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The Chinese government doesn't want phones with wifi?

Why?

They want to be able to close down the cellular networks Iran style?

Jul 10, 09 - 05:05 pm Comment from: Predrag

Obviously.

You know, between the Chinese technocrats, the Iranian mullahs and the psycho in North Korea, I've had my fill of authoritarian regimes this year.

But the whole thing with WiFi is weird - I am traveling to China next week with an iPhone and netbook (hacked for OSX), and every hotel where I am staying notes that it has WiFi. It appears to be about as ubiquitous in China as it is here. What's the deal?

Companies like Google, Microsoft, Cisco and Apple tend to accede to Chinese requests for such "security" restrictions because there's money to be made. Since the iPhone is made in China, Apple has a bit of leverage if it chooses to use it. It can suggest moving production out of China if the same unit made there for world-wide use can't be sold there.

I wonder though, since the iPod touch is also made there, is it sold with Wi-Fi disabled? If not, why would iPhone users be so restricted?

Jul 10, 09 - 05:39 pm Comment from: db

I'm guessing the reason why they want just cell internet is because it's a lot easier to trace what was said by whom?

Jul 10, 09 - 05:43 pm Comment from: ron

"You know, between the Chinese technocrats, the Iranian mullahs and the psycho in North Korea, I've had my fill of authoritarian regimes this year."

The Chosen One is trying hard to make one in the USA.

Jul 10, 09 - 05:52 pm Comment from: DogGone

Imagine there is a case of police brutality or something similar to Tianamen (sp?) Square. With Wifi someone could video the incident and send it out of the country before anyone could shut the network down or trace who sent it.

I don't really know why the Chinese gov't bother. People will find out anyway. They need to get over it and realize that creating obstructions is hurting their image more.

BTW Ron - don't be a doofus. Obama has done more in the last 6 months than GW did in the previous 8 years. Let's hope it works out because the US cannot handle 10% unemployment for too long.

Jul 10, 09 - 06:22 pm Comment from: silverwarloc

@DogGone:

you are certI ky correct thT Obama has done more than Bush did in the last 8 years. Let's take a look: he spent more than Bush. He raised the deficit more than Bush. Now, he's thinking of spending more. He raised the taxes on energy through the "crap" and trade. He fired 2 IGs. Shall I continue?

Jul 10, 09 - 06:23 pm Comment from: ken1w

When laptops have WiFi, it seems like stupid decision. Sounds to me like a bunch of technologically impaired bureaucrats who did not want to seem like they were "giving in" to Apple on this one point. I expect it will be reversed by the time the next version of the iPhone is released, which will make Apple even more money as the early adopter trade up to an iPhone with WiFi.

Jul 10, 09 - 06:28 pm Comment from: Original Jake

@DogGone
True, W. was a piker compared to Obama in destroying the US economy. Bush passed a worthless $150b "stimulus," so Obama passes a worthless $760b "stimulus." Obama is now busy turning a minor recession into a serious depression while destroying the best health care system in the world. Never seen such a wrecking ball.
Thanks, Obamabots!!

Jul 10, 09 - 06:39 pm Comment from: GRANDxADMIRAL

I like Obama. He has neat ears.

I like Obama too though not on a forum about CHINA and APPLE!
Why don't whiney loser F$CKs who ruined our country the last 8 years STFU for once. I realize that the inbred have drastically lower IQs, but give us sentient beings a break would ya? Go on over to foxnews.cum and preach to your other "differently abled" friends.

Jul 10, 09 - 06:51 pm Comment from: iPhoner

RANT ALERT:
My favorite site for political opinion is MDN. It's refreshing to get a break from tech news and read anonymous comments about how someone hates Obama or someone hates Bush. I know it really makes my day and I evaluate your comments at length and they have great impact on my political views. Thanks for sharing guys. I bet you're real fun at cocktail parties. Discussing Chinese politics is understandable given the topic but why would you think that anybody here gives two shits who you voted for? My mother is the same way. Any topic that gets brought up - she's gotta turn it into a political conversation. Gets real old. And - we voted for the same person in case you're wondering. That doesn't make it any more enjoyable.

In addition to being done with authoritarian regimes, I've also had it with whiney right-wing Republican losers on this forum who always want to draw a preposterous comparison between their lot and the risks to their very lives experienced by the protesters in Iran, the oppression of Chinese dissidents and the general misery of the people of North Korea. Have you no shame?

