Since the Google Play store and services are not available in mainland China, Android smartphones in mainland China will not have built-in Google Play and Google-related services (such as Gmail/Google Map…). If you do not install the Google service framework yourself, you can only download the Android App through third-party applications.
Since Huawei has been unable to use Google services overseas due to the boycott by the United States, it has exposed the problem that Chinese smartphones are extremely dependent on foreign ecological platforms in overseas markets. China is increasingly vocal about developing its own platforms. Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo have recently announced that they plan to join forces to build a platform that will allow overseas developers to automatically log in to the app stores of each manufacturer when they upload apps, challenging the dominance of the Google Play Store.
What are the plans of Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo to jointly build overseas Android platforms? What are the popular Android stores currently used by Android phones in mainland China? Here is an explanation:
Image source: Internet
1. Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo’s “Global Developer Service Alliance” and Huawei’s “Huawei Gallery”:
According to Reuters, China’s Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo will join hands to establish the “Global Developer Service Alliance (GDSA)” to eliminate the isolation of their respective Android stores and build a platform for global developers to upload mobile applications. These programs will be simultaneously delivered to the mobile application markets of the above-mentioned companies in different markets, making it easier for developers to publish games, music, movies and other applications.
Although outsiders believe that the Global Developer Service Alliance (GDSA) is to compete with Google Play, a Xiaomi spokesperson reiterated that the GDSA platform is to facilitate developers to upload programs on Xiaomi, Vivo and Oppo malls and has no competition with the Google Play Store.
As for Huawei, which is restricted by Google no longer providing GMS (Google Mobile Service), it can only build its own exclusive App store Huawei Gallery and provide HMS (Huawei Mobile Services) instead, that is, Huawei opens its own
mobile services. Although there are already many well-known apps in it, internationally well-known apps such as LINE, Netflix, Facebook, and Instagram cannot currently be downloaded directly from the app store. It will still be difficult to compete with Google in the international market in the short term.
2.Main Android app stores in China:
According to the authoritative “2018-2019 China Mobile App Store Market Monitoring Report” released by iiMedia Research, the report shows that the number of active users of third-party mobile app stores in China reached 472 million in 2018, and the number of users is expected to reach 485 million in 2020. According to a survey, about 20% of China’s third-party mobile app store users use App Store, followed by 360 Mobile Assistant at 17%, followed by mobile phone brand manufacturers Oppo, Huawei, vivo, and Xiaomi with 10%, 10%, 8%, and 6% respectively. Alibaba Group (6%), Liqu (4%), Baidu Mobile (4%), and Anzhi Market (3%) ranked 8 to 10.
Judging from the TOP 10 list, there are two main forces in China’s Android app stores. One is the built-in app store of the mobile phone brand manufacturer, and the other is the third-party app store.
The app stores of mobile phone brand manufacturers are closely related to mobile phone sales in China. They mainly include OPPO, Huawei, Xiaomi, VIVO, Meizu, Coolpad, Samsung… Third-party application stores mainly include Yongyongbao, 360 Mobile Assistant, Baidu Mobile Assistant, PP Assistant, Wandoujia, Anzhi Market, and Sogou Mobile Assistant.
Among them, the most popular [App Store] is an Android mobile app store specially created by Tencent App Center for Chinese Android smartphone users. Relying on the “killer card” of WeChat and Tencent’s powerful ecosystem, it has gathered a large number of young users with its advantages in game distribution and content application connectivity; [ 360 Mobile Assistant] is a product launched by 360 with a large number of software and games, personalized customization functions and security management tools. It is called to become a popular Android mobile application store: [Baidu Mobile Assistant] is the main entrance to Baidu AI ~ Xiaodu. It takes advantage of the information field, accurately locates users, and leads the trend in UI design, product operation, and community building.
However, since 2015, Huawei, OPPO, Xiaomi, VIVO… have quietly begun to build their own app stores, and by increasing the breadth of apps, absorbing more apps, constantly updating and optimizing user experience, restricting the permissions of third-party app stores, and increasing the permissions of their own app stores, they have gradually narrowed the gap with third-party app stores. The mobile phone brand manufacturers’ application stores are built into the mobile phone, which is safe and convenient. This makes third-party application stores gradually decline and can only gradually develop towards the “game center” approach.
In order to seize business opportunities in the App Store, Tencent launched the “WeChat Mini Program” in 2016. The Mini Program is an application that does not require downloading and installation. It realizes the dream of having applications “at your fingertips”. Users can open applications by scanning or searching. It also embodies the concept of “use and go”. Apps will be everywhere and available at any time, but there is no need to install or uninstall. Well-known mini programs include iQiyi, Baidu Netdisk, Tencent Video, Xiaomi Store, Tencent Documents, JD Shopping, etc. The current number of daily active accounts of WeChat mini programs has exceeded 300 million.
In order to counterattack the rapidly expanding WeChat mini programs, China’s nine major mobile phone brand manufacturers jointly launched the “Quick App” standard in March 2018. A new application ecosystem jointly launched based on the hardware platform has the four major experience advantages of “Quick App”: “no installation, no storage, one-click direct access, and direct push of updates”. “Quick App” will make it easier for users to obtain the services they need through their mobile phones.
Therefore, in addition to using Android mobile phone brands or third-party app stores, current Android phones in China can also use WeChat applets and quick app ecosystems, presenting a three-legged phenomenon.
The Global Developer Service Alliance (GDSA) formed by vivo, OPPO, and Xiaomi integrates their app stores into a common app store to facilitate overseas developers’ willingness to join in uploading applications. The three Chinese manufacturers deliberately excluded Huawei. In addition to considering market competition, they may be afraid of being implicated in the atmosphere of boycott of Huawei. However, just like Samsung’s failure to operate its own app store, as users in non-Chinese markets are generally accustomed to using Google services, unless the GDSA Alliance can provide more incentives, it may not be able to replace Google Play’s monopoly in the international market.
Source: KOCPC Chinese