Google to launch low-cost 'Android One' smartphone in India

Google Inc is working with three manufacturers to develop a sub-$100 smartphone for the Indian market this fall, getting Android software into one of the fastest-growing major mobile markets.

Those 'Android One' phones would come with 4.5-inch screens, dual SIM cards and FM radio, Google Senior Vice-president Sundar Pichai told the crowd at the company's annual developers' conference on Wednesday.

"We are going to be launching it around the world, but will launch in India first in the fall of this year," Pichai said.

He added that Google was working with carriers in India to provide affordable telecom service packages to go with the smartphones.

The Android One initiative sets out to work with smartphone makers and others in the "ecosystem" to pool resources and standardize hardware platforms to provide "turnkey solutions" for making handsets, according to Pichai.