Google has taken the wraps off its new Android One initiative, which will provide ultra-affordable smartphones for developing countries.
The company made this announcement in India, one of the countries that will benefit the most from this new wave of affordable Android phones.
Manufacturers Micromax, Spice, and Karbonn will produce Android One handsets with 4.5-inch 845 x 480 displays, 1.3GHz quad-core Mediatek processors, 1GB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage (plus microSD expansion), and front and rear cameras. They'll also feature the dual-SIM set-ups that are so essential to many in developing countries.
All of these handsets will run on stock Android 4.4, which will enable Google to push updates and fixes without manufacturer interference, ensuring app compatibility.
Naturally, the idea for Google is to boost internet usage in one of the world's most populous countries. India is the world's second-biggest mobile phone market, yet smartphone adoption is relatively low.
To that end, Google is also partnering with a number of network operators to provide special data packages for Android One users. One such deal mentioned by the Economic Times offers 200MB worth of apps per month for six months at no cost.
As for the handsets themselves, they will cost between 6,000 and 7,000 rupees, which amounts to between £60 and £70.
The next batch of Android One manufacturer partners has also been announced, with a few more recognisable names here in the west. Acer, Alcatel, ASUS, HTC, Intex, Lava, Lenovo, Panasonic and Xolo will join the initiative, while Qualcomm will also provide processors.
Read More: Best Android phones 2014
Via: The Verge
