Behind Firefox OS and Tizen, and way behind Windows 10 Mobile, there’s another alternative mobile operating system that’s fighting to take the number three spot in the mobile market behind Android and iOS, and it’s called Sailfish OS. From a small Finnish startup by the name of Jolla, this quirky operating system has made some significant progress over the past couple of years, and now it’s ready to enter its second stage. Starting now, Jolla will be releasing Sailfish OS to a handful of “advanced users” before eventually bringing the next-generation version to all users.
With big brands like Android, iOS, and Windows 10 Mobile dominating tech headlines, it’s easy for Jolla’s Sailfish operating system to slip through the news net. Fortunately, Jolla has just reminded us of its existence by announcing early access availability for the new Sailfish OS 2.0. It’s the next generation version of the Finland-based company’s Sailfish OS. The software, which will be distributed first to what Jolla calls “more advanced users”, will update Jolla smartphones with the brand new 2.0 interface. The main change is that Sailfish OS 2.0 has a simplified and “beautiful” new user interface. For instance, there’s now a “mental model of core views”, which purportedly improves the flow of the gesture-based operating system dramatically. Navigation now works by swiping left or right between Home and Events, just like a carousel. The App Grid is also easily – and quickly – accessible from anywhere within the UI by swiping over the bottom edge of the smartphone.
