Google launches Android One devices in India from Micromax, Karbonn and Spice

After a lot of speculation finally Sundar Pichai is in New Delhi to announce a whole lot of new services and devices for India. This include the big launch of the Android One smartphones which they introduced back at Google I/O in June, YouTube Offline and the availability of Play Newsstand in India. 

Partnering with Spice, Karbonn and Micromax they launched 3 devices, Karbonn Sparkle V, Micromax Canvas A1 and Spice Dream UNO Mi-498 today. These devices will be available exclusively through online retailers Flipkart, Snapdeal and Amazon respectively. These three phones will also be available via Reliance Digital, Croma and The Mobile Store, offline. The phones will be available for purchase online starting September 15, 3:30pm IST. 

Under the Android One scheme Google essentially sets standards for phones hardware for the OEMs. Also phones running Android One will be just like GPE and Nexus devices receiving constant and regular updates directly from Google. Google will also have Wi-Fi-equipped mobile demo trucks called 'Showroom on wheels' in 600 locations across 20 cities to allow potential consumers to experience the Android One phones. Google has also appointed 30,000 Android One ambassadors who will spread the word about the phones. Google also partnered with Airtel and Reliance to provide plans to Android One customers. Airtel will offer 200MB free data per month for app downloads and updates via Play Store. 

In terms of specifications, all the three manufactures have adhered to the minimum requirements set by Google. The phones have a 4.5-inch display (845 x 480 pixels), dual SIM support and run a stock version of Android 4.4. Hardware specifications include a quad core Mediatek processor, 1GB RAM, 4GB storage, microSD card for expansion (up to 32GB supported) and dual cameras. This specification set ensures a fluid experience for the user, as opposed to many cheaper Android phones that are already.

Karbonn Sprkle V

Micromax Canvas A1

Spice Dream Uno

Also chipset manufacturer Qualcomm is the new hardware partner for the Android One Program which means that future devices will likely see Qualcomm processors in addition to the current Mediatek. 

Sundar Pichai also announced the next set of partners for Android One handsets. This includes Acer, Alcatel, ASUS, HTC, Intex, Lava, Lenovo, Panasonic and Xolo. This list includes HTC also which realises the benefits of tapping the low-end market instead of being one of the market leaders for the high-end smartphones. Also Google is expected to release Android One Indonesia, Philippines and other South Asian countries by 2014 with more to follow in 2015.

The phones are now available on all the 3 online sellers and will soon make their way to the offline stores. 

Buy now: Micromax, Karbonn and Spice

Learn more: Android One

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Spice Fire One Mi-FX1: Another Firefox OS device launched

Aimed at capturing the booming Indian Mobile market, Spice today in New Delhi, launched its new Firefox OS powered Spice Fire One Mi-FX1 at a price of `2,299. 

CEO Spice Mobility,  Prashant Bindal (R) and Senior Director Mozilla, James Ho (L) interact with media at the launch event in New Delhi.

It’s followed by the launch of Intex Cloud FX last week which marked the entry of Firefox OS in India. The 2G Dual SIM enabled handset comes with a 1 GHz processor, 2.5G connectivity, 3.5-inch display with 480x320 resolution HVGA capacitive touch screen, 1.3MP primary camera and 0.3 MP front camera. It packs a 1400 mAh battery. On the storage front, it has a memory slot that can be expanded up to 4 GB via microSD card. 

The Firefox Marketplace on this phone helps users to download app. This device also supports several Indian languages like Hindi, Tamil and Bangla and comes preloaded with Facebook, Twitter and Connect A2 instant messaging app. 

On company’s plan to introduce mid-range smartphones, James Ho, senior director, Firefox Mobile Devices Group said to Indianexpress.com said, “Currently we are focusing on the ultra-low price smartphone market. We want to help feature phone users in India to upgrade to a smartphone. However, in the coming days, our handset partners are looking at bringing devices in every price segment in the country.” 

The Spice Fire One Mi-FX 1 will be available exclusively on Snapdeal.com for a short period of time and will then be made available through major retail stores, Spice HotSpot stores and Saholic.com. 

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Spice to launch very first Android One Smartphone

Spice mobile just confirmed that they will be launching the first Android One based smartphone, confirming the launch of low cost android device in India this Diwali. They also said that they will be bringing the Firefox OS in the country at about the same time.

Android One was announced at the Google I/O and the three Indian smartphone companies including Spice, were named to be the first one to launch Android One.

EarlierFirefox confirmed about launching in India and now spice confirms that they will be the one to launch those devices.

"We will have the handsets in before Diwali. These phones are designed for driving connectivity at affordable prices. We were chosen for our innovation, we are among the chosen few to work with these global giants to bring these devices to India," Spice Retail CEO Devices T M Ramakrishnan told PTI.

The Android One smartphone will cost about `6,000 (roughly $100) and Firefox OS smartphones will be priced at about `1,500 (roughly $25).

Recent reports suggested about a big launch event this Diwali by Google when Android and Chrome head Sundar Pichai will be visiting to reveal new smartphones. This means entry level Google Play Edition like devices coming to the Indian market.

Source : PTI

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