Linktone Ltd. (Nasdaq: LTON), a provider of wireless interactive entertainment services to consumers and advertising services in China, today announced that Muliawan Guptha, currently a Linktone Board member, has been named the Company's Chief Strategy Officer. In this newly created position, Mr. Guptha will direct the company's strategic diversification efforts to better position the Company for long-term growth.

The first official Apple store in China opened 2 days ago to much fanfare in Beijing. Hundreds of Chinese waited outside the doors of the store, located in the Sanlitun shopping and entertainment district, until the store opened at 10 am local time. Those willing to wait in line were given free Apple T-shirts.

Pearl Research's new July 2008 report updates digital entertainment, technology, mobile, social networking, Internet and consumer trends in China. Companies covered include Xiaonei, 51.com, Giant Interactive, The9, Tencent, Baidu, Kingsoft, Perfect World, Shanda, Sina, Sohu, China Mobile, among others.

Nimbuzz, a mobile VoIP and IM provider, that also brings IM and voice to social networks, has raised $15 million in second round funding. The new round of funding was led by Naspers/MIH with Nimbuzz's other major existing investor Mangrove Capital Partners also participating.

Apple’s iPhone is getting closer to a launch in China. Yesterday, China Mobile CEO Wang Jianzhou stated that any difficulties with bringing the iPhone to China were largely solved. Apple, which announced the new 3G iPhone, gave up its usual practice of splitting profits with the local phone operators.  This is expected to clinch the deal with China Mobile and was one of the major obstacles which stalled previous talks. The 3G iPhone could possibly be released in China and Russia by year’s end. In addition, Apple announced the opening of its first official Apple Store in Beijing’s Sanlitun district yesterday.

Domestic Chinse mobile phone service provider MICAT has announced an agreement with social-networking website, MySpace (called Juyou in China). Together, they will be launching “MySpace MICAT,” an social platform for Chinese mobile internet users.

Pearl Research's new June 2008 report updates digital entertainment, technology, Internet and consumer trends in China. Companies covered include Tencent, Baidu, Kingsoft, Perfect World, Shanda, Sina, Sohu, China Mobile, among others.

It also includes a bonus analysis of Perfect World's ChiBi and Tencent's upcoming Dungeon & Fighter. Please contact us for an excerpt.

Consulting firm Pearl Research today released "The Phoenix Generation: Insights into Chinese Consumers" a comprehensive lifestyle study focused on Chinese consumers ages 16 to 30. Pearl Research's study covers Internet and technology product adoption and trends; lifestyle trends such as the growth of hip-hop, street basketball and the NBA. The study also provides exclusive consumer segmentation and an analysis of the Chinese middle-class.

China, the world’s largest mobile market, remains an untapped market for the new Apple 3G iPhone. On June 9, Apple announced a 3G iPhone retailing for $199 at its worldwide developers conference, half the price of its $499 original iPhone model.

Guangzhou Global Telecom Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: GZGT), a mobile phone handset, pre-paid calling card distributor and provider of value-added mobile services in the PRC, reported $7.67 million in 1Q revenues as compared to $3.76 million during the same period ended in 2007, representing an increase of $3.9 million or 104%.