(Creative Commons via Wikipedia)MUMBAI: Alphabet Inc's Google launched a stripped-down version of its Android software in India on Tuesday, as it attempts to woo millions of basic phone users in the fast-growing wireless services market. Among other products, Google announced on Tuesday a version of its Google Assistant for JioPhone - a low-cost 4G-enabled device marketed by Jio. With 1.2 billion mobile phone subscribers, India's wireless services market is second only to China's. But, only about a third of these subscribers currently use smartphones, leaving a vast market for Google, handset and telecom firms to further tap. Phones running on the new Google mobile operating system will also have access to a special version of its Google Play application store, the company said, highlighting the apps designed to work best on the low-memory smartphones.

Source: Bangkok Post December 05, 2017 20:26 UTC