Alibaba unit is developing an Operating system for mobile which aims to release in the 3rd quarter. This operating system will offer cloud based services such as applications that the user can access on a remote server instead of downloading them to the phone.
According to the report published in The Wall Street Journal, The starting version of this operating system will launch in chaina. Details weren’t available on the pricing of the operating system and its apps, or on which handset makers will use the software. But the person said smartphone usage in China could broaden if Alibaba achieves its goals with the project.
Many software and handset makers have offered their own operating systems partly so buyers will also use–and pay for–applications that work on those systems. Similarly, Alibaba could use its operating system to promote apps for online commerce, potentially boosting other Alibaba Group units: Alibaba.com Ltd. (1688.HK), which operates websites connecting buyers and suppliers, and consumer-focused commerce websites Taobao Marketplace and Taobao Mall.
Alibaba’s move comes as top Chinese search provider Baidu Inc. has hinted it could also be developing a mobile operating system. Baidu says it aims to develop software that lets users of devices like smartphones perform a wide range of online activities by typing commands into a search box.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
