2014届高考英语考前突破阅读理解能力：《苹果与中国移动签署合作协议》.docVIP

苹果与中国移动签署合作协议 US technology giant Apple has signed a deal to bring its iPhone to China Mobile - the worlds largest carrier. 美国科技公司苹果与世界最大的通信公司中国移动签署合作协议。 ? The Chinese firm has more than 760 million subscribers and was one of three networks to be awarded Chinas first 4G licences earlier this month.? ? Apple has been looking to boost its sales in China, the worlds largest smartphone market, but has struggled amid growing competition from rivals.? ? The latest deal is expected to help it increase its market share. ? China is an extremely important market for Apple, Tim Cook, Apple chief executive, said in a statement.? ? Our partnership with China Mobile presents us the opportunity to bring iPhone to the customers of the worlds largest network.? ? Earlier this year, Mr Cook said he expected China to replace North America as Apples largest source of revenue. The iPhone is the firms most important product in terms of earnings power. ? China two other major phone carriers, China Unicom and China Telecom, already offer iPhones to their subscribers. ? Cheaper rivals ? China is the worlds biggest smartphone-using country, with 1.2 billion users. ? But Chinese sales of previous iPhone models have slumped recently, as consumers have turned to cheaper rival handsets from Samsung, and domestic Chinese developers. ? Chinas three bestselling smartphone makers are Samsung, Lenovo and Coolpad, according to a recent report by the consultants IDC. ? Apples sales have also been impacted by the fact that unlike in developed markets, many phone carriers in emerging markets do not subsidise smartphones.? ? That means that subscribers have to pay the full amount for the phone upfront, making Apples products relatively expensive for some buyers.? ? In an attempt to take on the low-cost rivals Apple unveiled a relatively cheaper version of the iPhone, the 5c, earlier this year.? ? Analysts said the firm was hoping that a cheaper handset combined with a deal with the biggest mobile carrier i