Chinese internet marketing giant Baidu is stepping up its product portfolio with major launches in cloud computing and a suite of mobile internet browser tools. Baidu is now looking to markets beyond China and revenues beyond search, directly competing with European and North American mobile, search and hosting firms.
Baidu has launched a mobile browser, with aims that 80% of China’s Android handsets will have downloaded Baidu Mobile Browser by the end of the year.
The Baidu Mobile Browser will compete with UCWeb UC Browser, Google’s Chrome and default Android browser, and Apple’s Safari.
Baidu claims the browser is about 20 percent faster than its rivals based on internal tests.
Baidu’s mobile browser also allows users to access to mobile apps and run high-definition video through the browser without having to download apps or supporting software.
The browser, together with Baidu’s other mobile products such as its mobile operating system and cheap smartphones launched with partners, forms the core of what Baidu hopes will eventually become a source of revenue.
Meanwhile, Baidu CEO Jennifer Li said the search company would invest $1.6bn in its cloud computing centre.
Baidu is pushing deep into cloud computing as the heart of its mobile strategy in order to capitalise on the booming sector.
