The mobile web times are a-changing - although not fast enough for some - bigmouthmedia first reported on rumours of a Google-powered mobile phone in December 2006 and since then, many industry insiders have been impatiently waiting for the device to appear especially after the launch of Android was reported to be delayed. Now it seems that the time is nigh - T-Mobile, the first carrier to offer a mobile phone powered by Google's Android software, is expected to release a new Android-equipped device by the end of the year. It's anticipated that the new handset, which will be made by HTC, will match the capabilities of a host of other successful high-end phones - such as the Apple iPhone and smartphones that run of Palm, RIM, Microsoft and Nokia software. The iPhone revolutionized the mobile web experience for many users with its impressive and easy to use internet interface and the Blackberry has long been a firm favourite of business and media types. Now Google seem ready to enter the fray.
The success of the iPhone has recently been compounded by Apple's decision to allow owners to download a host of application to the device, the recently launched Apple App Store created quite a buzz amongst iPhone owners and tech geeks alike and is a concept that Google will also embrace. The Android platform will be open to a number of companies and developers which ultimately means that owners will be able to customise their mobile phone experience.
The move into the mobile industry is one that Google believes is necessary for the company's long-term growth.In an interview on CNBC Google's chief executive Eric E. Schmidt said: "We can make more money on mobile than we do on the desktop, eventually."
Pictures of the much-hyped HTC device suggest that it will tote a touch screen but will also feature a slide out full five-row keyboard. The New York Times reports that the companies involved would like to announce the release in September to take advantage of holiday sales.
While other mobile manufacturers and companies are expected to launch Android powered phones it is thought that the T-Mobile/HTC effort is the only one that will grace the market in 2008 - whether an onslaught of new Android devices will follow may just depend on its performance.
