hong kong

Apple ‘assessing’ new Hong Kong security law that will crack down on protests

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Activist shareholders push Apple on why it booted Hong Kong protest app
This isn't the first time Apple has been dragged into the ongoing Hong Kong protests.
Photo: Fredrik Rubensson/Flickr CC

Apple is “assessing” a new Hong Kong security law that could make protest a crime, claims Bloomberg.

The newly passed National Security Law criminalizes acts of secession (breaking away from China), undermining power and authority of the government, the use of violence or intimidation, and collusion with foreign or external forces.

China says that it was return stability to Hong Kong, although critics of the new law worry that it will negatively affect freedom of speech and protest.

Hong Kong police arrest smugglers with $1 million of iPhones and other devices

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Hong Kong police arrest smugglers with $1 million of iPhones and other devices
This was one of the biggest hauls of smuggled electronics goods in Hong Kong history.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Police have arrested three people in Hong Kong after discovering a massive shipment of undeclared iPhones, Apple Watches, iPads, and assorted luxury items. The suspected smugglers were attempting to sneak the products into China to avoid paying tax on imports.

The South China Morning Post describes it as one of the “biggest hauls of electronic goods” in Hong Kong history. The total value of the tech products was $1 million. Other smuggled goods, including tech components and edible bird’s nests, were worth an extra $2.2 million.

Activist shareholders push Apple on why it booted Hong Kong protest app

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Activist shareholders push Apple on why it booted Hong Kong protest app
Apple banned the HKmap.live app earlier this year.
Photo: Fredrik Rubensson/Flickr CC

Activist shareholders will use Apple’s annual meeting in 2020 to push Apple on why it removed a mapping app used by protesters in Hong Kong.

Beijing reportedly pressured Apple to remove the app from the App Store. At the time, Tim Cook defended Apple’s decision to pull the app after saying it had received “credible information” that the app was being used to help commit violence against individuals and property.

Hong Kong legislator warns Apple against being ‘accomplice’ to China

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Hong Kong police arrest smugglers with $1 million of iPhones and other devices
Apple faces big challenges in China.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Prominent Hong Kong legislator and IT entrepreneur Charles Mok has warned that Apple risks becoming an accomplice for “censorship and oppression” in China.

In an open letter to Tim Cook, Mok referenced Apple’s removal of a recent app which allowed protesters to track the whereabouts of Hong Kong police. Tim Cook has defended the app’s removal, which came after Chinese state media criticized Apple for allowing it in the App Store.

Apple forced to close Hong Kong stores early amid protests

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Apple-Causeway-Bay
The Apple Store in Causeway Bay closed 5 to 6 hours earlier.
Photo: Apple

Apple closed all Hong Kong stores early on Monday due to growing concerns over more violent protests.

The move came a day after police fired tear gas during a clash with thousands of antigovernment activists. Other businesses also closed their doors and sent staff home early.

Octopus transit cards coming to Apple Pay in Hong Kong

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Octopus-Apple-Pay
It will probably come with iOS 13.
Photo: Octopus

Apple fans in Hong Kong will soon be able to add their Octopus transit cards to Apple Pay.

Support is “coming soon,” Octopus Cards Limited confirmed this week. It will allow you to use your iPhone or Apple Watch to pay for journeys and more with your transit card.

Customs officials seize stash of fake iPhone components in Hong Kong

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The iPhone XS Max is 25 percent larger than any previous iOS handset. So how is it as an iPad mini replacement?
Make sure you trust the companies you're buying from.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

$120,000 of knockoff parts for iPhones and other handsets have been seized by customs officials in Hong Kong. The parts were being used to repair handsets sent in from countries including the United States, U.K. and Australia.

The director and manager of the company were arrested during a raid on the company’s offices in the city of Tuen Mun. The offices were being used as a workshop and warehouse. One hundred phones sent in for repairs were found onsite.

Apple Watch 3 with LTE expands its reach in Asia

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Apple Watch Series 3
Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE is coming to Hong Kong and Singapore.
Photo: Apple

Apple Watch Series 3 with cellular capabilities is coming to two new locations, Hong Kong and Singapore, Apple has confirmed.

In Singapore, the Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE will be carried by Singtel, while those in Hong Kong will be able to choose between 1O1O and csl3 as their carrier. Apple has updated its website to show the addition of the two new markets, which brings the total number of markets with Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE to 12.

