Tim Cook Shows Off Apple Watch to Chinese Internet Official, Discusses Security Issues

[MacRumors]

China's minister of the Cyberspace Administration recently sat down with Tim Cook for a meeting that included discussion about the Apple Watch and Chinese security concerns, reports China.com.cn (via Bloomberg Businessweek). Lu's visit to the U.S. also included meetings with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.

Cook was photographed showing off his wrist watch to Internet Information Officer Lu Wei, who is holding the device in his hand. Though the device is not identified in the source photo, it certainly appears to be the Apple Watch with white Sport Band frequently worn by Cook, and a translation of the original report quotes Cook as telling Lu he is the first outsider to see the watch.

The comment is not strictly true as executives have shown the watch to others on occasion since its unveiling and it has been featured in Vogue China and at Parisian fashion boutique Colette, but Lu may be one of the first government officials to handle the device.

Apple may face some regulatory hurdles with Apple Watch in China, as Lu reportedly reiterated to Cook that China is willing to open its markets to new products and technology, but the devices must face scrutiny before they are released. Each device must pass an official network security assessment that ensures national security is not being compromised, and the user's information is being accessed properly.

Apple may be willing to subject its watch to Chinese government oversight to a certain degree, as China already is a hotbed for smartwatches with more than half of existing devices coming from Chinese companies. Most of these smartwatches are low quality, off-brand products available in the largely unregulated Chinese marketplace.

Article Link: Tim Cook Shows Off Apple Watch to Chinese Internet Official, Discusses Security Issues

 

[Ancandis]

Judging by the size of his mug he must be working for Samsung.

 

[ButteryScrollin]

"I'll give you one of these if you stop redirecting iCloud traffic"

 

[DELLsFan]

Minister of Cyberspace Administration, huh? The Chinese are used to their Communist government spying on them by now, but that title just creeped me out. Makes me wonder how much Lu really knows about the incessant hacking by Chinese nationals on US interests.

 

[xraydoc]

"Thank you for letting me hold your watch. We can make cheap knock-offs of it more easily now."

 

[kdarling]

Judging by the size of his mug he must be working for Samsung.

Wrong country.

 

[Rogifan]

Hmm...I don't think this is the first outsider to see Watch. The guy who interviewed Jony Ive for Vogue magazine got to see Watch two weeks before the keynote.

http://www.vogue.com/1415025/apple-design-genius-jonathan-ive/

Feels nice, doesn’t it?” On my second visit to Cupertino, Ive has finally handed it over: the new Apple Watch. It is more watch than the computer geeks would ever have imagined, has more embedded software than in a Rolex wearer’s wildest dreams. When Ive shows it to me—weeks before the product’s exhaustive launch, hosted by new CEO Tim Cook—in a situation room that has us surrounded by guards, it feels like a matter of national security.

 

[avanpelt]

When the word "Cyberspace" is in your official job title, it's time to go about changing the title.

On another note, I expect to see cheap knockoffs of the Apple Watch appearing relatively soon now.

 

[iCore24]

The Apple watch must cost a fortune if Tim is wearing the cheapest Sport edition band

 

[KPOM]

The Apple watch must cost a fortune if Tim is wearing the cheapest Sport edition band

Maybe it's the Rose Gold Edition.

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Apple may face some regulatory hurdles with Apple Watch in China, as Lu reportedly reiterated to Cook that China is willing to open its markets to new products and technology, but the devices must face scrutiny before they are released. Each device must pass an official network security assessment that ensures national security is not being compromised, and the user's information is being accessed properly.

Apple may be willing to subject its watch to Chinese government oversight to a certain degree, as China already is a hotbed for smartwatches with more than half of existing devices coming from Chinese companies. Most of these smartwatches are low quality, off-brand products available in the largely unregulated Chinese marketplace.

Article Link: Tim Cook Shows Off Apple Watch to Chinese Internet Official, Discusses Security Issues

More likely, China wants to see if they can "control" it since they operate the largest firewall in the world.

 

[needfx]

someone fire that photographer


unless it is a screen grab, so someone fire that screen grabber

 

[Cmd-Z]

"Each device must pass an official network security assessment that ensures national security is not being compromised, and the user's information is being accessed properly."

This statement ought to be followed with "by our government".

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

The more time removed from the Apple Watch unveiling the more interested/excited I am in the product... I think it could certainly be compelling especially with the eventual App Store.

Either way, I've already determined that I'm holding off till the 2nd gen, but like with the iPad, the wait will likely be more challenging than I was expecting...

 

[Michaelgtrusa]

WOW! look at what the United States has taught china that just 40 years ago had nothing! Now what if the United States took it all away from them....

 

[d4rkc4sm]

this picture irritates me

 

[mijail]

"Each device must pass an official network security assessment that ensures national security is not being compromised, and the user's information is being accessed properly."

This statement ought to be followed with "by our government".

You mean, as opposed to "by other governments"?

I hope Europe does implement something similar.

 

[ValSalva]

China is worried about security issues?

Probably concerned the Apple Watch is too secure. Not enough back doors to spy on users.

 

[iPadCary]

It's good to see this Chinese official even having an audience with Tim.
His coming out was looked at as maybe causing problems in places like
China, the Middle East, etc. So this meeting happening bodes well,
I think, for future endeavors. Go Tim!

 

[Mavelous]

]Should have given him a (Product) Red watch,Tim.

 

[patent10021]

I'm more interested in what his mug is on. Is it just a raised coaster or is it a cool mug warmer? But I don't see any wires. Would be cool if it was powered by plasma or something magic. I really want a mug warmer this winter

 

[tongxinshe]

China is worried about security issues?

Probably concerned the Apple Watch is too secure. Not enough back doors to spy on users.

This comment above illustrates an obvious self-centric mindset!

Everyone have their own security concerns. Being too easily spied by our government is sure a security issue to their government.

 

[avanpelt]

That picture is just begging to be captioned...

 

[Zxxv]

That picture is just begging to be captioned...

I'll give you this watch...

 

[Quu]

Feels like they are putting a lot of emphasis on this watch.

But honestly everyone I've spoken to doesn't seem interested in it. And the other month at the keynote where they unveiled the Retina iMac every time they brought the watch out they acted as if they were waiting for applause or howling.

Instead it was met with crickets. No one seemed to care.

 

[Eraserhead]

Minister of Cyberspace Administration, huh? The Chinese are used to their Communist government spying on them by now, but that title just creeped me out. Makes me wonder how much Lu really knows about the incessant hacking by Chinese nationals on US interests.

A bit pot-kettle-black given the NSA and GCHQ...

WOW! look at what the United States has taught china that just 40 years ago had nothing! Now what if the United States took it all away from them....

How can they do that?