Chinese online security software developer Qihoo 360 (Nasdaq: QIHU) announced today that it has formed a partnership with Shanda Interactive's online literature side Qidian.com under which it will connect its 360 Desktop software to the service. Qidian.com readers will be able to use their 360 accounts for easy payment, purchase, and reading of Qidian's original internet literature offerings through 360 Desktop.

The partnership makes use of the two companies' resources. Users of 360 Desktop will be able to install nearly 1,000 single-title e-book applications, as well as apps for "Qidian" and "Top Online Literature of 2012," to which Qidian holds the rights. 360's payment platform will provide one-stop account recharge and purchasing services, allowing users to remove popup and popover ads from Qidian titles, and to receive notifications of updates to works-in-progress to which they have subscribed. 360 Desktop also added a new "My Bookshelves" feature to coincide with the partnership.

Some 200,000 applications are available for 360 Desktop, which has more than 60 mln active monthly users.