Processing .....please wait.. 
The article has been forwarded.... 
News >> Technology >>
14 more mobile phone makers to back Google's Android
By siliconindia
|
Thursday, 11 December 2008, 23:31 IST
San Francisco: Google may soon improve its position in mobile phone software market as fourteen largest mobile handset and chip makers have decided to support the Android mobile device platform developed by Google. The firms who have joined Open Handset Alliance newly to support Google include Sony Ericsson, Vodafone Group and ARM Holdings. The move is expected to boost up Google's presence in Mobile phone scenario as its T-Mobile G1 phone takes on rival Apples iPhone 3G.
Though big names have come forward to the Open Handset Alliance, analyst said, "What matter is whether the new members introduce more Android-supported smartphones in 2009 and 2010 to edge out competitors whao also use open-source Linux software for mobile phones such as Nokia-owned smartphone software maker Symbian."
"It's great to get these folks on board now (the Open Handset Alliance) has to make sure these licenses actually ship products," said research firm Jupitermedia's Vice President of mobile strategy, Michael Gartenberg.
Sony Ericsson will be the first company to use Android operating system. The company is all set to introduce the Android-supported mobile phone in mid-2009. The Open Handset Alliance mentioned that each of its members commits to developing applications and services for mobile phones and handsets using the Android platform or designing Android-compatible mobile devices.
Taiwan's Asustek Computer, Toshiba, and Garmin are the other major companies who entered recently in Open Handset Alliance; the members have now increased to 47. While Apple keeps a tight grip on the iPhone's hardware and operating software, Android is open to being changed by outside developers.
Symbian, which currently controls half of the market, is the major competitor of Android. Symbian was acquired by Nokia, the worlds biggest handset maker, earlier this month. Nokia contributes Symbian's assets to a not-profit-organization called Symbian Foundation, similar to the Open Handset Alliance. The Symbian foundation has 59 companies as members and they have royalty-free access to Symbian's software.