Tech giant Google today announced a bouquet of new products for the Indian market that are suited to work with low Internet speeds.
These include a new Wi-Fi platform called Google Station, a video app called ‘YouTube Go’ and an offline feature for Chrome web browser and faster loading in Google Play on 2G network.
Outlining the three key areas of focus – access, products and platforms – Google Vice President (Next Billion Users) Caesar Sengupta said that the US-based company is working to provide a better and more inclusive online experience for users in India.
“Our goal has not just been to help more Indians get online, but also to help Indians create the online experience they want. So, we have been thinking about how to build products and services for this wave of new users – products that work for any level of connectivity, in local Indian languages, and across the devices that are most frequently used in India,” he added.
One of the big announcements was YouTube Go, speaking at the launch Johanna Wright, YouTube Vice President for Product Management, said:
With YouTube Go, we’re bringing the power of video to mobile users in a way that is more conscious of their data and connectivity, while being relatable and social.
The app is designed to be offline first and work even when there’s low or no connectivity. It’s also cost-effective, tackling the cost of data usage and giving users more transparency about how big downloads and file sizes will be.
Following its partnership with RailTel and Indian Railways to provide Wi-Fi at Indian railway stations, Google has now launched a new platform called Google Station.
He added that this will provide more people in India and around the world fast, reliable, and secure Wi-Fi in places like malls, transit stations, and cafes.
Besides, users on a low-bandwidth connection will now be able to choose and install an app through their mobile network or install it when the phone next connects to Wi-Fi.
Google is also focusing on the next million of users, who will come online in the coming years in regional languages other than English.
Its new messaging app ‘Allo’ will introduce support in Hindi for its Google Assistant later this year, Amit Fulay, Group Product Manager at Google, said.
Google has also announced a group of tailored features for Chrome, like automatic optimising of pages when 2G-like networks are detected. These simplified pages load up to 2X faster, saving more than 90 per cent of data usage. This data saving feature will now support videos as well, helping users save up to 67 per cent data.
India is one of the fastest growing markets for Internet usage. The user base, driven primarily by booming smartphone adoption, is pegged to grow from 350 million to 650 million by 2020.
The smartphone base in the same period is poised to grow to 500 million from 300 million in 2016.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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