Baidu Yi is the newest stuf from Baidu Inc. The largest Chinese search engine company Baidu Inc. has launched the its Android-based mobile OS, dubbed Baidu Yi OS. The new Baidu Yi OS is to be forked off of Android and Baidu will be providing its own apps and services. Baidu Yi OS will have a redesigned user interface and the default search is Baidu rather then Google.
Because Baidu Yi is based on Google’s Android OS it has kept most of the same core features such as integrated voice search and a single sign-in to provide access to a vast offering of cloud-based apps and mobile backup services. Baidu has however replaced most of the Google Apps and replaced them with its own. There is Yue for eBooks, Baidu-powered maps and Shen Bian which offers similar functionality to Google Places with its local search recommendations.
Baidu Yi OS music app also integrated to Baidu, It’s extremely popular Ting service, which launched earlier this year and received very positive reviews. Baidu also has some good Android apps that have been available for a while that it can now integrate into its new Baidu Yi platform, such as its input-method editor (IME) for typing or hand-drawing Chinese characters.
It is basically a lightweight mobile OS for smartphones and tablets. Chinese local media reported that Baidu’s new player software can play video and audio files in mainstream media formats. Apart from playing local files, the new product will enable users to access the various video resources on the Internet. The software also has other convenient functions such as automatically adding similar files to the play list, screenshots, and downloading the file while playing. Baidu has been busy in expanding its client
In fact, a report from Reuters notes that Dell is a partner in building both tablets and handsets for Baidu. Forbes also reported Dell has signed a deal with Baidu in which Dell should provide tablets, such as the Streak 5 tablet, and smartphones to Baidu and the devices will be using the Baidu Yi platform.
Local sources suggest that its even possible we may see these devices using Baidu Yi platform, launch as early as November.
Since Google has limited access to China due to restrictions from the Chinese government Baidu has risen to fulfill a similar role. Baidu has a successful search engine, maps, music service and now they are coming out with their own Android fork with Baidu Yi.
