Tim Cook Meets with China Mobile to Discuss 'Cooperation', Shares Thoughts on Chinese Markets

[MacRumors]

As speculated following his arrival in China earlier this week, Apple CEO Tim Cook has met with representatives of China Mobile, the world's largest carrier. Reuters notes that the two sides discussed "cooperation", but no additional information on the status of long-running negotiations over the iPhone have been revealed.

"In the morning, Apple's CEO Tim Cook visited China Mobile's headquarters. China Mobile's Chairman Xi Guohua and Tim Cook discussed matters of cooperation," said Li Jun, a China Mobile spokesman, in an emailed statement. [...]

Talks between Apple and China Mobile have been going on for years and are stuck on revenue sharing terms, analysts said, so it is tough to say if this meeting would break new ground.

Tim Cook meeting with China's Minister of Industry and Information Technology Miao Wei earlier this week (Source: MIIT)

Cook also sat down with Sina Technology for an exclusive interview [Google translation] in which he touched on a number of topics. Notably, Cook shared that although this was his second visit to China as CEO of Apple, he has visited China numerous times since 1996 and he has observed tremendous changes over that time.

Cook also highlighted Apple's efforts to raise its profile in China, reiterating plans to grow its retail presence from the current 11 stores in Greater China to at least 25 locations. Apple is also working to speed up the approval process for Apple products in China, moves which would allow product launches in China to occur closer to the first waves that generally include the United States and perhaps 5-10 other countries.

As he has in several other settings, Cook skirted discussion of Apple's plans for the television market, noting that he uses and loves the current Apple TV set-top box but that the market does not yet offer similar potential to the smartphone market. As he usually does when confronted with questions about television, Cook shared only that Apple remains very interested in the market and acknowledged that he can not discuss any future plans for the company.

Article Link: Tim Cook Meets with China Mobile to Discuss 'Cooperation', Shares Thoughts on Chinese Markets

[tigres]

Did Steve dress in a suit during such meet ups?
I don't recall.

[impulse462]

Seems as if China Mobile wants to control more and more of the deal, before they start selling iPhones.

[JaySoul]

Let's hope Cook can takeaway some good fortune from China.

[chriscrk]

Originally Posted by tigres

Did Steve dress in a suit during such meet ups?
I don't recall.

Probably not? He wore suits when he was younger, at the red carpet (for some Pixar premiers I think), and at courts.

At least when he went to that meal with Obama and a bunch of other people, he was in the jeans/turtleneck.

[Radio]

I'm glad apple is sticking to their guns here

[Tankmaze]

1.3 billion people....

[jayducharme]

Best Tim Cook translation in the article:

I respect very much Ivey, working with him for the glory of my life.

[ArchAndroid]

Tim could've at least hooked the transcribers up with a pair of iPads, .

[koban4max]

Originally Posted by tigres

Did Steve dress in a suit during such meet ups?
I don't recall.

Does it matter? Cook is not Steve.

[mattopotamus]

with all of that money, you would think he could buy nice dress shoes

[Limboistik]

My initial impression is that China Mobile is not willing to settle with Apple's typical high cut of the profits and now Cook is targeting the government officials to exert influence from above.

[joneill55]

Originally Posted by tigres

Did Steve dress in a suit during such meet ups?
I don't recall.

No, but he did have his dress mock-tee, finest jeans and clean New Balanced reserved for just such occasions :-)

[modemthug]

Nice chairs!

[Popeye206]

I'm sure this too will drive down the stock. Any positive progress seems to drive the stock lower.

[Shrink]

Originally Posted by tigres

Did Steve dress in a suit during such meet ups?
I don't recall.

Originally Posted by mattopotamus

with all of that money, you would think he could buy nice dress shoes

Originally Posted by joneill55

No, but he did have his dress mock-tee, finest jeans and clean New Balanced reserved for just such occasions :-)

Clearly, the most important point of the article. Essential issues...

Forrest...trees...

Oh well...

[needfx]

The way they are seated is so chinese

[DipDog3]

China Mobile is just holding out for a lower price. They want the iPhone but don't want to pay Apple's high markup for it.

[puckhead193]

Originally Posted by modemthug

Nice chairs!

that's what I was thinking... I wonder who makes them?

[apple-win]

iPhone screen is too small to display Chinese fonts

[flavr]

Words cant express how uncomfortable I would feel sitting in that seat...my nightmare :/

[lyricist3]

Why does Tim Cook cross his legs like a girl? He'd have more negotiating power if he came across more masculine and dominant.

[needfx]

Originally Posted by lyricist3

Why does Tim Cook cross his legs like a girl? He'd have more negotiating power if he came across more masculine and dominant.

The other guy is girly too with his knees put together

[Rogifan]

Apparently Phil Schiller denied the budget iPhone rumors while in China with Tim Cook.

http://www.idownloadblog.com/2013/01...budget-iphone/

[apple-win]

Originally Posted by lyricist3

Why does Tim Cook cross his legs like a girl? He'd have more negotiating power if he came across more masculine and dominant.

Acting like a girl is the right way to do. If he acts like a strong man, he won't get a deal with Chinese Communist Party.