Google kick off its Android One program Monday in India, introducing a new line of affordable smartphones that will help it crack into emerging markets.

The Mountain View-based tech giant unveiled smartphones from manufacturers Micromax, Karbonn and Spice, highlighting the first efforts of the Android One program. Just as promised at Google's I/O conference earlier this year, the smartphones start at a reasonable $105, or 6,399 rupees. Google says it plans on launching more Android One smartphones in South Asia to countries like the Philippines and Indonesia over the coming months.

Behind the United States and China, India is the largest smartphone market in the world, and the fastest-growing, making it and similar emerging markets highly desirable. Problem is, however, most consumers cannot afford the high prices smartphones can soar to.

"Even entry-level smartphones still remain out of reach for many -- bear in mind that in some of these countries the average monthly income is around $250," said Sundar Pichai, Google's senior vice president of Android.

"Android One aims to help tackle these challenges," he said. "By working closely with phone and silicon chip makers to share reference designs and select components, we're making it easier for our partners to build phones that are not just great to use, but also affordable."

Google announced the Android One program back in June at its I/O conference to much enthusiasm. The concept is simple: high research and development costs end up getting passed on to the customer. Instead, Google wants to encourage manufacturers to stick a game plan where smartphone prices can be kept down: simply manufacturer. Through Android One, Google takes care of the laborious R&D process, providing blueprints and the necessary schematics for a solid smartphone. All manufacturers like Micomax or Karbonn have to do is build without worrying whether what they build will work.

The true impact of Android One remains to be seen, but analysts are pegging it for a successful run. Chipmaker MediaTek expects as many as two million Android One handsets to be sold this year in India alone.

"In the short term, there can be disruptions," MediaTek vice president of U.S. Business Development Mohit Bhushan told PTI. "But, this will eventually lead to handset makers not part of Android One to invest on innovating the mobile experience."

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