 GB models. Less than 1500 units will be the 64 GB model.

iPhone 4S reportedly to launch in Taiwan December 14-16 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Daily Update for November 4, 2011

It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world.

You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here.


No Flash? Click here to listen.

Daily Update for November 4, 2011 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Taiwanese government approves iPhone 4S for sale

The Taiwanese National Communications Commission (NCC) has approved the iPhone 4S, paving the way for the handset to go on sale in the local market. The iPhone 4S debuted on October 14 and is now available in 29 countries worldwide. Just yesterday, Apple announced the Siri-powered handset will land in an additional 15 countries starting November 11. Taiwan was not included in this latest list, but locals are hopeful they will see the handset by the end of the year.

When the iPhone 4S was announced this fall, Apple confirmed it would sell the phone in 70 countries worldwide. By November 11, the handset will have reached 44 countries, leaving 26 countries on the waiting list. Now that the handset has received approval from the NCC, there's a good chance Taiwan could be part of a third or fourth wave of international handset sales.

Taiwanese government approves iPhone 4S for sale originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple hires two camera suppliers for the iPhone 5

Apple has tapped both Largan Precision and Genius Electronic Optical to supply some lenses/camera modules for the rumored upcoming iPhone 5, according to the Taiwan Economic News. Both of the companies have worked on 5 megapixel camera modules that you can now find in the iPhone 4, so it's not too surprising that Apple has gone back to those same sources for what are supposed to be 8 megapixel kits in the next version.

And while that seems like good news for Apple, it's also obviously good news for these two companies, who have both earned a 27.5 percent global market share together. If they are contracted for the next iPhone, that share will likely go even higher.

Post corrected to clarify that lenses themselves do not carry a megapixel rating.

Apple hires two camera suppliers for the iPhone 5 originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Foxconn to reportedly build all iPad 3 units

Foxconn is using its production muscle to keep Apple's iPad 3 manufacturing contracts to itself. This contradicts an earlier report that claimed Apple was shopping around for a second manufacturer like Pegatron to assist with iPad 3 production.

According to this new report from Digitimes, the Hon Hai subsidiary has told Apple it doesn't need any help and can handle the expected volume of iPad 3 orders. Don't feel bad for competitor Pegatron, though. It supposedly has a contract for over 10 million iPhone 5 units and is vying for the iPad 4 and 2012 notebook/desktop orders from Apple.

Foxconn to reportedly build all iPad 3 units originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple reportedly to add another iPad 3 manufacturer


Apple may begin producing the iPad 3 soon and manufacturers needed to assemble this tablet device are being chosen. Not surprisingly, the primary manufacturer is expected to be Foxconn, a long-time manufacturer of Apple devices. A recent explosion at Foxconn's Chengdu plant has impacted Foxconn's production rate and Apple is looking for a second manufacturer to meet the expected high demand. Both Pegatron and Quanta Computers are reportedly in the running to snag this second place spot. Taiwanese sources claim Pegatron is a better position to win the contract as it is supposedly manufacturing the iPhone 5 for Apple. The sources also claim the iPad 3 is slated to launch late in the third quarter or early in the fourth quarter.

Apple reportedly to add another iPad 3 manufacturer originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple reportedly complies with Taipei’s app refund request

We reported earlier this month that Taipei was trying to require a seven-day trial for all apps sold in that country. While we weren't sure how valid that claim was, it appears Taipei wasn't kidding around. Google has completely removed its paid app section from the Taipei version of the Android store, and reports are saying Apple is offering a seven day refund to Taiwanese customers who buy apps but then decide they don't want them. Another report says that Google was fined for not offering the same deal sooner, which is what resulted in the Android store takedown.

It looks like Taipei is serious about making sure its customers have a chance to check out software before they actually buy it. This isn't anything new for Apple's international divisions; the company has a history, especially with products like the iPhone, of tailoring various business models and sales methods to the many regions it operates in.

It seems like the changes to the system have mollified authorities for now, so presumably Apple can keep operating the App Store in Taiwan. We'll keep an eye out for any other changes that might have to be made.

Apple reportedly complies with Taipei's app refund request originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple reportedly leaves Samsung for A6 production

Apple may drop Samsung and switch to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for the production of its next generation A6 chipset. The Cupertino Company is reportedly working with TSMC to move to a 28 nm ARM SoC in 2012. Rumors of this TSMC partnership surfaced earlier this year before Apple filed a trademark infringement suit against Samsung. Though the A4 and A5 are still being produced by Samsung, the Korean company may be out of the loop in future Apple hardware.

This move away from Samsung may have a deleterious effect on the Korean manufacturer as Apple is reportedly one of its biggest customers. Apple has secured LCD displays, chipsets and NAND flash memory from Samsung that are used in its iOS devices. If the impending legal battle between the two companies sours the relationship, Apple may be forced to turn to costlier options for its device components and Samsung may lose one of its biggest customers.

Apple reportedly leaves Samsung for A6 production originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone 5 production to begin in August

Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty claims Apple will begin production of the iPhone 5 in the second half of August and ramp up progressively through the rest of the year. Using information obtained from Taiwanese sources, Huberty also writes in a recent research note that the iPhone 5 will go on sale in September, a date that coincides with earlier leaks.

