Dumb phones get a new boost with backing from Google

Google has invested 22 million dollars into KaiOS, a company that has become a major player in the not-quite-so-smart smartphone market. KaiOS makes an operating system of the same name for utility phones and other devices that can run some apps, but are more similar to the flip phones of old. Phones that run KaiOS will now support Google Search, Maps, YouTube, and Google-powered voice commands. KaiOS phones are most notably used in developing nations and emerging economies. And by investing in this space Google all but guarantees a new wave of Android customers.