Core Points - 91 Assistant, acquired by Baidu for $1.9 billion, is shutting down its services on September 27, leading to the permanent loss of all user data [5][35][70] - The decline of 91 Assistant reflects a broader trend in the mobile application market, where third-party app stores are losing relevance as mobile ecosystems mature [15][72] Group 1: Company Background - 91 Assistant was originally developed as iPhone PC Suite by a user frustrated with iTunes, later acquired by NetDragon and rebranded [19][21] - At its peak, 91 Assistant had over 127 million users and 10 billion app downloads, making it one of the largest third-party app platforms in China [33] Group 2: Market Dynamics - The mobile application market was initially characterized by a lack of quality control, leading to the rise of third-party app stores like 91 Assistant and Wandoujia [16][28] - The acquisition by Baidu in 2013 aimed to secure a foothold in the mobile app distribution market, where Baidu's own app store had only a 6.7% market share compared to competitors [40][41] Group 3: Industry Evolution - The shift in control from software to hardware manufacturers has diminished the role of third-party app stores, as mobile manufacturers began to enhance their own app distribution channels [50][64] - The establishment of the Hardcore Alliance in 2014 by major smartphone manufacturers aimed to unify app distribution and improve user experience, further reducing the need for third-party stores [61][64] Group 4: Conclusion - The closure of 91 Assistant illustrates the transition from a chaotic app distribution environment to a more organized ecosystem, where user needs are met directly by manufacturers [70][72] - The fate of 91 Assistant serves as a reminder that third-party applications often thrive in transitional periods but may struggle to survive as the market matures [72]

Core Viewpoint - The shutdown of 91 Assistant marks the end of the "jailbreak era" and signifies the decline of third-party app stores that once dominated the mobile application distribution landscape [8][11]. Group 1: Background and Development of 91 Assistant - 91 Assistant was developed in 2007 by Xiong Jun to simplify the complex operations of iTunes for early iPhone users, quickly gaining over 200,000 users within two months [2]. - It became the only cross-terminal and cross-platform content distribution platform at the time, addressing the limitations of Apple's App Store, which was known for its high-quality but closed ecosystem [4][6]. - The software gained popularity by providing easy jailbreak operations and free downloads of paid applications, becoming a crucial channel for non-official app downloads for iOS devices [4][6]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Acquisition - In 2009, 91 Assistant expanded to the Android platform, adding features like Android flashing and phone management, which significantly increased its user base [6]. - By 2013, the platform had achieved over 10 billion cumulative app downloads, averaging 8 downloads per person in China, leading to its acquisition by Baidu for $1.9 billion, one of the largest mergers in the internet industry at that time [6]. - After the acquisition, it was rebranded as "Baidu 91" but continued to operate independently within Baidu's ecosystem [6]. Group 3: Decline of Third-Party App Stores - The rise of official app stores and improved app distribution by smartphone manufacturers led to a significant decline in the presence of third-party app stores like 91 Assistant [6][11]. - The shutdown of 91 Assistant on September 28, 2023, along with the earlier closure of similar services like PP Assistant, signifies the end of an era dominated by third-party app distribution [8][10]. - Other similar tools have also gradually exited the market since 2014, although their impact on the early smartphone development phase remains significant [11]. Group 4: Transition and Future Outlook - Despite the decline of many "mobile assistant" tools, some have successfully transitioned, such as Coolapk, which evolved from a mobile assistant to a community-focused platform for product discussions and social interactions [11].