Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is betting on its Android OS to grow in the mobile segment. The OS is already the most popularly used among device manufacturers, giving Google an edge against rivals. Besides the vendors that use Android as made available by Google, some others are tweaking the mobile OS to differentiate their products, but Google is gaining in the end by having a friendly OS on more devices.
OnePlus recently announced that it was working to release its version of Android, and now the company has said that its own ROM will be unveiled on February 12.
OnePlus abandons Cyanogen
Industry war is fueling the adoption of Android and its forked versions. Manufacturers of smartphones and tablets are trying to come up with tweaks that can make their products stand out prominently. As for the case of OnePlus, the smartphone maker disagreed with its software provider Cyanogen, and that has led it to create its own OS, based on Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL)’s Android.
Cyanogen made an exclusive deal in India that didn’t impress OnePlus, forcing the latter to drop its dealings with Cyanogen. One of the moves that OnePlus has taken since its disagreement with Cyanogen is dropping Cyanogen’s signature from its new products.
The company is working to develop a friendly OS that is not only based on Google’s Android, but also compatible with third-party Android devices.
Oxygen OS billed as simple to use
In a post, OnePlus described its Oxygen OS as open, free from bloats and customizable. The details about Oxygen OS are currently scant, but OnePlus is seeking to launch something that is straightforward to use because they said that they were interested in a product that they would themselves want to use. The so-called Oxygen is expected to be based on Android Lollipop.
Growing in the mobile segment
Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is looking for opportunities to diversify its revenue sources. A big presence in the mobile market is something that the company is pursuing aggressively. The popularity of Android as already placed Google ahead of rivals in the mobile market, but the company could grow more in the mobile segment as more device manufacturers create their own OS based on Android.
Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) reported earnings of $6.88 a share and revenue of $18.1 billion in its 4Q. Performance in the quarter improved compared to a corresponding quarter a year earlier. However, the results fell short of the estimates. Analysts expected earnings of $7.11 a share on revenue of $18.46 billion.
