AppAdvice International: iPads In India, iPhone Market Share, China And More

In the most news-packed edition of AppAdvice International to date, we talk about the launch of Apple's new iPads in India, the effect the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c are having on international smartphone markets, the dangers of unauthorized iDevice chargers, and the launch of a pair of touchscreen gloves that our readers in colder climates will certainly appreciate. Grab a cup of tea and perhaps even a biscuit, and settle in for this week's AppAdvice International.

Apple's iPads in India

Press releases from a number of carriers confirmed that the iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display will be launching in India this coming week, on Dec. 7. The news comes following a series of stories indicating that the iPhone 5s, once billed as a handset too expensive for the developing nation, is doing particularly well in India. As such, analysts have high hopes for Apple's iPad in the country. Prices for the iPad Air range from Rs 35,900 ($577) to Rs 65,900 ($1,058), while prices for the second-generation iPad mini start at Rs 28,900 ($464) and climb as high as Rs 48,900 ($785). Our original article provided more details concerning the price of individual iPad Air and second-generation iPad mini models:

Apple’s iPad Air (Wi-Fi Only) will be priced at Rs 35,900 (16GB), Rs 42,900 (32GB), Rs 49,900 (64GB), and Rs 56,900 (128GB). For the Wi-Fi + Cellular models, users will need to pay an additional Rs 9,000 per iteration. The iPad mini with Retina display (Wi-Fi Only), however, will be available for Rs 28,900 (16GB), Rs 35,900 (32GB), Rs 42,900 (64GB), and Rs 49,900 (128GB). As with the iPad Air, the Wi-Fi + Cellular second-generation iPad mini will set consumers back an additional Rs 9,000 per iteration, meaning the cellular iPad mini with Retina display starts at Rs 37,900.

In the United States, Apple’s new iPads have proven to be particularly popular. In fact, several major U.S. retailers, including both Target and Walmart, noted that the iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display were partly responsible for attracting record-breaking numbers of customers this Black Friday. Given the success of Apple's iPhone 5s in India, it's expected that there'll be a lot of interest in the tablets, once both launch on Dec. 7. We'll keep you updated with further information on this as we receive it.

Apple's smartphone market share

Kantar Worldpanel ComTech came out with an interesting report this week, providing an insight into the state of the smartphone market overseas and how Apple's iPhone 5s (and iPhone 5c) have affected these international markets. Our original article provided a more in-depth analysis of Kantar's research, however we've summarized the most important points below.

Kantar's Dominic Sunnebo: "In almost all markets, the iPhone 5s and 5c releases have given iOS a significant bounce compared to the previous month."

In Europe, iOS could soon be threatened by Microsoft's Windows Phone, which has seen "rapid growth" and holds 10.2 percent of the smartphone market (compared with Apple's 15.8 percent).

Kantar: "In Japan, where the iPhone is now available via the country’s largest carrier NTT DoCoMo, Apple’s share hit 76.1% during October."

The iPhone 5s is outselling the iPhone 5c "at a rate of three to one in Britain."

Apple’s iPhone 5c has importantly encouraged a demographic of consumers to try Apple’s smartphone platform “for the first time.” Almost half of iPhone 5c purchases in October were made by customers switching from a competing platform.

On the other hand, 80 percent of iPhone 5s sales were made by those upgrading from a previous iPhone.

Those last three points had me most interested. Though a lot of commentators have questioned the point of Apple offering an iPhone 5c handset that serves as a mid-tier smartphone, it's clear that the handset is indeed attracting customers. That these customers are leaving the likes of Android, Windows Phone, and BlackBerry for iOS makes sense; the iPhone 5s to iPhone 5c sales radio of 3:1 isn't as outbalanced as some might have previously thought, too. Kantar's data on international smartphone markets is included below.

