BharOS, or BharatOS, is a new mobile operating system that has been developed by an IIT Madras-incubated startup called JandKops. This operating system is based on the Android Open-Source Project (AOSP) and aims to provide a safer and more privacy-oriented alternative to Android and iOS in India. With concerns about multinational tech firms using the data of Indian citizens, and the lack of viable alternatives for the masses when it comes to mobile operating systems, BharOS plans to fill this gap and become a leading player in the Indian market.
What is BharOS and How is it Different from Android?
BharOS is a free and open-source operating system that has been developed with the support of the Indian government. The project’s goal is to reduce the dependence on foreign operating systems in smartphones and promote the use of a made-in-India alternative.
When compared to Android, BharOS offers several key differences. One of the main differences is that BharOS is based on AOSP, which is the open-source version of Android that is free from the proprietary elements that are found in commercial versions of Android. This means that BharOS is free from the constraints and limitations that come with using a proprietary operating system like Android.
Additionally, BharOS has a focus on privacy and security. It includes features such as end-to-end encryption and secure boot, which provide an added layer of protection for users’ data. BharOS also aims to provide more transparency and control over the data that is collected and used by apps.
Top 11 features of BharOS
Here are key features you should know about BharOS:
- BharOS is actually developed from the source code of Google’s Android Operating System Package (AOSP). However, it does not come pre-loaded with apps, allowing for more storage space on the phone, and consumers can install apps that they truly want to use, which is not the case with the Android and iOS platforms.
- BharOS software can be side-loaded onto most of the Android phones available in the market, but for obvious reasons, it cannot be installed on Apple iPhones
- BharOS supports the majority of Android apps but not iOS apps. Users can side-load any APKs (Android Package Kits) of Android apps.
- BharOS offers more control to users over the permissions that apps have on the device. He/she can choose to only allow apps that they trust to access certain features or data on their device.
- According to JandKops developers, phones running BharOS can be updated to the latest version with the most recent security patch via Over-The-Air, just like any other smartphone on the market.
- Unlike the Google Play Store (for Android) and Apple App Store (for iOS devices), BharOS-based phone users can access trustworthy apps from organization-specific Private App Store Services (PASS). The latter offers access to a curated list of apps that have been thoroughly vetted and have met certain security and privacy standards set by organizations.
- For now, BharOS is not available to the public just yet. As noted above, private organizations that emphasize security and user privacy for communication purposes can approach JandKops to get access to BharOS
- Privacy-oriented and safer mobile operating system
- Focus on privacy and security
- No Default Apps (NDA)
- Users have more control over the permissions that apps have on their device
JandKops is incubated by the IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation. It is backed by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, under its National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NMICPS). ” (BharOS: Key Aspects You Should Know About “Made-in-India” Smartphone OS, 2023)
The History of BharOS and Other Made-in-India Operating Systems
BharOS is not the first attempt by India to develop a homegrown operating system. In 2007, the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing unveiled BOSS (Bharat Operating System Solutions), which was billed as an alternative to Microsoft Windows. However, BOSS did not gain widespread adoption and the project eventually fizzled out.
BharOS, on the other hand, is a more ambitious project with a focus on the mobile market. The team behind BharOS aims to create a truly indigenous operating system that can compete with the likes of Android and iOS in India and potentially even globally.
Adoption and Future of BharOS
While BharOS is still a relatively new operating system and is not yet widely adopted, it has the potential to become a major player in the Indian market. The Indian government’s support for the project and the growing concern about data privacy and security in the country could drive the adoption of BharOS.
Additionally, BharOS has the potential to be adopted by other developing countries that also want a more secure and privacy-focused alternative to Android and iOS. BharOS’s open-source nature also allows for customization and localization, which can be beneficial for countries that want to have a mobile operating system that is tailored to their specific needs.
BharOS, also known as BharatOS, is a mobile operating system developed by an Indian startup called JandKops, that aims to take on Android and iOS in India. BharOS is an AOSP-based operating system that places a strong emphasis on privacy and security. It is being developed as a safer and more privacy-oriented alternative to existing mobile operating systems, with a focus on addressing concerns about multinational tech firms using the data of Indian citizens.
States that BharOS is an Indian government-funded project to develop a free and open-source operating system, with the aim of reducing the dependence on foreign OS in smartphones and promoting the use of an indigenous operating system.
Describes BharOS as a new mobile operating system that focuses on privacy and security. It has been tested and is expected to launch soon.
It is important to note that the information available about BharOS is limited, as the operating system is still in development and has not yet been officially released. Therefore, it is unclear when the operating system will be available to the public, or what specific features it will include.
Conclusion
BharOS is a new mobile operating system that has been developed by an IIT Madras-incubated startup called JandKops. This operating system is based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and aims to provide a safer and more privacy-oriented alternative to Android and iOS in India. BharOS