Di Yi Cai Jing·2025-09-01 03:12Core Viewpoint - The announcement of the shutdown of 91 Assistant by Baidu marks the end of a significant chapter in the mobile internet era, reflecting deep changes in the mobile application distribution industry and the conclusion of early mobile internet dividends [2][3]. Company Summary - Baidu's acquisition of 91 Wireless for $1.9 billion in 2013 was a strategic move to secure a platform in the mobile internet space, which was considered a "ticket" to the mobile internet [3][4]. - 91 Assistant was once the largest iOS "jailbreak" platform in China, amassing over 100 million users and achieving over 10 billion downloads, but struggled to integrate effectively into Baidu's ecosystem [3][4]. - The shutdown of 91 Assistant signifies not only the end of a product's lifecycle but also highlights Baidu's ongoing challenges in making successful investments in the mobile internet sector [4][5]. Industry Summary - The mobile application distribution industry has undergone significant transformation, with traditional app stores losing their value as major smartphone manufacturers establish their own app stores and super apps reshape traffic distribution [4]. - The competitive landscape has shifted from focusing on traffic entry points and user engagement during the mobile internet era to prioritizing data, algorithms, and computational power in the AI-driven age [5]. - The experience from the costly acquisition of 91 Wireless serves as a lesson for the industry on the importance of integrating technology, products, and ecosystems effectively [5].