Founded in 2016, KaiOS emerged as the leading mobile operating system for smart feature phones, which was designed from the ground up to address the need for reliable, affordable feature phones with smartphone functionality in markets heavily impacted by the digital divide. It is affordable and easy-to-use, ideal for first-time internet users and those looking for an alternative to smartphones.

Five years since the first KaiOS-enabled device is shipped, KaiOS has gone up against industry giants to become one of the largest mobile OS, and now with a solid user base of over 165 million across the world. Never deviating from its mission of massively migrating 2G users to 4G to close the digital divide, KaiOS expands into a digital financial inclusion platform to bring the first digital economy experience to those who are excluded from a formal financial system with mobile payment, fintech, and device financing solutions.

Being selected for the Mastercard Start Path program allows KaiOS to connect with a global ecosystem of banks, fintechs, and technology players and unlock the potential of Mastercard’s network. This could facilitate KaiOS’s transformation into an inclusion enabler that brings the first digital financial experience to the next billion. KaiOS will receive support through Start Path to build a connected world with the provision of affordable, accessible, and relevant digital financial products that have never previously been available to the 1.7 billion unbanked and 3.7 billion unconnected population – mostly those with lower incomes, the elderly and women living in rural areas.

More details on the Mastercard Newsroom about KaiOS and other fintech innovators joining Mastercard Start Path: https://www.mastercard.com/news/perspectives/2022/mastercard-start-path-startup-engagement-program-wave-22/

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Regreening, why and how?

Climate change and misuse of land cause droughts and desertification, degrading vast areas of fertile farmlands. This leads to failed harvests, poverty, and climate refugees. In Africa, around 350 million smallholder farmers deal with these issues already or will have to soon.

Via a new Regreen App developed for KaiOS, Justdiggit aims to inspire and educate these farmers to regreen their lands. The app is based on Justdiggit’s proven and scalable regreening techniques, which have already regreened 60,000 Ha of (farm)lands in Africa within 3 years. This effort includes bringing back 5 million trees, which save 11 billion litres of water annually and capture more than 1.8M tons of CO2e.

The transformation of degraded lands

Besides the Regreen app, farmers in the program benefit from all KaiOS features, such as internet browsing and apps like YouTube, WhatsApp, and Facebook. This means that our project tackles three important issues simultaneously:

• Improve farmers’ livelihoods
• Combat climate change
• Close the digital divide.

Reaching hundreds of millions of farmers

After using a KaiOS-enabled smart feature phone for several weeks, roughly half of the participants (52%) said they’re willing to buy a device for between US$22-28. This range matches the retail price of most KaiOS devices, demonstrating the scalability and sustainability of this initiative.

Participants exploring how to go online and use the regreen app through the KaiOS devices

With 350 million African farmers impacted by climate change and hundreds of millions affected by the digital divide, the potential of reaching and teaching them via mobile is enormous. Our goal is to further develop this model and scale it up together with other partners to eventually connect and inspire all smallholder farmers on the African continent.

Our pilot project joined by a group of enthusiastic farmers in Tanzania who accessed the internet for the first times

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Through the KaiStore, the two new phones feature more than 700 popular apps^*, such as Google Assistant, WhatsApp, YouTube, Google Maps, and Facebook, giving users access to both global and local content in the palm of their hand. Both phones offer streamlined 4G experiences for uninterrupted socializing and entertainment that goes everywhere you go, along with WiFi hotspot capabilities to share the connectivity.

Nokia 6300 4G – The classic reimagined with 4G at the lowest price point of Nokia’s lineup

The Nokia 6300 4G brings smart features and 4G connectivity to a trusted favorite, drawing inspiration from the original Nokia 6300. Designed for ease of use, the 6300 4G offers lasting quality and brings WhatsApp to the lowest price point on a Nokia phone yet.

Packed with essential operations and apps for convenience all in one place, the amazingly affordable Nokia 6300 comes with a suite of Google services, including Google Assistant to ask questions, get directions, and call friends simply with your voice. With the ability to become a WiFi hotspot, the 6300 4G can become the hub for your daily Internet activities connecting your tablets and laptops.

