Google’s New Stab at Boosting Android Brand in U.S.

Google is expanding its “Android One” program for low-cost smartphones to the U.S in coming months, promising phone makers major new promotional dollars if they play by its rules, say three people briefed on the plan.

The first phone to launch in the U.S. with Google’s Android One seal of approval, backed by an ad campaign funded by Google, is expected before the middle of the year. It will be made by a phone manufacturer whose identity couldn’t be learned. It will be different from other Android phones because it will guarantee timely software updates, including security updates, for two years from sale date, one of the people said. That’s something Android often fails to do, unlike Apple. The phone is expected to be priced in the $200-$300 price range, said two of the people.

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For instance, Google has released a virtual reality software for high-end Android phones, called Daydream. So far, though, VR for phones is in a nascent phase and Daydream has been “disappointing” in terms of usage, Google recently told one partner. As a result, Google has asked some phone makers to offer VR “viewers”—the head gear that customers can use to put a phone screen in front of their face for VR—for free to their phone customers, said a person briefed on the conversations.

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Android One could be important to help make sure Android devices work the way Google wants them to.