Apple’s App Store is a big hit with China’s iPhone owners, despite a series of issues that might hobble sales. The China App Store is set to earn $1 million in sales this year with a potential $6 million by 2010, according to a report. Popular apps include a Chinese-to-English translator and dating software.
While the figures seem promising, Apple’s main App Store sells $200 million each month, according to AdMob, a mobile advertising company.
An app from China web portal Sina.com provides users with news and blogs is a hot item, according to The Wall Street Journal. Also drawing interest from China iPhone users: Western-styled games, such as Command & Conquer from Electronics Arts.
Although China Unicom has sold just an estimated 5,000 iPhones when the partnership with Apple first launched Oct. 30, there is an estimated two million iPhones in the country, the majority “jailbroken” and able to run pirated App Store software.
Unlike the China App Store, which is not in the local language, pirates offer instructions in Chinese on how to use unauthorized iPhone software, according to the Journal. Developers know the piracy exists and adjust their expectations. “We’re usually not able to get reasonable returns because of piracy,” Shi Weixing, founder and CEO of China-based 9thQ told the publication.
Along with piracy, Apple must contend with no Wi-Fi for initial iPhones sold in China. Although China lifted its ban on the wireless technology, the move wasn’t made until after the first batch of iPhones were made. China Mobile hopes to have iPhones with Wi-Fi ready before the end of the year.
Along with English-language text and no Wi-Fi, the China App Store must contend with sales requiring credit cards, something uncommon there, according to the report.
One silver lining may exist, however. While China Unicom is Apple’s first Chinese carrier, the deal is not exclusive. The Cupertino, Calif. company may reach an agreement with China Mobile, the largest wireless carrier in one of the world’s largest wireless markets.
[Via Wall Street Journal and AppleInsider]
