Asustek apologizes for ZenFone pricing dispute
TAIPEI -- Taiwans Asustek (華碩) Computer Inc. apologized yesterday for pricing its low-cost ZenFone smartphone models higher in Taiwan than in China, which has created negative controversy for the PC vendor over the past week. “We are truly sorry for the inconvenience we have brought to Taiwanese consumers,” Asustek Chairman Jonney Shih (施崇棠) told a press briefing in Taipei. “We are not doing well in some aspects and we will take the blame with an open mind.” Asustek CEO Jerry Shen (沈振來) admitted that the firms decision to upgrade ZenFone models for the China market to better hardware specifications was to take into account the stiff competition from Chinese handset maker Xiaomi Corp.s new Hongmi Note, a 5.5-inch octa-core smartphone that starts from only 799 Chinese yuan (US$128). The apology came a week after Asustek announced its ZenFone line in Taiwan on April 8 with a price tag of NT$4,990 (US$166) for a 5-inch model and NT$6,990 for a 6-inch model. When the ZenF...