New iPhone, iPad to be sold in China in December

Apple said Friday its newest gadgets including the iPad mini and iPhone 5 would go on sale in December in China, the country where many Apple products are manufactured.

The iPad mini and fourth generation iPad will be sold in China starting December 7, and the iPhone 5 will be available December 14, Apple said in a statement.

The iPads are currently available in 42 countries, and iPhone 5 is available in 47 countries, Apple said.

Earlier this year, Apple paid $60 million to end a dispute over who could use the iPad name in China.

In recent years, late-model iPhones have shown up in China in unofficial channels due to demand from Chinese consumers. Apple has also been working with labor rights groups to address complaints about conditions in its manufacturing facilities in China operated by subcontractors.

(c) 2012 AFP