Google has launched the Android Oreo (Go edition) as a part of Android 8.1. Google aims at adding another billion to the already existing Android users with this slimmed down version of Android Oreo. Android One was also intended for enhancing the experience of low-end devices. Android Go edition is different from Android One as it is a full release of Android and made available for use by any manufacturer who is a part of the Android Open source project.
Android Oreo Go edition has been designed to run on entry-level smartphones with either 512MB or 1GB of RAM and comes with all Go optimizations. There is a 15 percent increase in speed in devices running on Android Oreo. The Go optimized apps take 50 percent less space, which means a whopping double amount of space for storing music, photos etc. Though the Android Go is currently made available only to device manufacturers and developers, users can expect it very soon.
Android Oreo (Go edition) offers-
- More Storage – Saving on storage space with smaller sized apps known as the Go Apps, as well as fewer preinstalled apps.
- Better data management- A built-in data manager that helps you have better control over data. The data saver is turned on by default so as to manage the data usage round the clock.
- Security- It is now possible even for entry-level smartphones to have all security featured of Android Oreo with the Go edition. This includes built-in security benefits like Find my device, Googe Play Protect and scanning of all installs round the clock even when offline.
Google Play Store – It is possible to download any app from Google Play store with complete protection enabled. There is a new section that suggests popular apps, even those that are not by Google, best suited for the particular device, like Facebook Lite, Skype Lite, and others.
Googles Go edition comes with a list of preinstalled Go apps like Google Go, Google Assistant Go, YouTube Go, Google Maps Go, Gmail Go, Gboard, Google Play, Chrome, and the new Files Go app by Google. Some of them like Gmail Go and Google Assistant Go are completely new.
- Files go—This “Go” app is the only one that is freely available now in the Play Store. The app helps to quickly find and delete unwanted content. Peer to peer sharing is now possible with Files Go without impacting data.
- Google Go— Google Go simplifies the process of searching on web with features like search as you type, bilingual searches and helping load third-party websites faster by transcoding. This is similar to Google’s ‘SearchLite’ app.
- YouTube Go— a stripped-down YouTube app with huge space savings -8.94MB for YouTube Go as compared to 25MB for the full version. But the videos come in basic quality which is not very enticing.
- Gboard—Gboard is not a separate app. It is built with everything to support keyboard and ease communication– voice typing, multilingual typing supporting over 120 languages, autocorrect and wide choice of Emoji.
- Chrome – Chrome has its own data saver, which is turned on by default. It helps is saving about 60 percent of mobile data. This is also not a separate app like the Gboard.
Google announced the release of Android Oreo (Go Edition) at a Google India event, India has more users than the US. But Android Go is a worldwide thing. Google has pushed the boundaries of technology for everyone, including those with entry-level devices. With reimagined apps and data management Google also confirms that the ‘Go edition’ of future Android releases will not be as delayed as this one.
