The lab, available on labs.ericsson.com/cn, provides an open platform for users to share information with application developers and technology partners, according to the Stockholm-based company.
The online lab, which provides a series of engines and application programs for trial use, makes Ericsson the first telecom equipment maker to roll out API (Application Programming Interface).
Notably, the company has made more than ten models of easy-to-use mobile application development tools, widely known as API, available in the platform to come up with the demand from users in China. The solutions include the much-favored face detector, mobile Java Communication framework, and mobile positioning applications.
The online lab, featuring a online application exhibition platform and a variety of Web2.0 functions such as forum, blogs, microblogs, and mailing list, is expected to make it easier for developers to come with more attractive programs and applications to Chinese consumers who are growing into experts in technology.
Ericsson knows the problems that most of the developers are facing at present and has taken a slew of measures to help them, according to an executive for the company. The developer connection program, for instance, provides developers with software development kit (SDK) for the Ericsson-branded products adopted in telecom networks.
The Chinese version online lab, according to Mats H Olsson, president for Ericsson China & Northeast Asia, is part of the company's ongoing efforts to work with developers for the supply of value-added applications to telecom operators and eventually, benefit consumers in and out of China.
There will be as many as 50 billion wireless connections around the world by 2020, some of which among people and some among things, said Zhang Ken (transliterated), chief technology officer for Ericsson China and Northeast Asia, noting that the connections in the much-hyped Internet of things will be driven up by applications in vertical industries such as vehicle monitoring, public security, power, and energy transportation.
"Ericsson expects to get a better understanding of the telecom market conditions in China through its newly-launched lab - how do Chinese users use the Internet - in a bid to shore up the growth of local telecom operators," according to Mr. Zhang.
China, known as the world's No. One telecom market, Internet market, and mobile Internet market, is regarded to be a fast-growing Internet of things market with the most telecom infrastructure facilities.
(USD 1 = CNY 6.83)
