Google's Android One phones to target emerging markets

Nieuws Mobiel India 25 JUN 2014
Google's Android One phones to target emerging markets
Google has announced plans to work with manufacturers to develop low-cost, entry-level smartphones running the Android OS. The Android One project will target emerging markets and launch the first devices in India. 

Google said it will offer a set of hardware reference boards, so OEMs merely need to pick the components from their suppliers of choice and loy out their preferred configuration. The phones will offer the same stock Android software found on Nexus and Google Play edition devices, but with virtual pre-install folders for OEM and carrier partners. 

The first ones will have 4.5-inch screens, dual SIM, FM radio and SD card support. They will be available first in India in Q3 from local manufacturers Karbonn, MicroMax and Spice, then roll out to a number of other emerging markets soon after.

The Android One project was unveiled at Google's I/O developers conference. The company also announced that there are now over 1 billion Android devices in use around the world. In addition it unveiled plans to offer developers software for integrating Android in cars, wearable devices and TVs. 

Categories:

Mobiel

Companies:

Google,  Spice Mobiles,  Micromax,  Karbonn Mobiles

Regions:

Wereld

Countries:

India

Tags:

Cooperations & alliances, IT - applications, Wholesale, Handsets, Licences & sales agreement

Related Articles

NIGERIA 18 AUG 2015

MTN, Infinix launch first Android One smartphone in Africa

Google is bringing its Android One initiative to Africa with a launch in Nigeria with operator MTN and smartphone manufacturer Infinix. The Infinix Hot 2 smartphone is now available at MTN Nigeria stores and online through the Jumia marketplace for NGN 17,500 (EUR 88). The dual-Sim Android 5.1 device comes with a 5-inch HD screen, 1.3 GHz quad-core MediaTek processor, 1 GB RAM, 16 GB internal storage, 8 megapixel back camera, 2 megapixel front camera and 2,200 mAh battery. It will be available in white, blu

INDIA 10 AUG 2015

Google plans Android One re-launch in India

Google is planning to re-launch its Android One phones in India in a few weeks, after the initial roll-out fell short of expectations. Rajan Anandan, Google's managing director in India and Southeast Asia, told the Financial Times that Android One, first launched last year to bring simpler, low-cost smartphones to emerging markets, had "not delivered to expectations". He said supply chain issues led to shortages of the phones, which are mainly imported from China. The new range will target what Andan said i

WERELD 9 DEC 2014

Google releases Android Studio for developers

Google has launched Anroid Studio 1.0, a new platform to develop apps for the Android operating system. Based on IntelliJ IDEA (Community Edition) Java IDE, Android Studio was first previewed at Google's I/O developers conference last year. It's now available for download on the Android Developer site. Android Studio is expected to lower the barrier to entry for developing Android apps, offering a number of basic SDKs to assemble quickly standard features such as a content menu. It also ensures that the com

INDIA 18 SEP 2014

Lava, Intex to launch Android One devices in January 2015

Indian smartphone vendor Lava International and handset maker Intex Technologies are expected to launch Android One handsets in early 2015. Micromax, Karbonn and Spice launched a single Android One device each on 15 September. Lava and Intex, on the other hand, plan to introduce a range of devices simultaneously, which would offer different specifications such as larger screens and enhanced camera quality at wider price points. "It will take us at least three to four months [to launch the devices]," Intex's

WERELD 16 SEP 2014

MediaTek partners with Google on Android One

MediaTek and Google are working together on Android One, an initiative to provide a family of Android devices for consumers in emerging markets. With Android One, Google is working with partners to manufacture Android smartphones for the rising Super-mid market, a new market segment comprising premium mid-range smart devices.

INDIA 15 SEP 2014

Google launches first family of Android One phones in India

Google has introduced the first family of Android One phones in India. The devices mainly target emerging markets. In partnership with phone and silicon chip makers, Google will share reference designs and select components, to allow partners to build affordable phones. The Android One phones feature front- and rear-facing cameras, expandable storage, dual SIM cards, a replaceable battery and built-in FM radio.

WERELD 18 JUL 2014

Google Q2 revenues advance 22% to USD 16 bln

Google said second-quarter revenues lifted 22 percent from the year before to USD 15.96 billion. The figure excludes traffic acquisition costs, which reached USD 3.29 billion, or 23 percent of advertising revenues. Sites generated revenues of USD 10.94 billion, up 23 percent from the year before, while Network Revenues went 7 percent higher to USD 3.42 billion. Other revenues represented USD 4.6 billion, up 53 percent. Revenues from outside the US totaled USD 9.33 billion, of 58 percent of total revenues. R