China Mobile's TD-LTE network

It looks like the time for a China Mobile iPhone handset is nearly upon us. Those of you who've been keeping up to date with our coverage of China will know that a super fast TD-LTE network from the nation's largest carrier has been a long, long time coming, but an article from the Chinese government's official press agency has confirmed that the network will indeed launch later this month. "It’s official: China Mobile is set to offer its commercial TD-LTE network from Dec. 18, in a move that could see China’s largest carrier offer Apple’s new iPhones in early 2014," our original article explained. China Mobile’s service will first be available in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Chongqing. Of course, this is positive news for Apple. Already, the Cupertino, Calif. company has licensed its new iPhones with China Mobile’s wireless standard, and both the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c are indeed known to be compatible with the TD-LTE band. More than 760 million subscribers use the carrier, and as such a China Mobile iPhone would be a great move for Apple to make. In the country, Apple’s share of the huge smartphone market isn’t strong, with more users enjoying less expensive Android-powered handsets. This could change, however, come December and beyond.

Japan's iPhone sales

Over in Japan, the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c are collectively occupying the first nine positions in the country's Top 10 smartphone sales rankings, according to Business Computer News (BCN). The top-selling handsets are the 32GB iPhone 5s with SoftBank (No. 1), NTT DoCoMo (No. 2), and KDDI (No. 3), and beyond here different colors and iterations of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c take up the remaining positions. Our article explained:

Not long ago, towards the end of November, we explained that Apple’s new iPhones made up a huge 76 percent of all new smartphone sales in Japan. The news came after the iPhone market in Japan overtook that of the United States, and followed the important move of Apple’s smartphoneslaunching with NTT DoCoMo, the nation’s largest carrier. The launch of Apple’s iPhone with NTT DoCoMo has served Apple in two particular ways. First, and most obviously, the availability of its smartphone with the carrier has further encouraged subscribers to choose the handset; more than 60 million customers have long chosen NTT DoCoMo in Japan, and from Sept. 20 this demographic had access to the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c. In addition to this, however, an NTT DoCoMo iPhone also disrupted Japan’s wireless market, to an extent. Because all three of the nation’s “big” carriers were offering the handset, each partook in more fierce competition against the other in a bid to score subscribers during the days, weeks, and months following the new iPhones’ launch.

The so-called “carrier wars” in Japan even resulted in the iPhone 5s going free on contract. Naturally, better deals make the handset more accessible for the consumer, encouraging sales and further boosting Apple’s share of Japan’s smartphone market into the stratosphere. Of course, Apple's success with Japan's largest carrier bodes well for its potential relationship with China Mobile, China's largest carrier. As noted above, the official confirmation of China Mobile's TD-LTE network indicates that an iPhone could reach the carrier in the near future. This, in turn, should help Apple secure a greater share of the smartphone market in the country.

Charger kills Thai man

Back in July, an iPhone 5 user in China died after charging the smartphone using one such third-party charger, and another man fell into a coma after being electrocuted from a handset connected to a similar unauthorized product. Now, a new report claims that an iPhone user in Thailand has died after making a call from his smartphone while the handset was charging. Daily News Thailand explained:

Local police found that the smartphone was still connected to a charger in a nearby power outlet, indicating that the victim had likely been talking on the phone while charging it at the same time. Photographs taken of the charger show a blue model different from the standard white ones that Apple includes with every iPhone, suggesting that it was a cheaply made fake.

You'll remember, of course, that after the aforementioned charger-induced injuries in China, Apple published an advisory note, warning iDevice users against the threat of unauthorized, third-party chargers:

Apple always puts the user’s safety first, so all of our products are subject to stringent safety and reliability testing, and are designed to meet government safety standards around the world, including the iPhone and iPad USB power adapters. This overview will help you identify genuine Apple USB power adapters. When you need to charge the iPhone or iPad, we recommend that you use the supplied USB power adapter and USB cable. These adapters and cables are also available separately from Apple and Apple Authorized Resellers.

Apple even launched a “Takeback Program,” allowing customers in possession of a suspected unauthorized, third-party charger to trade it in and secure an authorized replacement for just $10. It seems, however, that even with such measures in place, suspect chargers and adapters are continuing to thrive overseas.

Songs for the Philippines

Typhoon Haiyan wreaked destruction and devastation when it made landfall in the Philippines, and Apple launched a special Red Cross donation page in the iTunes Store that allowed users to more easily make donations using their Apple ID. This week, however, an iTunes-exclusive album, "Songs for the Philippines," launched in the hope of raising more in aid for the country. As outlined in the album's release notes:

As the people of the Philippines recover and rebuild in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan’s devastation, some of music’s biggest names are brought together on this benefit album. Including songs from The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Beyoncé, Adele, U2, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Lorde, and Imagine Dragons, this brilliant collection is united by a message of hope and compassion.

