Alibaba is planning to set up $160m funding programme for application (app) makers to support building apps for its OS and promote its own smartphone operating system (OS) through subsidies to handset makers.
The Chinese e-commerce company’s move comes within a year after being accused by Google of creating its mobile OS by modifying the US firm’s Android software.
Additionally, Alibaba revealed that five Chinese handset makers including Konka, Amoi Technology, G’Five International, Shenzhen Zopo Communications Equipment and Little Pepper brand have launched six Alibaba OS powered smartphones.
The Chinese firm is also modifying the name of its new mobile OS to Alibaba Mobile Operating System, or AMOS, from the earlier Aliyun.
Alibaba originally introduced its OS in 2011, while it faced an obstacle in September 2012 when Google objected to a plan by Acer to launch a smartphone powered by Aliyun.
Google alleged that Acer, which had been using Android for almost all of its mobile devices, had committed to developing an Android platform and to not ship devices that are not compatible with Android.
