Google’s Android operating system to be offered on HTC phone
T-Mobile is to be the first carrier to offer a mobile phone powered by Google’s Android software.
The phone will be made by HTC, one of the largest makers of mobile phones in the world, and is expected to go on sale in the United States before Christmas, according to reports.
Google is making the Android operating system software available free to an alliance of companies, including mobile phone carriers and manufacturers who have agreed to provide devices which, like personal computers, allow users to decide which applications run on them.
Google thinks that many consumers will want to personalise their mobile phones with unique applications and services.
The mobile Web is seen as vital to the long-term growth of Google’s digital advertising business.
Flagged as a worthy rival to Apple’s 3G iPhone, the HTC smartphone will have a touch screen.
But the screen can slide out to expose a full five-row keyboard.
While other carriers and manufacturers have plans to offer phones based on Google’s software, the T-Mobile-HTC phone is expected to be the only Android phone available in the US this year.
Some makers of mobile software programs have complained that creating applications for Android has been difficult.
They claim Google has continued to make changes to the operating system and at times has been too busy to provide support to developers.
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