In the world of operating systems, the software systems that manage how a computer’s resources are allocated and provide common services for computer programs, the market has long been dominated by just a couple of platforms. MeghaOS is an innovative technology company founded by Stevens students, including graduate student and CEO Abhishek Kuruba Nagabhushanam. The technology aims to disrupt the major duopolies by positioning itself at the forefront of operating system development. Their latest innovation, the Megha Phone, challenges the current mobile market by bringing together the functionality provided by a typical smartphone and a more powerful computing device.
Windows and macOS, which are owned by Microsoft and Apple, respectively, dominate the personal computer market with a combined market share of about 90%. For the mobile market, the major OS systems are Android and iOS, which are owned by Google and Apple respectively and command nearly 100% combined market share. Recently, MeghaOS has made its way in, trying to challenge these popularly used systems by creating a system that offers the features of both a personal computer and mobile device, all on the phone.
Founded on September 21st, 2019, MeghaOS’s goal is to help users transition from Windows and Mac environments to Linux environments. With the Megha Phone, the company uses software to implement both the Android Play Store and Linux software store into a single mobile device. Additionally, for those unfamiliar with Linux, MeghaOS allows users to run Windows software alongside MeghaOS.
With these capabilities, a user could connect their phone to a monitor and complete tasks usually only possible with a personal computer by using Desktop mode, another feature offered by the phone. Some additional features of the phone include robust privacy and security features. MeghaOS implements built-in encryption and secure boot processes with the phone, and the company affirms that it does not collect user data. Megha also promises a smoother performance and faster response time due to having a clean and lightweight operating system that is free of bloatware, or unwanted software that would slow down the device.
A notable unique future feature of the device is the offline AI assistant currently in development by MeghaOS. This assistant, referred to as AskMegha, allows the user to ask any question regardless if they are connected to the internet. Many AI assistants, including Apple’s Siri, Microsoft’s Cortana, and Amazon’s Alexa, typically operate online to allow access to data in real-time; however, an offline AI assistant can allow the user faster processing and storage on the device with the added incentive of privacy and security by keeping the data local. This feature may or may not be in the first generation release of the Megha Phone.
To find out more about the operating system or to try it for yourself, you can visit the MeghaOS website at meghaos.co.in and download the Trial Edition. Additionally, Megha phones are available through pre-order at Indiegogo.
