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Google search for mobile solution leads to Android

Google to press: wrong call about the gPhone.

Instead, Google, T-Mobile, HTC, Qualcomm, Motorola and other Open Handset Alliance members have collaborated on the development of Android, an open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices. Android will be distributed as part of a software developer's kit offered by the 34 members of the Open Handset Alliance.

"This partnership will help unleash the potential of mobile technology for billions of users around the world," said Google chairman/CEO Eric Schmidt in a statement. "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.

"[This] announcement is more ambitious than any single 'Google Phone' that the press has been speculating about over the past few weeks," he said. "Our vision is that the powerful platform we're unveiling will power thousands of different phone models."

The new platform provides developers a new level of openness that enables them to work more collaboratively.

The Android platform is a fully integrated mobile "software stack" that consists of an operating system, middleware, user-friendly interface and applications. Consumers should expect the first phones based on Android to be available in the second half of 2008.

Android's launch is a response to the fact that nearly 3 billion people in the world own a mobile phone. These devices have become the most personal and omnipresent communications device.

Android allows developers, wireless operators and handset manufacturers to bring to market innovative new products faster and cheaper.

"Our primary customer base is the mobile operator," said Joel Espelien, vice president of strategy for San Diego-based PacketVideo, one of the Open Handset Alliance members. "We believe that one of the drivers for this relationship is greater openness and innovation on the device side.

A software code developed by PacketVideo that enables playing and streaming standard formats and recording images and video is included in the software developer's kit. Called OpenCORE, alliance developers will be able to use the software to build devices that support music applications, video creation and playback, podcast services, real-time streaming and more.

The alliance expects to release an early access software development kit on Nov. 12 to provide developers with the tools necessary to create applications for the platform.

Members of the alliance also include companies such as eBay and Sonivox, a developer of audio technologies and solutions. Mobile operators including Sprint and T-Mobile, handset manufacturers, and semiconductor and commercialization companies are also part of the partnership.

Google's shadow looms large on this development, of course.

"It's well understood the effect that Google has had on Internet marketing," Mr. Espelien said. "It's pretty clear that you will see an extension of that into mobile."


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