Where Are All the Android Handsets? A Rumor Roundup Tuesday June 23, 2009 from gearlog.com
Google first announced the development of its open mobile platform Android back in November of 2007. A little less than a year later, the T-Mobile G1 went on sale, becoming first commercial handset in the US to utilize the OS.
The phone promised to the first of a deluge of new handsets. After all, the new operating system was dynamic, free, and best of all, it wasn't Windows Mobile. Plus, given the number of manufacturers who had signed on to the Android alliance, it seemed like it was only a matter of time before the market was flooded with competitors.
Eight months later, that sentiment couldn't be further from the truth. While we've seen rumors, announcements, and blurry photos by the boatload, we've yet to see any real competition for the G1. So, where are we, in terms of actually seeing a viable new Android handset? Check out a roundup of the latest manufacturers and claims, after the jump.
Acer: The Taiwanese PC manufacturer signed onto the alliance earlier this month. Acer is reportedly readying an Android-equipped netbook for release in the next few months. A smartphone running Android is said to be arriving from the company in November.
BenQ: Fellow Taiwanese electronics company BenQ is also looking to hop into the Android world with both feet. The company announced intentions to launch both a netbook and smartphone running the OS next year.
Dell: Rumors about the PC giant's move into the smartphone space have been floating around for a while now, often accompanying talk of including the Android OS. Back in January, the WSJ reported that the company was "preparing a move into cellphones as early as next month." More recently some blurry shots of a prototype Chinese phone surfaced with Dell's name all over it.
Google: Word has is that Android 2.0 is set to drop at the beginning of August. Following in the pastry set precedent set by Cupcake, 2.0 is said to be codenamed "Donut."
Haier: This Chinese electronics company is getting ready to release the $150 H7 Handset in September. Good luck getting one in the US, however.
Motorola: The once-mighty handset manufacturer claims to be shoving a lot of eggs in the Android basket. And while I wouldn't put all that much stock in even the words of Motorola's management, the rumor is that the company's first handset utilizing the OS will by a slider called Calgary.
Samsung: The I7500/Galaxy is said to be launching in Europe this month. Unlike many of the other handsets on the list, this thing is actually real--which is to say that people outside of Samsung headquarters have actually touched the thing. No pricing has been announced yet. The phone is said to be hitting other markets at some point in the second half of the year.
T-Mobile: While everyone else is struggling to get Android phone number one out the door, T-Mobileis readying phone number two, Based on the Google Ion/HTC Magic platform, the MyTouch 3G will be available for pre-orders next month.
[Special thanks to intern Natalie for helping round these up.] |
