Google is yet again trying to revamp the budget Android platform for developing markets with Android Go, an extended program that seems similar to Google’s Android One plan to create a version of Android for lower powered devices. These are the most used devices on the Android platform due to their affordability, and Google wants to make a good experience for users of such devices.
- First Optimizing the latest release of Android (in this case Android O) to run smoothly on entry level devices.
- A rebuilt set of Google Apps that use less memory storage space and mobile data.
- A version of the PlayStore that contains the whole App catalogue, but highlights the apps designed by developers.
This version of Android will be for phones with less memory, with the System UI and kernel able to run with as little as 512MB of memory. Apps will be optimized for low bandwidth and memory. Google is also launching a new program called “Building for Billions” to help developers create these new optimized apps.
Android devices with less than 1GB of RAM will automatically get Android Go starting with Android O. Google is also committing to releasing an Android Go variant for all future Android versions going forward.
While Android One hasn’t been the dramatic, world-changing success that Google had hoped for when it was first announced, Android Go could still be an important area for the company.
