While the relationship between Google India’s Tez app, which runs on the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and banks joining the platform is largely symbiotic, analysts say Google may be the bigger gainer. What the alliance with banks — State Bank of India (SBI) is the latest joinee — does for Google is give it mounds of data on consumer spending patterns. While the internet giant has managed to access the mobile-savvy customer thanks to tie-ups with HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank, in SBI it has found a way to reach out into the hinterland. For banks, teaming up with Tez helps lower operating costs and saves saves them the trouble of maintaining high quality technology infrastructure. Handset makers Lava and Micromax have already announced they will launch 4G smartphones powered by Android Oreo (Go edition). These smartphones with basic specifications will also come pre-loaded with compatible apps, including MyAirtel App, Airtel TV and Wynk Music, the statement added.
Devices running Android Oreo (Go edition) will also come with twice as much storage out of the box. Android Go will provide a massive boost to Airtel’s efforts to bring affordable smartphone options to the market and potentially enable millions of feature phone users and unconnected people to get online, said Bharti Airtel chief marketing officer Vani Venkatesh. “We are excited to collaborate with Google and our device partners to work towards this shared vision of bringing smartphones within the reach of more people,” Venkatesh added. Under its ‘Mera Pehla Smartphone’ programme launched in October last year, Airtel has partnered multiple handset makers to bring in affordable 4G smartphones with cash back offers and bundled plans. Lava on Tuesday announced its Android Oreo (Go edition)-powered smartphone, Z50, which will be available at over 1 lakh retail stores by mid-March. It, however, did not reveal the pricing of the device. The Z50 features a 4.5-inch display, 1.1 GHz quad-core processor, 1 GB RAM, 8 GB internal space, and 5 MP rear and front camera with flash.
