Micromax, Karbonn and Spice to manufacture Google’s Android One phones in India.
Google has been trying to expand its Android ecosystem and the introduction of Android One will really aid Google reach their mission ‘5 billion’. On September 15, 2014, Google launched the world’s first Android One phone at a special event in India. The three mobiles are being manufactured by Indian manufacturers – Micromax, Karbonn and Spice.
Android One is a program launched by Google that aims to provide users with “high-quality” and low-cost Android smartphones. Google aims to provide maximum people with the chance to own a high-end smartphone at a budget price by reducing the manufacturing costs by outsourcing them to small local companies.
All three phones are quite similar, apart from minute changes in styling and dimensions. Here is a list of the similar features that all three phones have:
- Display: 4.5 inch IPS display
- Resolution: 854 x 480 pixels
- Processor: Mediatek MT6582
- RAM: 1 GB
- Internal memory: 4 GB
- Expandable memory card slot: Yes, expandable to 32 GB
- SIM: dual-SIM
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, GPS
- Battery: 1700 mAh – User-swappable
- Sensors: Proximity sensor, light sensor and G-sensor
Along with the features listed above, Google has launched a key feature that is vital in the Indian market – FM Radio. Google also announced that they are working on bringing a feature that allows users to store YouTube videos through Wi-Fi so they can be viewed later, even when offline.
The Android One phones will be running the latest stock version of Android v4.4 KitKat and these phones will be the first to receive the Android L OS when it is released.
The US-based tech giant also announced a new group of OEMs that will offer Android One phones – Onetouch, Asus, HTC, Lava, Lenovo, Panasonic, Xolo, Acer, Intex and Qualcomm. By the end of 2014, Google will launch Android One phones in the Phillipines, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
