At an event in India yesterday, Google unveiled the first set of devices under their Android One program. Android One is basically a set of specifications and rules for device makers to make low cost Android phones. Also only the stock Android versions are allowed to be loaded on these device ensuring that no performance draining customisations will be added. By manufacturing phones adhering to these guidelines, Google ensures a low cost phone that runs the latest Android version with satisfactory performance while having the ability to stay updated as newer versions are released.
Three phone models under this framework were released at a cost of INR 6399. This approximates to about LKR 13,600 which is actually at a higher cost than some of the smartphones available in the Sri Lankan market (Micromax and Dialog Phones). Although the price is higher this phone does have the advantages of better performance and support for version upgrades. Google mentioned having Sri Lanka in its road map for Android One, and at that time we would able to see the take up of it in the local market.
