Google launches 59-rupees-a-month storage option

Google has quietly introduced a new, budget-friendly storage option in India—Google One Lite, in response to increasing storage issues, especially with WhatsApp backups consuming Google Drive space. This plan, designed for users who require more than the standard 15 GB of free storage but find the existing 100 GB plan at Rs 130 per month too costly, offers a more economical alternative.

Plan details and pricing

The Google One Lite plan provides 30GB of cloud storage at a significantly reduced price of Rs 59 per month. This is a considerable discount compared to the 100GB plan, which is priced at Rs 118 per month. The Lite plan also includes a 1-month free trial, and annual subscriptions are available for Rs 589. Some users have reported special promotional offers that reduce the price to as low as Rs 15 per month for the initial two months.

No sharing, no AI help

While the Google One Lite plan doubles the standard 15GB storage limit to 30GB, it comes with certain limitations. Unlike higher-tier plans, it does not allow for storage sharing with additional users, nor does it include the advanced features available in other Google One plans. Notably, it also lacks access to Google's generative AI features, which are reserved for the Google One Premium plan. This premium plan, priced at Rs 1,950 per month, offers 2TB of storage and advanced AI capabilities through Google’s Gemini, along with integration with various Google apps and the Magic Editor in Google Photos.

New update for Androids

In addition to the Google One Lite rollout, Google has also released a new update for Android phones. The update includes several new features, such as an enhanced TalkBack function designed for users with low vision. This new TalkBack feature, powered by Gemini AI, provides detailed audio descriptions of digital images, offering greater accessibility for visually impaired users.