Low-Cost Android One Phones Coming To The US, Says Report (theverge.com)

The Android One platform is a program designed by Google to provide budget-friendly Android smartphones to developing markets. The phones are attractive because they contain no bloatware, competing services, and a lack of software and security updates -- the stuff that most low-end smartphones contain. According to a report from The Information, the program is about to make its way to the U.S. market. The Verge reports: Android One phones have historically been produced by companies you probably haven't heard of, like Micromax, Cherry, and QMobile. Originally Google had a direct hand in detailing what components would go into the phone, but apparently became more flexible over time and eventually expanded the program beyond India to parts of Africa, Spain, and Portugal. Android One may not have been the rousing worldwide success Google was hoping for, but it's still an important initiative for the company. Especially at the low end, there's a lot of incentive for manufacturers to pile on extra software in a bid to make those devices more profitable -- but that could cut against Google's efforts to make its own services more pervasive and popular. If Google really does put some real effort behind Android One, it could make its plans for Android a little clearer. Google itself has taken a stand that it wants to make its own hardware at the high-end of the smartphone market with the Pixel, and if The Information's report is accurate, it wants to ensure that its services are not cut out from the low end.

Comments

Price has other factors

[DeplorableCodeMonkey]

If the phone isn't getting even security updates as they come out the OS version it runs, it's not a deal. Google needs to do two things to make it a real deal at any price:

1. Force the carriers to let you update it as they release patches.
2. Actually support the OS.

Having to replace a phone to get security updates is not a deal. It's just an environmentally-unsound model for moving cheap hardware.

Re:Price has other factors

[drew_kime]

Being outraged by imaginary problems and not bothering to confirm anything before seems to be the new norm. You'll fit right in.

No, the problem was the summary: "The phones are attractive because they contain no bloatware, competing services, and a lack of software and security updates"

Parallel construction grammar fail. That should have read, "The phones are attractive because they contain no bloatware, no competing services, and won't lack software and security updates." The summary meant to negate all three parts.

What now?

[Opportunist]

No bloatware or Google trying to make its services more pervasive.

Hey, Google? 99% of the bloatware that litters our Android phones IS your services!

I'd love it except I have a kid

[cerberusss]

My iPhone 6 Plus its battery died so while getting it repaired, I got a cheap Android phone (a second-hand LG Nexus 5). Since I took care to only buy/use apps that appear in both the App Store and Google Play, the shift was easy. I thought, when that expensive phone comes back I'll just sell it.

However, I didn't think it through because when it came to making pictures, I was a bit disappointed. Now shooting photos might not be the most important thing in the world for you, but I've got a three year old daughter and don't want to look at crappy shots later in life. So as soon as my iPhone comes back, I'll be happy to go back to an expensive phone again.