Taiwanese mobile phone maker High Tech Computer (HTC) is already working on a Google phone, and will start selling it in the second half of next year, an executive said Tuesday.
[ See related special report: Google Android: Invader from beyond ]
The company was rumored early on to be making a handset for Google as was South Korean handset giant Samsung Electronics. But with the Monday launch of Google's mobile phone software, called Android, HTC was able to lift the veil of secrecy around its plans.
Android, an open source software platform that includes an OS, is designed to take advantage of Internet services for mobility, exactly the target for HTC's new handset, said John Wang, chief marketing officer at HTC. He declined to give specific details about the hardware makeup of the phone.
The strength of Google's new platform is its flexibility, since it will allow companies to innovate with their own software and services, said Wang.
The Google phone that HTC is working on could end up causing it some headaches. HTC is known as the world's largest maker of handsets that use Microsoft Windows Mobile software, a rival to Android. Should Android's popularity take off, HTC could cannibalize some of its own sales as well as those of partner Microsoft.
That's certainly not HTC's intention.
"Our commitment to the Windows Mobile platform is unwavering," Wang said, adding that many mobile phone OSes currently compete in the market.
Android could become a potent new rival to Windows Mobile and other handset OSes. At the launch ceremony, Google announced that over 30 companies had climbed on board its Open Handset Alliance, including HTC, Qualcomm, and Motorola.
This whitepaper explains the terminology and concepts behind Data Replication technologies and establishes some sizing rules through worked examples. Learn the new paradigm in disaster tolerance—protect data anywhere.
Download now »
Server virtualization is a popular option for dealing with mounting datacenter costs. Another equally promising approach is the use of an Application Delivery Controller. Citrix NetScaler provides a low-cost way for organizations to reduce their server count and accrue cost savings from a reduction in space, cooling, power and personnel.
Download now »
The emergence of WLANs has created a new breed of security threats to enterprise networks.
Included in HP ProCurve WLAN solutions is security technology that alleviates threats from WLANs through:
* Monitoring wireless activity inside and out of the enterprise
* Classifying WLAN transmissions into harmful and harmless
* Preventing transmissions that pose a security threat to the enterprise network
* Locating participating devices for physical remediation
Effectively address data protection challenges, implementing solutions that help store and protect business–critical data while cutting costs and improving efficiency and reliability.
Download now »
Sign up to receive Networking Resource Alerts
Recommend This
