In terms of layout and user experience, Windows XP and some domestic Linux operating systems are quite similar. This means that users who are familiar with one system will likely find the other easy to adapt to. When it comes to pricing, most domestic operating systems are free, while Windows 8.1 has a range of versions priced from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars. Therefore, in terms of cost, domestic operating systems have a clear advantage.
However, despite these benefits, many people are still not familiar with domestic operating systems. Why is this the case? This article explores two key challenges facing domestic operating systems and explains why they struggle to gain widespread adoption.
Where is the domestic operating system heading? Recently, the release of Ubuntu Kylin 15.04, a domestically developed operating system created through collaboration between the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Integrated Circuits Promotion Center, and the National University of Defense Technology, received media attention. This is part of the broader effort to promote and develop a homegrown operating system. However, despite significant investment—both in terms of funding and industry participation—the results have not been as promising as expected. What’s the issue?
One example is Ubuntu Kylin 15.04, which has recently faced criticism. While its functional shortcomings are well-documented, what stands out is how similar it is to other domestic operating systems. Most of them are designed for desktop use, and when we talk about desktop systems, the first name that comes to mind is Microsoft Windows. Windows has dominated the desktop market for nearly three decades, despite challenges like Vista’s poor performance and Windows 8's departure from traditional user habits. Even with these issues, no alternative has managed to displace it. Open-source Linux has tried, but it remains a niche player.
Ubuntu Kylin 15.04 closely mimics both Windows and Mac interfaces, which makes sense from a user experience perspective. However, this approach may not be innovative enough. With the upcoming release of Windows 10, Microsoft could adopt a more aggressive strategy, possibly reducing licensing costs or even offering a free version. In such a scenario, the chances of success for domestic operating systems would become even more challenging.
Academician Ni Guangnan has suggested focusing on mobile operating systems instead. This is similar to the desktop OS challenge: despite efforts, no alternative has managed to replace Android, which is now the dominant mobile OS. Many other attempts, such as Bada, MeeGo, WebOS, and Sailfish OS, have failed. Even with huge investments, like Nokia’s shift to Windows Phone, the result was still a lack of market impact. This shows that the mobile OS market is highly competitive and difficult to break into.
Looking at the development of Ubuntu Kylin 15.04, it involves collaboration between the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the IC Promotion Center, National University of Defense Technology, and Canonical. This kind of partnership is common in the development of so-called "domestic" operating systems. However, most of these projects involve research institutions rather than proven industry players. The result is often a product that doesn't meet real-world market needs.
Successful operating systems like Windows, Android, and iOS are developed by companies that understand the market and can scale effectively. Domestic systems, on the other hand, tend to be developed in isolation, without sufficient market insight. This leads to products that don’t align with user expectations.
While there is value in developing a domestic operating system, especially in areas like cloud computing or wearables, the key lies in innovation. If China wants to succeed, it must rethink its approach—not just in technology, but also in collaboration and market strategy.
The problem isn’t just technical; it’s also about mindset. By following the same outdated strategies as industry leaders, domestic OS developers risk repeating past failures. Without fundamental changes, stories like Ubuntu Kylin’s will continue, and opportunities will be lost.
Why is it difficult to popularize domestic operating systems? According to Academician Ni Guangnan, the Chinese market has over 90% Windows usage, while domestic OSs hold only about 3%. He notes that while the technology and user experience of domestic systems are comparable to foreign ones, the main gap lies in the ecosystem. The Wintel alliance dominates the market because of a unified standard that ensures compatibility across hardware and software. In contrast, China has multiple operating systems, each with its own standards, making compatibility an issue.
To address this, the “China Intelligent Terminal Operating System Industry Alliance†has been formed to create a unified reference platform. Unlike less restrictive standards like POSIX, this new platform will ensure full compatibility, much like the Wintel model. This initiative is expected to launch later this year.
Some have proposed introducing a government version of Windows 10 under the guise of technical cooperation. However, this could undermine efforts to promote domestic systems and reinforce Windows’ dominance. Microsoft retains full control over the source code, making it unlikely that Chinese developers will gain meaningful access in the short term.
Ultimately, independent innovation should not mean isolation. It requires open collaboration, but with strict oversight. As Ni Guangnan emphasizes, the goal is to build a secure and controllable information technology system. This is crucial for national security and long-term technological independence.
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