Pear OS is a Linux-based operating system that strives to combine an Apple OS X experience with the open source philosophy of GNU/Linux.
As Liliputing’s Brad Linder notes, Pear OS 8 is currently available for desktop and notebook computers, although developer David Taveres ultimately hopes to bring the software to tablets as well.
“Pear OS8 continues to take its design cues from Apple’s software,” Linder explained. “Not only has the user interface and app launcher been giving a touch of Apple’s desktop operating system, but the color scheme is very much inspired by iOS 7.”
As expected, the desktop operating system (OS) is available both in 32-bit and 64-bit varieties, offering speedy performance as well as compatibility with a number of peripherals including MP3 players, cameras and Steam. Additional features include an online Pear Cloud utility for backing up and synchronizing contacts, documents and pictures.
As mentioned above, the Pear team also plans on coding a version of the OS for tablets (both x86 and ARM), beginning with support for Microsoft’s Surface lineup. To achieve its goal, Tavares has kicked off a crowd-funding effort on Indiegogo to raise €10,500 (approximately $14,000) to help fund the development of Pear OS for tablets.
“If the team succeeds, this might be about as close as you’re likely to get to OS X on a tablet, since Apple seems intent on pushing two different operating systems, one for desktop and notebook computers and another for phones and tablets,” Linder added.
