This is the mobile platform behind the new generation of 4G-capable, smart feature phones that we have been talking about. Yes; those phones that will keep the other half of the world connected. Let’s put this in perspective. While Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile and BlackBerry OS were dying off, Kai OS popped up and grew. And its growth has been noticed by big players like Google, Facebook, and Twitter, who have committed resources to developing for it. Google apps support means that the platform can synchronise your email, calendar and contacts. Voice Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Search are in the mix too. Of course, Facebook and Twitter are two of the most popular social networks around. What would be great now is for WhatsApp support to be added, and KaiOS would be ready for prime time.
What Is KaiOS?
KaiOS is a mobile operating system based on Firefox OS, meaning it is web-based and built on HTML5, CSS and Javascript. These are basic technologies. The platform is so lightweight that it runs smoothly on phones with only 256MB of memory. Light as it may be, the beauty of KaiOS is how it also supports advanced features like 4G/LTE, VoLTE, Wi-Fi, NFC, apps and an app store, dual-SIM support, and QWERTY keyboards. The whole idea behind Kai OS is that it puts the smart in light and affordable phones, hence the tag smart feature phone.
Who is behind KaiOS?
KaiOS is developed by KaiOS Technologies, a California-based tech company with offices in some other countries too. The operating system was developed from an open source successor of the now dead Firefox OS and made its first public appearance in 2017.
Which devices run KaiOS?
These were the first generation of smart feature phones to run KaiOS: In early 2018, KaiOS Technologies announced that the platform was already on 30 million phones in the U.S., Canada, and India. I have been unable to find any independent verification of this claim though, but I shall keep my eyes open. But in essence, it means that between the Alcatel OneTouch Go Flip and the Reliance Jio JioPhone, 30 million units had been sold. It soon become the second most popular mobile OS in India after Android OS.
The Rise of Smart Feature Phones
Feature phones used to be something that were spoken of in a condescending manner. It was for poor people only. While it is still predominantly a poor people affair, the feature phone is also seeing an uptake in advanced mobile markets. Smartphone owners are buying feature phones as backup phones, especially for their long battery lives. Imagine having a small cell phone that has super fast 4G broadband internet, basic apps, and a week-long battery life in your pocket. Now you can eat your cake and have it. Perhaps the 3rd smartphone platform will be a smart feature phone OS, one that blurs the lines between smartphone and feature phone.
News and Updates
June 2018: Google invests $22 million in KaiOS. February 2019: 8 KaiOS-powered Energizer feature phones announced. May 2019: The smart feature phone operating system now runs on over 100 million phones: KaiOS Technologies Secures $50 Million of Series B Funding to Connect the Next Billion People. July 2019: Kai Technologies announced that WhatsApp and Facebook apps are now available for all KaiOS phones. WhatsApp had been available to only the Reliance JioPhone and the Nokia 8110 4G.
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