Baidu unveils smartphone with cloud services
Chinese handset runs Cloud Smart Terminal on top of a largely Google-free Android fork
Published: 16 May, 2012
READ MORE: China | Baidu | Cloud | Applications (Browser) | Handset | Android
Chinese web services major Baidu is increasingly a thorn in Google's side on the search front, as its homeland accounts for a rising percentage of the world's internet usage, and it sets its sights on other countries too. Now the company is carrying out its threat to move in on the smartphone platform, launching the first handset to run its Cloud Smart Terminal operating system.
Baidu has discussed a range of plans to drive its services, Google-style, by controlling a mobile platform. In common with other emerging mobile web systems like Mozilla's Boot2Gecko, its offering is heavily geared to cloud applications and content streaming, which will make it suitable for a wide range of browser enabled gadgets, even those with limited local storage.
The first device, the Changhong H5018, is an entry level smartphone priced at under CNY1,000 ($158). It is reportedly made by Foxconn, Apple's manufacturing partner, and will initially be sold only in China, though Baidu does have international ambitions for its new platform and associated services. The handset will come with a range of cloud-based offerings including 100Gbytes of online storage on Baidu's Wangpan server, as well as its location/maps and music services.
Cloud Smart Terminal is an extension of Baidu's Yi operating system, which launched last September as a heavily modified Android fork centered on Baidu's own built-in services. However, the company made it clear that using the Android kernel was a short cut to the market, and versions of Cloud Smart Terminal would in future appear to layer on other OSs such as Windows Phone and even iOS (though Apple's cooperation seems unlikely).
More CHINA News
More BAIDU News
More CLOUD News
- Ericsson has disaster recovery for TV - Apr 10
- Amazon Web Services goes mobile - Mar 25
COMMENTS
BYOD: Market Analysis and Forecasts
An in-depth insight into the rise of BYOD policies within the enterprise and analysis of the impact the trend will have on IT departments,...
Voice Command, Control and Search on Mobile Phones: Market Analysis & Forecasts
This report provides a comprehensive insight into the growing importance of voice command, control and search on handsets, analysing...
Data Centre Network Equipment: Market Analysis and Forecasts
This report provides a global assessment of the data centre network equipment market. Besides assessing the key market trends, sub-markets...
HetNet Market Summary & Forecasts: Macro Cells, Small Cells & Wi-Fi Offload
Carriers are struggling to cope with the explosion of data traffic on their networks, and the additional deployment of LTE and legacy...
Over-the-Top Communications: Threats & Opportunities for Mobile Operators
This report examines the implications of widespread adoption of mobile over-the-top IP communications for mobile operators, handset...
Portable Gaming Consoles: Market Analysis and Forecasts
This report provides a global assessment of the PGC market. In addition to assessing the key market drivers, market barriers, vendor...
Satellite Phones: Will Dual Mode Help the Phoenix Rise from the Ashes?
Satellite phones have followed an arduous path since their much-hyped launch more than a decade ago. The hype was followed by an e...
