Android One Launch

Android One was one of the most important announcement at this
year’s Google I/O . The Android One program marks a large effort on
Google’s part to improve the smartphone experience in emerging
markets, and it has come to light that Micromax, Karbonn, and
Spice will be the first to launch products based on it in India next
month.

Handsets from the three Indian manufactures are expected to arrive
in the region of Rs 7,000 and Rs 10,000, which is in excess of the
sub-Rs 6,000 ($100) price bracket original stated for Android One
devices. However, there apparently is a reason for this slight price
increase. According to sources directly involved in development of
these handsets, the price has increase as the handsets will go above
and beyond the basic Android One spec.
“Android One is setting minimum hardware and software standards
for the three vendors, who are adding or improving upon them in
future devices under the Android One umbrella,”
In terms of what Indian consumers can expect for their money, the
devices are shaping up to fall into the mid-range section of the
market. According to The Economic Times, which had a look at one
of the handsets, they will feature dual SIM slots, SDcard support, a 5
megapixel camera, quad-core processor, 1GB RAM, and a 1700-
mAh battery. The handsets will come with displays in the region of
4.3 to 4.5 inches, and will all run on Android KitKat 4.4.4.
Android One handsets are also stated for an update to Google’s next
Android L operating system, ensuring that even the budget market
keeps up with the latest software. This is in great contrast to the
current situation, where many budget devices have been left running
old versions of Android, such as Gingerbread.
“Advantages of screen size and Google updates could make a
difference to these smartphones offering better performance to
what Indian buyers are accustomed to,” – PwC India’s Mohammad
Chowdhury.
The Android One program will allow OEMs and carriers to provide
locally relevant content, whilst enforcing a set standard to ensure a
better customer experience and timely updates. Google aims to use
the Android One initiative to reach a new batch of consumers
interested in sub-$100 handsets, and to further improve its market
share in emerging markets.
Do you think that Android One does enough to compete with
Firefox’s cheap handsets and products like the Nokia X?
-Economic Times