Google’s nokia’s Android operating system is already available on the cheapest smartphone possible, but the company wanted access to feature phones.
Back in 2019, Google Android for Feature Phones (GAFP) appeared for the first time, leading to all sorts of speculations surrounding next generation phones.
HMD Global, a Nokia mobile operator, was at the forefront of that experiment, and a handheld video of the Nokia 400 feature was later released in 2019 confirming the company’s commitment.
But HMD eventually canceled the phone and GAFP may eventually become Google’s pipeline. That phone also leaked in a handmade video and shows the future of a costly Android OS.
Calxx Hikari posted a video of the now canceled Nokia handwriting on YouTube, indicating that Google was planning to shake up the mobile market with GAFP.
The Nokia 400 model number, TA-1208, is similar to the previously leaked indicator, so it’s safe to assume that this was the first GAFP-powered Google phone.
This video does not mean that HMD is questioning its decision to cancel the phone a second time.
Nokia’s Android phone, which has never started leaking video
Rather it shows that the GAFP, if introduced, could close the gap between the feature phone and the low-end smartphone.
Google has not officially stated that GAFP will be sheltered because HMD has decided to abandon its plans.
The Nokia 400 has a built-in phone design, which means a T9 keyboard, a non-touch TFT display, and a plastic body.
Thankfully, the phone has front and rear cameras, which means that HMD wanted to make selfies popular among phone users at the same time.
The phone in the video has a Google Assistant button, something that would make the Google Voice Assistant familiar in that category.
The computer hardware seems to be at the right level of the installed phone, but it would make sense if the company had decided to continue with the launch.
Google Assistant is very focused on India and the version this phone has supports Hindi and questions related to topics like Bollywood.
Featured phones are very popular with customers who choose to talk to their phones about things like dialing a number or searching YouTube video by typing a relevant search term because they don’t have the ability to save.
The Nokia’s 400 would be a good tool for the skills demonstrated by this video. In addition to the Assistant, Nokia 400 in video has Google Maps and YouTube, among other Google applications.
The phone has basic tools like calculator, gallery, FM radio, calendar and file manager.
While HMD or Google have never said whether GAFP will emerge, it seems to be something that could hurt KaiOS, a low-cost OS that enables selecting Smartphones for Nokia and Reliance Jio and where Google previously invested.
Google, on the other hand, has launched JioPhone Next Month as its most affordable Android device in partnership with Reliance Jio. And perhaps this is the future of Android for the low-end market.
