KaiOS official logo | |
Developer | KaiOS Technologies (Hong Kong) Limited (with TCL as largest shareholder)[1] |
---|---|
Written in | HTML, CSS, JavaScript, C++ |
OS family | Linux (Unix-like) |
Working state | Current |
Source model | Source-available |
Initial release | 2017 |
Marketing target | Feature phones |
Package manager | KaiStore |
Platforms | ARM |
Kernel type | Monolithic (Linux) |
Default user interface | Graphical |
License | proprietary, Linux kernel patches under GPLv2, B2G under MPL[2][3][4] |
Official website | www.KaiOStech.com |
KaiOS is a mobile Linux distribution for keypad feature phones. It is developed by KaiOS Technologies (Hong Kong) Limited; a company based in Hong Kong, whose largest shareholder is Chinese multinational electronics conglomerate TCL Corporation.[5][1] KaiOS runs on feature phones made with low-power hardware and low power consumption (and therefore long battery life). KaiOS supports modern connectivity technologies like 4G LTE E, VoLTE, GPS, and Wi-Fi. KaiOS runs HTML5-based apps. KaiOS supports over-the-air updates and has a dedicated app marketplace (KaiStore). Some applications are preloaded, including Facebook and YouTube.[6] As of 1 April 2020[update], there are 500+ apps in KaiStore. The mobile operating system is comparatively lightweight on hardware resource usage, and is able to run on devices with just 256 megabytes (MB) of memory.[7]
KaiOS is a mobile operating system, based on Linux, for keypad feature phones. It is developed by KaiOS Technologies (Hong Kong) Limited; a company based in Hong Kong, with largest shareholder being Chinese multinational electronics conglomerate TCL Corporation.[5][1] KaiOS is forked from B2G OS (Boot to Gecko OS), an open source community-driven fork of Firefox OS, which was discontinued by Mozilla in 2016.[8][9][10]
The primary features of KaiOS bring support for 4G LTE E, VoLTE, GPS, and Wi-Fi; with HTML5-based apps and longer battery life to non-touchscreen devices with optimised user interface, less memory and energy consumption.[11][12] It also features over-the-air updates (OTA updates). A dedicated app marketplace (KaiStore) enables users to download mobile applications, or 'apps'.[13] Some services are preloaded as HTML5 applications, including Facebook and YouTube.[6] As of 1 April 2020[update], there are 500+ apps in KaiStore. The mobile operating system is comparatively lightweight on hardware resource usage, and is able to run on devices with just 256 megabytes (MB) of memory.[7]
The operating system was first released in 2017, and is developed by KaiOS Technologies Inc., a Hong Kong-based[14] company headed by CEO Sebastien Codeville, with offices in other countries. In June 2018, Google invested US$22 million in the operating system.[15] India-based telecom operator Reliance Jio also invested $7 million for a 16% stake in the company.[16] In May 2019, KaiOS raised an additional US$50 million from Cathay Innovation, and previous investors Google and TCL Holdings.[17]
In market share study results announced in May 2018, KaiOS beat Apple's iOS for second place in India,[18] while Android dominates with 71%, albeit down by 9%. KaiOS growth is being largely attributed to the popularity of the competitively-priced JioPhone.[19] In Q1 2018, 23 million KaiOS devices were produced.[20]
In March 2020, Mozilla and KaiOS Technologies announced a partnership to update KaiOS with a modern version of the Gecko browser engine, and more closely aligned testing infrastructure. This change should give KaiOS four years worth of performance and security improvements and new features, including TLS 1.3, WebAssembly, WebGL 2.0, Progressive Web Apps, new video codecs like WebP, AV1, and modern JavaScript and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) features.[21][22]
Devices that are installed with KaiOS include:[23]
As of February 2018[update], KaiOS Technologies has partnered with Mozilla, Airfind, Avenir Telecom (Energizer), Facebook, Google, Bullitt, Doro, HMD Global, Micromax, NXP, Spreadtrum, Qualcomm, Jio, Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Orange S.A.[42][6][43]
In March 2020, KaiOS Technologies partnered with Mozilla to bring the modern version of Gecko browser engine to future KaiOS builds.[21][44]
version | announced | new features | mobile phones |
---|---|---|---|
1.0 | March 2017 | First KaiOS smart feature flip phone | |
2.0 | July 2017 | Major core upgrade to Gecko 48 | |
2.5.0 | November 2017[45] | Services and 3rd party apps | Nokia 8110 4G |
2.5.1 | July 2018[46] | KaiStore, KaiAccount, and advanced features, WhatsApp | |
2.5.1.1 | September 2018 | Minor system updates | |
2.5.2 | December 2018 | KaiAds and SIMbased cust. | Nokia 2720 Flip, Nokia 800 Tough |
2.5.3 | July 2019 | Major service upgrades, location service enhancement | |
2.5.3.1 | February 2020 | Minor system updates, notification enhancement | |
2.5.3.2 | May 2020 | Device Financing Program, Dual SIM LTE support | |
2.5.4 | August 2020 | LF 1.6 integration, North America requirement | Nokia 6300 4G, Nokia 8000 4G |
3.0 | September 2021 | Major platform Upgrade, Gecko upgrade[47] from version 48 (2016) to version 84 (December 2020).[48] Older apps don't work without the developer to adapt to this OS version and publish an update to the store. WhatsApp not available anymore for KaiOS v3. | Nokia 2760 Flip |
3.1 | March 2022[49] | Minor system updates |
With the release of the Nokia 8110 4G, an active community around both KaiOS and the phone arose and released the first version of a jailbreak. This gave users the ability to use old Firefox OS apps on KaiOS devices, as well as flashing their devices with community-created ROMs, such as GerdaOS.[50][51]