The four major European networks, Vodafone, T-Mobile, Orange, and Telefonica (O2), are all planning to launch handsets powered by the Android platform during the second half of 2009.
The carriers have moved away from their traditional focus on the Windows Mobile operating system and are instead favoring the open source Android OS.
According to industry analysts in Taiwan this move is likely to dip into Microsoft's market share and indeed revenue in the coming months.
The move is likely to gradually eat away the global market share currently enjoyed by Windows Mobile phones, the sources commented.
T-Mobile have already announced plans to launch the HTC Hero handset across the UK next month (known as the G1 Touch), along with future handsets planned from Samsung, Motorola, and Huawei.
O2/Telefonica have today launched the Samsung Galaxy (i7500) across Germany, with more European countries in their sights.
Orange have confirmed that they will also be offering the HTC Hero across the UK next month, with more handsets on the way.
It is not currently known what Android handsets Vodafone plan to launch, but more Vodafone branded Android devices are expected for 2009.
[via digitimes.com]
Nine million people in the UK (15% of the population) suffer from permanent, disabling hearing loss.
The estimated demographic figure has ranged from 22 million deaf and hard of hearing to as high as 36 million deaf and hard of hearing worldwide. Of these, only a few million are considered “deaf” and the remainder are hard of hearing but cannot use a phone.
for 30 years this group has had to PAY for Unused “Call Time” and are sick of it.
I will launch a Data only package for registered DEAF users within 3 months in the UK but wishes a a network would provide a worldwide backbone for these services.
the first phone available will be the HTC HERO but other ANDROID phones will be introduced later in the year.
I want to hear from DEAF Users – (especially the angry ones that are fed up with the way DEAF users are treated)
I especially want to hear from developers that can provide as real time as possible SUBTITLES to speech.
Switch on the app and anything heard by microphone could be sent to a server for voice to text and squirted back to the phone. Come on IBM we know you love Android :)
So All you can eat Data Plan – Pay for calls as you go. a Lovely Android Phone and best of all IF your a network it could add millions of LOYAL customers and their mothers and brothers.
Actually Vodafone has already htc magic with android.
Quote “O2/Telefonica have today launched the Samsung Galaxy (i7500) across Germany, with more European cities in their sights.”
Germany is a COUNTRY not a CITY.
That would be greatest mistake if they completely walk away from Windows Mobile.
–Ram–