On: The Hottest Phones for the Next Billion Users Aren’t Smartphones

[writepub]

The big question is: "How likely are KaiOs users willing to install third party apps".

From the article, it seems like pre-installed apps have ample usage, no mention of installation post hardware purchase.

[rahimnathwani → writepub]

The JioPhone can run WhatsApp, but it isn't pre-installed.

For that reason, I'd imagine 90% of Jiophone users in India would install at least one third party app.

However, they would get this from the JioStore, not from the KaiOS store: https://faq.whatsapp.com/en/kaios/26000183/?category=5245235

So if the majority of KaiOS users are using carrier-branded phones with carrier-branded app stores, maybe the developer story for 'vanilla' KaiOS isn't as important.

[rowan_m → rahimnathwani]

Users often get apps installed for them by the store at purchase. So, while they may have 3p apps installed it's not necessarily a good signal they will install more.