Category: Android Technology

How Is India-Made ‘BharOS’ Different From Android And iOS?

by  on  in Android Technology

When we think of mobile operating systems, only Android and iOS come to mind. After all, these widely-known operating software made by Google and Apple are market leaders around the globe. Now, there’s an India-made OS in town. Developed by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, “BharOS” was revealed to the world on Thursday.

Explained: How Is India-Made
IIT Madras

Built by JandK Operations Private Limited and incubated at IIT Madras, BharOS can be installed on commercial off-the-shelf devices, its makers claim. A press release stated that it’s the most ideal OS for organisations that deal with confidential information and require added security.

“BharOS Service is a Mobile Operating System built on a foundation of trust, with a focus on providing users more freedom, control, and flexibility to choose and use only the apps that fit their needs,” said IIT Madras’ director V Kamakoti said during the release.

Explained: How Is India-Made
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How is BharOS different from Android and iOS operating software? 

BharOS is actually based on Android Open Source Project (AOSP) so it is more similar to Android than iOS. The only difference between Android and BharOS is that the latter doesn’t include any Google services, allowing users to download any application of their choice. 

Explained: How Is India-Made
IIT Madras

BharOS also comes without any pre-installed applications, giving users the option to download APK files that can be found easily on the internet. However, such files can be potentially dangerous for your devices.

According to Karthik Ayyar, the director of JandK Operations Pvt Ltd, BharOS offers “Native Over The Air” (NOTA) updates that help keep the device safe. He also said

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Beyond BharOS: 5 mobile operating systems you can actually try on your Android phone

by  on  in Android Technology

BharOS, a Linux kernel based operating system for Android phones from an IIT incubated startup is currently touted as India’s own Android and iOS rival. While BharOS is still in the testing phase, it is said to be compatible with Pixel smartphones. If you want to install BharOS on your phone or get a phone that ships with BharOS, you might have to wait for at least a few more months. In the meantime, here are some of the custom Android OS builds that can be used without any Google services.

Do note that, installing a custom ROM on your smartphone does come with risks of its own. To install a custom ROM, the bootloader has to be unlocked, which will make the device vulnerable to hacks and malware. Not just that, a custom ROM might break the primary functionalities of the smartphone and it could also make the phone unusable. Lastly, always download the custom ROMs only from verified sources.

Sailfish OS is available for select Sony smartphones.

Sailfish OS

If you don’t want to use Google services on your Android phone and want an operating system that’s unique, secure, and stable, then Sailfish OS is one of those few options that deliver fourth-generation security with protection from Firejail sandboxing, which reduces the risk of a security breach using Linux namespaces. This operating system is developed and maintained by the team behind the Jolla series of devices, which were launched right after the Nokia N800 and the N900 series of smartphones.

As this is still a Linux kernel based OS, it allows users to sideload APKs. However, the major drawback of this operating system is that the support is limited to select Sony smartphones.

Ubuntu Touch is also available for a wide range of devices.

Ubuntu Touch

Ubuntu Touch

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Russian Robot Maker Working On Bot to Target Abrams, Leopard Tanks

by  on  in Android Technology

A Russian manufacturer says it is adapting one of its ground robots to target Abrams and Leopard tanks—the types heading to Ukraine from the United States, Germany, Poland and other countries. 

Dmitry Rogozin, a former head of of the Russian space corporation Roscosmos and current head of the “Royal Wolves” group, which advises the Russian government, took to Telegram on Wednesday to announce that his group was working with the Advanced Research Foundation and a company called Android Technology to develop a combat version of Android’s Marker ground reconnaissance robot. 

“Everyone agrees that our strike [version] of the Marker, before the arrival of the Abrams and Leopards in Ukraine, should be prepared for their destruction,” Rogozin posted.

In an interview published by Russian news site RIA Novosti, Rogozin said the Marker would “be able to automatically detect and hit the ‘Abrams’, ‘Leopard’ and other vehicles due to the electronic catalog in the control system with images of enemy equipment.”

In 2018, Android made headlines with a claim that it would put a robotic cosmonaut named FEDOR onto the International Space Station. That hasn’t happened.

Russia is unlikely to field ground combat robots to Ukraine in large numbers, said Sam Bendett, an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security and an adviser at the CNA Corporation. 

“It appears that most of the existing Markers, 3 out of 5, will in fact be tested in Ukraine, and can be lost in combat,” Bendett said via email. “It also appears that Android Technology is actually ok with that, indicating a willingness to respond to the [Ministry of Defense] needs for improved weapons and tactics, and perhaps indicating that the company is working on other projects that can build on the Marker experience.”

