We already know that Sony Ericsson has plans to release a Google Android phone in 2009, but ever since joining the Open Handset Alliance in December 2008, we haven't heard a peep from the company. That is, until now.
Speaking at a launch event in Taiwan, Peter Ang, Sony Ericsson's Asia-Pacific vice president of marketing, told reporters that its first Google smartphone will arrive in the "near future" and that it will run Android 2.0 (aka Donut). Ang added that the device will have Sony Ericsson's unique style and though he did not elaborate on what exactly that meant, he did refer to the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 and its use of the interactive panel interface.
There were earlier rumors that Sony Ericsson would release an Android phone by the summer, but considering that the Android 1.5 Cupcake update is just now being rolled out to T-Mobile G1 owners and Sony Ericsson's device will run Android 2.0, this scenario seems doubtful. Or perhaps the next-generation operating system is farther along than we thought? Wishful thinking?
Showing posts with label Google Android. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Google Android. Show all posts
Monday, June 22, 2009
HTC plans Android-based 'OPhone' for China
For a holiday, it's been an eventful day in the world of HTC-Android-phone news. First came those leaked internal AT&T documents that showed, among other things, a new HTC Android device called the Lancaster that's supposedly targeted for an August U.S. launch. Now comes word of HTC's plans, starting next month, to sell an Android-powered smartphone in China, the world's largest wireless market.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the new China-bound Android phone will be a version of HTC's Magic, the successor to the T-Mobile G1 (formerly known as the HTC Dream) that launched in February.
The phones will reportedly be customized with software from wireless carrier China Mobile and called OPhones (referring to Open Mobile System, the name for China Mobile's customized version of Google's mobile operating system). And yes, the name does bring to mind another little smartphone we've heard of, but at least, as far as we can tell, the "O" will be capitalized.
There's no final word on price yet, but the WSJ speculates that HTC's new China phone will retail for about 5,000 yuan, or about $730.
The OPhones could prove a big boon for HTC, which is aiming to double sales in China this year from 800,000 units last year, according to the newspaper. Market giant China Mobile has at least 415 million subscribers, and it may not be the only operator offering the handset. HTC Chief Executive Peter Chou said HTC may also offer Android-based models through China Telecom and China Unicom.
Android-based phones, of course, aren't new to Asia. Earlier this month, we reported on the Singapore HTC Magic launch. Following Singapore, the Magic is expected to head to Hong Kong and then to Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam by end of the second quarter.
But China looks like a particularly robust market for Android devices. Last week, Andy Rubin, Google's director of mobile platforms, specifically mentioned a high level of interest there when talking to CNET News about the promise of the operating system.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the new China-bound Android phone will be a version of HTC's Magic, the successor to the T-Mobile G1 (formerly known as the HTC Dream) that launched in February.
The phones will reportedly be customized with software from wireless carrier China Mobile and called OPhones (referring to Open Mobile System, the name for China Mobile's customized version of Google's mobile operating system). And yes, the name does bring to mind another little smartphone we've heard of, but at least, as far as we can tell, the "O" will be capitalized.
There's no final word on price yet, but the WSJ speculates that HTC's new China phone will retail for about 5,000 yuan, or about $730.
The OPhones could prove a big boon for HTC, which is aiming to double sales in China this year from 800,000 units last year, according to the newspaper. Market giant China Mobile has at least 415 million subscribers, and it may not be the only operator offering the handset. HTC Chief Executive Peter Chou said HTC may also offer Android-based models through China Telecom and China Unicom.
Android-based phones, of course, aren't new to Asia. Earlier this month, we reported on the Singapore HTC Magic launch. Following Singapore, the Magic is expected to head to Hong Kong and then to Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam by end of the second quarter.
But China looks like a particularly robust market for Android devices. Last week, Andy Rubin, Google's director of mobile platforms, specifically mentioned a high level of interest there when talking to CNET News about the promise of the operating system.
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