Close
on the heels of Facebook announcing the Internet.org in partnership
with Reliance Communications, Google is also planning to make data usage
free with certain apps specifically on its Android One handsets.
According
to a report in The Information, Google is planning to entice first time
smartphone customers who want to buy Android One handsets by not
charging any money for some apps. The Android One handsets are meant for
developing markets such as India where a lot of people are still using
feature phones. The whole idea behind Android One, was to make people
buy their first smartphone, which would get updates right from Google
rather than OEMs.
Google
has also started to sell Android One devices in Indonesia. India hasn’t
seen an explosive growth as far as Android One handsets are concerned,
and this ‘zero rating’ data usage for some applications might just
improve the situation. Zero rating data usage means that certain apps
will not be charged any data rates in your monthly bill cycle and it
will not consume any data from data-plans which you may have purchased.
Google
is in talks with various third party developers and wireless carriers
to bring in the zero rating system with some apps. The report states
that apps such as Flipkart, Snapdeal, Redbus and Ola cabs are partnering
with Google to get the zero-rating status.
Telecom
service providers have been following this policy for a while now,
where they offer app-specific plans such as a WhatsApp pack, Facebook
pack and so on. Google is planning to take off the money factory from
the equation. We shall wait and see how this pans out and if it will,
indeed boost Android One sales in India.
Posted by : Gizmeon
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