Android One is low cost line of devices that run the Android mobile OS. With software similar to the original Android, the One version that is designed for low-powered phones are stripped off from customization.
In its attempt to make a budget Android platform for developing markets, Google announces Android Go, a program that is similar to Google’s Android One strategy.
Android Go focuses on building Android for mobile devices with less memory. With its System UI and kernel modified, Go is able to run on devices with as little as 512MB of memory. Apps that are installed on Go, will be optimized for low bandwidth and memory. For convenience, Google also provides a version of Play Store designed to highlight lightweight apps "optimized for your device," such as being under 10MB.
Given that the kinds of users who would have Android Go are also the those that have limited data plan, Google is also introducing a new data management and savings tools. Google is putting data controls in quick settings, and is adding a 'top up' button in settings so users can quickly request for more data from their carrier.
Go also turns Chrome's data on by default, and there is also a graphic where users can see how much data they've saved.
To push the effort, Google is also launching a new program called "Building for Billions", focusing to help developers create these optimized apps. One example is Google launching YouTube Go beta in India.
Android Go is meant to be installed on devices with 1GB or less RAM. And starting with Android O, Google commits to release variants of Android Go for all future versions of Android.
The Android One initiative was Google's attempt to win "the next billion", referring to non-smartphone users in developing countries. To market One, Google puts the operating system to low-cost devices that have less hardware capabilities than flagship phones, but promises regular updates (something that most major vendors struggled).
However, Android One's pace in the market has not been that dramatic as Google hoped.
This is where Android Go is taking its role by picking the bits that One left or unable to pick.