Russian tech giant Yandex unveils first smartphone

A woman holds a Yandex.Phone during a presentation in Moscow on December 5, 2018. - Russian internet giant Yandex on December 5, 2018 launched its first ever smartphone, ending several weeks of suspense for tech fans over the highly anticipated launch. The new mobile device will go on sale on December 6, 2018 in Russia and online at a cost of 17,990 rubles ($269) and will work with the Android system. (Photo by Yuri KADOBNOV / AFP)

MOSCOW: Russian Internet giant Yandex on Dec 5 launched its first ever smartphone, ending several weeks of suspense for tech fans over the highly anticipated launch. 

The company behind the most widely used search engine in Russia and the ex-Soviet region has recently diversified to defend its market share against Google, creating popular phone apps to order taxis and takeaway food.