All the apps you can now use on JioPhone
The JioPhone, is a smart feature phone, that doesn't have a touchscreen but comes with 4G connectivity. It is powered by KaiOS software so it can only run limited apps which are compatible with the platform. With Google now funding KaiOS, it will natively incorporate Search, Maps, and YouTube into its software. Here's a list of the apps you can now use on your JioPhone and JioPhone 2.
KaiOS is Linux-based, light on resources operating system, which is designed to work on feature phones without a touch-screen. Although the OS was known in phone circles for some years now, the JioPhone made it truly mainstream in India.
Google has developed a special version of the Google Assistant for the JioPhone that is compatible with KaiOS. The voice-enabled digital assistant can make calls, read texts, open apps, search the web, play songs, and read recipes, among other things. However, Google Assistant on JioPhone does not support its "Actions" functionality that allows the assistant to partner with third-party apps and services like BookMyShow.
Google has recently led a $22-million funding round in KaiOS. As part of the deal, KaiOS will incorporate Search, Maps, and even YouTube into its software, thus making Google's services accessible to the users of the low-end JioPhone. Further, the JioPhone has also been earlier spotted running the YouTube app. However, there is no official confirmation regarding that yet.
Facebook has also rolled out a new version of its mobile app which has been developed especially for the KaiOS platform. With native app support, JioPhone users can now access all popular features including videos, links to external content, News Feed, and photos. The new Facebook app supports push notification functionality and is also optimized to accommodate the JioPhone's cursor function.
Earlier, WhatsApp was spotted on JioPhone as the chat app seemed to have beta-rolled out a native KaiOS version. However, WhatsApp will be officially made available on JioPhone on August 15. Once that happens, users' JioPhone experience will instantly become more friendly.
The JioPhone comes preloaded with the Jio suite of apps that include JioMusic, JioCinema, HelloJio, JioGames, JioTv, JioShare, JioVideocall, and JioXpress (for news). The official store on the JioPhone is JioStore. There is also a browser app on the JioPhone. Reliance Jio has also rolled out its own MyJio app on the platform for easy recharging from Jio's telecom network.
