The idea is that adventurous Android users will first sample the fairly radical new gesture-based Sailfish UI, and then download the full firmware when it becomes available for their particular device. Community projects are said to be porting Sailfish to Xiaomi Android phones.

The latest list of Android devices that can run the full Sailfish OS firmware include major versions of Samsung Galaxy, Google Nexus, and Sony Xperia devices. Few details were offered on the launcher, which will apparently run on just about any Android device. The Jolla store, as well as “common Android market places” will also “soon” offer an Android app launcher that simulates the Sailfish UI experience on Android devices. This appears to be the release that will be heading to existing Jolla users, and will be available to download for selected Android devices. The upcoming release will feature many visual improvements, new camera functions, and new settings, as well as enhancements to the Jolla store, says the company. At the beginning of March a fourth Sailfish OS release, the first of a series of monthly updates, will fulfill “commercial readiness” for the mobile OS. The first formal Sailfish OS release includes performance and battery life improvements, as well as fixes and enhancements to features including landscape mode and camera zoom. We shall soon see if the potential new Hong Kong partnership bears fruit, and opens up China to Jolla. Back in 2012, Jolla announced a partnership with Chinese retail giant D.Phone, but this appears to have stalled, along with the Hong Kong-based Sailfish Alliance. Jolla’s original China strategy has been relegated, at least for now, to a European strategy. Jolla phones with different “The Other Half” backplates The company now says it is expanding to “common retail channels.” Jolla is also “negotiating with partners in several countries, including Russia, India, and Hong Kong where Jolla will open online sales in the near future.” In addition, the company plans to “open new channels in main European markets.” Jolla is currently selling the device online in all EU countries, as well as Norway and Switzerland, and via the DNA carrier in Finland. Several industry partnerships were also announced, including one with Rovio (see farther below), but none of them involved phone manufacturers or mobile carriers. The Finnish company also announced a Sailfish user interface launcher for Android, “which can be used to simulate the Sailfish OS experience on Android devices.”

Jolla announced the completion of version 1.0 of its MeeGo Linux based Sailfish OS, which runs on its Jolla smartphone, now shipping throughout Europe. Jolla unveiled Sailfish OS 1.0, plus a Sailfish UI launcher app for Android devices, and tipped partnerships, including one for a custom Angry Birds phone. Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Email

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