Despite slow start, Google plans to stick with Android One

India is one of the largest emerging markets for smartphones on the planet and the potential there is a big reason so many manufacturers have specific strategies for India. One of those companies is Google which introduced the Android One standard as a way to help manufacturers get devices into the market quickly and at a price point that will be successful. However, the lofty goals of the program have not yet lived up to the promise with less than a million units sold. In a recent interview, Google’s Ceasar Sengupta says the company is not planning to back out on the project and is actually looking for ways to enhance it for future success.

In an interview with The Economic Times, Sengupta says Google is “not backing away from the program.” They have actually expanded to seven countries and continue to work with about 20 OEMs to produce devices for those markets. Sengupta also said Google wants to be “a catalyst and move the overall Android ecosystem forward in a way that helps and benefits users.” That may mean focusing on measures other than volume and not getting caught up in a release schedule in India that saw 1200 new devices launched last year.

One specific issue that Google did identify with the Android One program is the need to expand sales channels. The initial launch of Android One devices saw a distinct lack of retail sales locations for the devices as partners focused on on-line sales channels. Google has realized that was a mistake and that they need to be sure to work in the future to ensure Android One devices are “truly available everywhere.”

Another challenge that has surfaced in the Indian market for Android One is connectivity issues. That has translated into some benefits on a broader level though as Google has had to look at products like YouTube offline and Maps offline. Google is also finding pricing and the ability to tap into consumers with little disposable income is a challenge.

source: The Economic Times

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