How well would a Russian

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How Google’s Android tweaks might play out

by  on  in Android Technology

In a surprising move, Google said it is going to change some of its policies specifically for India in order to abide by the directives issued by the Competition Commission of India (CCI). Mint examines the changes:

What has Google committed to do?

The key changes include allowing handset makers to license individual Google apps for pre-installation on their devices; providing Indian users with the option to choose their default search engine on Android phones; updating Android compatibility requirements to introduce changes that will allow partners to build non-compatible or ‘forked’ variants of its Android operating system. Google is also extending ‘user choice billing’, piloted since last September, to all users. It means all app developers will be able to use third-party payment methods while distributing apps through Play Store.

Google is to comply with which CCI orders?

The CCI, in two different orders issued in October last year, fined Google ₹1,337.76 crore and ₹936 crore respectively—the first for abusing dominance in the Android marketplace through agreements that limit access to its competitors, and the second for abusing dominance with its Play Store policies, which required developers to use Google’s built-in payment systems to sell services and digital items through the Play Store, and pay a commission. Through the two orders, CCI asked Google to allow third party payment systems and change licensing agreements with device makers and developers.

Photo: Mint

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Photo: Mint

Do the changes comply with the directives of CCI?

Competition lawyers said the changes do comply with CCI’s orders to an extent, but the company has itself said it will continue appealing against some directives. The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal is set to hear Google’s appeal soon. Lawyers said this case could go on for over a year, and hence it might be

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Google Play: Google blinks ahead of deadline; makes several changes to Android and Play Store billing

by  on  in Android Technology
Google has announced several key changes to the way it runs its flagship Android operating system for smartphones and the Google Play Store in India.

This is to comply with two rulings by India’s antitrust watchdog.

The changes have come a day ahead of the January 26 deadline put in place by the Supreme Court.

Google said it would introduce a licensing model for original equipment manufacturers (OEM), under which the device makers will be able to license individual Google apps for pre-installation on their devices. These apps, till now, came pre-installed on Android devices free of cost.

The US-based tech giant also said that Indian users would in future have an option to “choose their default search engine via a choice screen that will soon start to appear when a user sets up a new Android smartphone or tablet in India”.

MapmyIndia chief executive officer Rohan Verma, however, termed Google’s update on the CCI ruling an attempt to “dilute and delay the outcome of the CCI investigation & directives”.

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“It is unfortunate that rather than comply fully in letter, in spirit, and in time, with the orders of the apex court of India, Google is still attempting to dilute and delay the outcome of the CCI investigation and directives and defy the order of the honourable Supreme Court,” Verma said. On October 20, the Competition Commission of India fined Google Rs 1,337.76 crore and asked it to make several changes to its Android market policies to prevent abuse of its dominant position.

A week later, in a different order, the CCI again fined Google Rs 936.44 crore and asked the company to make several changes to its Google Play Store Billing policies to prevent abuse of its dominant position in that ecosystem as

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Google’s Android changes after CCI order: Four ways in which users get more control

by  on  in Android Technology

For the longest time, Google had the sole power to set the rules on how it wanted to operate Android in India, the world’s second-largest smartphone market. Not just users, but even app developers had to stick to Google’s rulebook. This week everything changed. After facing a major setback in India’s Supreme Court to block an antitrust order last week, Google on Wednesday made changes to its rules for the Android platform in India. These sweeping changes are the result of how New Delhi is slowly holding platforms like Google to account for the kind of dominance they exert in the tech space.

Here are four major ways in which Android will change in India.

Freedom to choose the default search engine on Android phones

Google will now prompt Android owners in India to choose their own search engine while setting up a new smartphone. At the moment, users can opt for a different search engine on Android but they have to search for the option from within the settings menu.

The new option will allow everyone to use the search engine of their choices like Bing or DuckDuckGo when they set up the device. Google introduced similar changes in Europe following an antitrust decision by the European Commission. At that time, Google had said that those search engines that want to be listed need to meet the eligibility criteria for participating in the choice screen.

But in India’s case, Google hasn’t said whether it will open the ground for rival search engines as it did in Europe. This is crucial, because India does not have competitors to Google, unlike many smaller players like Ecosia and Qwant in Europe.

