Google has a new competitor, Yandex launches firmware kit for Android

Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) may be the market leader when it comes to smartphone operating systems, but Russian tech company Yandex Inc. (NASDAQ:YNDX) is working to change that. Not satisfied with having a search engine, Yandex launched an extensive firmware kit for Android phones called Yandex.Kit. The firmware is designed to be an alternative for OEMs and carriers who want a phone without Google software.

Yandex was able to accomplish their feat by creating an open source version of Android built in with their distinct set of necessary apps and features. In blog post regarding the launch, Yandex shared their firmware is, “a comprehensive, out-of-the-box solution, versatile and technologically honed enough to be offered to original device manufacturers firmware that they can install on their devices shipped to the Russian market”.

The good news about the kit is its free. Also, while Yandex built it for the Russian market, they are still focusing on global B2B partners who want to offer phones with an increased layer of customization. For example, with the Yandex firmware, an OEM can brand their own app store in addition to having their own apps featured over what Google decides to feature for the day.

The kit includes a webmail app, maps, a mobile browser, an app store with 100,000 apps and more. Although Google’s Android OS came in with almost 80% of the world’s smartphone shipments last year, its growth is slowing down. In fact, 2013 showed the slowest rate of growth to date. This could mean that the market is saturated, and consumers want something new and fresh. Furthermore, Yandex already has two OEM clients. What do you think, will Yandex serve to give Google a run for their money or will Google come out stronger than ever?

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