14 new members boast the Android Phone alliance

12 December 2008

The Open Handset Alliance, the main backer of Google's Android open source platform, has added 14 new members, who are backing Android as an open mobile platform and their commitment to its commercial success (See: Android operating system to power Google's first mobile handset, G1).

The new members are: AKM Semiconductor Inc., ARM, ASUSTek Computer Inc., Atheros Communications, Borqs, Ericsson, Garmin International Inc., Huawei Technologies, Omron Software Co. Ltd, Softbank Mobile Corporation, Sony Ericsson, Teleca AB, Toshiba Corporation and Vodafone.

New members will either deploy compatible Android devices, contribute significant code to the Android Open Source Project, or support the ecosystem through products and services that will accelerate the availability of Android-based devices. 
 
Until this heavy weights joined in, Android's future looked uncertain. Only a minor handset maker, HTC, was making Android-based phones. T-Mobile was the only carrier globally to offer G1, and only in a few markets, including the U.S.

Motorola's support helped but not that much, as the company is in a fragile financial state, and its own future is unclear.  Vodafone caries weight as the carrier has 280 million customers worldwide. Sony Ericsson's involvement is important as well.

Where is Android heading?
Google started the alliance a year ago when it officially unveiled Android, the open source operating system it created (See: Google showcases mobile operating system Android). The Android software is designed to provide handset makers and wireless operators an open platform on which they can develop new and innovative applications.

The alliance was formed to help support the creation of these applications, resulting in richer features that are less expensive to develop and deploy. Thirty-four companies initially signed on to the alliance. And now the group boasts 47 members.