Google, android, google antitrust ruling in india, google android, CCI ruling google, android mobile OS Google says it will let smartphone makers “license individual Google apps” to preinstall on their devices as well as “introduce changes

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BharOS is India’s own rival to Android. But how have Android competitors fared in the past?

by  on  in Android Technology

BharOS, an indigenous mobile operating system developed by JandK Operations Private Limited, a non-profit organisation of IIT Madras is all set to take on Android and iOS. While this is a first from India, a lot of companies have tried their hands at building a successful mobile operating system to take on Google’s Android over the last few years. And none have really succeeded.  Starting with the Symbian OS to the Windows Phone OS, here are all the major smartphone operating systems that have tried to compete against Google and failed miserably.

A Nokia phone running on Windows Phone OS.

Windows Phone OS

Microsoft’s Windows Phone OS  had the potential to be one of the greatest mobile operating systems in the world. In fact, around the time when Windows Phone OS 8 peaked, it used to deliver a better user experience than Android. What really didn’t work out for Microsoft is that they failed to attract users due to the lack of apps compared to Android and iOS. Developers did not take to the Windows Phone platform in a big way either. Hence, the platform slowly started losing its market share.

Microsoft tried its best to make this OS a sustained mobile platform, and it even bought Nokia, the big smartphone brand to further push Windows Phones. However, neither Nokia nor Microsoft sustained the Android and iOS competition.

Brands like OnePlus, Micromax, and even Lenovo launched phones with CyanogenOS.

CyanogenOS

While CyanogenOS is still in the market as LineageOS, it’s no longer as popular as it used to be. CyanogenOS was based on Android Open Source Project (AOSP) and it partnered with brands like OnePlus and Micromax’s YU to launch phones with a custom CyanogenMod which promised a clean user interface with a lot of customisation options. In fact, OnePlus’

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BharOS, a new rival to Android? Here are all your question answered

by  on  in Android Technology

By Divya Bhati: IIT Madras recently announced a new home-grown operating system called BharOS, which has been developed to offer a securer and private mobile operating system. It’s Linux kernel-based Indian operating system and is said to benefit India’s 100 crore mobile phone users, who are currently using smartphones dominated by Android and iOS operating systems, owned by foreign companies.

The new indigenously developed OS system is intriguing the developing tech industry of India, and the first question which is coming to everyone’s mind is if BharOS can be an alternative for Google’s Android. Or how is it different and better than the Android or iOS, or will they survive in the iOS and Android-ruled market?

Here we have answered some frequently asked questions about the new made-in-India OS:

What is BharOS

BharOS is Linux kernel-based operating system that is designed to be secure and powerful. It is developed by JandK Operations Private Limited (JandKops), a non-profit organisation incubated at IIT Madras. “Any Android operating system is a fork of original Linux distribution. We have used some early versions of Linux — it’s basically a derivative of the Linux kernel. However, a lot of customisation including security protocols, such as root of trust and chain of trust modifications have been done to create BharOS,” said Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras director V Kamakoti in a conversation with Money Control.

Where can BharOS be installed

The new operating software can be installed on commercial off-the-shelf handsets. BharOS developers are claiming that the new indigenous OS has been designed to provide a more secure experience to users.

What are some features of BharOS

BharOS is a mobile operating system that aims to give users more control over their device’s security and privacy. Here are some key features of

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Google accuses India watchdog of copy-pasting EU’s Android ruling | Technology

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Tech giant argues a $161m fine for exploiting the market dominance of its Android operating system should be quashed.

Google has told a tribunal in India that the country’s antitrust investigators copied parts of a European ruling against the US firm for abusing the market dominance of its Android operating system, arguing the decision be quashed, legal papers show.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) in October fined Alphabet Inc’s Google $161m for exploiting its dominant position in markets such as online search and the Android app store, and asked it to change restrictions imposed on smartphone makers related to pre-installing apps.

Sources told the Reuters news agency in October that Google was worried about the Indian decision as the remedies ordered were seen as more sweeping than the European Commission’s landmark 2018 ruling for imposing unlawful restrictions on Android mobile device makers. Google has challenged a record 4.1-billion-euro ($4.3bn) fine in that case.

In its filing to an Indian appeals tribunal, Google argues the CCI’s investigation unit “copy-pasted extensively from a European Commission decision, deploying evidence from Europe that was not examined in India”.

“There are more than 50 instances of copypasting”, in some cases “word for word”, and the watchdog erroneously dismissed the issue, Google said in its filing which is not public but has been reviewed by Reuters.

“The Commission failed to conduct an impartial, balanced, and legally sound investigation… Google’s mobile app distribution practices are pro-competitive and not unfair/ exclusionary.”

Spokespeople for the CCI and European Commission did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Google said in a statement it decided to appeal the CCI’s decision as it believes “it presents a major setback for our Indian users and businesses”. It did not comment on the copy-pasting allegations in its filing.

Google has asked the

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