Motorola has opened a new store for Android applications in China called SHOP4APPS or Zhi-Jian-Yuan, to purchase and download applications designed to customise Android-based Motorola phones.
In addition, the company also introduced a new feature on their Android handsets enabling users to customise their Android devices by selecting their own search provider. Users will be able to select their search experience from a number of providers including Baidu and others, with whom Motorola has signed strategic agreements.
The company said that the new store will support the open Android ecosystem and will be offered to other manufacturers or partners in China for license. Shop4Apps gives developers a path to promote their applications in the market through Motodev, Motorola’s global developer program, and through other Android development ecosystems.
According to Motorola, the Shop4Apps comes with features including, presents users with applications based on their existing preferences, region and carrier; purchased apps get stored in personal storage area called My Locker, making switching handsets or restoring applications easier; a way to showcase
sell and distribute their applications for Android-based devices in China. It offers developers a set of resources for testing their applications and marketing and promotional tools for marketing their applications to the end-user.
Christy Wyatt, corporate vice president of software and services for Motorola Mobile Devices, said: “Our ability to offer Shop4Apps and choice in search is a testament to the openness of the Android platform. Shop4Apps will provide developers the opportunity to market and promote their applications on Android handsets within the Chinese market.
“In addition to our close collaboration with the Android community, we are working closely with our carrier partners in China, and with ecosystem partners like Baidu to provide consumers with a full suite of services. These services will include search, email and maps for our newest China smartphones.”
Shop4Apps and search capabilities through Baidu and others are expected to be available in China, starting in time for Chinese New Year, through either pre-load on a device or over-the-air updates for devices already in market.