Apple tightens returns policy in Hong Kong to combat iPhone 8 scalpers

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face tracking
Apple wants to make life harder for scalpers.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Apple has tightened up its online sales policy in Hong Kong, noting that it will not “accept return for online orders placed on, and after August 15th, 2017.”

The move comes ahead of the launch of the eagerly-anticipated iPhone 8, and is intended to deter scalpers from buying up massive quantities of the iPhone to sell at a premium, and then returning those they don’t manage to sell.

Apple adds 21 gorgeous screen savers to Apple TV

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The new Apple TV packs a lot of surprises.
The new Apple TV videos are incredible.
Photo: Apple

One of the best things about owning an Apple TV — staring at the hypnotically beautiful screen savers — just got a whole lot better.

Apple published 21 gorgeous new videos today that give Apple TV viewers a bird’s-eye view of fantastic cityscapes in Hong Kong, China, Dubai and other beautiful locales.

Apple increases its presence in China with new flagship Hong Kong store

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Apple's new Hong Kong store in all its glory.
Photo: Bien Perez

Apple is set to open its 23rd Apple Store in China this week — with Hong Kong’s fourth retail outlet opening its doors, Thursday local time, in the city’s tourist-heavy Tsim Sha Tsui district.

This represents another step in Apple’s massive Chinese retail expansion, which Tim Cook has said will result in 40 stores in China by the middle of 2016.

Hong Kong politician watches sexy girls on his iPhone during historic debate

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Heading
"Erm... ah, how do you get back to the home screen?"
Photo: on.cc

Hong Kong import and export lawmaker Wong Ting-kwong has embarrassed himself after being snapped viewing sexy pics on his iPhone during an important parliamentary debate. Because, you know, helping decide the entire future of Hong Kong isn’t exciting enough!

Crazily enough, Wong is far from the first high-profile politician to be caught using his Apple product inappropriately.

All The Cool Apple Stuff Not Made By Apple in Hong Kong [Gallery]

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One of two "Apple" bags found in the Ladies Market. @Nicole Martinelli for Cult of Mac.

Once I started iSpying in the crowded, bustling streets of Hong Kong, it was hard to stop. (Also, the IP lawyers must be seriously busy in these parts.)

These are some of my favorite finds of Apple-esque products and signs — minus the pics that didn’t turn out because my travel companions were trying to stop me from lagging behind or getting run over.

We’ll have more reporting from Hong Kong soon; a special thanks goes out to Truman Au for showing me around.

Cult of Mac Plays iSpy in Hong Kong

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Drumming up iBusiness on Nathan Road in Hong Kong.
Drumming up iBusiness on Nathan Road in Hong Kong.

I’m still a little woozy from the 14-hour plane ride from San Francisco, but at first glance this humming tech hub seems like Samsung territory.

For every 10 Galaxy Notes that metro riders are stumbling down the endless escalators watching TV shows or reading comics on, I’ve probably spotted one iPhone.

Tim Cook Takes Second Trip To China To Meet With Government Officials

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Tim Cook with Miao Wei, the head of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
Tim Cook with Miao Wei, the head of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology

Tim Cook has kicked off 2013 with a second visit to China. The Apple CEO met with Miao Wei, head of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, to discuss the development of China’s information technology industry, mobile communications, and Apple’s expansion in China.

The Cupertino company has doubled its number of retail outlets in the nation, and its iOS devices are becoming increasingly popular there. Cook’s last visit to China came in March 2010 before he pledged “greater investment” in the world’s largest market for consumer technology.

Apple’s New Store In Hong Kong Features A Massive 30-Foot Glass Curtain Wall

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causewaybaystorehongkong

Apple’s been focusing their retail expansion overseas the last few years. They recently announced plans to build their first store in South America, and they’ve continued to open up new flagship stores in Asia.

Hong Kong already has two Apple Stores, but a third store is opening up in the Causeway Bay area this Saturday that is both massive and beautiful. The main feature of the Causeway Bay store is its 30-foot glass curtain wall that allows customers to see all three stories of the store while walking by on the street.

Third Apple Store In Beijing Opens In Wangfujing Later This Month

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AppleStoreBeijing

An Apple store is opening in China next week, in Wangujing Street, an outdoor pedestrian mall that has been there for over 800 years. This will the the third retails store in Beijing, China, and it’s said that it will be the largest Apple store in Asia. It will join over 200 other shops in the shopping destination center about a mile from historic Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.