KaiOS Technologies, developers of the mobile operating system KaiOS, and Facebook have announced WhatsApp’s availability for download in the KaiStore, on both 512MB and 256MB RAM devices. By the third quarter of 2019, most smart feature phones powered by KaiOS will have WhatsApp preinstalled upon shipment.
“KaiOS has been a critical partner in helping us bring private messaging to smart feature phones around the world. Providing WhatsApp on KaiOS helps bridge the digital gap to connect friends and family in a simple, reliable and secure way,” said Matt Idema, COO of WhatsApp
According to the company, WhatsApp is used by more than 1.5 billion people worldwide who need a simple, reliable and secure way to communicate with friends and family. Their users can enjoy messaging capabilities and more, all with end-to-end encryption that keeps correspondence private and secure.
WhatsApp was first launched on the KaiOS-powered JioPhone in India in September of 2018, and now with today’s broad release, the app is set to reach millions of new users across Africa, Europe, North America, Southeast Asia and Latin America.
“We’re thrilled to bring WhatsApp to the KaiOS platform and extend such an important means of communication to a brand new demographic,” said Sebastien Codeville, CEO of KaiOS Technologies.
“We strive to make the internet and digital services accessible for everyone and offering WhatsApp on affordable smart feature phones is a giant leap towards this goal. We can’t wait to see the next billion users connect in meaningful ways with their loved ones, communities, and others across the globe.”
KaiOS-powered smart feature phones are said to be a new category of mobile devices that hope to combine the affordability of a feature phone with the essential features of a smartphone. They meet the growing demand for affordable devices from people living across Africa – and other emerging markets – who are not currently online.
KaiOS-powered MTN Smart and Orange Sanza are currently available in 22 African countries, offering 256MB RAM and 3G connectivity.
Edited by Jenna Cook
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