Android One is a design reference platform that will enable manufacturers to build ultra-cheap smartphones with much more ease. This move will enable the flow of new high end specification entry level smart phone in the market.Sundar Pichai, Google's head of Android and Chrome platforms, said Android One will in fact let phone-makers pool in resources to create a reference platform for smartphones, thus saving time and costs in launching new models.
The software powering these sub-Rs 6,000 smartphones will be stock Android, but manufacturers and telecom carriers can differentiate their products by adding a few of their own custom apps without diluting the Android experience like bigger players Samsung, HTC, LG and Sony etc already do.
Like Nexus and Google Play Edition products, Android One smartphones will get software updates from Google. Pichai said that these smartphones will get a list of recommended apps from 'Play Auto-installs'.
Google plans to start the plans in India and announced that it has already roped in Micromax, Karbonn and Spice as initial partners. Interestingly, Microsoft is also trying to work with Indian brands like Micromax, Xolo and Karbonn to launch cheap smartphones that run on its Windows Phone 8.1.
An Android One-powered Micromax smartphone, which will have a 4.5-inch screen, dual sim functionality, microSD card support and FM radio priced under $100.
Google has revealed that Android is used by a billion users and the Android One initiative is part of its aim to reach out to the next five billion smartphone users. Currently, only 10% of India's user base possesses smartphones and Google's move could lead to a proliferation of affordable Android-based smartphones reaching many more hands.
Though there are a few $100 (Rs 5,000-6,000) Android smartphones in the Indian market, but they are restricted by low-end hardware and generally deliver a poor user experience. If Android One devices are able to deliver good performance without breaking the price barrier, Google will be able to turn feature phone users into smartphone buyers and increase its own user base.
I may also be noted that Mozilla is working on undercutting even Google. It has partnered with Spice and Intex to bring Firefox OS-powered smartphones to India for less than Rs 2,000.
So it is clear than in the comming future we will exprience.
The software powering these sub-Rs 6,000 smartphones will be stock Android, but manufacturers and telecom carriers can differentiate their products by adding a few of their own custom apps without diluting the Android experience like bigger players Samsung, HTC, LG and Sony etc already do.
Like Nexus and Google Play Edition products, Android One smartphones will get software updates from Google. Pichai said that these smartphones will get a list of recommended apps from 'Play Auto-installs'.
Google plans to start the plans in India and announced that it has already roped in Micromax, Karbonn and Spice as initial partners. Interestingly, Microsoft is also trying to work with Indian brands like Micromax, Xolo and Karbonn to launch cheap smartphones that run on its Windows Phone 8.1.
An Android One-powered Micromax smartphone, which will have a 4.5-inch screen, dual sim functionality, microSD card support and FM radio priced under $100.
Google has revealed that Android is used by a billion users and the Android One initiative is part of its aim to reach out to the next five billion smartphone users. Currently, only 10% of India's user base possesses smartphones and Google's move could lead to a proliferation of affordable Android-based smartphones reaching many more hands.
Though there are a few $100 (Rs 5,000-6,000) Android smartphones in the Indian market, but they are restricted by low-end hardware and generally deliver a poor user experience. If Android One devices are able to deliver good performance without breaking the price barrier, Google will be able to turn feature phone users into smartphone buyers and increase its own user base.
I may also be noted that Mozilla is working on undercutting even Google. It has partnered with Spice and Intex to bring Firefox OS-powered smartphones to India for less than Rs 2,000.
So it is clear than in the comming future we will exprience.
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