18 to 20 new Android phones coming this year, says Google
We’ve recently learned that Android phone shipments are expected to grow at least 900% by the end of 2009.
Andy Rubin, Google’s senior director for Mobile Platforms, comes to confirm this by saying that there will be 18 to 20 new Android phones released this year.
According to The New York Times, the phones will be manufactured by “eight or nine” different companies.
These will most likely include HTC, Samsung, LG, Sony Ericsson, Motorola and Huawei.
Reportedly, manufacturers have three options when making an Android handset:
- the obligation-free option, where a manufacturer installs the free-to-use Android on its phones but it cannot provide access to Google apps like Google calendar or Gmail.
- the “small strings option”, where the manufacturer has to sign a distribution agreement with the big G in order to include the above-mentioned Google apps (12 to 14 of the phones prepared for this year will use this option).
- the “bigger strings” option – manufacturers have to include Google’s logo on the phone’s case, as well as an array of apps that cannot be removed. 5 to 6 of the upcoming 2009 phones will apparently belong to this category.
Via Engadget
Enjoyed the story? Get the news and updates as we publish them. For instant updates as we press the "Publish" button, click here to follow us on Twitter . To subscribe to RSS News Feed click here , for daily e-mail updates click here .If you liked the post, you might find these interesting too:
- Paid Android apps confirmed for this month
- Google to add carrier billing to Android Market
- Google assures us Android-powered Gphone is coming this year
- Unlocked Android Google phone in the works?
- Google Analytics now available for mobile apps (Android and iPhone)
« Samsung Spark T749 3G phone to hit T-Mobile USALG GD900 Crystal coming to more than 40 countries »