<p style="text-align: justify;">If you remember last year, Google announced Android One with an aim to provide low costing Android smartphones starting at $100 (Rs. 6,500) with the latest and quickest updates. The response didn’t turn out to be any good as Google failed to provide timely updates to the first similar looking lot of smartphones from Karbonn, Micromax and Spice. Apart from that, the devices were also disappointing as soon after the launch, better and much powerful smartphones flooded the market at a similar or lower price range. Google recently <a href="http://www.businessworld.in/tech-gadgets-apps-phones/lava-boards-late-train-android-one-0">managed to launch</a> a slightly better featured smartphone under the programme made by Lava last month, but the chances of that smartphone being successful are certainly low.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">To cover up the mistakes, the company is getting ready to reboot the program and is expected to cut down its goal to provide smartphones from as low as Rs. 3,200. <a href="http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0%2F6009c540-3ce0-11e5-8613-07d16aad2152.html#axzz3iKivEI8d">According to Rajan Anandan</a>, Managing Director, India and Southeast Asia, “Google is very committed to the program and agrees to the fact that Android One did not deliver to expectations as there were supply chain issues and it is like any company when you try to launch a new initiative, there are certain hiccups in the process. The company wants to target a much lower price to assure mass adoption of these device. In the comping years, Google will be bringing in high-quality, affordable devices ranging from Rs. 3000 to Rs. 6000. “</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Under the Android One program, the company provides hardware standards to smartphone makers and also gives them software support which includes stock Android OS just like on its Nexus devices. Yes, a low price helps but even if consumers do manage to buy high-quality smartphones at a lower price, there are some concerns for such devices to be successful, one of which is internet access. There are still a number of regions in the country that are struggling to gain access to fast and stable internet. This kills the whole idea of getting a smartphone to stay connected. Google plans to tackle this by developing products that are suitable for slower connections. Another concern is language, where Google has said that it will be increasing localized content for the country.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Android One is definitely a very important initiative from Google to provide a true smartphone experience to consumers in tier-three markets, especially to someone who wants to buy his or her first ever smartphone. If done right, this could serve to millions of users globally especially in the tier-three markets.</p>
