18 February 2009 | Author: Yasmin Sulaiman

Android a-go-go at Mobile World Congress

Remember those days when all we did was wonder whether the long-rumoured Google phone would ever be a reality? Fast forward a few years and look how far we've come: this week has seen a truly bumper crop in Google Android phones for 2009.

Since Monday, officials and analysts from across the global mobile phone industry have been gathering in Barcelona for GSMA Mobile World Congress (MWC), the highlight of any mobile fan's calendar year. We've seen plenty of interesting announcements, ranging from a new solar powered phone developed by Samsung to LG's new wristwatch device, but by far the most riveting - for us Google gluttons, anyway - have been unveiling of several new Android projects.

For starters, Vodafone have secured the exclusive rights to distribute the G2 phone - or the HTC Magic, as it's been dubbed - a move that's sure to come as a blow to T-Mobile, purveyors of the first Google phone, the G1. Like its predecessor, the HTC Magic will have touch screen capabilities; but unlike the G1, this second Google phone gets rid of its QWERTY keyboard, a design attribute that grated with many mobile users the first time around. It will also incorporate trackball and navigational functions - design elements that could poach BlackBerry fans - and easy access to several popular Google applications, like Google Maps and Google Mail.

Here's what it will look like:





















The HTC Magic is a done-deal with Vodafone; it's expected to be released in spring 2009 in the UK, Spain, Germany, France and Italy. However, other phone makers - including Samsung and LG - have also stepped up to the Google phone plate, albeit with less concrete certainty. Samsung, for instance, told MWC that it would start selling more than three Android handsets before 2009 is over, though it could not say whether they would be available in Europe or the USA first. And LG says it plans to release "several" Android devices this year, with the first hitting shelves in summer.

The increased proliferation of Android mobile phones across global markets is sure to help Google some way towards denting the significant lead possessed in the smartphone market by its major rivals, the Apple iPhone and RIM's BlackBerry. After all, despite garnering largely positive reviews and reports of impressive sales, the G1 has still failed to make a significant global impact.

And with challengers in the mobile operating systems arena gearing up for more intense competition as the smartphone market heats up, Android's relevancy and appeal to modern mobile users is sure to be put to the test. Earlier this week at MWC, Microsoft announced Windows Marketplace for Windows Mobile Users, an application store that emulates the format of Google's Android Market, the iTunes Store and BlackBerry's Application Storefront. Moreover, rumours abound that Nokia might be making a similar marketplace launch for Symbian OS users. With just one day left of the conference, it's still wide open as to who will take the smartphone crown in 2009.

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