Google’s Android operating system is open source, but some of the key apps on most Android phones are not. Phone makers and software developers have to jump through a series of hoops if they want to include the Google Play Store, Gmail, Google Maps, and other Google apps.

Now there’s another alternative though. Russian search company Yandex is offering manufacturers an alternative to Google Play Services. It’s called Yandex.Kit, and it includes an app store and key apps including maps, mail, and search.

Yandex.Kit

Yandex is positioning the platform as an alternative for small or mid-sized device makers who want to use Android, but who want an alternative to Google Play Services for one reason or another.

While the software included in Yandex.Kit might not be quite as extensive as Google’s own services (the Play Store has a million apps, the Yandex store has 100,000), it’s still a more complete solution than you’d get on most Android devices that ship without Google Play certification.

Among other things, the kit includes:

  • Yandex App Store
  • Smart dialer which mines the Yandex Business Directory for caller ID info
  • Contact synchronization between Google and Yandex accounts
  • Yandex.Shell home screen with 3D home screen switcher
  • Yandex.Browser web browser
  • Maps and cloud storage apps

Yandex.Kit is available for free to device makers, but Yandex takes a 30 percent cut of revenue from apps sold through its app store.

The company says it already has a few companies set to launch phones with Yandex.Kit software. Huawei and Explay are both expected to launch phones in Russia in March.

via TechCrunch

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2 replies on “Yandex.Kit offers an alternative to Google Play Services”

  1. Nothing untrustworthy here… For one reason or another I’ll pass on the Russian Google reach…er work around

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