Google announced its newest line of devices, Android One program, on the first day of Google I/O Developers' Conference.
To the delight of many Android fans, more affordable handsets from the tech giant will come soon starting at just $100.
Google senior vice president Sundar Pichai gleefully introduced the new program that targets emerging markets. The new line aims to bring devices that are both affordable and with fair specs and features, while still bringing the unique Android experience.
According to Pichai, Android is being used by more than a billion people worldwide and the new program will bring the Android OS to emerging markets. In short, Android One is the much cheaper version of the Nexus program meant for developing countries.
Google partners with India's famous mobile manufacturer Micromax in making the first Android One smartphone. The smartphone packs some of the essential features in a cheap smartphone such as FM Radio, Dual SIM support, microSD card slot and a a friendly price tag.
According to Google, the Android One smartphone will cost under $100. The smartphone will pack a 4.5 inches screen display but other features are still unknown.
Although the smartphone may not pack some of the latest specs and features that most flagship phones offer, the handset offers some of the features that people from cheaper smartphones. One of the advantages of owning an Android One smartphone is that it will provide pure Android experience, free from user interface of mobile manufacturers.
The handset will also have less pre-installed apps. Most importantly, the handset will receive timely software updates as the updates will directly come from Google, which is similar to what the tech giant is doing to its Nexus and Google Play Edition devices. Android One smartphones will be running "real" stock Android, with no notable software differences aside from the limitations of budget hardware.
The Android One handset will arrive first in India this fall launching the new OS with three manufacturers – Spice, Micromax, and Karbonn.
