There was a ruckus recently about a Chinese youth who sold a kidney for an iPhone and iPad. (NPR: Chinese Teen Sells Kidney For iPad And iPhone) In reality, this is not a "new" story. We recall several cases of young Chinese willing to trade a kidney for a shiny iGadget. While not common, it does reflect the importance of keeping up and the close connection between consumer goods and status.

Online, we have seen two ways that consumers "fake" an iPhone signature online.

7 steps for a DIY user:
#1 find and save an iPhone sign-in logo from the Internet (or simply a screenshot from QQ friend who is logging in via iPhone)
#2 use Photoshop to add the iPhone sign-in logo onto your avatar
#3 upload the edited avatar to QQ
#4 customize the QQ online status from "online", "busy", or "away" to "iPhone QQ online"
#5 add the sentence every time you talk to someone on QQ: "(本消息由您的好友通过iPhone QQ发送，详情请访问： http://apple.qq.com/ ) (meaning this message is sent by your friend via iPhone QQ, for details please visit:http://apple.qq.com/)" (this appears automatically if an iPhone user starts conversation via QQ)
#6 edit the sentence font to black Song typeface, size 9
#7 now it's time to enjoy your DIY result

China supplies the majority of the world's sex toys and also has a booming domestic market that has gotten more sophisticated since 2008 (thanks in part to China's first pop icon sex scandal, Edison-gate). We decided to check out the 9th China International Adult Toys and Reproductive Health Exhibition in Shanghai to take a look at the industry from the inside.

What we noticed:
1. The expo was full enough to spill booths onto the second floor for the first time
2. Many different ideas about sexuality (from romantic to silly, artistic to technological)
3. No surprise, booths with AV stars seemed to have the most traffic
4. There was a booth or two discreetly promoting gay issues (rainbow bracelets, etc.)
5. Large audiences for the rated G stage shows (girls in costumes, primarily standing still with product in hand)
6. Many sellers were embarassed to discuss their products in mixed company
7. A few interesting companies presenting new concepts (ancient Chinese massage oils, etc.)
8. Overwhelmingly, audience members were middle aged Chinese men, in black winter coats

Baidu launched a special feature for its mobile and PC map services called, the “Map of Love” in honor of Valentine’s Day. Users could see love notes from both singles and couples in their area.

Until recently, single status for women was taboo. Whether by choice or by circumstance, finding oneself outside of marriage could be an uncomfortable and lonely place. But like most things in China, change is afoot. We have noticed media recently that gives a voice and personality to two roles that have traditionally been swept under the rug: older bachelorettes and single moms.

Maybe you have seen it? Or at least heard about it. "Red Light Revolution" is the comedic film about an out-of-work Beijing taxi driver who opens a sex shop. Despite its racy theme, the film has gotten a lot of play on Tudou and has even made it to the big screen in Toronto, London, and Vancouver. The fact that the film passed censors says something about the subject's quickly fading taboo -- and the fact that there is no nudity. But it also points to a change in people's attitudes and appetite for conversing openly about sexuality.

Although February 14th is known as Valentine's Day, the day before, Mistress Day, has drawn attention. In Hebei province, billboards were installed along the highway and banners were posted at subway and bus stops, reminding couples, “Don’t have an affair on Valentine’s Day. Bring your love home.” Online, some cheeky youth poked fun at Mistress Day while other enterprising girlfriends showed off their loot from boyfriends who gifted on both Mistress Day and Valentine's Day.