What is BharOS software and how different is it from Google’s Android OS?

Source: The post is based on the article “What is BharOS software and how different is it from Google’s Android OS?” published in The Hindu on 25th January 2023

What is the News?

IIT Madras-incubated company has recently developed the BharOS system.

What is the BharOS System?

BharOS is an indigenous, or homegrown, mobile operating system(OS) like Android or iOS.

It has been developed to reduce the dependence on foreign OS in smartphones and promote the use of locally developed technology.

Features of BharOS system

Native Over the Air: BharOS would offer Native Over the Air (NOTA) updates, meaning that security updates and bug fixes will be automatically installed rather than users having to check for updates and implement them on their own.

No Default Apps(NDA) setting: It means that users do not have to keep or use pre-installed apps in this mobile operating system.

– Going with an NDA design for BharOS was intentional as it will let users have more control over the apps on their mobile phones based on the user’s trust in the app and the kind of data they store on their phone.

Private App Store Services: It will use a system known as Private App Store Services (PASS), which will examine and curate the apps that are safe for the users.Users will be able to use other apps, as long as they meet BharOS’ PASS standards.

Who is using BharOS currently?

BharOS Services are currently being provided to organizations that have stringent privacy and security requirements and whose users handle sensitive information that requires confidential communications on restricted apps on mobiles.

Such users require access to private cloud services through private 5G networks.

How BharOS is Different from Google Android?

Technically, BharOS is very similar to Android because they share the same basics. Because BharOS uses AOSP or Android Open Source Project, the functionalities and the methodologies both OS use are essentially the same. 

What sets BharOS apart from Android, is that it is free from Google Services and Apps. Google has used its preinstalled apps and services to collect data, sometimes without explicitly asking a user. Similarly, other apps from Google’s PlayStore share data with third-party services.

BharOS does not come with any such preinstalled services or apps, and hence, is deemed to be more secure.