The iPhone 5 will be a big seller for Apple and the Morgan Stanley analyst keeps her yearly sales estimate of 72 million units. Third quarter sales may drop due to the September arrival of the iPhone 5, but an increase in sales during the fourth quarter will make up for any third quarter lag. Huberty also believes that Apple is working on a lower-priced iPhone and an Apple-branded TV. Both of these rumors have floated around for a while and have yet to come to fruition.

iPhone 5 production to begin in August originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 27 Jun 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPad rigged up with 3D screen in Taiwan

Display Taiwan 2011 is going on in Taiwan this week, and at a booth for a company called CPT, there's a device on display that looks very much like an iPad (though with the actual Apple logos and identifying information covered up) that's been Frankenstein-ed together with what appears to be a 3D display. You can see the device in the video below thanks to YouTubers minipcpro.

They call this an iPad 3 prototype, but I don't think it's that -- my guess is that this Taiwanese company just either opened up an actual iPad, or came across some iPad parts, and inserted their own display in the device. It's more a proof of concept than anything else. All you see running is that photo app, not a full version of iOS.

Plus, it seems unlikely that we'd ever see 3D like this implemented in an Apple device, much less something that required glasses like that. Still, it's wild to see a completely different display show up in an iPad wrapping like this.

[via BGR]



iPad rigged up with 3D screen in Taiwan originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New MacBook Air models to arrive late June?

A report from Taiwan's Economic Daily newspaper claims Apple is preparing to ship 380,000 new MacBook Air units along with 80,000 old models this month. The report cites industry sources with knowledge of Apple's production plans. This echoes an earlier report from Wall Street analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

For good measure, the same article also claims Apple is working on an iPad 3 with a high-resolution display that is six times higher than the iPad's current display. This latter claim is unlikely to happen as that is a huge jump in display technology. Earlier rumors hint at a high-resolution display iPad, but the specs will probably fall closer to the 2560 x 1600 tablet display recently announced by Samsung.

New MacBook Air models to arrive late June? originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 14 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPad 2 panel shipments could break 10.5m this summer

This summer Apple iPad shipments may reach 10.5 million according to a report from Digitimes. Apple has reportedly tapped Chimei Innolux to boost their supply of panels for the iPad 2. CMI is is expected to produce up to 500,000 panels in June and may ramp up production to over one million in July. Between CMI, TPK Holding and Wintek, Apple should have an ample supply of panels to ship over 10.5 million iPads in the summer quarter.

[Via Electronista]

iPad 2 panel shipments could break 10.5m this summer originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Taipei insists Apple, Google offer seven-day free trial for apps

In an unusual story coming out of Taiwan, the Taipei City Government is supposedly forcing local divisions of Apple and Google to provide a free seven-day trial for mobile applications. The Taipei Times claims the government is threatening to levy heavy fines, up to US$50,000 or more, if Apple does not comply with this order.

According to a senior official, Apple's current policy violates the Consumer Protection Act because it does not provide a way to easily return applications for a refund. The order was reportedly issued on the last day of the Computex 2011 conference and goes into effect in two weeks. Neither Apple nor Google have responded.

[Via TechEye]

Taipei insists Apple, Google offer seven-day free trial for apps originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 12:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Taiwanese firm to ship 30 million iPad 2 screens

Reuters is reporting that Taiwanese tech manufacturer AU Optronics Corp. has won a major contract from Apple to provide flat panel screens for the ultra-popular iPad 2.

With the high demand for the new device, it's no surprise that Apple is looking for new sources for this critical iPad 2 component. The AU Optronics contract will provide up to 30 million of the displays, occupying over half the capacity of the company's plant in Taichung.

The report cites local Taiwanese paper The Economic Daily News as the source, and MacStories notes that AU Optronics is the world's fourth-largest supplier of LCDs. The move by Apple follows unprecedented demand for the iPad 2, which has likely sold just over a million units in just the first weekend of availability. There has been speculation that the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan would cause production constraints on certain iPad 2 components, including the screens. With this new source of displays, Apple's ability to produce and ship iPad 2s should remain unfettered.

Taiwanese firm to ship 30 million iPad 2 screens originally appeared on TUAW on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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China Telecom awaiting CDMA iPhone 4

Rumors that Apple and China Telecom are close to inking a deal to bring the iPhone 4 to a second wireless carrier in China may be premature. The latest report from Digitimes suggests the deal may be held up by the lack of a SIM card slot in the CDMA iPhone 4.

Earlier information from Chinese news site suggest this technical limitation was overcome by China Telecom engineers, but details on this achievement were not provided.

Vincent Chih, CEO of Asia Pacific Telecom, claims Apple will need a substantial volume of orders to modify the CDMA iPhone 4 with a SIM card slot. If China Telecom can successfully negotiate a deal with Apple, then APT will be able to offer the iPhone 4 through its close relationship with the Chinese wireless carrier.

APT is a Taiwanese cellular carrier that boasts of over 2 million subscribers and operates Taiwan's only CDMA network. China Telecom is China's third largest cellular operator with over 82 million subscribers.

China Telecom awaiting CDMA iPhone 4 originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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