Google trying to bring back low-cost Android phones to India: Report

After Android One devices failed to take off in India introduced about a year ago, Google is now trying to bring back low-cost devices here in yet another attempt, says a new report by The Wall Street Journal. Citing people familiar with the matter, the report adds that the company plans to re-launch its Android One platform in India by teaming up with Lava International Ltd. Previously, Google had launched three Android One handsets in India, but this time it seems to be different. The initiative will now come with more lax rules for phone makers, giving them the liberty to choose features and hardware at the price point for Android One devices. The original hardware requirements were a small list of approved processors, cameras and other components. “Indian phone manufacturers weren’t happy with Google’s strict Android One hardware requirements, which put too much burden on them while restricting their ability to compete with other companies,” points out Slashgear. The new requirements will change a little from what we’ve seen previously. However, it’s too early to say if this will make a big difference to Android One devices, considering the plethora of other Android-running phones available in the budget Indian phone market. Earlier this year, we had heard about Google’s plans for revamping the Android One platform . The company plans to launch a sub-Rs 3,000 Android device as a part of Google’s massive investment push into India’s internet market, the report said.