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Google unveils Android platform for mobile devices

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CIOL Bureau
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NEW DELHI, INDIA: Internet-giant Google has announced the availability of Android - a new open source platform for mobile devices, which will enhance the internet-experience on handset devices. The company also formed the Open Handset Alliance along with HTC, Qualcomm, T-Mobile and Motorola.

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Announcing the availability of the platform to the developer community, Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO of Google Inc said that the company was committed to the mobilization of the internet.

“The company sees new value in the mobile arena; there is a transformation in the industry to wireless providers that brings to us the broad area of social networking, communication and the like. It is necessary to give more value to customers on social and communication network on mobile, with a new sense of innovation. These applications will be available for mobile internet and wireless customers in US and Europe before 2008,” he informed.

According to Schmidt, the new platform will offer better Internet experience in mobile platform, though the conference did not discuss the go to market strategy.

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“We are in talks with developers, for adding features such as personalization, social networking and applications that one has not heard about in the mobile space. These exclusive offerings will form a new level of communication and will offer a plethora of opportunity in the mobile space. It will be for the best of the service providers, handset manufacturers, customers and developers. We are enthusiastic about the new alliance and this will propel our strategy as a leading innovator,” he said further.

Google Inc., T-Mobile, HTC, Qualcomm, Motorola and others have collaborated on the development of Android through the Open Handset Alliance, a multinational alliance of technology and mobile industry leaders. This alliance shares a common goal of fostering innovation on mobile devices and giving consumers a far better user experience than much of what is available on today's mobile platforms. By providing developers a new level of openness that enables them to work more collaboratively, Android will accelerate the pace at which new and compelling mobile services are made available to consumers.

With nearly 3 billion users worldwide, the mobile phone has become the most personal and ubiquitous communications device. However, the lack of a collaborative effort has made it a challenge for developers, wireless operators and handset manufacturers to respond as quickly as possible to the ever-changing needs of savvy mobile consumers. Through Android, developers, wireless operators and handset manufacturers will be better positioned to bring to market innovative new products faster and at a much lower cost. The end result will be an unprecedented mobile platform that will enable wireless operators and manufacturers to give their customers better, more personal and more flexible mobile experiences, said Google.

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Thirty-four companies have formed the Open Handset Alliance, which aims to develop technologies that will significantly lower the cost of developing and distributing mobile devices and services. The Android platform is the first step in this direction -- a fully integrated mobile "software stack" that consists of an operating system, middleware, user-friendly interface and applications. Consumers should expect the first phones based on Android to be available in the second half of 2008.

Next week the Alliance will release an early access software development kit to provide developers with the tools necessary to create innovative and compelling applications for the platform.

Android holds the promise of unprecedented benefits for consumers, developers and manufacturers of mobile services and devices. Handset manufacturers and wireless operators will be free to customize Android in order to bring to market innovative new products faster and at a much lower cost. Developers will have complete access to handset capabilities and tools that will enable them to build more compelling and user-friendly services, bringing the Internet developer model to the mobile space. And consumers worldwide will have access to less expensive mobile devices that feature more compelling services, rich Internet applications and easier-to-use interfaces -- ultimately creating a superior mobile experience.

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