Launch of Google's Android platform imminent

by Tristan O'Carroll, Media Week 15-Aug-08, 15:35

LONDON - Google is expected to launch its mobile phone software platform Android within weeks, with T-Mobile set to become the first mobile phone operator to use the system.

Google introduced the Android software system last November, in a move it claimed would help mobile phone networks to offer internet services that work as smoothly on mobile phones as they do on PCs.

According to reports in the US, the Android platform will be launched internationally on the T-Mobile network. A launch window of between October 15 and November 30 is most likely, according to reports.

In November, Google announced the establishment of the Open Handset Alliance, a 30-strong group of technology companies, handset makers and network operators who declared an interest in developing Android-based products and services.

Android offers mobile companies potential to develop new internet services because it has been developed using "open source" software, which means the code is free to view, use and re-use. Given this potential, the opportunity to develop new features is limitless, compared with traditional, proprietary platforms.