Earlier this month we talked about the state of the Internet in 2019. More than 55 percent of the world is already connected, but billions of people remain offline due to infrastructure and cost issues. In other words, even the cheapest Android smartphones are almost impossible to purchase in many countries. One possible solution is to explore the middle ground between smartphone and feature phone, and that’s where we find KaiOS, the heir to Firefox OS that continues to gain ground.
Apple has no interest in developing low-cost devices. Microsoft threw in the towel, escaping the mobile market at full speed. The vast majority of low-cost Android smartphones are disappointing, while the “decent” options exceed the average budget in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and there’s still almost half the world to connect. We need something different.
Its name is KaiOS. The first time I talked about this operating system was in the article dedicated to the Minesweeper clone that Google published a couple of weeks ago. Basically, its history began with Boot to Gecko or B2G. KaiOS is presented as a fork of B2G, aimed at low-cost phones. And it’s making a lot of noise.
KaiOS: A smart operating system for the Nokia 8110
The relaunch of the Nokia 8110 early last year not only confirmed that the company is still interested in exploring the “retro” factor. It also showed that KaiOS can claim a place on platforms that Android (in its latest editions) simply cannot access. However, the true explosion of KaiOS happened in India, after the debut of the JioPhone.
With zero cost tied to a security deposit of 1,500 rupees ($22, which the user can recover by returning the phone after 36 months), the JioPhone gave KaiOS the push it needed. Today, KaiOS is the second most used operating system in India, and it surpassed the mark of 100 million devices distributed around the world. An important detail: The KaiOS license is free.
What was Google’s reaction to KaiOS? Investing in the company. Last year, the Mountain View giant injected a not inconsiderable $22 million into KaiOS, which enabled the presence of some Google services (with much more basic functions) on compatible phones. Of course, we cannot forget Android Go, but the price difference is striking. The idea is that a 4G phone with KaiOS never exceeds $30.
All developers are invited to create apps for KaiOS. The company shares multiple resources on its official page, including simulators compatible with Linux and MacOS. Now, if we have to talk about a “killer app” for KaiOS, that app is WhatsApp. Facebook doesn’t even mention the operating system on its official page, its availability is very limited, and it sacrifices several elements (WhatsApp Web, emojis, video calls, etc.), but it’s already there.
Now, if anyone is wondering “Can I install KaiOS on...?”, the answer is probably no. The KaiOS page lists a total of ten compatible phones. If you want to evaluate its experience, look for one of these phones, or try the simulators.
Official site: Click here
