Pragati OS is a new operating system developed by Reliance Jio and Google. The Android-based operating system has made its debut on the JioPhone Next, an entry-level smartphone from Jio. If you are wondering what’s new about this operating system that brings to mind Android Go, then this post should answer the questions you may have.
A short history of Android Go
In December 2017, Google announced Android Oreo Go Edition as a lighter version of Android Oreo built specifically for entry-level smartphones. Since then, the launch of a new Android operating system has brought along a “Go Edition” for entry-level phones. Though we are still waiting for the launch of Android 12 Go Edition.
Following the unveiling of Android Oreo Go Edition, several manufacturers including Nokia, Alcatel, Samsung, Lenovo, and Xiaomi (Redmi), announced phones and even tablets that are powered by this lightweight version of Android. While most of these devices do not have any form of software customization that distinguishes them from one another, a few manufacturers have launched their own Android Go phones with customizations. The Samsung J2 Core and Huawei Y5 Lite (2018) are examples as both phones run Android Go but with a layer of Experience UX and EMUI on top respectively.
This customization brings us to Pragati OS, the operating system that powers the JioPhone Next, an entry-level smartphone made by India’s Reliance Jio in collaboration with Google.
Pragati OS – Android Go(ing) forward
Pragati OS is making its debut on the JioPhone Next, the new entry-level smartphone from India’s telecommunications giant, Reliance Jio. According to a blog post by Google, Pragati OS is an “optimized version of Android” “ customized to deliver a great smartphone experience to users in India.”
While Google and Reliance Jio are touting Pragati OS as a new operating system, the features it brings are directly carried over from Android Go or “optimized” versions of these features. Thus, it won’t be far-fetched to say that Pragati OS is the future of Android Go, going forward, at least for India.
Features of Pragati OS
While Google and Reliance Jio are being careful not to call Pragati OS a customized version of Android (11) Go (Edition), unboxing and early impressions video of the JioPhone Next show that Android Go is pretty much under the hood and even visible on the surface.
Not only does the phone ship with Android Go apps such as Google Go, Assistant Go, Gallery Go, and Camera Go, all of which are apps specially launched for Android Go, its key software features have also been borrowed from Android Go but alongside the apps, they have been fine-tuned for the Indian market.
For example, Google Assistant Go now has support for multiple Indian languages on the JioPhone Next. Users will be able to interact with the phone in multiple supported Indian languages and get a response in the same language.
The Google Go app will also translate supported pages to a supported Indian language and also read them aloud while the Camera Go app has a Snapchat integration with India-centric filters and Google Lens integration for translation. There is also HDR, Night Mode, and Portrait Mode. Since this is a Jio smartphone, there are pre-installed Jio apps too.
Will Pragati OS power non-Jio phones?
Pragati OS is jointly developed by Google and Jio, so it is expected that it will only be found on Jio smartphones.
Conclusion
It is clear that Pragati OS is practically Android Go with extra features for the Indian market even if the manufacturer doesn’t say so. That’s not a bad thing but there are not a lot of features that make this stand out from a regular Android Go phone. So those who opt for an Android Go phone from another manufacturer won’t be missing out on much.
There is the promise of frequent updates for the JioPhone Next, so maybe there is a chance these updates may bring more customizations and exclusive features that will help it further differ from Android Go.
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