5 Must-Read Tech Stories in China This Week

This week was crazy. Apple launched the iPhone 4S in China, and we bet other things probably happened too. Read on!

1. Apple Launches iPhone 4S in China, Calls Backsies in Beijing

Apple’s iPhone 4S China launch had a bit of a rough start — literally. Long lines of scalpers erupted into violence outside Beijing’s Sanlitun Apple store, which responded by saying “No iPhones for you,” and refusing to sell the phones. Of course, they were still available online and in other retail locations, but that didn’t keep scalpers from buying some eggs and…well, just read the story.

2. Pony Ma Uses Prostitutes to Prove How Real-Name Systems Suck (Kind of)

He may just have been defending his profits, but Pony Ma brought the fire this week in arguing against a real name system for Tencent’s QQ IM software. You go, Pony! OK, that sounds weird.

3. Scan Your Business Cards Automatically

We reviewed a cool app that promises to scan business cards and import the data into your contacts automatically. Sounds cool, and guess what? It actually (mostly) works!

4. Beijingers Spent Lots of Money Online Last Year

We knew 2011 was a big year for e-commerce, but we didn’t know just how big until we saw these numbers. And what’s more, Beijingers weren’t even the nation’s top spenders!

5. China’s Gaming Market Was Worth $7.1 Billion in 2011

What’s that you say? Games are niche market in China? Not anymore! Well, not unless you consider billion-dollar markets niche. In any event, click that link to read more about how gaming companies are making money hand over fist here.

Bonus: Mystery Story!

What’s useful for startups and includes a picture of a Tyrannosaurus rex? Why it is our mystery story of the week! Dare you brave the depths of mystery to see what useful information I have hidden behind that link? (Also, nice try techies, but I routed it through bit.ly, so you can’t see the real URL. Just grow a spine and click it!)