AAPL Straddle Into Board of Directors Meeting

• Tuesday 9:17 AM As expected, #3 Chinese carrier China Telecom (CHA) announces it will begin selling the iPhone 4S. Until now, #2 China Unicom (CHU) had been the only Chinese carrier authorized to sell the iPhone. China Mobile (CHL), the world's largest carrier, could strike a deal after Apple (AAPL) introduces the iPhone 5, which might support China Mobile's nascent 4G LTE network.
• Saturday 5:39 AM The WSJ's report that Google (GOOG) circumvented the privacy settings of people who used Apple's (AAPL) Safari browser has caught the attention of Congress, with three House members on Friday calling on the FTC to probe Google, and the Senate Commerce Committee's Jay Rockefeller planning to look into the firm's behavior.

• Friday 6:16 PM The ITC has officially closed the books on an HTC patent infringement complaint against Apple (AAPL), after ruling against the complaint in November. But patent lawyers have no need to worry, there are plenty of other suits (I, II) between Apple and HTC to litigate.

• Friday 4:40 PM The Fair Labor Association's inspection of Apple (AAPL) contract manufacturer Foxconn's facilities has turned up "tons of issues," reports Bloomberg, following a talk with FLA head Auret van Heerden. Van Heerden adds there will be "some very significant announcements in the near future" related to the FLA's findings.

• Friday 12:24 PM A company representing Proview's creditors is planning to sue Apple (AAPL) for $2B in the U.S. over the iPad trademark. At a Beijing press conference, Li Su - chairman of the creditor group - says it's in the process of choosing representation from among 3 U.S. law firms.
  
  
• Friday 11:59 AM Quick take on Apple/China: Given how the 4S' arrival provided a huge lift to Apple's U.S. share, the Q4 share decline might prove a mere speedbump. However, the iPhone is facing growing competition from cheaper Android models in China, where most phones are bought unsubsidized and per capita GDP is still below $5,500. Signing up new carrier partners (I, II) could give Apple a lift. Friday 11:58 AM Ahead of its Chinese iPhone 4S launch, Apple's (AAPL) share of China's smartphone market fell to a mere 7.5% in Q4, down 290 bps Q/Q. Samsung (SSNLF.PK) claimed 24.3% of the market, while Nokia (NOK) saw its Chinese share cut by more than half, to below 20%. Local vendor ZTE (ZTCOY.PK) saw its share surge to 11% on the back of its.