In September, China’s leading search engine, Baidu (NASDAQ:BIDU - News) unveiled its Android-based mobile OS, called Baidu Yi. But we’d have to wait a few months to see it in the flesh - indeed, just yesterday, Dell launched the first Yi-powered phone.
Chinese-made Android Spyware Can Record, Upload Users’ Phone-Calls
But things have not been all rosy in Google’s low-walled garden. And a Chinese-made form of Android spyware was detected in the wild, hidden inside pirated and repackaged apps, that could listen in on people’s phone-calls.
Major HTC Android Security Flaw Revealed
It got even worse for HTC (TPE:2498.TW - News) when it was discovered that every single phone running the newest and shiniest version of HTC Sense - like the HTC Incredible - was hiding a critical security flaw.
Samsung Dominates Android in China, But Tablets Growing Less Popular [INFOGRAPHIC]
To compound HTC’s woes - to say nothing of the ongoing legal wrangles with Apple - Samsung’s Galaxy S seems to be China’s favourite and most popular Android smartphone this year - stealing the crown from Taiwan’s HTC.
$50 Android Smartphones? Coming Next Month to China
Despite all the headlines devoted to slim and sexy gadgets, budget Android phones have been the secret sauce/source of its huge growth in Asia this year. And a new chipset by the Chinese manufacturer Spreadtrum (NASDAQ:SPRD - News) could bring the cheapest ones down to as little as US$50.
Asia Loves Android Apps, Has Most Downloads Per Capita [INFOGRAPHIC]
This month, Google celebrated its 10 billion apps milestone in its Market with a fancy infographic which revealed that the world’s top three app downloaders are all Asian nations.
Co-founder of Xiaomi Demos New Smartphone, Just Released [VIDEO]
Lastly, one of the most talked-about Android phones in China this year was from a small startup called Xiaomi, which made a home-grown dual-core Android beast for just 1,999 RMB. It’s based on Android and makes use of the team’s own MIUI UX, which has become popular amongst ROM lovers and modders around the globe. Our own Willis Wee went to Xiaomi HQ for a hands-on demo.
By the way, catch our full series of 2011 round-ups that we’re adding to throughout December.
