Mukesh-Ambani owned Reliance Jio has announced the launch of "ultra-affordable 4G smartphone", JioPhone Next created in partnership with Google to offer the highest quality, most affordable internet services in India.

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Google and Jio teams have jointly developed JioPhone Next, a "truly breakthrough smartphone", Reliance Industries Chairman said at the company’s 44th annual general meeting (AGM), held virtually.

JioPhone Next is a fully-featured smartphone, supporting an entire suite of applications from Google and Jio, as well as the Android Play Store giving users access to the entire universe of Android apps.

The phone is powered by an extremely optimised version of the Android operating system, designed especially for the Indian market.

JioPhone Next

“While being ultra-affordable, JioPhone Next is packed with cutting-edge features like the voice assistant, automatic read-aloud of screen text, language translation, smart camera with augmented reality filters and much more,” Ambani said.

He said, JioPhone Next will be available in the market from September 10, which also coincides with the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

“And as you have come to expect from Jio, it is my promise that JioPhone Next will be by far, the most affordable smartphone not just in India, but globally,” Ambani said.

JioPhone Next is a testimony to a global technology giant and a national technology champion working jointly to make a breakthrough product that can be first introduced in India and then taken to the rest of the world, Ambani added.

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Joining Ambani during the AGM, Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google and Alphabet said, “Our vision was to bring affordable access to information for Indians in their own languages, to build new products and services for India's new unique needs, and empower business with technology.”

Slating the new Jio smartphone, the next step of this vision, Pichai said, “Our teams have optimised a version of Android OS, especially for this device. It will offer language and translation features, a great camera, and support for the latest Android updates.”

It is built for India and it will open new possibilities for millions of new users who will experience the internet for the very first time, he added.

Pichai also announced the collaboration between Google Cloud and Jio for the new 5G partnership. Reliance will shift its core retail businesses to Google Cloud's infrastructure, Pichai said.

Google Cloud will power the internet needs of Reliance Retail, JioMart, JioSaavn, and JioHealth.

"Reliance Jio will use Google Cloud's cutting-edge technologies to power Jio's 5G solutions," Ambani told the shareholders in the meeting.

Catch live updates of RIL AGM here.

Disclosure: Reliance Industries Ltd. is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.

(Edited by : Yashi Gupta)

First Published:Jun 24, 2021 3:18 PM IST