China Unicom is planning to open an app store before the end of 2010 for its 160 million users. A beta trial version of the WoStore, formerly named UniStore, has been launched with 2,000 apps available for download to smartphones. China Unicom is not alone in developing its own app store in China. Both of its two main rivals, China Mobile and China Telecom, have launched stores named Mobile Market and eStore respectively. Although Unicom is the sole carrier for Apple iPhones, the Wostore does not currently sell iPhone apps. These have to be purchased through the Apple iTunes app store.

In addition to establishing their own app stores, the three Chinese mobile network operators are each developing their own smartphone operating systems and user interface platforms as part of a strategy based on vertical integration of all parts of the app store eco-system.

There is a growing opportunity in China for vehicle manufacturers to gain a competitive advantage by quickly developing apps-based solutions to provide navigation and telematics services. This is the conclusion of recent research from SBD titled Smartphones, apps and the response of OEMs in China. Innovative vehicle manufacturers such as SAIC and HawTai are already taking advantage of this strategy to leap ahead of slower moving western brands.

For more information on how SBD can strategically support your telematics and navigation strategy in China, contact Juanita Appleby on jappleby@sbd.co.uk.