Google I/O was full of announcement but one that would excite India the most is the launch of Android One Smartphone program that eyes big share in country’s budget smartphone market. The under $100 (roughly 6,000) Android smartphone will come loaded with android apps and Google approved hardware but will leave some room for improvement for manufactures so they can put their own stamp on the phone with personalized apps.
While speaking at the Google I/O in San Francisco today Sunder Pichai the head of Android said Android One Smartphone Program will provide budget device in developing countries like India where a large population use mobile but less than 10% population uses smartphones. Pichai also introduced first Micromax Android One smartphone that will have under rs 6,000 price tag to give tough fight to low budget bully Moto E.
Though local players play a major role in producing under Rs10,000 smartphones on India the success of Moto E proves that the market has huge potential for big players. Before Moto E the low budget smartphone offered big spec but poor hardware and dull performance but it seems all that is going to change after Android One Program. Google is hoping to raise the bar in the budget segment with its entry Android One that hope to set a standard in low budget smartphone market.
To supply hardware or Android One Smartphone Program Google will have pre-qualifies buyers which will ship hardware to Google partners in India while the company will personally take care of the software segment. The android one smartphone will get regular android updates directly from Google like flagship Nexus models and Google play edition of other Android franchise.
Apart from Micromax Google has also partnered with local Indian players Karbonn and Spice to bring its rs 5-6,000 Android One smartphone in India