Jul 10, 09 - 07:28 pm Comment from: Anonymous©

Wifi is not ubiquitous in China like it often seems here in the US. Plus, most networks are protected, not open. Even finding a wifi for your home or apartment is not exactly easy. Having said that, EDGE is very strong and very widespread even into the remotest areas of the countryside. The Chinese will be able to buy iPhones on the black market if they need wifi, or thru Hutchinson out of Hong Kong. No big deal really. I bet Apple sells the iPhones with wifi disabled, but some clever hacker will probably be able to enable it.

I have traveled extensively in China, and typically stay in hotels frequented by Chinese nationals, not tourists. Most have wired Internet connectivity. I brought my airport express along so that I could use my laptop from anywhere in the room. The connectivity varied greatly in terms of speed, and sites were restricted.

Jul 10, 09 - 07:48 pm Comment from: disposableidentity

@ron, that's not what this forum is for, I'd prefer that politics stay off of this site but if you want to go there, just look at what kind of an authoritarian state we got over the last 8 years.

Bush practically turned the country into a police state with torture, wiretapping citizens without warrants, a "preemptive war" half way around the world (and no WMDs to justify it) and detention of "suspects" for years without trials (most were innocent people in the wrong place at the wrong time).

Why don't we give the new guy a chance settle in?

Telecom insiders in China whispered to China's tech media that the iPhone model for China (A1324) now undergoing final testing has WiFi disabled. While it's long odds, it is not out of the question that Apple would also submit a dual WiFi/WAPI iPhone model for approval.

China's MIIT recently announced that dual WiFi/WAPI handsets would be allowed. WAPI is China's proprietary encryption standard and is controversial - more >
http://iphonasia.com/?p=5728

What's more interesting IMHO, is the possibility that in addition to iPhone 3GS, Apple will launch a low-priced "2G only" iPhone specially localized for China. This may happen later (2010) but it brings China Mobile back into the mix.

Ron is the biggest neocon douche bag on this site, such a loser!

Jul 11, 09 - 03:10 am Comment from: mike_in_helsinki

@Ron

Totally agree.

Lots of infants here that were bashing Bush, and now that they made their bed and crapped in it, they are whining like babies, victims of unfair comments about that asshat Hussein. He is competing with Jimmy Carter as the worst president in US history.

To the victimized cry babies. Stop using Pampers. They obviously are not soaking up all your bawling, wetting and pooping. Go for Tourjours ... they are French diapers. Naturally, they will work better, pacify you more.

And remember, babies, you guys started this during the last administration. You can dish it out then, but you can take it now, eh?

@Jake, 'the best health care system in the world' by what metrics?

Jul 11, 09 - 07:54 am Comment from: Wingsy

You guys can give us your pros & cons of Bush & Obama all you want, but me, I'm hoping for Sarah Palin in 2012. If she's elected it will be politics as usual. Nothing will change, except...

For the very first time I may wonder what a president would look like without any clothes.

Time to make an App and a little external Wi-Fi adapter!

Jul 11, 09 - 03:49 pm Comment from: db

@mike_in_helsinki

I get it! You're the Zune Tang for republican idiots! Good job! You did it so tongue in cheek that I almost didn't get it.

Of course, once you realize that what is being said makes absolutely no sense unless you're a mindless automaton spouting incomprehensible GOP party lines used to anaesthetize the sub-par portion of the populus and distract them from how Republicans stand for nothing but their own petty, selfish selves (just like most of the Democratic politicians too, I might add), then it makes perfect sense.

No rational human being would think that way. Duh!

Jul 12, 09 - 05:20 pm Comment from: Road Warrior

It is amazingly funny the consistency of the Americans repubic and demoncrats to attempt to sidetrack any discussion about another country.

A sort of "What?, you ain't talking about the USA, well I hate Bush, or I hate Obama." The insecurity is showing folks.

Not to mention the them. Having hate issues are you? Used to be a time when the USA was about love.

How the mighty are falling.

Nice to see China stepping things up. It will be a big market for Apple.

Jul 13, 09 - 08:33 am Comment from: MrMcLargeHuge

@Apple

You're one of the few who hasn't given in to draconian Chinese restrictions. Please, don't do it. Stand your ground, and if the Chinese won't budge, then that's too bad for them.