Hong Kong, <21 November 2019> – Today, TIME revealed its annual list of the 100 Best Inventions that are making the world better, smarter, and even a bit more fun. KaiOS, the leading mobile operating system for smart feature phones, has been recognized on this list in the Social Good category, as a driving force in making the internet more affordable—and hence accessible—to all.
Making mobile internet more affordable has vast implications for consumers, carriers, and manufacturers. Recent research indicates that over four billion people are still not connected to the internet. Device affordability is a critical blocker, and KaiOS solves this problem by providing a light operating system that requires little memory and other system resources. This approach keeps the price of devices low; KaiOS-enabled phones can retail for as little as US$20 with a battery life of at least several days.
KaiOS Technologies provides its operating system to manufacturers and mobile operators, allowing these partners to develop smart feature phones. These devices have the essential features of a smartphone—a store for apps, Wi-Fi, 3G/4G, NFC, GPS—but in the form-factor of a feature phone. On the content side, KaiOS works with the leading global players—WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, Google Maps—but also with local app developers in each market to provide locally relevant apps.
“We’re excited and honored to be selected by TIME,” said Sebastien Codeville, CEO of KaiOS Technologies. “Our mission of bridging the global digital divide not only led to the invention of KaiOS but continues to guide our ongoing innovation. Today, we’ve already powered more than 110 million devices in over 100 countries, and are continuously expanding into more emerging markets with a growing content ecosystem to fuel the digital revolution. We’re thrilled that KaiOS has made a name for itself around the world, and we hope that KaiOS-powered smart feature phones will help spread access to valuable digital resources, regardless of location or wealth.”
For first-time internet users in emerging markets, benefits of connecting to the internet include access to information, accessibility to education, boosting work opportunities and productivity (and hence the economy at large), financial inclusion (e.g., micro-loans, insurance, banking, payment), and women’s empowerment.
To assemble the 2019 TIME Best Inventions list, TIME solicited nominations across a variety of categories from editors and correspondents around the world, as well as through an online application process. Each contender was then evaluated on key factors, including originality, effectiveness, ambition and influence. The result: 100 groundbreaking inventions that are changing the way we live, work, play and think about what’s possible.
See the full list here: time.com/bestinventions2019
See the international cover of TIME featuring the 100 Best Inventions of 2019 here: https://bit.ly/331y8jr
See the description featuring KaiOS as one of the 100 Best Inventions of 2019 here: https://time.com/collection/best-inventions-2019/5733125/kaios/
About KaiOS Technologies
KaiOS Technologies powers an ecosystem of affordable digital products and services, and exists to empower people around the world through technology. Its flagship product, KaiOS, is the leading mobile operating system for smart feature phones with more than 110 million devices shipped in over 100 countries. Kai’s mission is to open up new possibilities for individuals, organizations, and societies by bringing mobile connectivity to the billions of people without internet in emerging markets, as well as providing those in established markets with an alternative to smartphones. KaiOS is based on HTML5 and other open web technologies. Devices running on the platform require limited memory, while still offering a rich user experience through access to apps like WhatsApp, Google Assistant, Facebook, YouTube, and Google Maps.
KaiOS Media Contact
Eletta Leung / Sarah Collins
eletta.leung@kaiostech.com / scollins@hoffman.com +1 206 423-6081