A 3rd Mobile OS
Is it? Why not? Will it?
Hey everyone!
Today, I am talking about a 3rd mobile OS. Now, the two major competitors in the mobile world are Android and IOS but there are other options.
And no, not the windows phone. But there is an OS called “KaiOS”, which runs on mid-tier keypad/feature phones that need a simple OS, which is already set up and does not require any modifications to be usable and updated like Android.
[Shows Mobile + Tablet, October 2024 - September 2025]
Now, you will see “Samsung” is more popular than KaiOS. This is may not be accurate because StatCounter offers only the close to accurate not the exact. But “Samsung” is a legacy OS referring to “Samsung OS”. KaiOS is the new modern and more popular mobile OS.
Will a new more popular 3rd option emerge?
The short answer is (by me) is yes.
You see, developing an OS is very different. It takes a lot of time and energy. An OS contains more than some thousand lines, and solo OS development is hard. You need an entire company with many people
Now, Terry a Davis made an OS all by himself which is “Temple OS”. It is quite simple because it has a basic interface or a TUI (Text User Interface). It is a wonderful invention! but for phones? You need a graphical interface, which is hard to develop. Temple OS is direct connection to the kernel, which is dangerous but since it is not intended for daily use, it is pretty impressive and nice.
Take an example, Android’s open-source version or AOSP/Stock android has approximately 2.5 million lines.
Now, there is issue of “App development”. This was the issue with the windows phone also, which caused it to fail. You need attract developers to code apps and games for the mobile OS. It is pretty hard, but it is the only way to keep the mobile OS used.
The only way some can make a new option is to make it a different concept. Like, Android’s concept was being an open platform and IOS was the first intuitive mobile platform. You will need a category, which very few people focus on and make the concept go mainstream via marketing.
Someday in the future, we may see a new mobile OS but that time is far or close. Just wait for a new OS to emerge and be a major part in the industry.

