[Brief]Android Go Edition: What I Think After Six Months of Use

Back in 2014, Google launched Android One. Through it, Google proposed a generation of affordable smartphones (less than $100), that was faster, provided more storage, had regular security updates and help reduce data consumption for emerging markets, all with the aim of conquering the next billion smartphone users. However Android One revealed not to be up to the task. The visual aspect and lack of strong communication around Android One smartphones were reasons why the next billion had to be handed up to Android Go.

A powerful experience for entry-level smartphones. It’s the best of Android, built with new and reimagined apps, so even the most affordable Android smartphones are as sweet as can be

Announced at the I/O 2017, Google Go is Google’s new main asset in conquering the next billion -  similar to Android One but with a few tweaks. I tested Android Go with Android 8.1 Go edition where everything started, on the Tecno Spark 2 which serves as my main driver. For a reminder, it only boasts 1GB of RAM, and 16GB of internal storage space, and is powered by a MediaTek MT6580WP and a 3500mAh battery. Android Go consists of three optimized areas which are the operating system, the Google Play Store, and the Google Apps. On Android 8.1 Go edition the operating system has been optimized to occupy half the space Android 7.1 Nougat occupied (about 5.6GB). The Google Play Store now highlights compatible apps for the Go edition of Android (the Go suites of apps from Google, as well as the “Lite” apps like Facebook Lite and Skype Lite). As for Google Apps, Google has released a new suite of optimized apps to accompany Android Go, which goes by the same suffix. Examples include but are not limited to Gmail Go, Google Maps Go, Google Go just to name these. Together, let’s discover what makes this Go edition of Android special in my opinion.


Performance

Android One promised a faster experience of Android, as its proposed stock Android (a clean and basic version of Android), free of superfluous apps and features. However, it didn’t really live up to its promise. I used Android One on the Infinix Hot 2 (1GB of RAM), and after 6 months of use, serious lags appeared, and the phone became really slow and hard to use. However on Go, it is a complete difference, the phone is still fluid and reactive after 6 months of use. This is probably due to Go’s better ability to forcefully close apps in the background so that the efforts of the RAM are mainly directed to the app in current use. Also, the Go suite of apps which are better designed for low configurations (they occupy less space, thus improving performance) have a share of responsibility in Go’s fluidity.  These clever and handy configurations permit apps to launch 15% faster on Android Go.


Storage

As mentioned earlier, Android Go occupies less space - 26% less space to be exact. But also, the Go suite of apps are designed for lighter updates and downloads. For example, YouTube Go occupies less than 40MB, compared to 200MB for its full counterpart. These all together create more space (for your apps and files) and improve performance, a win, win according to Google. Also, File Go comes in handy when your phone gets cluster in your endless media collection. The file explorer app made by Google offers simplified management of your files, and a smart and quick way to get rid of unwanted content - embarrassing selfies included.

With fewer pre-installed and much lighter apps you get 2x more available storage out of the box. Storage issues, solved.

Battery
An operating system optimized for low configurations, and apps designed to occupy much less space, and run effortlessly on 512MB of RAM only, will eventually lead to better battery life. My Tecno Spark 2 can take me through a whole day (about 8 hours) with a single full charge, and a normal usage (consisting mainly of social media, and some viewing).


Security

Contrary to Android One whose only guarantee of security at the time was timely security updates from Google for 2 years, Android Go has much more to offer in this segment. In addition to monthly security updates from Google, Android Go boast a built-in Google Play Protect, that scans all installed apps on your device, even offline, no matter where you downloaded them! Hence efficient to prevent any viruses, or worse, ransomware which has been a plague lately. Without forgetting a built-in “Find My Device” feature, which automatically sets you up, so that you can locate or erase all contents on your device whenever and wherever you lost it.


Data Saving

In addition to drastically improving performance, the design of Android Go also makes it economical in mobile data. Remember, Android Go is much aggressive when it comes to shutting down apps in the background, hence you can be sure no unwanted and unused app will steal your last precious bit of data without your consent. In compliment, the Go apps, notably Google Go, which is a new and faster way to search made by Google works fine on even the most stubborn networks. For this to work, all web pages are first transferred to Google’s servers - where they are compressed - before being delivered to your device, leading to a 40% economy in mobile data on Google Go, and 60% on Chrome which is natively equipped with a data saving feature that works similarly. Still, in the perspective of saving data, YouTube Go is probably the most useful in my opinion. The new and simplified YouTube app first of all permits you to see the size of each video you watch in three distinct quality:  Data saver, Standard quality, and High quality. This comes very handily when you are on low data or slow network and you need to control your consumption to the nearest bite or watch your video appropriately on your network. You can even download videos to your phone for later, and share them with your friends.

With a built-in data manager and more options to help you save, there are now more ways than ever to stay in control of your data. Because data is meant to be enjoyed, not just used.

Inconvenience
Because yes, no advantages come without disadvantages and Android Go is no exception. The new alternate operating system from Google may have numerous assets, but that doesn’t make it flawless. Its flaws are mainly due to its compression. To make it OS light, and run smoothly on low configurations, Google had to get rid of numerous functionalities, both on its OS and its Go suite of apps. Among them, on its OS is the absence of split-screen mode. Google natively supported split-screen mode from Android 7.1 Nougat to the pleasure of its fans. Split screen mode basically allows you to use two apps side by side. But this means actively using two apps in the foreground. On a 1GB RAM phone, this can be hectic especially if using energy-intensive apps like Chrome and Maps - which literally can crash your device due to an overload on the RAM. Google, therefore, deleted the feature from the Go iterations to avoid the burden to its users. As for updates, while Android One promised an update to a newer version of Android, it seems this promise is absent from Android Go. It’s been already one year since Android 9.1 Pie Go edition is out and still no update on my Tecno Spark 2. With Treble showing positive results, it’ll be too bad for Google to show a regression concerning Android’s fragmentation.

As for the Go suite of apps, if Chrome and Gmail have much less noticeable change if not some minor design tweaks, Maps Go and YouTube Go lack a lot. Maps Go is not much more but a Progressive Web app from Google which literally opens itself in Chrome seamlessly without you noticing. Hence, the app is void of numerous features like “Your match”  and the Explore tab, or even the ability to use it offline. In the case of YouTube Go, same case, it is a Progressive Web app, that basically just allows you to watch and download videos. No “Library” section that gives you direct access to your watch history, and playlists, and worst you can't see and comment videos!!!!!!!

You would have understood, Android Go edition shows better and promising results than Android One. Inhabitants of emerging markets still have relatively low purchasing power, and can’t always afford hundreds of dollars on a smartphone. But the moment the price decreases so does the technical specifications of the device (RAM, chipset, camera, etc). The complete versions of Android are too heavy and powerful to work well on these low configurations. Hence, Optimizing Android in order to perfect its functioning: a more responsive system, lighter and faster apps, and a minimized allocated storage space to prevent the device's memory from overloading, seems to be a clever idea. Now, will this suffice to conquer the next billion? According to Google, more than 50% of entry-level smartphones nowadays feature a Go edition of Android. Also, reports have it that Google Go has been downloaded more than 100 million times on the Play Store - but anyone can have access to the Go apps. However, this is still far from Google’s grandiose dream of expanding its dominion. But if the giant continues on this track, and continues to polish its newborn, then it can be sure the next billion is his!

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