Google and the Open Handset Alliance have shaken up the mobile phone industry today with the announcement of the Android mobile phone platform.
It clarifies previous rumors of a possible Google phone - there will not be a Google phone. It will be a platform, which may impact the mobile computing world much more significantly than any one line of phones would have. And in the fallout of the announcement, one expects that an open platform backed by Google and such heavyweights would seem to spell trouble for Palm, Access, WindRiver who are all working on competing Linux based phone platforms.
Computerworld reports that "Android is 'the first truly open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices.' The internet search firm worked with T-Mobile, High Tech Computer Corp., Qualcomm Inc. and Motorola Corp. to develop Android through the Open Handset Alliance (OHA).
'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,' the statement adds."
PC World says, "As previously reported by IDG News Service, the open-source platform will have a complete set of components, including an operating system, middleware stack, customizable user interface and applications." An early version of the SDK will be released next week for developers.
The first phones based on Android will probably not appear until at least second half of 2008. I don't have the inside scoop on expected capabilities, but expect it to be highly web-focused, and to have a lot of impressive web compatibility right off the bat. The growing set of Google online applications is not likely to be ignored.
Apple, of course, is not among the consortium members, and the iPhone is not likely to adopt the Android platform.
From
PC World.