Together, the Micromax Canvas A1, Karbonn Sparkle V and Spice Dream Uno form the vanguard of the Google’s Android One initiative.
techknow beat
by Bilal Iqbal
Curiosity killed the cat and fragmentation surely would have killed Android years ago were it not for the lack of viable open source alternatives to Google’s operating system at the time. To an extent, the problem has existed since the early days of Android, with the original Google phone, the HTC Dream or TMobile G1, never making it past Android 1.6. Android 2.0, released just two years later, never made it to this phone. In contrast, the first iPhone continued to be supported for three years after launch, getting iOS 1, iOS 2 and iOS 3 updates during the time.
Around three years ago, towards the end of 2011, the problem for Android compounded when it moved from version 2.3 (Gingerbread) to version 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). The jump, as indicated by the version number, was huge for Android but many cheaper phones (especially unbranded Chinese models) continued to ship with the older Android 2.3, simply because they weren’t capable of running the latest Android version.
“Wow, wow, wow: Mister History Professor, back up a little,” you say: “What is this fragmentation you speak of? Does it have anything to do with defragmentation on my computer hard disk?”
Well, no, not really. In terms of mobile operating systems, fragmentation would mean a sizable number of devices running vastly different iterations of the operating system. What’s the big deal, you ask, after all people continued using Windows XP well after the launch of Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. In fact they still do.
True. But we have to understand that unlike desktop operating systems, the functionality jumps in mobile operating systems are often significant (contentious, yes, but arguable). Android’s jump from Gingerbread to Ice Cream Sandwich was a significant jump. The UI was completely overhauled. Android did away with physical touch buttons on the bottom of the screen and shifted them to on-screen (even if many manufacturers stubbornly refused to abandon the old ways). Google made major changes to Android in this jump — the change log detailing the major features itself was more than 25 points long.
A problem arises when Google makes basic changes and additions to the system. Many applications that now use the new capabilities to offer new features are no longer able to support older versions. Small developers, especially, do not have the resources to support versions of their applications for multiple operating system versions. This in turn cuts them off from a large number of potential customers. Other developers planning to bring their products to the platform are similarly deterred, knowing very well that they will have to support their software on a wide range of devices on vastly different operating system versions. Fewer apps means fewer users (look at Windows Phone still trying to make a sizable dent in the smartphone market).
The addition of subsequent Android iterations to Ice Cream Sandwich, Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), only furthered the fragmentation issues. And while advancements in mobile hardware have all but phased out new phones with Android 2.3, the current makeup of Android devices out there as of August 30 still features around 4% devices on Gingerbread. Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) devices make up about 7.5% of the Android devices currently in use. Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) is on roughly 40% of Android devices out there. Android 4.3 (also Jelly Bean, but different) devices are about 10%. The remaining phones, about 1/3rd, are on Android 4.4 Kit Kat. In contrast, a staggering 93% of Apple iPhones are either on iOS 7 or iOS 7.1.
The fragmentation issue is compounded by handsets that make up the low end of the spectrum. These devices are powered by weak hardware and are easily abandoned in the face of new Android versions. Traditionally, the only way to update your OS on a cheap handset has been to throw it away and buy a new phone.
Enter Android One, Google’s attempt at fixing this issue. The project’s aims are simple: bring the Nexus experience to the masses. Google provides its partners with a reference hardware to build (not unlike what Microsoft did with its Windows Phone launch) and then takes care of the software updates itself, all for less than QR400.
Google is promising software updates for up to two years after the device launch, which is the same deal it offers on its Nexus device. So if a new Android version is announced within two years of the device’s launch, the phone will be amongst the first to get it.
The first three low-cost phones that make up the Android One programme were announced and launched in India this week: Micromax Canvas A1, Karbonn Sparkle V, and Spice Dream Uno.
They all share the exact same internals, varying only externally. These are Dual-Sim devices (very important for a developing market) running on a Mediatek 1.3GHz quadcore processor. The RAM is a decent 1gb and the ROM is 4gb. You do get expandable storage, using which is necessary given the low internal storage (your initial cost, hence, will include the price of the MicroSD card). Don’t expect much from the 5mp autofocus rear camera and you will be fine (it is capable of recording 720p videos at 30fps). The front camera is a decent 2mp unit, which should be adequate for selfies and video chats. The screen is a 4.5 inch IPS unit (meaning good colours and viewing angles) with a resolution of 854x480 (not the best, but decent given the price point). The battery may sound decent at 1700mah, but given Google’s track record on Nexus devices and initial reports, expect to adjust your usage somewhat to get through the day without having to recharge. In time, Google will released more Android One reference designs targeted at different price points, which hopefully will cover the entire spectrum from low to mid to high-end.
Google’s aim is to target these devices at developing markets, at people who will be getting smartphones for the first time in their lives. As such, after India, they will make their way to Indonesia, the Philippines and the rest of South Asia. Even though markets such as Qatar do not form the target audience of Android One, and most of Google partners in this initiative do not operate here directly, I do expect these phones to make their way here, one way or the other. They are unlocked and offer great value for money. There is always demand for such products, and where there is demand, there is supply.
*The author may be contacted on [email protected] or followed on twitter at @tknobeat
