Google Reveals $105 Android One Handsets for Emerging Markets

[[Coi] Mr.CLuBBeR]

A platform for the next five billion users

Google's ambitious goal of getting a smartphone into the hands of more than five billion people who don't currently own one starts today with the unveiling of the first Android One handsets in India. These low-cost smartphones are intended for emerging markets and will retail for around 6,399 ruppes (around $105 in U.S. currency). Several manufactures are on board, the first of which include Micromax, Spice, and Karbonn.
All three have released Android One handsets with 4.5-inch displays powered by 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6582 processors based on ARM's Cortex A7 design, 1GB of RAM, 5-megapixel rear-facing cameras, 2-megapixel front-facing cameras, microSD card slots, dual-SIM slots, replaceable batteries, and the latest versions of Android direct from Google.
"There are three big reasons why it’s hard for people in countries such as India, Indonesia or the Philippines to get their hands on a high-quality smartphone," Google explains in a blog post. "First, is the hardware itself. Even entry-level smartphones still remain out of reach for many (bear in mind that in some of these countries the average monthly income is around $250). Second, many people in these markets do not have access to the latest Android software and popular applications. Finally, even where 3G and 4G networks are available, not enough people have phones that can support data and the plans can be expensive."
This is where Google's Android One movement comes into play. Google is working closely with phone and silicon chip makers to share reference designs and pick out components that are both powerful and affordable. And with Google backing the initiative, Android One handsets will be some of the first to receive the Android L update later this year.
In addition to the phone makers mentioned above, the Android One movement has attracted a number of supporters, including Acer, Alcatel, Onetouch, Asus, HTC, Intex, Lava, Lenovo, Panasonic, Xolo, and Qualcomm.

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