TC Roundup: Apple top in China as smartphone market dips for first time since 2009

Apple top in China as smartphone market dips for first time since 2009: Analysts have warned us for some time that China's smartphone market is shrinking, and today we have the most compelling evidence that buyer dynamics are shifting in the country.A new report from IDC claims that smartphone shipments in the last quarter decreased for the first time in nine years. (Tech Crunch)

Timeline: How Uber's valuation went from $60M in 2011 to a rumored $50B this month: By the end of this month, Uber could be a $50 billion company — at least, that's the latest rumor, as the transportation company continues its (so far successful) upheaval of a petrified taxi industry. (Venture Beat)

Tim Cook gets more than 100k Chinese followers in 30 minutes on Weibo account: Call it "pulling a Zuck?" Apple CEO Tim Cook is now apparently on Weibo, as evidenced by a verified account and a message to followers that surfaced about thirty minutes ago. (Tech in Asia)

Flexport wants to be Uber of the oceans: Ryan Petersen came up with a quality-control feint when he was working in China for his brother's import business. During a factory tour he'd excuse himself to go to the bathroom, to see if there was tap water or flush toilets. (Bloomberg)