Google Establishes Android One Programme For Affordable Smartphones

Google hopes to spread its Android mobile operating system to even more markets with the launch of Android One, a new initiative that aims to create high quality, affordable smartphones for developing countries.

Sundar Pichai, Google senior vice president for Android, Chrome and Apps, detailed the initiative at the company’s I/O conference in San Francisco and said it would include hardware reference platforms capable of addressing mobile computing needs in emerging markets for less than $100.

Android One

“There are many people—billions of people, in fact—who still don’t have access to a smartphone,” he said. “We want to change that”

Android One smartphones will be high quality, affordable and come with reasonable data plans – something which is crucial in many countries where fixed broadband connections are eschewed in favour of wireless.

“We’ve long wondered what potential could be unleashed if people everywhere had access to the latest technology and the world’s information. It’s time to find out,” added Pinchai.

The first Android One handsets will be released in India this autumn before making their way to other markets. This will place Google in direct competition with Mozilla as the first Firefox OS devices to be based on a $25 turnkey reference design are set to be launched in India later this year.

Microsoft and Nokia also have ambitions in the area, with the recently-announced €99 forked-Android Nokia X2 hoping to encourage the adoption of Microsoft services like Skype and Bing in emerging markets.

Google has announced plans for Android to be used in wearable technology, smart TVs and in-car entertainment systems during I/O, while it also detailed the next version of Android, Android L, which boasts an overhauled interface and improved management features.

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