The Chinese Government is Creating its Own Operating System

China wants to go head-to-head with Microsoft.

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Microsoft Windows still commands a healthy 93 percent of the worldwide computer market share, but a new initiative by the Chinese government looks to knock it down a peg by creating its own open-source operating system. 

The Chinese Software and Integrated Chip Promotions Center (CSIP) announced on Thursday that it was partnering with Canocial, the company behind the popular Linux distribution Ubuntu, to develop a new operating system. 

The OS will be called Ubuntu Kylin and is expected to be released in April. In addition to desktops and laptops, CISP intends to develop the OS to run on smartphones and tablets. 

“With Ubuntu Kylin, China now has its own secure and stable desktop operating system, produced alongside Ubuntu's global community," said Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Canonical in a statement. "Ubuntu combines proven technology with a mature ecosystem and strong OEM and ISV partners, and this initiative allows the Joint Lab to bring those strengths to China across the full range of platforms: desktop, server, cloud, tablet and phone.”

[Ars Technica via BBC]

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