We are launching with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean with Fairphone-specific features. As we are a new product, we don’t want to take too many risks on the OS so we want a balance between stability and openness. We want to offer a very stable product for our customers, so we have decided to go with Android. But not just the ordinary version, but something that the talented people at Kwame have created to add a more simplified use and experience for the user. We also want a system that supports dual SIM (Android does; others don’t), as this is in line with our core vision (less phones, more value in second-life markets like Africa). We are working with the amazing guys at Kwame to develop some special features on top of Android 4.2. We will have more details about the Fairphone OS, but for now check out Kwame’s slidedeck that they presented at DroidCon Berlin. Or read our blog recap of that event.

We are planning to launch the phone with root access for the user (rootable), so they can decide for themselves which operating system they want to install after some hard coding. At this point, we really need the support of open-source communities – people who develop for Firefox and Ubuntu – to help us optimize our device for these operating systems. For further info about our search for an open OS, check out our post on our trip to Mobile World Congress.