Nokia 8000 4G  –  The modern twist with all the smart essentials in a premium look

The Nokia 8000 4G offers an elegantly crafted glass-like design for consumers that want all the essential features in a sophisticated, premium package. Offering 4G & Bluetooth connectivity, WiFi hotspot capability, and access to apps including WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube, the 8000 4G is a perfect on-the-go option for socialization and entertainment, and provides standout quality in a metalized chrome midframe and four gemstone-inspired colors (Onyx, Opal, Citrine, and Topaz).

With a generous 2.8” screen and hardwearing 3D-curved key mat, the 8000 4G is designed for long term, comfortable use and clear viewing of content. A long-lasting battery life and sturdy polycarbonate finish allow the phone to stand up to daily use and on-the-go activities while maintaining its premium package.

Pricing and availability  

• The Nokia 6300 4G comes in Cyan Green, Light Charcoal, and Powder White, and is available in select markets for a global average retail price of 49 EUR. Check local availability.
• The Nokia 8000 4G comes in Onyx, Opal, Citrine, and Topaz, and is available in select markets for a global average retail price of 79 EUR. Check local availability.

Read the full press release for more details on the Nokia 6300 4G and Nokia 8000 4G smart feature phones.

^*The number of apps available in KaiStore is subject to local availability

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The contest called for images that showed how information and communication technologies, like apps and internet-enabled devices, support sustainable development goals.

The winning photo, taken by Nigerian photographer Emmanuel-King Itegboje, depicts a man using a KaiOS phone on a farm in Nigeria. “The latest farming info is affordably arriving through smart feature phones,” reads the photo caption, referencing how African farmers have begun using apps on KaiOS devices to improve their harvests.  

A collaboration with mission-driven startup #Adtags

A collaboration between KaiOS and #Adtags, a startup that provides global brands with “non-stocky” images of people of color to increase their representation in media, the photo was one of a series commissioned by KaiOS to portray people using KaiOS devices.

“We needed pictures of people in Africa using KaiOS phones, and I realized we could create a real win-win situation working with #Adtags. We would get custom-made pictures of people with smart feature phones; we would support a startup with a similar, purposeful mission; and images of people using our devices would end up in the #Adtags library for others to see and use,” says KaiOS Marketing Director Tim Metz.

#Adtags founder Vimbayi Kajese worked with three local photographers to create photos of Nigerian men and women using KaiOS devices to learn, work, and play, but only one photo, Emmanuel’s, was submitted to the WSIS photo contest. “Out of all the images, the winning photo is the one that most accurately represents our vision,” says KaiOS Brand Manager Donald Chung. 

The photo was scheduled to be exhibited at the WSIS Forum in Geneva in early April, but plans changed as a result of the pandemic. The photo can be can be seen on the WSIS website instead.

For Tim Metz, the best thing about winning the WSIS photo competition is that it’s brought visibility to smart feature phones and their role in making the internet more accessible. “The jury recognizes the impact that smart feature phones have on daily life in Africa,” he says. “They undoubtedly had other, more futuristic and flashy pictures to choose from, but they chose this one.”

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As the first 3G device in Mexico enabled by KaiOS, the Alcatel 3078 comes with Google Assistant that allows users to easily interact with the device with voice commands. The phone also supports popular and essential apps like Google Maps, WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, and provides access to over four hundred other apps via the KaiStore.

The Alcatel 3078 supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. It has a 2.4” display, 512MB of storage (expandable to 32GB via MicroSD), and comes with a powerful 1,030mAh battery that enables extended hours of talk time.

The product of a partnership between KaiOS and Alcatel, the Alcatel 3078 was originally launched in Colombia. The success of this first incursion into the Latin American market inspired this new expansion into the region.

For more details about Alcatel 3078, please refer to the Alcatel press kit here (in Spanish).

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KaiOS-powered smart feature phones bring smartphone-level features to inexpensive feature phone hardware, making vital digital resources like banking, healthcare, education, and communications more readily available. This is especially valuable in rural areas, where traditional internet connections are virtually nonexistent.

Kai is excited to announce several new devices and partnerships, all aimed at expanding access to smart feature phones, high-quality educational resources, and localized digital content.

Key regional partnerships

Vodacom, Azumi and MediaTek – Smart Kitochi

We’ve partnered alongside mobile powerhouses Vodacom, Azumi, and MediaTek to help eliminate the digital divide for millions of disconnected Tanzanians,by the Smart Kitochi, Tanzania’s first affordable smart feature phone. Packing smartphone-level features like 3G/4G, WiFi, and GPS, the Smart Kitochi costs $20 USD and has already surpassed all sales projections in its first two weeks of availability. Learn more about the Smart Kitochi here.

