After challenging Google’s Android with Cyanogen, its co-founder takes aim at Windows for AI era

Almost a decade after Cyanogen shut down its Android operating-system business, its co-founder Kirt McMaster is now targeting Microsoft's Windows with a new AI-focused operating system. McMaster's company, Kora Systems, unveiled a Linux-based desktop operating system called Kora on Tuesday. The software integrates AI models and autonomous agents directly into the computing experience, allowing them to work across applications and retain context between tasks.

Kora will launch in 2027 as a free-to-use desktop operating system, supporting existing Intel- and AMD-powered PCs as well as machines running Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips. McMaster believes Kora does not need to compete for Windows' entire user base, targeting people who use AI extensively. The company has about 50 engineers and is developing Kora with AI coding tools like OpenAI's Codex and Anthropic's Claude.

McMaster, who previously worked at Cyanogen, learned the dangers of relying on an incumbent company during his time there. Kora builds on an idea McMaster pursued while working at Cyanogen, aiming to integrate third-party services directly into the operating system. The company rebranded from Playtron in July 2025, focusing its efforts on AI.

McMaster's team has worked closely with Qualcomm's engineers to optimize Kora for Snapdragon-powered PCs. The operating system also has an enterprise version called Humain OS, partnering with Saudi Arabia's AI company Humain. Kora generates revenue through subscriptions for AI models and agentic services. The company has raised funding from investors such as Samsung Next, Square Enix, Alumni Ventures, Polychain, VanEck, and Circle.