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Android One will enhance Internet access in Nigeria, Africa – Google

By BusinessNews Staff on August 21, 2015

The release of Google Android One for mobile phones in Nigeria last week, will enhance internet access in the country and the whole of Africa, as the solution will be equally released soon in five other countries in Africa like Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, Ivory Coast, and Ghana.

Google Android One, which comes with improved features from the exiting Google Android solution, was first launched in India last year, and launched for the first time in Africa, from Nigeria on Tuesday this week.

Google is partnering MTN Nigeria, Infinix Mobile and Jumia to form an ecosystem that will enable it boost subscribers experience in the use of internet, by focusing on software application, platforms and connectivity.

Aside announcing the Google Android One in Nigeria for the first time, Google also announced its Offline Playback solution that will also enhance customer experience.

Google says it is using the Infinix HOT 2-X510 mobile phone from the stable of Infinix Mobile, to bring high-quality smartphones to millions of people in Asia, Africa and other parts of the world.

The Infinix HOT 2-X510 smartphone, which is the first device to run on Android One in Africa, is now available via online retailer Jumia and at select retail outlets at a recommended retail price of N17,500.

The Infinix HOT 2 phone offers a high-quality experience, running the latest version of Android (5.1 Lollipop). It will also get the new Android M release, an update that will offer Google’s new material design, improved battery life, enhanced security features, and smarter notifications.

MTN is offering a promotion to reduce data costs for those who buy the Infinix Hot 2 Android One phone. With an MTN SIM card, users of the Infinix Hot 2 phone will get 1GB high speed data at N500 for a 12 months period, and the latest Android platform updates for free.

Announcing the Google Android One solution, Vice President, Product Management at Google, Caesar Sengupta, said: “Over three billion people across the world are using the internet to live better, richer lives and create opportunities for themselves and their communities. The driving force behind this growth – particularly in Nigeria and many other African countries – is smartphones. In Nigeria, over 70 per cent of online users access the web via their phones. Android One offers high quality mobile devices that are great to use, but that are also affordable.”

Chief Executive Officer of MTN, Mr. Michael Ikpoki said “MTN has the same philosophy and dream with Google, in the area of connecting billions of people to the internet, and MTN will continue to generate contents that will enable more people connect to the internet.” According to him, 68 per cent of Nigerians are yet to connect to the internet, which means opportunity for business for the ecosystem formed between Google, MTN Nigeria, Jumia and Infinix Mobiioe, to further ndrive internet penetration in the country.

The Infinix HOT 2 smartphone comes in two variants; the standard version, which will be available in black, white, blue and red, and the premium version which will be available in gold.

Through Google Play, Android One phone users have access to over one million apps that allow them to message friends, make video calls, socialize, check news and weather, and play games. Google apps such as Gmail, Google Maps, YouTube, Google Search, and Google Translate will come pre-loaded on the phones.

[ThisDay]

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