MANILA, Philippines – Google may be taking a new approach to the future development of Android one devices, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Sources told The Wall Street Journal Wednesday, November 4, that Google and India’s Lava International Ltd. are planning to come out with a new low-cost smartphone.

Google is also relaxing its rules on what makes up an Android One device, in an attempt to create more differentiation in features and pricing, and to spur people to purchase phones under the Android One banner.

Under the older method, stricter requirements for Android One devices pushed device makers to pick from a small selection of choices for components and suppliers.

Those familiar with the Android One initative said that while that ensured the devices could run Android well, it lessened the flexibility on pricing and slowed down product launches.

Google’s new take on Android One, according to people familiar with the situation, lets the partners in the initiative have a greater variety of component choices, as well as the ability to buy parts from their own approved vendors

A Google spokeswoman declined to comment. Representatives for Lava, Micromax and Karbonn also declined to comment. Meanwhile, a Spice spokeswoman said there were no plans for a second Android One device at present.

One executive at an Indian phone maker who declined to be named said, however, that Google’s flexibility on Android One hardware requirements makes the process comparatively similar to just making Android phones. – Rappler.com