PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
Google has unveiled three Android One smartphones at an event in India.
Micromax, Karbonn and Spice Mobiles are all launching handsets that run on Google’s Android One platform.
All three partners are offering smartphones with 4.5-inch screens, 1GB of Ram, 5MP front cameras, 2MP rear cameras, 1.3GHz quad-core processors, dual-SIM slots, microSD expandable storage, and FM radios.
The low-cost smartphones will ship with support for more languages, including Hindi, and will have a special version of YouTube which allows users to download videos and re-watch them without incurring excessive data chargers.
The first Android One smartphones are expected to retail for 6399 rupees (around £64).
While there are already some smartphones on the market around the same price, Google is hoping that launching phones with its own software and hardware means the firm will be able to deliver a more consistent performance. For example, Google will be able to update software remotely, without the help of the handset makers, meaning there should be a quicker turnaround when it comes to fixing bugs and glitches.
After India, Google plans to launch Android One smartphones in Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia and the Philippines.
