Google and Jio’s “Made for India” Low-Cost Phone Delayed Due to Chip Shortage

Google and Jio, India’s largest mobile network, were supposed to launch their first joint product today. It is a low-cost 4G smartphone called JioPhone Next which is designed to give more people in the first mobile country access to the operator’s broadband network. However, the companies have just announced that they are delaying the launch of the smartphone for a few months.

According to the announcement, they have made “considerable progress” with the phone and are currently testing it with a limited number of users. They will do “an additional refinement[s]”as needed based on testers’ feedback and strive to launch it in time for the Diwali festival scheduled for early November of this year.

While the companies did not provide a full explanation of the reason for the delay, they said the additional delay “would help alleviate current global industry-wide semiconductor shortages.” The global chip shortage caused mainly by the closure of factories due to the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected tech and auto companies around the world. Automakers such as Ford, BMW, Honda and GM have had to cut back and suspend production due to the crisis. This is also the reason why Sony still cannot manufacture the PS5 in larger quantities and why the iPhone 12 shipments have been delayed by a few weeks.

When Google bought a $ 4.5 billion stake in Jio last year in hopes of expanding its presence in India, the companies revealed that they plan to develop low-cost phones together. The JioPhone Next will have the ability to automatically read and translate aloud any text on the screen, such as the text of messages, web pages, applications and photos. It will also apparently feature a better camera than other similar budget phones, one with HDR support and with the ability to capture low light images. Additionally, Snapchat augmented reality lenses, including India-centric filters, will be built into the camera. Finally, users will be able to ask Google Assistant to play music through Jio Saavn’s streaming service or check their balance on Jio’s payment app.