I was invited to the press conference of UC Browser held at Hotel Taj West End, Bandra, Mumbai. UCWeb Inc., an Alibaba Mobile Business Group Company has launched a New UC Browser and announced their strategic content partnership with Colors TV.
Driven by big-data technology, the New UC Browser includes news feeds from UC News making it an integral part of UC Browser with more customization options for the users. UC Browser has been updated keeping in mind the user preferences for trending and relevant information at the fingertip.
UCWeb has evolved from a mobile browser to a mobile media asset, offering mobile search and news feeds to over 420 Million Monthly Active users globally. Today UC Browser is the No. 1 independent browser in India and Indonesia, and is one of the world’s top 3 mobile browsers, according to StatCounter.
In Q1 FY 2016 – 2017 results of Alibaba Group, UCWeb has played a significant role in strengthening company’s competitive positions in digital media and entertainment category. The digital media and entertainment segment of Alibaba Group operates businesses through multiple properties including UCWeb.
The New UC Browser
UC Browser is India’s favourite mobile browser, with over 80 Million (MAUs) and a market share of close to 50% (Source StatCounter). The browser has brought faster internet access to millions of people residing in low bandwidth areas across the country.
While the old browser just brought people on the internet, the New UC Browser recognizes that now is the right time to offer the right content to the right user.
The New UC Browser embraces adaptability by offering direct news feeds from UC News, an app exclusively launched for India market in June 2016. Once a user selects his favourite topics, the algorithm adapts and offers more information on the topic of his choice. The information is shareable, can be customised and is available in 2 languages – English and Hindi, which will later, also be available in other regional languages, starting with Tamil.
The New UC Browser has a simple and clean UI and the homepage is a lot more concise with one swipe allowing the option to switch from Browser to News. The personalised channel settings allow the users to choose their favourite news channels and make their own reading sequence, as per their individual preference. The user-friendly browser also has a night mode feature that offers a convenient browsing experience during night.
Partnership with Colors TV
As pioneers in the mobile Internet revolution in India, UCWeb aims to be at the centre of this emerging trend and has collaborated with Colors TV – India’s leading Entertainment TV Channel. The vision is to offer Digitized Entertainment and utilise strengths of volume and power of the browser in content aggregation and to provide quality content to as many users as possible.
The strategic partnership is being built around 4 marquee shows of Colors; Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, 24, Big Boss and Comedy Nights Live. As part of the collaboration, UCWeb will create multiple engagement platforms around these shows for the users of UC Browser, 9Apps and UC News.
About UCWeb
UCWeb Inc. (UCWeb) is a business within Alibaba Mobile Business Group and a leading provider of mobile internet software and services. Since its inception in 2004, UCWeb’s mission has been to provide better mobile internet experience to people around the world. UC Browser, the flagship product of UCWeb, is compatible with all mainstream operating systems and available in 11 languages including English, Russian, Indonesian, and Vietnamese. As of June 2016, UC Browser had reached 420 million Monthly Active Users worldwide. Additional information about UCWeb and UC Browser can be found at www.ucweb.com
About Alibaba Mobile Business Group
Alibaba Mobile Business Group is a leading provider of mobile services and content. Its product portfolio includes mobile browser, mobile search, location-based services, mobile gaming, app store and mobile reader operations. With its technologies and big data, Alibaba Mobile Business Group is committed to bringing about mobile internet innovation and reliability.
About COLORS TV
‘COLORS’ is Viacom18’s flagship brand in the entertainment space in India. A combination of ‘emotions’ and ‘variety’, COLORS, launched on 21st July 2008, offers an entire spectrum of emotions to its viewers. From Fiction Shows to Format shows to Reality shows to Blockbuster Movies – the basket contains all ‘Jazbaat Ke Rang’. ‘COLORS’ is dedicated to promoting ‘Cohesive viewing’, through programmes like Ishq Ka Rang Safed, Balika Vadhu…Lamhe Pyaar Ke, Thapki…Pyaar Ki, Sasural Simar Ka, Shakti…Astitva Ke Ehsaas Kii, Udann, Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat, Swaragini, Kasam…Tere Pyaar Ki, Krishndasi, Kawach…Kaali Shaktiyon Se, Shani, Comedy Nights LIVE, Comedy Nights Bachao, Naagin, Bigg Boss, 24, India’s Got Talent, Box Cricket League and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa amongst others.
Some of the good moments captured during the event
Tech Travel Eat
Sujith Bhakthan
