Google to launch Android One in October

At the recent Google I/O, one of the less-noted but nonetheless important things Google announced was a new product line planned for emerging markets, which will offer standard specs with a very low price tag.

The product line will be called Android One. The point of it is to offer a basic phone, with a 4.5’ display, 4G and microSD support, FM Radio and dual-sim support, all that for a mere $100.

The phone will enjoy all the advantages usually reserved to Nexuses and GPEs (Google Play Editions), such as immediate updates and stock Android. Of course, the point of producing such a phone is in order to fulfill Google’s vision of connecting everyone, and spreading Android’s popularity.

Many manufacturers will be able to apply and produce such phones, and we can already name Micromax, Karbonn and Spice as potential producers. OEMs can afford the phone’s cheap price tag thanks to the fact that the phone will sport nearly-bare Android, cutting down development costs, and on the way allowing for very fast updates.

Of course, this rather low-end product line will not be focused on the US market, and thus don’t expect Google to port it here. It is many directed at emerging markets, such as India. The phone will probably launch by October, and is rumored to be Flipkart exclusive (just like the Moto X, E and G).

*Whoever is un-familiar, Flipkart is a very popular Indian Online retailer, and it’s lately been very successful in selling phones such as the Moto G and E, and also stocking-out the BlackBerry Z3.