Android One not off to the greatest start
Android One, Google’s answer to get low cost smartphones into the hands of the next billion, seems to be off to a slow start. Micromax, Karbonn, and Spice offered Android One handsets in India from mid September. According to IDC, 8 million smartphones were shipped into India, and only about 2.5% of them were Android One devices.
One of the reasons for the lukewarm reception could be that the devices were initially only offered online, while the target demographic probably doesn’t have internet. Let’s also not forget that Google’s former division, Motorola, is on fire with the Moto E and Moto G. Than there is Xiaomi. However, both of these companies are offering their devices online too.
IDC does see sales picking up in November and December, plus Google plans on expanding into Indonesia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka shortly.
source: India Times
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Google allegedly working on its own WhatsApp competitor
Google introduced its Android One program earlier this year, which focuses on building budget-friendly, solid quality smartphones for the developing world. Back then, the search giant made it pretty clear that, with help from manufacturers, it wanted to create a big splash in emerging markets — such as India, where the first Android One devices were revealed last month. But a rumor suggests Google’s next step is to build what it couldn’t buy when it lost out on messaging king WhatsApp to Facebook. The Economic Times, a trusted Indian news outlet, is now claiming the company from Mountain View has started working on a messaging app of its own that will head to emerging markets first, before potentially launching elsewhere.
Citing sources familiar with Google’s plans, The Economic Times says the purported service will “likely” launch in 2015, noting that it’s still in the early stages of development. One key way it might differ from the existing Hangouts service is that it wouldn’t require a Google account to login, and unlike WhatsApp, it would be entirely free to use. Hooking the service up to Gmail may have helped Google get messaging users in the US, but competing with Whatsapp and its ilk (WeChat, Line, Viber) may require more flexibility and support for different devices.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Software, Mobile, Google
Via: Reuters
Source: The Economic Times
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Android One Phones are Here! Moto X Pre-Orders Begin! – ManDroid Daily
The ManDroid Daily is here my friends, and hopefully some of you grabbed yourself a New Moto X. They went on pre-order today through AT&T, and I have a little jealousy inside for those of you that ordered one. The Android One phones are finally here, and should be making their way through more markets by the end of the year. Enjoy the Daily!
Android News
New Moto X Pre-order
Android One phones
Android One phones to expand countries
Android Silver line may still be a thing
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