Google's Android Go is a new Android variant that plugs the entry-level hardware gap

[Siva]

Android Go is a new version of Android that is meant to run on super low-end, incredibly cheap hardware. We're talking optimized at an OS and app level for sub 1GB, near-disposable phones. This should help Google bring Android to more people in more places.

In some markets, device manufacturers have already been tossing Android on super cheap hardware, and the results haven't been great. This is an attempt to significantly improve that experience by having a version of Android for just such hardware. Android Go will feature performance optimizations at the OS level for non-performant chipsets and storage, a tweaked version of Chrome with data-saver turned on by default, and some extra data management tools. It will also feature other existing apps like YouTube Go intended for data-deprived markets.

The Play store will also feature a new highlighted category for apps that are beneficial for the platform and use case, and Google will also have some tools and talks later on how to build apps to better work for Android Go. The first devices to see Go won't be shipping until 2018, so don't get your hopes up quite yet. We are told that all future versions of Android will have a Go version, so this should be here to stay. No matter how you see it, the low-end looks like it's about to get a whole lot more competitive.

http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/05/17/googles-android-go-new-android-variant-plugs-entry-level-hardware-gap/

 

[rahul1117kumar]

Android Go likely to come to India around Diwali

Mobile phone users in India may need to wait until Diwali to get their hands on a smartphone based on the just-announced.

Android Go platform, Google ’s latest attempt at tapping the low-cost or entry-level segment.
Industry experts and analysts said unlike the failed Android One system, Android Go doesn’t dictate hardware standards, allowing Google’s partner handset makers to differentiate their devices from products of rivals on price and experience even while using the same OS.

Indian handset vendors Micromax , Lava and
Karbonn, which are major players in the mass market segment that Google wants to target and were also its partners for Android One, said Thursday they are looking forward to working with the US company’s new OS.

android go: Android Go likely to come to India around Diwali, Telecom News, ET Telecom

 

[Bapun]

Android Go: The Details Google Didn’t Reveal During the Keynote -  

Is Android Go a new version of Android?
Samat couldn’t be clearer on this: “Android Go is not a new version of Android, it’s not a different Android, it’s a project name inside Google.”

What will be the Android version that Go devices will ship with?
“We call it Android Go - it’s an internal name - but the OS that these partners will be shipping will be Android O - there’s no separate OS called Android Go,” Samat explains, just to drive home the point.

So what will be different about Android Go devices?
Think of Android Go as a bunch of presets that your Android O device will ship with. Some OS settings will be switched on (or off) by default; some Google apps will be a bit different than other Android O devices; and the Google Play Store will highlight third-party apps optimised for the Go experience - that’s about it.

 

[Sarkar]

Google launches Android Oreo Go edition for low-end phones

Today, “Android Go (Oreo edition)” is being made available for device manufacturers and developers in Google India Event 2017

Google Go interface













Google tells me that, going forward, the “Go edition” of future Android releases won’t be quite so delayed compared to the full ones. For now, though, the Go edition of Oreo is available for manufacturers to start using, which should mean we'll see it on new devices soon.

Chances are the first phones to use it will be launched in India — Google notes that it has more users there than it does in the US now, after all.

 

[Jithin91]

Google is finally releasing the bare bones version of Android it showed off at I/O 2017 back in May. The tech titan is making Android Oreo Go available to manufacturers with Android 8.1, which is scheduled to drop anytime within the next 24 hours. This optimized version of Google's mobile OS was created specifically for devices with only 512MB to 1GB of memory. It was built to be lighter and to run faster on phones that don't come with big ROMs and the most advanced components money can buy, with core apps that are 50 percent smaller and 15 percent faster than their full-sized counterparts.

Android Oreo devices with 512MB to 1GB of memory will come with the all the Go optimizations. This Android Oreo (Go edition) experience is made up of three key components:

Operating System: Performance and storage improvements to the OS with data management features and security benefits built-in.
Google Apps: A new set of Google apps, designed to be lighter and relevant to the unique needs of people who are coming online for the first time.
Google Play Store: A tuned version of the Google Play Store that allows you to download any app, but also highlights the apps designed to work best on your device.

Partners’ phones running Android Oreo (Go edition) will hit shelves in early 2018.

Introducing Android Oreo (Go edition) with the release of Android 8.1

Google for India: Building India-first products and features

 

[Bapun]

Turn any Android 8.1 Oreo ROM into an Android Go-Optimized Version

 

[greylala91]

Turn any Android 8.1 Oreo ROM into an Android Go-Optimized Version

Installed it on my Moto G 1st Gen running Lineage OS 8.1 Oreo... I can totally see the difference. Its fast, using less RAM, feels like device is given boosters

 

[Bapun]

@greylala91 bro expecting an in-depth review from you about it with screenshots.

 

[greylala91]

First thing to notice is the featured apps in Google play. It will now suggest lite version of popular apps (For Android Go edition).

Youtube Go is amazing, Very lite on resources than traditional youtube app.

GBoard app automatically converted to Go version but showing only Gboard in play store

Both Google app and Google go app are installed. Not sure why.. It should have converted Google app to Google Go just like Gboard app. But the services offered are quick, smooth. I bet it will work even on 512MB RAM

Google Go Settings

Memory usage is very less compared to before. Now it is using 50-60% RAM with high usage. Used to take upto 90% sometimes leading to slowness

Weather in Google Go app

Recent apps are now stacked in a flat manner, No high end animations. Also observed a difference in animation in regular usage but it is ok. Feels buttery smooth

 

[Bapun]

So its a highly optimised version of latest android!

Thanks for the quick job @greylala91 bro.