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While Google recently confirmed its willingness to collaborate with CCI, it is also under fire for its monopoly in the smartphone OS segment, where it promotes its own apps as default services in Android devices. Now, IIT-Madras has created a new operating system called BharOS, which is expected to benefit India’s 100 million smartphone users by providing a more secure and private mobile operating system.
Here is a attempt to answer some question users had about BharOS since its announcement.
What exactly is BharOS?
BharOS is an AOSP (Android Open Source Project)-based operating system that does not use any Google apps or services. JandK Operations Private Limited (JandKops), a non-profit organization incubated at IIT Madras, created it.
What distinguishes BharOS from Android?
Technically, BharOS is similar to Android’s Google OS. It is, in fact, based on the AOSP (Android Open Source Project). The primary distinction between BharOS and Google’s Android OS is that BharOS will not include Google services and will be a barebones operating system that allows users to install apps of their own choosing.
While BharOS is known as an indigenous operating system, it is still based on AOSP, so in terms of features and UI, it is very similar to Google’s stock Android. Not only that, but BharOS comes with no pre-built applications. Because there are no pre-installed applications, users can sideload any app they want. However, sideloading an APK may jeopardize the device’s security and make it more vulnerable to hacking.
As of now, it is unclear how to replace a pre-installed operating system with BharOS. Is it necessary to unlock the bootloader, which could compromise the device’s security? Furthermore, how long will the operating system be receiving software and security updates? These are the questions that the developer of the BharOS should answer.
It’s also worth noting that the current BharOS build includes third-party apps like DuckDuckGo and Signal as default browsers and messaging apps. It will also be interesting to see if the BharOS development team will collaborate with OEMs to launch phones running BharOS.
How to install BharOS on your phone?
There is currently no word on when the BharOS will be available for download. Unlike Windows, a single build of BharOS cannot be installed on all Android phones, and the BharOS team must optimize the OS for each smartphone model in order for it to function properly. As a result, the BharOS may only be available for a limited number of phones at launch.
While the BharOS team has spoken about the need for an app-store-like service for BharOS, it will be interesting to see if they will partner with an existing service or build it from scratch. When it becomes available, it may be necessary to unlock the bootloader and install a custom recovery image in order to flash BharOS on an Android smartphone.
When will BharOS be available?
There are currently no specifics on when BharOS will be released. A wider rollout is expected to take some time.
Will your next smartphone run BharOS?
There is currently no word on which phones will support BharOS. However, the company is expected to collaborate with some major Android OEMs in the coming days to launch phones running BharOS. While BharOS is said to be compatible with Google Pixel smartphones, developers have not revealed which models will be supported.
Is BharOS any better than Android?
In terms of features and security, BharOS developers claim that it outperforms both Android and iOS. Furthermore, they claim that BharOS could improve the device’s battery life. It will also allow users to install apps of their choice and will include an app store based in India.
Can BharOS run Android applications?
Yes, BharOS is an Android operating system with its own app store and the ability to sideload third-party apps. While it can run most apps, a few that require Google Play Services will not work on a BharOS phone.
Can BharOS replace Android?
No, it cannot yet replace Android OS; however, it could come as an alternative to Android and iOS, it still has a long way to go and requires support from OEMs and users for its adoption.
Will Google Play Services be supported by BharOS?
No, the primary reason for the development of BharOS is to provide an alternative smartphone operating system that does not rely on the Google Play store or Google Play services, and BharOS will not support Google Play Services.
Source:IE
