A strippeddown Android version

A stripped-down version of the Android mobile operating system (OS) was recently launched by Google.

Named “Android Oreo (Go Edition),” the mobile OS variant is basically designed to run on inexpensive low-spec devices, positioned as a tapered-down Android version that runs better on phones that have 1GB or less RAM, take up lesser storage space and come with bundled apps that take up lesser space and use lesser data.

Simply referred to as “Android Go,” the OS was launched in six smartphone models that come in price ranges between $50 to $130. These are the Nokia 1, Alcatel 1X, ZTE Tempo Go, the Lava Z50, Micromax’s Bharat Go and General Mobile’s GM 8 Go.

Based on its spec sheets, the OS comes with tools and utilities that are meant to streamline data management tasks like the “File Go” app – which is a file manager that comes with a feature that helps users pick out files which can be offloaded from online/cloud storage services.

The OS also comes with strippeddown versions of popular apps like “Gmail Go” and “YouTube Go,” each configured with options that afford better data management and consumption for users.

Alongside the “Android Go” rollout was the launch of a new section in the Google Play Store that highlights “lightweight” apps meant to efficiently run on devices with low hardware specs. More information on “Android Go” is available on Google’s official online channels.