In order to speed up internet connectivity and take away internet hitches, the U.S. technology giant, Google is set to release an app; Google Go that will help internet users overcome obstacles like lack of high-speed connectivity and the cost of data in Africa.
Google Go is a lighter, quicker approach to search, with list items advanced to save up to 40% data and allows previous searches to be accessed offline.
The coming of Google Go is the latest effort of the company to spread its cover into evolving markets like sub-Saharan Africa where Facebook Inc. is also making advances. Meanwhile, the parent company of Google, Nest, and other ventures, The Alphabet Inc. has laid fiber-optic cable in Africa so as to ease access to cheaper Android phones and trained a workforce in digital skills.
Google Africa Chief Marketing Officer, Mzamo Masito stated that Google has also improved the voice function to run better on slow connections and it has partnered with MTN Group Ltd. and Vodacom Group Ltd. to make it work on even basic 2G connections.
“Weak data connectivity, high data costs and low storage space often make it hard for people to get the most out of the internet,” he told reporters. “Google Go is built to handle these challenges.”
“Google Go” will be available in 26 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and will be pre-installed on all Android Oreo devices. Google is also planning to make the app available in other emerging markets such as India, Brazil and Indonesia, said Masito.
Source: Bloomberg News