iPhone News Updated

Apple launches online store in China

Apple on Wednesday launched online sales in China and made its App Store available in simplified Chinese, as the US technology giant expands aggressively in the world’s largest mobile market.

The firm opened two new retail shops in mainland China last month as it launched the iPhone 4. It now has two shops in Beijing and two more in Shanghai, with a total of 25 outlets expected by the end of next year.

The company’s coveted products, from the iPod to the iPad tablet computer, are also available from a number of authorised resellers in major cities — and widely in China’s unofficial “grey” market.

Analysts said the introduction of new, easier ways for customers to access products showed that the China market has become increasingly important to the California-based company.

“We are thrilled to open our newest online store in China,” Apple’s chief operating officer Tim Cook said in a statement.

“With personalised engraving, configure-to-order options and free shipping on everything, the Apple Store is a great destination for our customers in China.”

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iPhone iOS4 flaw allows calls to be made whilst handset locked

Researchers on the MacRumors discussion forum have revealed that it is possible to gain access to an iPhone 3 or 4 handset’s directory – and allowing any number to be dialled – whilst the smartphone is locked.

A video showing the crack in action has been posted on Vimeo.

The cracking technique reportedly involves hitting the ‘emergency call’ soft key and then rapidly hitting `###’, followed by ‘call’ – then briefly depressing the lock key on the top of the smartphone.

From there, the user’s memory directory opens and anyone can then make a call from the directory, or place a call using the iPhone keypad as normal.

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