Orange and Intel – Sanza XL

Another exciting announcement, stemming from our continued partnership with Orange, is the Sanza XL, a 4G-enabled sequel to the original KaiOS-powered Sanza smart feature phone that includes a larger 2.8” screen and an improved 2 Megapixel camera. Manufactured by Intel, the Sanza XL will be available for $28 USD in seven countries in Africa and the Middle East: Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Jordan, Mali, and Senegal. Learn more about the next generation of one of Africa’s most popular KaiOS-powered devices here.

Africell – Afriphone

Africell launched the first 3G smart feature phone in Gambia: the Afriphone. This KaiOS-powered device includes Wi-Fi, GPS, and NFC, and also enables users to access more than 200 apps via the KaiStore, including YouTube, WhatsApp, and Google Assistant. Afriphone will be the first KaiOS-powered device launched in the Gambia and Sierra Leone, and it will soon be available in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well. Learn more about the Afriphone here.

Tigo – Kitochi 4G Smart

Expanding the reach of KaiOS-powered devices in Africa, Tigo and Kai have partnered to launch the Kitochi 4G Smart in Tanzania. Retailing for $21 USD, this affordable smart feature phone enables users to access smartphone-level apps, including WhatsApp, Google Assistant, and Facebook. This partnership is also a key step in connecting users in Eastern Africa, as KaiOS-powered devices have rolled out in Uganda, Rwanda, and now Tanzania. Read more about the Kitochi 4G Smart here.

Building a content ecosystem: In-house educational app now live in Africa

Life App

Delivering high-quality, localized educational resources covering Digital Skills, Education, Health, Gender Equality, Agriculture, and Finances, Kai’s in-house app Life for smart feature phones is now available in Africa. Kai collaborates with trusted groups and NGOs, including Funzi, Worldreader, Care, Girl Effect, Tambero, Esoko, Cell-Ed, We Farm, iCow, and Ubongo, to achieve greater impact together.

The most accessed section of Life is Digital Skills, which was developed in partnership with the GSMA to ensure that users learn proper digital literacy skills through the app. Kai and the GSMA also developed a new MISTT training module, equipping carrier partners to teach first-time smart feature phone users about KaiOS. Now available to KaiOS users in Nigeria, Uganda, Rwanda, and South Africa, Life will be available in more African countries soon. Learn more about Life’s educational resources here.

Press event: Tanzania’s first smart feature phone

Following the first year of smart feature phones in Africa, we held a joint press event alongside partners Vodacom, Azumi, and MediaTek to celebrate our newly forged partnership, and further highlight the Smart Kitochi, Tanzania’s first smart feature phone.

While onsite in Cape Town, Kai’s Vice President of Business Development for EMEA, Matthieu Bacquias, presented on the impact KaiOS has on the business model of telcos and how we address the modern challenges they face. Adapted for emerging markets, KaiOS’ unique ecosystem focuses on a simple user experience, delivering smartphone-level features in affordable devices. These features include support for 3G/4G internet connectivity, hotspot capabilities, and popular apps like Google Assistant, WhatsApp, and Facebook, all packed in an easy-to-use device which is designed with first time internet users in mind.

Matthieu also explored how the accessibility of KaiOS-powered smart feature phones helps telcos grow their revenue. These affordable devices enable carriers to reach an untapped customer base, and migrate legacy 2G plans to 3G/4G. In this way KaiOS has connected millions of people to the internet and aforementioned digital services for the first time, with more than 105 million devices in over 100 countries.

Finally, Matthieu spoke to KaiOS’ partnerships, which even aside from the KaiStore’s list of top-tier applications and developers, boasts a wide variety of industry leaders. In addition to carrier partners around the world, Kai works with organizations Funzi, Worldreader, Care, Girl Effect, Tambero, Esoko, Cell-Ed, and We Farm, to provide high-quality educational resources through the in-house Life app. These partnerships illustrate Kai’s commitment to delivering not only accessible devices, but also locally relevant content to enrich the lives of those accessing the internet for the first time.

KaiOS recognized with AfricaCom’s Changing Lives Award

What’s better for a perfect wrap up than a proud winner of the AfricaCom Award!

