Android One Now a Part of Google’s Unified Hardware Division Led by Rick Osterloh

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Published 6 May 2016

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Android One smartphones - Philippines

In an interview with ET Tech, the Business Development head of Android and Chrome Partnerships at Google, Mike Hayes, told the publication that Android One is now a “part of the broader” hardware strategy at Google, and it is now a part of the new unified hardware division of Google that is being led by former Motorola president Rick Osterloh.

During the interview, Hayes also reaffirmed Google’s interest and commitment towards the Android One program, which has failed to take off in the country despite numerous efforts from the company. He also confirmed that there will be more smartphones that Google will be launching under the Android One program.

Hayes also talked about Google’s partnership with Idea Cellular in India that is allowing the company to offer direct carrier billing in the Google Play Store. He says that Google is optimistic that the introduction of carrier billing will lead to more consumers in India buying apps and games from the Play Store. In Indonesia, Google saw a 4x rise in the number of buyers in just 18 months after the company introduced carrier billing.

He also said that Google is “actively engaging” with other major telecom operators in the country. While he did not give a specific date, he did say that in the “short term,” Google will be making several announcements with them.

Google teamed up with local OEMs in India to launch many budget oriented Android One devices. However, the program did not work in the country due to a barrage of smartphones from Chinese OEMs that offered better value for money than what the Android One smartphones offered.

[Via ET Tech]