: Jio defers roll-out of phone developed with Google to Diwali #finance #StockMarketNEWS #Business PTI New Delhi Jio has delayed the launch of its ultra low-cost smartphone it is developing with

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Jio defers roll-out of phone developed with Google to Diwali #finance #StockMarketNEWS #Business
PTI



New Delhi



Jio has delayed the launch of its ultra low-cost smartphone it is developing with Google, to Diwali, possibly due to semiconductor shortages that the industry is facing.



The phone, JioPhone Next, was previously slated to be launched on Friday.



Billionaire Mukesh Ambani, at the shareholder meeting of his flagship Reliance Industries Ltd in June, had stated that the JioPhone Next will be available for purchase on September 10.



JioPhone Next has been designed in partnership with Google and it is for those who are looking to upgrade from 2G to 4G connectivity.



Announcing the new timeline, the company, however, did not reveal the pricing of the phone.



Reliance Jio and Google “have made considerable progress towards launching the much-awaited JioPhone Next, the made-for-India smartphone being jointly designed by the companies,� a Jio statement said.



JioPhone Next is a first-of-its-kind device featuring an optimised operating system based on Android and Play Store.



“The device and the operating system will offer premium capabilities that have until now been associated with more powerful smartphones, including voice-first features that enable people to consume content and navigate the phone in their own language, deliver a great camera experience, and get the latest Android feature and security updates,� it said.



Both companies have begun testing the JioPhone Next with a limited set of users for further refinement and are actively working to make it available more widely in time for the Diwali festive season.



“This additional time will also help mitigate the current industry-wide, global semiconductor shortages,� it said.



The JioPhone Next is built with features like the Google Assistant, automatic read-aloud and language translation for any on-screen text, a smart camera with India-centric filters.



“The companies remain committed to their vision of opening up new possibilities for millions of Indians, especially those who will experience the internet for the very first time,� the statement added.



JioPhone Next is touted to be the most-affordable smartphone, not just in India but globally.



Speaking at RIL’s 44th annual general meeting, Ambani had asserted that an ultra-affordable 4G smartphone is essential to make India ‘2G-mukt’ (free of 2G).



India still has nearly 300 million mobile users who are unable to escape from inefficient and exorbitant 2G services since most basic 4G smartphones remain unaffordable, he had said.



Last year, Google had announced an investment of Rs 33,737 crore for a 7. 7 per cent stake in Reliance Industries’ technology venture Jio Platforms.

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