Motorola unveils Android apps store in China

Motorola has unveiled an app store for China for Android phones.
 
The handset vendor said the SHOP4APPS store would be in service by Chinese New Year in mid-February.
 
In addition, Motorola says it will allow users to choose Baidu and other providers as their default search engine on the Google-built Android system.
 
It is the first time that Motorola has opened up its search engine choice to consumers.
 
“Users will be able to select their search experience from a number of providers including Baidu and others, with whom Motorola has signed strategic agreements,” said the vendor.
 
The announcement comes in the wake of China Unicom stating on Monday that it had indefinitely delayed the launch of Android-enabled smartphones from Motorola and Samsung.
 
On Tuesday, the day Unicom was set to release the two Android-enabled devices, Android-developer Google confirmed the devices launch would be postponed.
 
Google is embroiled in a battle with the Chinese government over the censorship of its search engine in China.
 
“In addition to our close collaboration with the Android community, we are working closely with our carrier partners in China, and with ecosystem partners like Baidu to provide consumers with a full suite of services,” said Christy Wyatt, corporate vice president of software and services at Motorola mobile devices. 
 
“With handsets like the new XT800 Zhishang from Motorola, we're able to deliver great Android-powered mobile experiences to the people of China," said a China Telecom representative.