Google has announced Android One, a combination of hardware reference designs and direct Android updates from Google targeted at developing markets.
Speaking at Google IO 2014, Sundar Pichai, Google SVP for Android noted that in India less than 10% of people have access to smartphones. Google’s goal is to reach the next 5 billion and Android One will help OEMs to do just that by pooling resources and helping them avoid reinventing the wheel.
Google will help create hardware reference platforms and identify the components that will go into next-generation highly affordable phones and help partner with quality vendors.
The software side of Android One starts with stock Android, like Nexus or Google Play Edition devices, upon which carriers can add locally relevant apps. Crucially, Google will keep the devices updated with new software just like it does with Google Play Edition and Nexus phones.
Pichai showed off one phone he was using with dual-SIM and FM radio - features required in emerging markets like India - that was selling for less than $100. The program launches with three OEMs in India - Micromax, Spice and Karbonn.
Earlier Pichai shared some headline figures of the success of Android. Today there are over a billion active users, between them sending over 20 billion SMS messages, taking 93 million selfies and taking 1.5 trillion steps a day.
Google also previewed the next major release of Android referred to only as the L release. At the heart of L is a new design language called Material Design where objects behave more like cards complete with a Z-elevation, shadows and perspective.