Kirt McMaster, co-founder of the defunct Android alternative Cyanogen, unveiled a new Linux-based desktop operating system in November 2026 designed for users who rely heavily on artificial intelligence. His Palo Alto-based company, Kora Systems, plans to release the operating system — also called Kora — in 2027 as a free-to-use platform for existing Intel-, AMD-, and Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered PCs.
Kora integrates AI models and autonomous agents directly into the desktop experience, allowing them to work across applications, access files, and retain context between tasks. The system’s Cortex AI engine runs tasks locally when possible and routes more demanding work to cloud-based models. Revenue will come from subscriptions bundling access to AI models and agentic services.
McMaster is not targeting Windows’ full user base. He estimates that 45 million to 50 million people currently account for the bulk of AI usage and spending, and expects that figure to surpass 200 million by 2033. “Microsoft can keep its billion users,” he told TechCrunch. Windows held roughly 77% of the global desktop OS market as of October, according to StatCounter.
The company, previously known as Playtron — a gaming OS startup — rebranded as Kora in July 2025 after shifting its focus to AI. The pivot built on nearly three years of work developing a Linux-based gaming operating system called GameOS, avoiding a restart from scratch. Kora’s team of about 50 engineers has used AI coding tools, including OpenAI’s Codex and Anthropic’s Claude, which McMaster said accelerated development at least fivefold.
Kora is working with Qualcomm on Snapdragon optimization and with Saudi Arabia’s AI company Humain on an enterprise version called Humain OS, expected in 2027. Investors include Samsung Next, Square Enix, Alumni Ventures, Polychain, VanEck, and Circle. McMaster declined to disclose total funding or valuation, but said the company has enough capital to operate for several years.
McMaster cited his Cyanogen experience as a direct influence on Kora’s strategy. Cyanogen’s dependence on Google Mobile Services, despite positioning itself as an alternative to Google’s Android, ultimately limited its ability to build an independent ecosystem. “If you are trying to compete with an incumbent but are still reliant on them, you have no chance,” he said.
Source: TechCrunch