We’re pleased to announce AfricaCom Awards has honored KaiOS with, the Changing Lives Award which celebrates a product, initiative or social enterprise that has a life-changing impact on individuals or communities throughout Africa. We’ve forged partnerships with carriers, manufacturers and developers to help make internet access affordable and ubiquitous for the billions of people who are still unconnected, as well as giving them access to digital resources like education, health and financial services. We’re particularly proud of this recognition as it serves as a proof point to our dedication towards our mission of improving lives of those in the emerging markets by bridging the digital divide.

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Designed for customers with affordability and accessibility in mind the Kitochi 4G Smart, features 4G connectivity and enables access to over two hundred essential and popular apps such as WhatsApp, Google Assistant, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google Maps. Tigo is also offering free three month access to Facebook for customers to welcome more people into the social community.

This launch marks another successful addition to the powerful lineup of KaiOS-powered devices — continuing our mission to provide internet access to users across the globe. It is also a key step to connecting the users in the East African region as KaiOS-powered devices have been rolling out in Uganda, Rwanda, and now expands to Tanzania.

KaiOS is now the third largest mobile operating system worldwide, running on over 100 million devices shipped across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.

For more information about the Tigo Kitochi 4G Smart, please refer to the Tigo website  here.

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TCL Communication Announces the Alcatel GO FLIP 3 and Alcatel SMARTFLIP, the first flip phones with Google Assistant. Smart feature phones aren’t a thing of the past, nor are they for low-income individuals only. Quite the opposite: two new models hitting US stores this month show that there’s growing demand for smart feature phones by new audiences in North America.

With their ability to withstand shock better than the typical smartphone, their impressive battery life, their affordability, as well as their retro charm, the Alcatel GO FLIP 3 and the Alcatel SMARTFLIP cater to outdoor workers, outdoor sports enthusiasts, senior citizens, and minimalists.

The newest additions to the line of smart feature phones by Alcatel – the first model was the Alcatel GO FLIP, launched in 2017 – the GO FLIP 3 and the SMARTFLIP, like their predecessor, come with 4G LTE connectivity, which makes voice calls clearer and more natural-sounding; a quad-core processor, which helps increase overall speed; a 4GB built-in memory that can be stretched to 32GB of expandable microSD memory storage; and battery that lasts up to 7 hours of continuous 4G LTE talk time.

What sets the GO FLIP 3 and the SMARTFLIP apart is that they also support Google Services – including Google Assistant, YouTube, Google Maps, and Google Search.

Users of both devices will be able to send emails, surf the web, watch videos, use voice command to complete tasks, and choose from over 150 apps to download from the KaiStore. (Click here to see all the apps.)

Those interested in buying the Alcatel SMARTFLIP can do so at AT&T and Cricket Wireless starting today. The Alcatel GO FLIP 3 will be available at Metro by T-Mobile by the end of the month and at T-Mobile in October.

For more information about these devices and their availability in US stores, please visit Alcatel’s official website.

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To do this, we’re revealing new partnerships with mobile carriers, ODMs/OEMs, and content creators including Google, Orange, and Ooredoo to name a few in what will prove to be a critical step in pursuit of our mission.  

We’re also taking some important steps toward expanding the KaiOS digital services ecosystem, both for our users and for those looking to develop content for the platform.  
Read on for more information about the groundbreaking announcements we made at the show:  

Solidifying our partnership with Google

Kai and Google are expanding the partnership so KaiOS users can enjoy deeper integration of Google’s services like Google Assistant and Google Maps, and access YouTube for the first time on their smart feature phones. Further, besides devices from seven partners already in the market, more than five new KaiOS-powered devices boasting Google functionality will be launching soon in the Middle-East, Africa, Latin America, and Europe, supported by Orange, MTN, Avenir Telecom, and several other carriers and OEMs.  

Launching new devices and expanding chipset support

New devices coming to Africa and the Middle East

Kai established six new partnerships with mobile operators in Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania, to launch mobile phones running on KaiOS. These devices form a new category of phones that combine the affordability of a feature phone with the essential features of a smartphone. This collaboration involves the following partners: Accent in Morocco, Bomare in Algeria, Condor in Algeria, Eric Beare Associates, Sico in Egypt, and Maya Global Network.  

