“Apple has been given the green light by the Saudi Arabian government to fully operate in the region, according to tips from readers and local news reports,” Mark Gurman reports for 9to5Mac.
“SAGIA (Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority) provided the license to Apple under the subsidiary name of ‘Apple, Saudi Arabia,'” Gurman reports. “This license gives Apple the ability to market, maintain, and develop products in the region.”
Gurman reports, “Up until now, Apple has relied on third-party resellers across the region to market and maintain iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other Apple products.”
Read more in the full article here.
Thank Allah.
Who freaking cares about Saudi Arabia?
Most people with a functioning brain and at least a rudimentary knowledge of world politics and the world energy economy.
Saudi Arabia is a very rich country. I don’t think they even have to pay taxes. Isn’t this a perfectly matched market for a certain high end premium brand phone? Don’t ya think?
It is an oil rich country with several powerful friends in Texas…
The Saudi’s like to surveil all electronic communications within the Kingdom. How does iMessage fit into that?!!
I have been always amazed that iMessage is working fine in Saudi and supported by the communications official channels. The same is not true regarding face time, which is bloked on all phones purchased from Saudi telecom providers. To have face time one must purchase a phone imported from another country But, strangely enough, there is no import bane on iPhones from other countries. Imported phones are sold by 3rd party phone resellers for about $50 above official sell price for the face time feature.
Really? Saudi Arabia and only 6 comments?
I depend on these comments to keep me smiling throughout the day. Saudi Arabia is a very meaty bone you were just tossed. Are you becoming, (gasp) civil?
Riyadh is the cradle of evil. Matawa are the new Nazis. The world has never seen a more hypocritical people than the Saudis. satisfied?