Kuayiong Launches Web App Store

Kuayiong has recently launched a Web app store, 7659.com. It includes pirated, free-of-charge iOS apps and games, a report from The Register said.

The site is “jam-packed with pirated content,” The Register adds, claiming its continuing goal is to “take a bite out of Apple’s iTunes revenue share.”

The website claims to be helping those in China who cannot properly use iTunes.

“In order for Chinese Apple fans to download applications securely, Kuaiyong developed its own method of giving users access to thousands of free apps without having to jailbreak their devices,” the website said in a message to users.

Jailbreaking is the method used to change the iOS operating system so the user gets increased control and can install apps from sources other than Apple’s App Store, according to online explanations.

What does Kuaiyong include?

“Kuaiyong offers detailed descriptions of apps, free app download trial, IOS device management and visual and audio file backup system,” the website said. “IOS system backup and recovery features will also be released in the very near future.”

The site is available in China and Hong Kong, Tech in Asia reports, but not elsewhere – though that may soon change. An English language version of its app is being developed.

“If you choose to download one of the iOS apps or games from the 7659 site, it actually downloads the Kuaiyong PC app if you don’t have it already,” Tech in Asia added.

The website also suggests it is providing needed services and is helping out Apple.

“Our goal has always been about bringing Chinese Apple users with quick, convenient and pleasant IOS experience,” the website adds. “Since the introduce [introduction] of Kuaiyong, the proportion of jailbreak[ing] in China has declined dramatically from 60 percent to around 30 percent. Kuaiyong will hold on to this goal in the future and we would like to see more support for Apple as well as Kuaiyong.”

However, “it’s unlikely that Apple will be particularly appreciative, especially as the large number of unofficial iOS app stores in the world’s largest smartphone market appears to be impacting revenues,” The Register reports.

In addition, in a recent report MobilityTechzone  called Kuayiong “controversial and popular.”

It was also described by MobilityTechzone as “an iTunes replacement” that provides “iOS app piracy without needing a jailbreak, so not all of the country's growing ranks of Apple fans - now up to 85m active on iOS in China - are paying up for apps. Little wonder that Chinese iOS developers are only earning an average of three cents … per download.”