Apple has opened a simplified Chinese version of its App Store and a new online store in China, the latest in a sharp ramp-up of operations in the market.
Mainland China customers can order Apple products, including the iPhone 4 and iPad, and have them delivered for free, Apple said.
Until now they would have to collect them from one of the handful of Apple retail stores in Beijing, Shanghai or Guangzhou. Apple is offering free engraving on any iPod or iPad ordered through the store.
Apple is shipping iPhones in China in one to two weeks, and iPads in 24 hours as of Tuesday morning, WSJ reported.
Users can buy downloads for iPhones and other devices in the App Store, but only through a dual-currency credit card.
Until last year Apple ran only one store in China. It now plans to open 25 Apple Stores in the country by 2011.
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