Russia Breaks OS Monopoly, Goes With Jolla's Sailfish OS For Mobile Device Projects

Just when we thought that Android and the iOS are the ruling dominant in the tech world, Mother Russia have other plans in mind. Finnish developer Jolla recently that their Sailfish OS will be the only Operating System Russia will use for its upcoming government controlled mobile device initiatives.

It may or may not be that breaking news outside of the country, but Jolla's certification, as reported by Forbes, unchains the Russian government to be dependent "on foreign-controlled operating systems". Over the past months, Russia has been vocal in terms of putting an end on the so-called OS monopoly: Minister Nikolai Nikiforov of the Russian Communication Ministry exposed that the country is developing their own mobile operating system called Open Mobile Platform (OPM). It is a Linux-based system with a lean for "big business and privacy seekers" who are looking for a trusted mobile OS alternative.

As for Jolla's Sailfish, the OS will be the "core component" of Russia's OPM. Hence, the local certification was agreed upon for both parties to help Russia create a custom platform. OPM's Chief Executive Officer Pavel Eyges even lauded the Sailfish, saying that it has "great potential" not only in Russia, but in all other countries as well. As for their "Android alternative", it's good to know that Sailfish will be a major factor in its development since the Jolla OS is compatible with Google's Android.

Российский центр разработки новой мобильной операционной системы открыл вакансии https://t.co/2pyoJN4nN0 Пжлст, RT pic.twitter.com/PsUOMRDwlr

— Николай Никифоров (@nnikiforov) May 5, 2016

In a separate interview, Jolla Chairman Antti Saarnio exposed that they have been working with the Russians since Spring of 2015. He added that it is a "very long, extensive project" that began when the IT Ministry shortlisted Jolla over open-source OS Tizen. However, the Russian version won't be "fork of Sailfish", added Saarnio. Instead, Jolla will maintain the core code to make it "compatible for different operations and make it efficient," said co-founder Sami Peinimaki.