Google I/O 2014 was once again kicked started with introduction of some awesome line of products. Interestingly one of the products which got highlighted was the new mobile phone named “Android One”.
Google’s Sundar Pichai has unveiled the product during the Google I/O 2014 keynote. As usual year after year, Google is pushing their products forward. But lately you may notice that they are trying to integrate their ecosystem together. It’s so obvious that even Microsoft and Apple too following the same model.
Android One – A $100 phone is targeted on the emerging markets. Especially countries like India where price matters. In India, the price of the phone will be around 6000 INR. Though people are not sure about the specs of the product, so far we know the Android One features 4.5 inch screen, dual SIM cards and FM radio.
This is one of the key moves by Google to push the Android ecosystem further one step ahead. These price tags will definitely going to make a difference in the entry level mobile market segment.
Google announced that they’ll work with Indian mobile manufactures such as Micromax, Spice and Karbonn. These manufactures will work closely with Google to bring in the best possible solutions by balancing the budget and performance.
One another promising factor about the Android One is that, the software updates are pushed from Google, so users don’t have to wait for their manufacturers to push the update for the OS. Since Android One is going to run on stock Android, they’ll get patches instantly over the air (hopefully over the air). This is something similar to what we see for the Nexus line of phones. Though these devices can’t be considered Nexus, the update and other services are gonna get handled by Google for sure.
Release date for the Android One is not yet announced. My guess is that, they’ll release it somewhere by end of the 2014. I’m sure they’ll make sure that people have Android One phones in the market before the Google I/O 2015.
If this move becomes successful for Google and Android then I’m sure Android has much more prosperous future. But also remember the fact that fragmentation among Android phones already causing chaos among the developers though there are couple of tricks and tips suggested by Google to handle fragmentations effectively (which is too much of a pain from developer point of view).
Let’s wait another couple of months and see how Android One is going to change the game for Android and Android ecosystem.
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Jithin Joseph says
It’s good to know that Google is tying up with some Indian companies like MicroMax but it will only be that good, when these companies make their hardware good enough else it’s not gonna have any much influence. but at the same way, if they have to improve their hardware then the price for the device will boost up..so unfortunate 🙁
Jay Mayu says
Very true Jithin,
But developers can always choose to ignore the entry level phones such as Android One and develop for high end phones.
I believe the whole purpose of these mobiles are to get people to use the basic features of the smart phone. Not to get them play Call of Duty on their Android mobile. In that case this move can be justified.