Interesting Development

[Mr. Lucky]

Cyanogen (makers of CyanogenMod, the installed os on the OnePlus One), reject Google acquisition attempt:
Cyanogen made the right move turning down Google's alleged acquisition | PCWorld

 

[mikedt]

Cyanogen could have also turned down Google's offer to better realize its opportunity in emerging markets, like China. Will Stofega, the Program Director for "Mobile Device Technology and Trends at IDC, believes that Google pursued Cyanogen because of its presence there. “Google’s not making much there,” he said. “Most people are using [AOSP], and Google isn’t getting the ability to track their information.” Stofega went on to say that roughly 50 to 70 percent of Android users in China aren’t actually using licensed versions of the operating system. “In other words, you’re not running any Google applications,” he said."

It's likely nearer 100% actually from what I've seen. Very much any Android sold in China doesn't have Google apps on it, even foreign manufacturers like Samsung, LG and Sony don't put Google on their devices in China. If you do have Google apps on your devices, can't use them because currently Google is completely blocked by the GFW censoring, unless using a VPN. Most Chinese manufacturers are using AOSP for their devices, and doing completely their own things with it, own app stores, etc. and Cyanogen has done very well so far partnering with Chinese manufactures OnePlus and Oppo.