Google phase two: world mobile domination

Google has announced its mobile phone master plan – it’s not a handset after all, but a universal mobile phone operating system and a whole new mobile phone alliance group.The group, not named The Fellowship of the Mobile, alas, but instead The Open Handset Alliance – a collection of 34 companies – has agreed to love Google’s new single mobile platform: Android. The 34 will develop handsets and applications around the mobile OS.According to Google, Android will enable manufacturers to build a plethora of new mobile experiences. The search Emperor also boasted that Android will lower mobile software development costs and give users an easier and ‘more compelling’ time with their handy pocket-friend. Since it’ll be using an open-source license, meaning cheap software for me and you, developers should queue up to create for Android. At least that’s what Google wants.At the moment there’s nothing concrete to look at and coo over. There’s only excited speculation and vague high-flying promises. We’ll have to wait until ‘late 2008′ before the first Android handsets hit the market. Among the chosen 34 are Samsung, LG, eBay, HTC, Intel, Motorola, NTT DoCoMo Inc, Nvidia, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments and T-Mobile. Nokia and Sony Ericsson are noticeable by their absence, interestingly. Apple isn’t there either.But Google Chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt won’t be loosing sleep over it. “Today’s announcement is more ambitious than any single ‘Google Phone’,” said Schmidt, rubbing his hands. “Our vision is that the powerful platform we’re unveiling will power thousands of different phone models.”

The Alliance isn’t just about Androids as Google stresses it will still develop other mobile software. And don’t forget, Google still rules the roost with its maps and search engines already installed on millions of phones.EssentialsAndroidPrice: £TBAOn sale: Late 2008Contact: GoogleRelated stories:News: Google phone a go?News: Google phone sort of confirmed

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Dan is Editor-in-chief of Stuff, working across the magazine and the Stuff.tv website. Our Editor-in-Chief is a regular at tech shows such as CES in Las Vegas, IFA in Berlin and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona as well as at other launches and events. He has been a CES Innovation Awards judge. Dan is completely platform agnostic and very at home using and writing about Windows, macOS, Android and iOS/iPadOS plus lots and lots of gadgets including audio and smart home gear, laptops and smartphones. He's also been interviewed and quoted in a wide variety of places including The Sun, BBC World Service, BBC News Online, BBC Radio 5Live, BBC Radio 4, Sky News Radio and BBC Local Radio.