18 to 20 Android phones to be released this year
29 May 2009
New phones to be released by 8 or 9 companies
Andy Rubin, the senior director for Mobile Platforms for Google and the guy who is the driving force behind the Android operating system has declared that 18 to 20 Android-based phones are due for release before the year's end from eight or nine companies. The numbers confirm Google's bullish intentions in a market which is soon to be occupied by the new version of Microsoft's mobile version of Windows, the updated Apple iPhone system, the upcoming Palm WebOS, the strong Symbian and Blackberry software and a variety of Linux-based systems.
The phones, which will join the already released T-Mobile G1 and HTC Magic, will more than likely be released via HTC, Samsung, LG, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and Huawei, said the New York Times website.
Rubin also explained that there are three types of Android available to manufacturers:
1. The obligation-free option: includes a free version of Android but no featured apps such as Gmail.
2. The small strings option: same as Option 1, but an agreement is made to feature some Google applications.
3. The Google Experience: features the Google logo on the phone and includes a range of Google applications but also prevents any censorship of future utilities, even distasteful or contentious apps.
Click to read the New York Times story