| Type | Mobile operating system |
| License | |
| Features | Highly customizable interface • Third-party app integration • Multi-language support • Open-source |
| Developer | Apple Inc. (alternate universe) |
| Platforms | |
| Kernel type | |
| Compatibility | iPhone (alternate universe) • iPad (alternate universe) • iPod Touch (alternate universe) |
| Latest release | 7.0 (2023) |
| Version history | 1.0 (2022) – Current |
| Customer service | Apple Support (alternate universe) |
| Default interface | UIKit, NashiKit (custom open-source UI library) |
| Stable release(s) | 7.0 (2023-01-01) |
| Available languages | Japanese • English • Chinese • Spanish • German • French • Italian • Dutch • Portuguese • Russian • Korean |
| Programming language | C • C++ • Objective-C • Swift |
NashiOS is an open-source operating system developed by the Japanese multinational technology company Apple Inc. for its iOS devices. The operating system emerged as a result of Apple's unique history compared to our timeline. In this alternate timeline, Apple co-founders Steve Jobs and Akio Morita established the company in Japan rather than the United States.
Founded in 1976 as Apple Telecommunications Ltd., the Japanese Apple Inc. saw the creation of iconic products like the NashiMac and the NashiPad. However, instead of focusing solely on closed-source products, Apple grew steadily, becoming a major proponent of open-source projects. This mindset led to the development of NashiOS, an innovative operating system that aimed to create an open and highly modifiable experience for iOS users.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Apple Inc. began exploring the possibility of creating a new operating system for their mobile devices. Unlike in our timeline, where Apple prioritized user-friendly and closed-source software solutions, the Japanese Apple Inc. sought to create an experience that offered users greater customization and openness. Thus, after years of development, NashiOS was born.
NashiOS sets itself apart from other operating systems on the market by offering a wide range of key features that emphasize customization and openness:
One of the most striking features of NashiOS is the fully themable interface. Unlike iOS and many Android-based operating systems, NashiOS allows users to modify their user interface to create an experience that is both visually appealing and tailored to their specific needs.
Another aspect that distinguishes NashiOS from its competitors is its integration with third-party apps. Rather than restricting access to proprietary services or walled gardens, NashiOS actively embraces third-party apps, making it easy for users to fully integrate them into their devices.
With a focus on openness, NashiOS has been designed to maintain compatibility with a wide range of devices, ensuring that users can enjoy an unrivaled level of customization and versatility.
As Japanese Apple Inc. continued to grow and evolve in this alternate timeline, it released several iOS devices built with NashiOS, including:
These devices have found immense success due to their openness and customizability, allowing users far more control over their devices than their real-world iOS counterparts.
When compared to the real-world iOS and Android operating systems, NashiOS offers a unique take on mobile computing, combining the usability and elegance of Apple's design language with the openness and customizability seen in many Android-based systems. This has resulted in an operating system that appeals to a broader range of users, meeting the needs of both iOS and Android enthusiasts.
While the real-world iOS is well-known for its smooth and consistent user experience, it remains a closed-source system that restricts the level of customization available to users. On the other hand, while Android has always offered greater customization options, its open-source nature means that it typically lacks the same level of polish and quality control found in Apple's ecosystem. However, with NashiOS, the Japanese Apple Inc. has managed to bridge the gap between iOS and Android, creating an innovative operating system that offers the best of both worlds.
