Several years ago, Google attempted to address the emerging market with an initiative called Android One. This basically resulted in a series of low-end Android devices that were sold on the cheap. However it did not quite make the splash that we’re sure Google was hoping for, and it seems that they’re back again with another attempt.
Announced at Google I/O 2017, Google has taken the wraps off yet another low-end Android initiative, but this time they’re calling it Android Go. The concept is similar in which this is meant to cater to low-end devices, but instead of an overall package like how Android One devices are sold, Android Go can be seen as a lightweight version of Android that OEMs can choose to install on phones with 1GB of RAM or less, which ultimately should result in customers given more options.
It will be based on Android O, which is the latest version of Android, and will focus on apps that are less than 10MB in size and can support devices with slow processors or when there is no internet. The Play Store is also expected to be updated to highlight apps that have been designed for the Android Go platform.
Google will also be updating its own app suite to make them compatible with Android Go, and users can look forward to features such as Chrome Go and YouTube Go, with the latter being able to show users a preview of the video before actually loading it, thus saving users time and data in the process.
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