Two reports came out today showing that Google’s Android may be picking up steam, including what may be the first look at Motorola’s initial device based on the emerging platform. The second report suggests that Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) is planning to launch a number of new Android handsets, beyond the soon-to-be released HTC Magic.
Motorola (NYSE: MOT) Android devices: Even though Motorola has said that Android will be a major OS for the handset-maker going forward, we have not seen anything yet. Well, the Motorola Calgary is rumored to be the manufacturer’s first Android-based device (and if rumors are true, it will also be the first Android phone carried by Verizon (NYSE: VZ), even though it isn’t a member of the Open Handset Alliance yet). A leaked image shows a large screen over a qwerty keyboard, but the companies aren’t talking, reports Brighthand. There’s another rumor about a handset dubbed “Ironman,” another Android effort from Motorola according to Boy Genius.
Vodafone Android plans: Vodafone is planning more Android-based handsets in addition to the soon-to-be-released HTC Magic, but may ditch Google’s services for its own offerings. Vodafone’s Rachel Williams said that while the HTC Magic contains all the Google (NSDQ: GOOG) features (like G-Mail) future offerings might be more basic, where networks will want to put their own clients on there instead, reports TechRadar. Of course, the whole point of an open operating system is that it can be modified as the companies wish, Google apparently is relying on the fact that lots of people want to use its services to ensure it gets on devices. There’s also hints that Vodafone is no longer interested in exclusivity deals for Android devices
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