A broad alliance of leading technology and wireless companies have joined forces to announce the development of Android-- the first open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices.
The brainchild of the Open Handset Alliance, Android aims to develop technologies that will significantly lower the cost of developing and distributing mobile devices and services.
The Open Handset Alliance is made up of 34 companies many of which are mobile and internet bellwethers such as Google, T-Mobile, HTC, Qualcomm, Samsung and Motorola. This alliance shares a common goal of fostering innovation on mobile devices and giving consumers a far better user experience than much of what is available on today's mobile platforms.
"This partnership will help unleash the potential of mobile technology for billions of users around the world. A fresh approach to fostering innovation in the mobile industry will help shape a new computing environment that will change the way people access and share information in the future," said Google Chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt.
The Android platform is a fully integrated mobile "software stack" that consists of an operating system, middleware, user-friendly interface and applications. By providing developers a new level of openness that enables them to work more collaboratively, Android will accelerate the pace at which new and compelling mobile services are made available to consumers.
With nearly 3 billion users worldwide, the mobile phone has become the most personal and ubiquitous communications device. However, the lack of a collaborative effort has made it a challenge for developers, wireless operators and handset manufacturers to respond as quickly as possible to the ever-changing needs of savvy mobile consumers.
Through Android, developers, wireless operators and handset manufacturers will be better positioned to bring to market innovative new products faster and at a much lower cost.
The end result will be a mobile platform that will enable wireless operators and manufacturers to give their customers better, more personal and more flexible mobile experiences. Consumers can benefit from access to less expensive mobile devices that feature more compelling services, rich Internet applications and easier-to-use interfaces -- ultimately creating a superior mobile experience.
"The convergence of the wireless and Internet industries is creating new partnerships, evolving business models and driving innovation," said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of Qualcomm.
"We are extremely pleased to be participating in the Open Handset Alliance, whose mission is to help build the leading open-source application platform for 3G networks. The proliferation of open-standards-based handsets will provide an exciting new opportunity to create compelling services and devices. As a result, we are committing research and development resources to enable the Android platform and to create the best always-connected consumer experience on our chipsets."
Consumers have been asked to look out for the first phones based on Android to be available in the second half of 2008.
Google’s foray into this space has only set tongues wagging even more so of its rumored ‘Google Phone’. Although the Mountain View, California based company did not disclose any impending intentions to unveil its own mobile phone, Schmidt had this to say in a prepared release.
“Today's announcement is more ambitious than any single 'Google Phone' that the press has been speculating about over the past few weeks. Our vision is that the powerful platform we're unveiling will power thousands of different phone models." |
