T-Mobile to launch first Android-powered Google mobile
18 Aug 2008
Mumbai: T-Mobile, owned by Germany's Deutsche Telekom, plans to launch a mobile phone powered by Google's Android software, making it the first operator to do so and posing a direct threat to Apple's iPhone.
The phone device, which is being made by mobile phone maker HTC, is expected to hit the stores in the United States before Christmas, perhaps as early as October, a report in the New York Times said.
The HTC phone will have a touch screen like the iPhone and other smartphones that allow users to access the internet. But the screen also slides out to expose a full five-row keyboard, the report said.
T-Mobile is the number four operator in the United States as well as number one in Germany, Europe's biggest market. It is also present in the UK, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Poland.
The launch is expected to heat up the 3-G mobile market. The FCC is reported to have approved the HTC Dream device. The FCC document, however, has not mentioned the possible technologies used in the device.
It is likely that this may be T-Mobile USA's first high-end device that supports their 1700 MHz 3G network. The FCC documents reveal it has WiFi, Bluetooth, and T-Mobile 3G support.
Another contender is the Samsung T919, which may be coming soon. The Samsung T919 has a 5 megapixel camera, integrated GPS, microSD card slot, and full touch screen display.
Reports, meanwhile, said delays could push the launch into 2009.
.jpg "India’s GDP growth seen lower at 6.7% in April-June FY25")
