Android Go – Could It Be the Tonic For Google’s Android One Dream?

Android One failed to live up to the billing, and with feature phones coming back, Android Go could work for Google.

Android Go could liven up Google’s mission connect India. (Photo: The Quint)

Google announced a slew of products at the Google I/O 2017 this week. Google Home is coming to more countries, in more languages (still no sign of an India debut), but the most important reveal goes to Android Go which will be available once Android O rolls out for everyone.

Android Go will work on entry-level phones that pack 1GB RAM or less. This segment will majorly pivot around India, where brands like Micromax, Intex and Lava among others have been focused on. They’ve already given us a ‘Go’ teaser with YouTube Go last year, with more to follow in 2017.

Android Go vs Feature Phone - Battle Awaited

Android Go comes at a time when 4G-enabled feature phones are returning to the fray.

Low-end Android devices have failed to attract buyers simply because they are running on older Android versions (with updates in sight) and their performance is not up to the mark. Most experts opine that feature phones could have a big say in the near future.

The migration to smartphones is expected to further slow down due to the introduction of low-cost 4G feature phones.

Also Read: Decoded: How India’s First-Ever 4G VoLTE Feature Phone Works

But if Google does manage to fix the gaping hole that’s stopped them from reaching more than 2 billion active users, Android’s reach can surpass all levels. We still don’t know how exactly Android Go serves the purpose but in the meanwhile, Google needs to be wary of its closest rival, the feature phone.

The feature phone segment is likely to contribute the majority of mobile phone shipments in 2017. 

<a href="https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prAP42304317">IDC 2017 report</a>

The new Nokia 3310 packs one month of battery life, when used on standby. (Photo: AP)

Keeping this in mind, Google is setting up Android to become reliable on cheaper smartphones.

Nokia’s 3310 aside, big names like Reliance Jio, Qualcomm and Mediatek have joined the wagon, enabling phone-makers to dish out internet-enabled feature phones, that’ll support apps.

Clearly, Google is now pitching its entry-level phones against phones that have been the backbone of the Indian market, at basic price point.

Android Go - Old ‘Android One’ Wine in a New Bottle?

Android One was earmarked as the project that was going to expand Google’s reach in India, to connect those who still can’t access the internet. They even tied up with brands like Micromax, Karbonn and Spice for that local flavour with $100 devices.

What could possibly go wrong with Google partnering for Android in the low-end mobile segment? Well, as it turned out, nothing worked out according to plan.

Android Go will get a kick start later this year. (Photo Courtesy: YouTubescreen grab)

Google later realised that Android One should never have been projected as a $100 smartphone project. Even though the latest Android version was on offer, we never came across further upgrades.

So, to put that into context, Android Go feels like a rechristened approach from Google to its failed Android One mission.

Putting All Its Eggs in One Basket

Android Go promises lower use of data, improved performance of the device running on the version, and battery life gets a pump up as well.

Android apps as big as 80MB not only consume space on the phone, they jack up the mobile bills too.

With Android Go, Google looks to make Android affordable, not only with its devices but with the operating system to boot.