Sailfish OS global distribution, Android install, and Angry Birds smart-cover coming after March update

Jolla announced that its mobileoperating system, Sailfish OS, has reached v1.0 and will be ready forglobal distribution soon. This means that, in the coming months,Jolla will follow up on its plans to introduce the OS as freedownloadable software for Android devices. Before this happens, though, theFinnish company will release a free Sailfish launcher. It will serveas an appetizer, of sorts, for the full Sailfish experience onAndroid devices. Last, but not least, Jolla announced newly-strickenpartnerships with F-Secure corp, Tieto Corporation, and fellow FinnsRovio.

Since launching the Jolla Sailfishsmartphone last November, the company has released three“significant” software updates and is readying a fourth updatefor the beginning of March. It will bring Sailfish OS to v1.0 andmake the software ready for global distribution. Jolla promises“improved performance, extended landscape support, visualimprovements, new camera functionalities, enhancements to the Jollastore, new general settings, and many more.” The Finns boasted thatthe Sailfish OS update cycle is “extremely fast”, thanks to itsopen development and open source software contribution model.

Jolla sees a “huge volumeopportunity” in bringing over Android users. The company'schairman, Antti Saarnio, points out that nearly 100 million users inChina alone installed a new OS (or ROM) on their devices last year.As Sailfish OS is compatible with commonly available Android hardwareplatforms and apps, it also caters to users that seek a newexperience or to re-discover an older Android device.

As for the new partnerships, the dealwith F-Secure will bring free, secure cloud storage to all Jollacustomers. The service will be intergrated with the operating system.With Tieto Corporation, Jolla will offer integration services to OEMsand ODMs willing to use Sailfish OS in their products. And withRovio, Jolla has cooked up an Angry Birds smart-cover. According toRovio’s CMO, Peter Vesterbacka, this is a ”new, fun way todelight the fans and to expand the Angry Birds experience in aninnovative way.” The cover will be available in the first half ofthis year.

source: Jolla