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Android Go Will Make the Most Basic Phones Run Smoothly (cnet.com)

Posted by msmash on from the next-billion-users dept.

Entry-level phones may cost less than big hitters, but they come at the cost of space, speed and efficiency. Google's looking to change that with Android Go. From a report: Android Oreo (Go Edition) will launch tomorrow as part of the Android Oreo 8.1 rollout and all Android Oreo devices with 512MB to 1GB of memory will be optimised for Android Go. Google says this will allow them to function properly as smartphones while doubling their available storage space. The experience includes: An improved operating system with better performance, storage and security features; a new set of lighter Google apps, suitable for first-time web users; a Google Play store that highlights apps designed to work best on entry-level devices.

5 of 102 comments (clear)

  1. Great... by YuppieScum · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ...so are they going to back-port it to my 4-yo Samsung, so I can finally get an upgrade from Android 4.2?

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    1. Re: Great... by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 5, Informative

      Computers should last at least 5-10 years. The idea of throwing one out because the OS is outdated is stupid -- I'm typing this on a 6 year old Thinkpad which works beautifully once upgraded with 8GB RAM and SSD.

      Our throw-away society is just contributing to pollution from manufacturing devices and from disposal of e-waste (recycling is a nice idea, but somewhat of a myth in reality).

  2. So what? by DontBeAMoran · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Will the low-end of Android Oreo smartphones be slower than the entry-level Android Go smartphones?

    Why can't all phones run Android Go? Wouldn't it make all phones faster and make batteries last longer?

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    1. Re:So what? by nine-times · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It kind of reminds me of the Windows LTSB:

      Microsoft: Hey, we're releasing a build with all the crap stripped out, and with a stable and predictable update and support schedule. That way, you can use it on very special devices when you need to...

      Everyone: Oh, that sounds great. I'll just install it on everything.

      Microsoft: No! It's only to be installed on very particular devices, when absolutely necessary.

      Everyone: But... why? What you're describing is what we want. Stable predictable releases with all of the crap stripped out.

      Microsoft: But then we can't spy on you or put ads into your start menu.

      Everyone: ... yeah... that's what we want.

      Microsoft: And we can't install random updates and reboot your computer at arbitrary times outside of your control.

      Everyone: ...

      Microsoft: If you use the LTSB on your normal workstations, we won't really support it and we'll make it harder to upgrade when you want to.

      Everyone: *sigh* Fine.

    2. Re:So what? by thegarbz · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Everyone: *sigh* Fine. *Navigates to www.thepiratebay.org to download LTSB release.

      FTFY. Just like when downloading movies vs buying blurays, the pirates end up being those people with the best quality product.