Finland’s Jolla on Thursday signed up its first Sailfish OS licensing partner in Indian electronics maker Intex Technologies.
Intex is India’s second-largest domestic smartphone maker behind Micromax, according to Jolla. In addition to mobile phones, Intex also makes TVs, computer accessories, speakers and washing machines.
Jolla has produced a hardware reference design which Intex will use as the basis for Sailfish-powered devices. Intex plans to start bringing them to market later this year.
Jolla has also formed the Sailfish India ecosystem initiative in partnership with Times Internet – a subsidiary of the Times of India Group – and Indian online retailer Snapdeal.
"We see Intex as a fast moving, growth company that is ready to disrupt the market just like Sailfish OS. Also, we are thrilled to have our new content, and e-commerce partners Times Internet and Snapdeal join the movement," said Antti Saarnio, executive chairman of Jolla, in a statement.
"We have seen a lot of interest among Indian device vendors, digital media houses, and mobile operators, and they are all very keen to work with an alternative to the currently dominating mobile operating systems," he continued. "India deserves its own regional ecosystem, an open platform, which supports local Indian services and businesses."
The news comes a little over a week after Jolla announced it is spinning off its hardware division and concentrating on licensing Sailfish.
Under the restructuring plan, CEO Tomi Pienimäki will leave the company in August.
