3 6 Ke·2025-09-02 01:07Core Viewpoint - The 91 Assistant, once a leading mobile management tool in China, will officially cease all services on the 27th of this month, marking the end of an era for many users who relied on its functionalities [5][18]. Company Overview - 91 Assistant was originally developed in 2007 as iPhone PC Suite to address synchronization issues with iPhones, quickly gaining 200,000 users within three months [9]. - In 2008, the tool was acquired by NetDragon for 100,000 yuan and rebranded as "91 Mobile Assistant," subsequently launching its first version [9]. - By 2012, 91 Assistant had over 127 million users and facilitated over 10 billion app downloads, becoming the largest third-party app distribution platform in China at that time [13]. Market Position and Evolution - During the transition from feature phones to smartphones, 91 Assistant pioneered cross-system management, supporting multiple operating systems, which allowed users to manage files and install applications easily [12]. - The peak of 91 Assistant's popularity coincided with a lack of alternative app distribution channels, making it a vital tool for users during the early smartphone era [13]. Acquisition and Decline - In 2013, Baidu acquired 91 Assistant for $1.9 billion, marking one of the largest mergers in China's internet history, raising expectations for its future [15]. - However, as Apple and Android improved their ecosystems, the necessity for 91 Assistant diminished, leading to a gradual decline in its relevance [16]. Service Termination - The official announcement of service termination cited business adjustments and product optimization needs, although the decline had been evident for years [5][7]. - Users are advised to back up their data before the service ends, as all stored data will be permanently deleted post-termination [5][18].