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Apple Watch in retail stores June, Apple Pay talks continue in China, says Tim Cook
Following its initial availability exclusively through online orders, Apple Watch is set to go on sale in Apple Retail Stores in June. Questioned by Apple retail employees on a recent trip to China, Apple CEO Tim Cook promised that Apple Stores – including those in China – will start carrying stock of the new wearable device “by June,” reports 9to5Mac. The June in-store Apple Watch availability promised by Cook reiterates comments previously made by Apple Retail chief Angela Ahrendts in April.
Cook is reported to have further commented that “the Watch could not be going better; we’re working really hard on making more.” Cook seemingly feels that the Apple Watch launch could have gone better. He apparently jokingly said, “Apple wishes it had more operations staff and engineers to make the launch go even smoother.”
It is unclear when in June fans can expect to see Apple Watch in retail stores, but one would expect it to be late June to ensure those that ordered online in April receive their deliveries before general retail availability. Many of the online orders placed in April have been pushed to late June delivery dates.
It may also make sense to wait for the Apple Watch to come to a retail store rather than order online now, as current shipping dates show as July.
According to 9to5Mac’s sources, a few employees quizzed Cook on the company’s plans for Apple Pay in China. Cook reportedly said that meeting with potential Apple Pay partners was one of the reasons for his and Apple Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue’s joint visit to China.
Cook added that he thinks they are making progress with bringing Apple Pay to China, but noted the complexity of discussions and a potential rollout as there are different individuals and different banks involved. He added that he hopes to launch Apple Pay in China “soon.”
Despite the involvement of new partners in China – both merchants and financial institutions – Cook assured employees that Apple Pay will have exactly the same features in China as it currently has in the U.S.
Image via weibo.com/timcook
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