Here's the album's 39-song track listing:

1. “Across the Universe” (2009 Remaster) by The Beatles
2. “Shelter From the Storm” by Bob Dylan
3. “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You” by Michael Bublé
4. “In a Little While” by U2
5. “Count On Me” by Bruno Mars
6. “I Was Here” by Beyoncé
7. “Stan” (Live at Radio 1) by Eminem
8. “Sirens” by Cher
9. “Make You Feel My Love” by Adele
10. “Unconditionally” (Johnson Somerset Remix) by Katy Perry
11. “Best Song Ever” by One Direction
12. “Carry On” by FUN.
13. “Born This Way” (The Country Road Version) by Lady Gaga
14. “Mirrors” by Justin Timberlake
15. “I Would” by Justin Bieber
16. “New Day” by Alicia Keys
17. “30 Lives” (Original Demo Version) by Imagine Dragons
18. “Like a Prayer” by Madonna
19. “Sober” by P!nk
20. “I Believe In You” by Kylie Minogue
21. “Hero” by Enrique Iglesias
22. “Factory of Faith” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
23. “Roads Untraveled” by Linkin Park
24. “Use Somebody” by Kings of Leon
25. “Explorers” by Muse
26. “The Love Club” by Lorde
27. “Brave” by Josh Groban
28. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson
29. “Simple Things” by Paolo Nutini
30. “I Know You Care” by Ellie Goulding
31. “Carry You Home” by James Blunt
32. “Feel This Moment” (feat. Christina Aguilera) by Pitbull
33. “Sign On” (feat. Daniel McClain) by Earth, Wind & Fire
34. “Going Out” (feat. Damien Leroy) [Radio Mix] by apl.de.ap
35. “Brave” by Sara Bareilles
36. “Lead Me Home” by Jessica Sanchez
37. “Smile” by Lily Allen
38. “Love Don’t Die” by The Fray
39. “Let It Be” by The Beatles

You can pick up Songs for the Philippines in the iTunes Store for $9.99, and the album can also be streamed free of charge using iTunes Radio.

Mujjo's double-layer touchscreen gloves

Finally, Mujjo announced a brand new product this week: a pair of double-layer touchscreen gloves, designed to allow folks living in colder climates around the world to protect their hands from the harsh winter conditions while at the same time providing access to an iDevice's touchscreen. Mujjo’s gloves cost just €29.95 (around $40) and are shipping from Dec. 12. For their cash, customers are promised an attractive-looking pair of gloves that provide extreme protection against the elements, and at the same time allow users to send messages, check on email, and perform all their other essential iDevice-related tasks while on the move. Mujjo explains in a recent press release:

The gloves feature a stunning design that takes knitted gloves to the next level. A leather strap crosses over a notch on the wrist where a carefully placed sophisticated matte black leather button provides a snap closure. The cuff boards are made out of matching black leather and the palms feature grip dots creating an intentional contrast while sleek lines and uniform dark tones amplify harmony.

The new product has reportedly been developed following “numerous requests from colder climates like Canada, Norway, and Russia.” Though Mujjo already offers a number of great-looking touchscreen gloves in materials ranging from leather to knitted nylon, it seems certain iDevice users living in harsher climates were concerned that Mujjo’s present offerings wouldn’t be enough. However, such iDevice users need no longer be concerned. As Mujjo explains: “The extra layer, made out of wool, acts as an insulator and doubles as lining, providing enhanced thermal insulation and a soft touch. The layer of insulation is precisely balanced for optimal touchscreen usability.” Mujjo’s double-layered gloves are available in small, medium, and large; as mentioned, they can be purchased online for €29.95, and are shipping from Dec. 12. That's it for this week's edition of AppAdvice International. All that remains is for me to say Happy December, and be sure to call in again next Tuesday at 10 a.m. GMT! See also: Entertainment Weekly's Newsstand App Finally Goes Universal With iPhone Support, You Can Now Buy iTunes Gift Cards From PayPal Through Its New Digital Gifts Store, and Jingle All The Way With Angry Birds Friends' New Holiday-Themed Tournament.