Google’s Android One platform was originally designed to provide low-cost Android devices to developing markets
without the stuff that usually comes with low-cost Android devices:
bloatware, competing services, and a crippling lack of software and
security updates. Now, according to a report from The Information, the program is about to make it’s way to the US market to help solve those problems.
Android One phones have historically been produced by
companies you probably haven’t heard of, like Micromax, Cherry, and
QMobile. Originally Google had a direct hand in detailing what
components would go into the phone, but apparently became more flexible over time and eventually expanded the program beyond India to parts of Africa, Spain, and Portugal.
Android One may not have been the rousing worldwide
success Google was hoping for, but it’s still an important initiative
for the company. Especially at the low end, there’s a lot of incentive
for manufacturers to pile on extra software in a bid to make those
devices more profitable — but that could cut against Google’s efforts to
make its own services more pervasive and popular. As Efrati points out
in his report, Huawei recently opted for Amazon’s Alexa assistant
instead of Google’s on its phones (The Google Assistant isn’t yet
available for non-Google phones), which apparently caused some tension
between the companies.
Google also has a stake in ensuring that as many Android
devices as possible are upgraded on a regular basis, not just for
features but also for security updates.
If Google really does put some real effort behind Android
One, it could make its plans for Android a little clearer. Google
itself has taken a stand that it wants to make its own hardware at the
high-end of the smartphone market with the Pixel, and if The Information’s
report is accurate, it wants to ensure that its services are not cut
out from the low end. Whether that leaves enough breathing room for
partners like Samsung is another question — but it doesn’t seem
especially likely that Google’s Pixel is going to out-sell the Galaxy
lineup anytime soon.
Google should be so lucky as to have that kind of problem
right now — the more urgent issue is ensuring a consistent experience
in the low and mid-range of Android products, where software quality
varies wildly and software updates are all too rare.
Although Google itself probably won’t produce Android One
phones for the US, we don’t yet know what manufacturers will make them —
but apparently LG is one possibility. The phones are reportedly due
“before the middle of the year” and will be backed by lots of marketing
money from Google.
Source : TheVerge
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