Steve Jobs, the Apple Inc. (AAPL) chief executive officer, apologized to customers who bought the iPhone, which is a cell phone with an iPod music player, before he cut the device’s price by $200 Wednesday. In an open letter on the company’s Web site, Jobs said customers who purchased the phone before the discount and got no other rebate will receive $100 in credit at Apple’s retail or online stores.

CHINESE RESEARCH

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao appealed to foreign companies Thursday to bring more research and development to his nation, promising to protect intellectual property amid worries of rampant piracy. Dozens of foreign companies have set up development centers in China to take advantage of its pool of scientific talent, but business groups say there is a reluctance to transfer technology.