Apple has formed a new data-processing venture in Shanghai, according to business registry information, as the US tech giant’s bid to bring artificial intelligence (AI) services to iPhones in mainland China remains in limbo.
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Established on Friday with a registered capital of US$35 million, Apple Technology Development (Shanghai) will focus on software development, big data services, storage services and data processing, according to Chinese business registry platform Tianyancha.
Tejas Kirit Gala, who heads Apple’s multiple entities in the country, serves as the legal representative of the new firm, which is wholly owned by Apple South Asia, according to Tianyancha.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.
The Cupertino, California-based company’s latest move comes amid growing challenges in China, the world’s biggest smartphone market, where it faces increased competition from domestic handset vendors including a resurgent Huawei Technologies.
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Apple is also awaiting regulatory approval to roll out its Apple Intelligence suite for iPhone users on the mainland.