THAI DEBUT
US firm picks Thailand for entry into region
Endless Mobile launches free OS for personal computers to tap first-time users in rural areas with poor internet reception.
Endless Mobile Inc has chosen Thailand to be the first country in Southeast Asia where the US-based software company will introduce its free operating system (OS) for personal computers.
Called Endless, it is free for download onto all PCs, with a Thai language version pre-loaded onto some PC brands in Thailand, said Matt Dalio, founder, chief executive and chief of product at Endless Mobile.
“We introduced the free OS in Thailand to tap first-time users in rural areas where internet quality is poor,” he said.
The company’s target is to have about 20 million PCs running on the Linux-based Endless OS in the country by 2020.
“We see that the Endless OS fits perfectly with the Thai government’s scheme to invest 14 billion baht for fixed broadband internet, which will roll out in 30,000 villages,” Mr Dalio said.
Founded five years ago, Endless Mobile invested millions of US dollars in research and development.
It has so far expanded into Latin America and Southeast Asia.
“We believe that millions of kids will use the Endless OS software by next year,” Mr Dalio said.
Globally, the cost of one gigabyte of data is 2% of GDP per capita, while the average broadband PC user consumes 60 times that, making it difficult for users in remote areas to afford internet, Mr Dalio said.
The Endless OS has a built-in app-centric paradigm that consumes only 1GB of data per month, which means computers can be useful even with limited data. It is designed for personal computers that have limited internet access, allowing users in rural areas access to content, even with lower-end PCs, he said.
Endless OS provides 100 free pre-loaded apps that do not require constant internet access. The apps include an encyclopedia with Thai articles, an office suite and educational games for children.
The newest addition to the Endless OS App Centre is Steam, the world’s largest online gaming platform. Content is updated regularly and new Thai apps will be added as new local partnerships are made.
“The software is free of charge though, our revenue comes from the premium content, and in the future we will sell applications,” Mr Dalio said.
Ten of the 56 new applications will be provided in Thai by next month.
Asus and Acer already sell computers powered by Endless in Thailand, priced from 8,000 baht. The minimum hardware required for Endless OS is a Duo Core processor, 1GB RAM and 32GB memory.
Mr Dalio said the company believes PCs will not become obsolete, but replacement purchases will take longer.
Research has found that Thais spend eight hours daily on PCs or tablets, longer than the time spent on smartphones.