Google's Android Gets Sony Ericsson, Vodafone

Google's Android Gets Sony Ericsson, Vodafone

Techtree News Staff, Dec 10, 2008 1214 hrs IST

14 companies including Asus, Toshiba join Open Handset Alliance

Open Handset Alliance, the group behind the Android platform, added 14 new members to its fold yesterday. The list comprises of biggies like Sony Ericsson, Asus and telecommunication major Vodafone.

Other companies that embraced the Android platform include AKM Semiconductor, ARM, Atheros Communications, Borqs, Ericsson, Garmin International, Huawei Technologies, Omron Software, Softbank Mobile, Teleca AB and Toshiba Corp.

Undoubtedly, the biggest entrant is Sony Ericsson, which after months of speculation and rumors finally confirmed the news of joining the alliance. Though it is quite early to contemplate on what the company is planning to offer to its costumers, it is believed that an Xperia model running Android OS is on the cards. Sony Ericsson's strategy with the Android platform could turn out to be interesting. Will the company churn out mid-level, co-branded (Walkman, Cybershot) handsets that integrate the Android OS? Or will it be an entire line-up of phones that exclusively use Android? Only time will tell.

As for the others, AsusTek, Huawei and Garmin too are expected to churn out Android handsets in the very near future. Currently, only the T-Mobile G1 would be able to let you use the Android OS. The second Android based phone, the Kogan Agora has just been announced and will be available by the end of January 2009.

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