GADGET GIZMO SPECIAL Android One: A smartphone googly
AT
A TIME when the world was busy speculating on the look, feel and
features of the new Apple iPhone, Google launched its nextgen
platform— Android One— targeted at the low-end smartphone
segment in emerging markets. Apple was going the highway,
price-wise, while Google was targeting the volumes segment.
Three
new handsets were unveiled along with the launch that will sport the
operating system, and the company plans to roll them out to other
developing countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Bangladesh,
Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the coming months.
The
feature-rich Android One smartphones, running on high speed 3G as
well as WiFi, will allow commercial transactions, let you play games
and watch movies, and do a lot more— something that is currently
missing in most low-cost smartphones.
But
if you already have an Android phone, you cannot replace the OS with
Android One, or upgrade to it.
What
is Android One?
For
any new software, the hardware needs to be capable of handling the
software. The Android One platform boasts of the latest operating
system, the new version of the 4.4 KitKat. It promises automatic
updates, keeping your phone in sync with thee latest security
patches, bug fixes, etc.
Why
do we need new w software? ?
A
numbere of personal details such as banking updates, tax
information, important password etc are stored in the phone and
connected with the number. Hence, the phone should be secure, with
facilities such as a pass code lock, a pattern lock, etc. Such
features are added to the software when updates are rolled out. As
and when the maker of the detects bugs— in t his case, Google—
they release r updates.
Which
phones have Android One?
In
India, Micromax Canvas A1 (`6,499) , Karbonn Sparkle V (`6,690) and
Spice Dream Uno (`6,299) are the first ones off the block that are
running Android One. All three have dual SIM, front and rear cameras
and support video-calling. A quad-core processor ensures all apps
run smoothly, and a MicroSD card slot lets you expand storage. The
phones also give you access to Maps, so you can use them for
navigation.
Google
also offers subscription to magazines and newspapers for free for
the first year. With Google’s announcement t hat YouTube videos
will be available offline soon on Android One Devices, one can
download them (in free Wifi areas) and save on data charges.
One
must download apps only from the Google Play Store and check that
while updating the operating system, data transfer is not counted in
the monthly plan.
What
about other sub-`7,000 phones?
There
are quite a few options, such as the Xiaomi RedmiS1 (Android 4.3;
upgrade to 4.4 not available yet) that costs ` 5,990, the Asus
Zenfone 4 (`5,999; Android 4.3; upgrade to 4.4 under release) and
the Nokia Lumia 530 (`6,999; Windows 8.1, which is the latest
version). They are all great, sport modern operating systems, and
clock speeds that are faster than Android One phones.
They
also come with international warranty, which Android One phones may
not have.
The
verdict
If
you are planning to buy a low-cost smartphone, the three Android One
phones, as well as the Xiaomi Redmi S1, Asus Zenfone 4 and Nokia
Lumia 530, are good options. They open up a whole new market with
the latest features, operating systems and a good set of hardware,
all in one go, without pinching your pockets too much.
What
Android One does for the phones and what the phones do for Android
One, only time will tell. It may be seen as a gamble by Google,
ahead of the iPhone6 launch, but the OS surely is a step in the
right direction, and great value for money.
HT
140923
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