Dayhand Denies Baidu Acquisition Rumor
Netease Tech, 11/18/09
When asked about rumors that Chinese internet company Baidu (Nasdaq: BIDU) had acquired his company's mobile Pinyin input method, CEO Tu Yixin of Shanghai-based DayHand Networks avoided using the word "acquire," saying that "it would be better to say that we're partnering," but declined to reveal any details of the companies' partnership. Instead, Tu emphasized that work on DayHand's two products - the DayHand mobile Pinyin input method and the "3GForum" mobile BBS software - would continue.
A look at domain registration information for DayHand.com reveals that on February 24 of this year, the name of the domain owner changed to "Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd," though the domain administrator remained Tu Yixin. Tu said the company had not merged with Baidu and had no plans to do so.
DayHand's main profit model for its mobile Pinyin input method is to license the software to be pre-installed on handsets by manufacturers such as Dopod, Lenovo Mobile, ZTE (0763.HK; 000063.SZ) and Palm.
Editor's Note: A source within Baidu has told Chinabyte.com that Baidu's new mobile Pinyin IME will be unveiled as part of the new 'Baidu Palm' client in a ceremony at Baidu's new Beijing campus on November 25.
Keywords: Tu Yixin mobile application mobile data mobile search wireless Baidu DayHand pre-installed BIDU Chinese character input handset M&A
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