Hong Kong, China <11 March 2020> – Today KaiOS Technologies, maker of KaiOS, the leading mobile operating system for smart feature phones, and Mozilla, developer of one of the world’s leading web browsers, announced a partnership to enhance the Gecko engine for KaiOS, enabling a more diverse and open mobile internet for users around the world. Kai’s engineering expertise and Mozilla’s software support together will ensure future versions of Gecko are compatible with KaiOS-enabled devices and their web-based resources.

Gecko powers Mozilla’s Firefox browser and is a central component of KaiOS’ web-based experience. This partnership bolsters the security and performance of KaiOS-enabled smart feature phones, as well as the platform’s developer tools, security, and available functions. This includes better PWA (Progressive Web App) and WebAssembly support. All changes and improves will also be open sourced under Mozilla’s Public License.

“Mozilla is happy to partner with KaiOS, a company that shares our commitment to an internet that includes all the peoples of the earth. A version of Gecko, the implementation of the Web Platform in Firefox, is currently used by KaiOS to render the web on their devices. This partnership will help ensure that KaiOS remains a robust and secure web platform by bringing their version of Gecko more up to date, and keeping it up to date with the latest features, web site compatibility, and security fixes. This partnership is an example of how Mozilla can partner with other groups that wish to use Gecko, leveraging the tools and services that the Mozilla team uses to ship Firefox today.” said Joe Hildebrand, Mozilla’s Vice President of Web Platform.

Stemming from this partnership, developers can expect to see the following support and improvements:

  • Optimized OS performance for apps, websites, and services
  • Enhanced device APIs and feature compatibility
  • Upgraded internet security and connection speeds via TLS 1.3
  • Additional hardware-optimized technologies
    • WebAssembly for more optimized web apps
    • WebGL 2.0 for advanced graphics and 3D games
    • WebP, AV1 for new image and video codecs
  • Additional modern web language support
    • Advanced CSS for better web experience
    • Async JavaScript functions for enhanced app responsiveness
    • Progressive web app support for improved browsing experience and ease of advanced apps development
  • Improved device stability and ease of obtaining certification for mobile carriers and OEMs

“We’re excited to be working closely with Mozilla,” said Sebastien Codeville, CEO of KaiOS Technologies. “Mozilla’s work on Boot 2 Gecko served as the backbone of KaiOS from the beginning. Through this partnership we can enable new features, improve security, and ensure better overall performance of KaiOS. Broadly speaking, these updates will mean many first-time internet users gain access to more of the web’s advanced digital services on devices that are affordable, reliable, and secure.”

KaiOS is the leading mobile operating system for smart feature phones with more than 120 million devices shipped in over 100 countries. KaiOS-enabled devices require limited memory, while still offering a rich user experience. This includes the KaiStore with over 400 apps such as Google Assistant, WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, and Google Maps.

KaiOS is based on HTML5 and other open web technologies and supports 3G/4G LTE, Wi-Fi, GPS, and NFC. The Kai ecosystem also includes a fast-growing developer community with active developers in Europe and Africa, with technical support and resources provided from the KaiOS developer portal.

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 120 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 Google Assistant, WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, and Google Maps.

KaiOS Media Contact

Eletta Leung / Sarah Collins
eletta.leung@kaiostech.com / scollins@hoffman.com (+1 206 423-6081)