Google announced that the next version of Android would officially be named Nougat, and it would be Android 7.0, yesterday. Which also meant that they updated all of their Android web pages. We already reported on these changes yesterday when they were made. But one change that was missed, was the fact that the Android One section is now missing from the updated Android site. The redesign shows the different parts of Android, including Android on a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, TV and in the car. Giving users a way to see all of the potential that Android has to offer.
With Android One missing from the newly redesigned site, does this mean that Android One is over with? Possibly, but probably not. Android One was announced back at Google I/O 2014, and it was a way for Google to reach the next billion users. Working with smartphone makers in emerging countries to create cheap smartphones that still offered a great experience and saw updates directly from Google. The Android One platform hasn’t been a huge success for Google, as many customers appeared to be going for other phones, like the Xiaomi Mi 4i in India, which was around the same price, but offered a lot more in terms of features. Google has relaunched Android One before, and expanded it to more countries. But perhaps this is the end of Android One. Google likely won’t confirm whether it is or not. And the only way users will know if Android One is truly dead in the water, is if Google doesn’t release anymore Android One devices.
Android One was met with a lot of competition, which is likely the reason that it hasn’t done all that well. In emerging markets, you have a ton of cheap smartphones – although they typically don’t get updates, or quick updates – which made it tough for Google to compete. It was a great idea though, and it would be nice to see it come to other places, like the US. Where smartphones are typically over $500, and most people either buy on a payment plan or sign a contract for a new smartphone.