Google’s Android Go Edition software is designed to run on entry-level smartphones, and since introducing Android 8 Oreo (Go Edition) last year, Google says device makers have shipped more than 200 different phones powered by the software, with some models selling for as little as $30.

But while these phones can run Android Go Edition software, they’re not exactly top performers. So now that Google is introducing Android 9 Pie (Go Edition), the company is promising a couple of improvements that will roll out along with the new version of Android Go Edition this fall.

None of them are likely to make a $30 smartphone feel like a $300 device. But they could make cheap phones feel… slightly less terrible.

Among other things, Google says that Android 9 Pie (Go Edition) brings faster device boot speeds, new security features including support for verified boot, and a new dashboard for monitoring your phone’s data consumption.

Android 9 Pie (Go Edition) also uses up to 500MB less storage space than Android 8 Oreo (Go Edition). That might not sound like a lot, but if you’ve got a phone with just 4GB of built in storage, this software update could give you 12.5 percent more space for apps, photos, media, or other files.

Google is also bringing new features to some of its Go Edition apps. Google Go can now use text-to-speech to read web pages out loud. YouTube Go offers a gallery mode for downloaded content. And Maps Go now supports turn-by-turn directions.

Google has also added support for Spanish, Indonesian, and Brazilian Purtuguese to Assistant Go, added caller ID to the Phone app, and reduced the size of the Messages app for Android Go Edition devices.

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4 replies on “Google unveils Android 9 Pie (Go Edition) with faster boot times and better security”

  1. Go is a good idea but phones shouldn’t be releasing with 512mb of ram and 8gb of storage in 2018. With 1.5 gigs of ram and 16gbs minimum then they would be more capable while remaining affordable.

  2. The turn by turn directions in Maps GO is a big deal, since it’s just a PWA that can be used by any capable device.

    1. Agreed… I like to keep my old phone for as long as possible. Android Go could help it last a little longer. Hopefully Android Go will be picked up by some good 3rd party ROMs.

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