Energizer

Avenir Telecom, the exclusive Energizer® licensee, and Kai collaborated on the recent release of eight new KaiOS-powered Energizer feature phones. The 3G and 4G mobile phones, the first to be released by Energizer, will run on KaiOS and come preinstalled with KaiStore apps, including Google Assistant, Google Maps, Youtube, Twitter, and Facebook. The devices will be available starting in Q2, 2019.  

MTK

MediaTek and Kai announce a new integration between KaiOS and a series of MediaTek chipsets that power 3G and 4G devices. As part of this cooperation, the KaiOS mobile operating system will now run on the 3G MT6572 platform, and MT6731, a newly announced platform that can support dual-4G SIM cards in mobile devices. The first KaiOS-powered MT6572 and MT6731 3G/4G smart features phones are expected to be launched in Q2 2019. 

Ooredoo 

KaiOS Technologies and Ooredoo are bringing a new smart feature phone boasting affordable mobile internet access to Qatar, which will help increase digital inclusion across the region. Nearly 30 million of Ooredoo’s 180 million customers across 12 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia still use feature phones with limited voice and text capabilities. To help reduce this digital divide, Ooredoo will be making KaiOS’ smart feature phones available to customers in Qatar in Q2 of 2019.  

Orange

Beginning April 2019, Orange customers in Africa will have access to a new category of smart feature phone powered by KaiOS. The new phone, named Sanza, will be available in 16 countries in Africa and the Middle East: Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Jordan, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Sierra Leone, and Tunisia. Sanza will cost around $20, depending on each country, and will be powered by UNISOC SC7731EF chipset platform with a long-lasting battery life up to 5 days, 3G+, Torch, WiFi and Bluetooth. 

Expanding Kai’s service Ecosystem

KaiAds

Kai is launching KaiAds – the first advertisement software development kit (SDK) and supply-side platform (SSP) designed specifically for smart feature phones. This solution offers brands and advertisers entry into new regions via the more than 80 million KaiOS-powered devices that have been shipped to over 100 countries. With KaiAds, publishers can easily integrate advertising into their products, without having to worry about porting or optimizing an alternative mobile ads SDK for the lower technical specs of a KaiOS-powered smart feature phone.   

Life

We’re announcing Life, a collection of informational resources for KaiOS users across Africa and Southeast Asia. In line with Kai’s mission to help close the digital divide, Life will come pre-installed on most KaiOS-powered handsets and will comprise a directory of curated content in categories like women’s empowerment, health, education, agriculture, financial inclusion, and digital skills. Content will be developed through collaboration with several organizations including Esoko, Funzi, Girl Effect, Topfarming, Wefarm, and Worldreader. As part of the Life initiative, Kai also built a Digital Skills app to help people learn the basics of the internet, with topics such as internet navigation, privacy, security, social media, and more.   

CARE

Kai and CARE, the global poverty-fighting organization, are partnering to provide resources that educate, connect, and empower underserved communities, all via Life, an app that will be available for download in the KaiStore beginning in Q2 of 2019. When the app launches, one of the sections will feature articles and guidance aimed at increasing financial understanding and independence, specifically as it relates to CARE’s Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) initiative. This program gives communities, and especially women, the means to manage their own money, access affordable loans, and build economic resilience.

Making the Global Mobile Awards 2019 Nominee Shortlist

KaiOS Technologies has been shortlisted as a Best Mobile Technology Breakthrough amongst companies generating less than $10million Annual Global Revenue. The category seeks to award companies that are revolutionizing the capabilities and reach of mobile and digital technology. Winners will be announced throughout the week of Mobile World Congress. 

Being named to the GSMA 100

The GSMA has named KaiOS Technologies to the ‘GSMA 100’, a global innovation discovery initiative designed to identify the world’s most promising growth-stage companies and advance the next generation of connectivity and digital services. The GSMA 100 represents the innovation priorities of mobile operators around the world and through its inclusion, Kai hopes to achieve a more inclusive mobile ecosystem and ultimately close the digital divide in both emerging and established markets. 

Suffice it to say we’ve been extremely busy over the last several months and are thrilled to unveil so many exciting and important announcements at MWC. Together with our partners, we’re providing affordable mobile phones with fun and useful apps to improve our users’ lives.  

If you’re onsite at the show in Barcelona, stop by Hall 5, booth #5G81 to check out our suite of devices for yourself and learn more about all the exciting news we’ve announced.  
Keep coming back to the blog because we’re always sharing news and insights from our team. 

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