Cyanogen's co-founder plans a free Windows rival built for AI

The co-founder of Cyanogen, a company that tried and failed to loosen Google's grip on Android, is now going after Windows. Kirt McMaster's company, Kora Systems, unveiled a desktop operating system on Tuesday that builds AI models and agents into the computer itself. It is expected to launch in 2027 and be free to use.

What Kora does

Kora is based on Linux. Its AI models and agents, meaning programs that can carry out tasks for you, can work across different apps, reach your files and remember context between tasks. Agents run in separate workspaces with limited access to files and other resources. A part called Cortex runs AI tasks on the device when possible and uses cloud models for heavier jobs.

It is meant to run on existing PCs with Intel or AMD chips, and on machines with Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips.

Who it is aimed at

McMaster is not trying to win over everyone. Windows held about 77% of the worldwide desktop market in October, according to Statcounter, and Apple's OS X held nearly 10%. "Microsoft can keep its billion users," he said.

His target is people who use AI heavily and will pay for strong models. He estimates 45 million to 50 million people account for much of AI usage and revenue today, and expects more than 200 million by 2033. Those are his estimates, not independent figures.

How it will make money

The operating system is free. Kora plans to earn money from subscriptions that bundle access to AI models and agent services. Linux is open source, but Kora's own technology, including Cortex and the desktop interface, stays proprietary. The company has not committed to opening its software.

Who is behind it

Kora was previously Playtron, a gaming operating-system company, and rebranded in July 2025. About 50 engineers work on it, using AI coding tools including OpenAI's Codex and Anthropic's Claude. McMaster says those tools sped up development at least fivefold. Backers include Samsung Next and Square Enix. It is also working with Qualcomm and Saudi Arabia's Humain on a business version, Humain OS, due on Snapdragon laptops in 2027.

What is not known yet

• Subscription prices and which AI models will be included.
• Which PC makers will sell Kora machines. None have been named.
• How much money Kora has raised and its valuation. McMaster declined to share them.

For now there is nothing to download or buy. If you lean on AI tools every day, the idea is worth watching. The questions to ask are what the subscription costs and which files an AI agent can reach.