The real reason behind Google CEO Sundar Pichai’s India visit: Android One version 2

Google CEO Sundar Pichai will also host an open event with students from across India at the Delhi University.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai will visit India later this month, his first trip to India after taking over as the head of one of the world’s largest technology companies. While the India-born CEO is expected to meet President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the real reason behind his visit will be the launch of the second version of Google’s Android One phones. Last year, Pichai was in India for the global launch of Google’s ambitious project to make pure Android available on affordable phones. He was in charge of Android at the time. Android One was not as successful as Google would have expected it to be. “At Google, we believe that technology can change people’s lives for the better. Indians are coming online at an astonishing rate with affordable smartphones. These new users have a completely fresh view on what the Internet has to offer. Please block your date for an event with Google as we outline our vision for these users,” the invite said. It remains to be seen if Google is able to make the new range as appealing as cheap Chinese phones and offer a price that will make it relevant in the highly competitive Indian smartphone market. PTI reports that Pichai is also likely to host an open event with students from across India at the Delhi University.