Google threat stops launch of Acer smartphone using Alibaba system
Internet giant says it will end co-operation with partner if it pushes new device which runs on operating system developed by Alibaba
Under pressure by Google, Acer abruptly cancelled the launch yesterday of a new high-end smartphone that runs e-commerce giant Alibaba Group's self-developed mobile operating system called Aliyun.
Acer, the world's fourth-largest supplier of personal computers, was scheduled to introduce to the mainland its Aliyun OS-powered CloudMobile A800 smartphone in Shanghai.
A spokesman for Alibaba subsidiary and Aliyun developer Alibaba Cloud Computing (AliCloud) said in a statement: "Our partner was notified by Google that if the product runs Aliyun OS, Google will terminate its Android-related co-operation and other technology licensing with our partner."
Details of the dispute were not disclosed.
Google, the world's largest internet search services provider, is also the developer of Android, which is the most popular mobile operating system used in smartphones.
The AliCloud spokesman called Google's action "clearly unfair to consumers".
"We respect and understand our partner's decision to postpone the introduction of the phone, and are dismayed by the impact this dispute has had on our partner," he said. "We are concerned about the impact on customer access to competitive products."