WERELD 26 JUN 2014

Google releases Android L developers preview

Google is releasing an early version of an Android release to developers for the first time. At its I/O conference, the company unveiled the Android L Developer Preview, available from 26 June. The latest software includes a new design language called material design, offering developers tools to add bold colors and shadowing, fluid motion and different view perspectives to the app's user interface. Android L also extends the possibilities for app notifications when the screen is locked, allows finding 'doc

WERELD 26 JUN 2014

Google adopts Samsung Knox to improve Android security

Google has agreed to integrate Samsung Electronics' Knox platform into the next version of Android in order to improve security on the mobile operating system. The latest version of Android, which was previewed at Google's I/O conference, will include a number of new features for enterprise users and IT administrators, such as a separate container to manage and secure business data and keep it apart from personal data on the device. Samsung Knox complies with key US government and Department of Defense init

WERELD 26 JUN 2014

Google brings Android to TVs, cars

Google has updated its Chromecast and Android TV software at its I/O conference as part of the over 5,000 new APIs released to developers. The Chromecast HDMI dongle will receive an update to add new features to the streaming device. These include the ability to allow others to cast to your TV without needing to be on the same Wi-Fi network, a customizable homescreen and casting content from an Android phone or tablet screen directly to the TV. Google is also integrating the Android software in the TV exper

WERELD 26 JUN 2014

Samsung, LG first to adopt Android Wear for watches

Samsung and LG are the first companies to launch devices running Android Wear, Google's latest software to bring the Android OS to wearable devices. The LG G Watch and Samsung Gear Live offer alerts for texts and calls, calendar alarms and voice recognition commands. By saying 'Ok Google', users can access a range of information from their connected smartphones. Android Wear is also compatible with many Android apps, allowing users to receive further notifications on the smartwatch. The first two Android We

WERELD 26 JUN 2014

Miljard actieve Android-gebruikers wereldwijd

Google heeft tijdens de ontwikkelaarsconferentie Google I/O de mijlpaal van een miljard actieve Android-gebruikers wereldwijd bekend gemaakt. Daarmee is Android nog altijd het grootste mobiele platform met een marktaandeel van rond de 80%. Google meldde tevens dat er er dagelijks 93 miljoen selfies met Android-telefoons genomen worden en dat gebruikers hun Android-smartphone elke 24 uur gezamenlijk 100 miljard keer checken. Tijdens Google I/O lanceerde het internetbedrijf tevens een reference platform speci

INDIA 18 JUN 2014

Xiaomi launches website in India

Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi has launched its website in India. However, the company did not yet provide detais about the launch of its smartphones in the local market. Earlier this month, the Chinese firm hired Manu Kumar Jain to launch its operations in the Indian market. Xiaomi had previously confirmed that it plans to sell smartphones in ten new countries during 2014. Some of these markets include India, Brazil and Russia as well as certain South East Asian countries.

INDIA 17 JUN 2014

India to reach 519 mln data subscribers by 2018

India is expected to reach 519 million data subscribers by 2018, The Economic Times citing a study by Morgan Stanley. Data subscribers are expected to experience a CAGR of 25 percent during the 2014-2018 period. India currently has nearly 210 million data users. Morgan Stanley also forecast that there will be 330 million internet users in the country by 2016. Growth in the number of internet users will be mainly driven driven by falling handset costs, higher smartphone penetration, faster bandwidth and high

INDIA 16 JUN 2014

Micromax launches Windows Phone devices

Indian smartphone manufacturer Micromax has added the Canvas Win W121 and Canvas Win W092 Windows Phone devices to its portfolio. The Canvas Win W121 is a 5-inch device with HD IPS display, an 8-megapixel rear camera (with LED flash), a 2-megapixel front-facing camera, and 8GB of built in storage with up to 32GB of expandable memory. The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 quad-core processor with 1GB of memory. The Canvas Win W121 is equipped with proximity, gravity, and light sensors, an accele

Just In

16:42

SLT-Mobitel launches 5G network in Sri Lanka

16:19

Dialog Axiata launches 5G network, connects 1.5 million subscribers

15:56

UK govt to ban AI-enabled nudification apps to protect women, girls

15:42

3 UK launches last-minute Christmas sale

Commentary

13:56

Video market set for slower growth ahead

11:38

Netflix buys Warner Bros to deepen content catalogue

11:11

KPN's mixed performance in Q3 raises questions for strategy day

15:26

Stock markets breaking records but what happened to Odido's IPO plans?

Background

01:04

The week in telecom: Wi-Fi bolt-ons take off to boost broadband growth, video market works on consolidation

01:39

The week in telecom: Netflix wins bidding for Warner Bros, Apple poaches new execs, Samsung debuts trifold

13:51

Proximus vs. Telenet: Proximus performs better in Q3 while Telenet uses up cash

14:16

Proximus Domestic still struggling with low margins

Complete profile

Before downloading the whitepaper, we would like to ask you to complete your profile with company and position. After confirming you will receive the white paper.