LG: 50% of New Release Will Run Android
LG recently stated that it plans to run the Android operating system on more than half of the 20 smartphones it plans to release in 2010.
The statement comes as a bit of a surprise for the manufacturer, which typically chooses Microsoft’s Windows mobile operating system to power its smartphone portfolio. LG’s president and CEO, Scott Ahn, told Reuters that “Windows Mobile still has its legacy issues that makes it challenging to compete in mobiles: we know it and Microsoft knows it.” But LG says that it will still continue to use Windows Mobile and that it will also begin to offer LiMo’s Linux operating system on some devices.
LG plans to increase its phone sales by 20 percent, which means they’re targeting to sell 140 million handsets in 2010.
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Categories: LG Tags: Android, Google, LG, LiMo, Linux, Microsoft, Microsoft Windows Mobile, Scott Ahn, Windows Mobile
Sprint: Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile Updates Coming
Sprint executive David Owens sat down for a virtual chat on Sprint’s Web site with consumers today, and updated folks with some good news about his carrier’s plans.
- Google Android OS updates are coming for the HTC Hero and Samsung Moment. While he didn’t specify a version – 1.6 or 2.0 – HTC has previously confirmed that they’re working on an Android 2.0 update for the Hero.
- Combination CDMA/GSM Android phones are also “a possibility but nothing this year.”
- They’re considering an Android phone with a built-in MiFi-type router.
- Android phones will get less expensive “as we see volume across the industry.”
- Lots of HTC and BlackBerry phones coming next year. HTC phones “will be on the Android platform.”
- Sprint will “add Wi-Fi to [the BlackBerry] Tour” and have other Wi-Fi BlackBerries going forward.
- They’re testing Windows Mobile 6.5 updates for the HTC Touch Pro2 and other Windows phones; “plan for early 2010.”
- They want Windows Mobile 7.0 “as soon as possible, but dependent on Microsoft.”
- Expect WiMAX phones next year.
- No tethering for phones that require Everything plans (such as all smartphones) from here on out.
So, some stuff we knew, some we didn’t, but it’s all welcome and interesting. Looks like 2010 will be a very big year for Android.
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Categories: Sprint Tags: Android, BlackBerry, Microsoft Windows Mobile, Sprint
Big Cellphone Makers Shifting to Android System
Since 1996, Microsoft has been writing operating systems for little computers to carry in your pocket. It was a lonely business until the company’s perennial rival, Apple, introduced the Web-browsing, music-playing iPhone. But now that smartphones are popular, Microsoft’s operating system, Windows Mobile, is floundering.Laptop Cop
Peter Yates for The New York Times
Andrew Lees, Microsoft’s vice president for mobile communications, says the company has altered its cellphone software strategy.
David Paul Morris/Bloomberg News
Motorola is one of the cellphone giants switching to the free Android software. Above, the company’s Cliq smartphone.
More cellphone makers are turning to the free Android operating system made by Microsoft’s latest nemesis, Google.
Cellphone makers that have used Windows Mobile to run their top-of-the-line smart-phones — including Samsung, LG, Kyocera, Sony Ericsson — are now also making Android devices. Twelve Android handsets have been announced this year, with dozens more expected next year. Motorola has dropped Windows Mobile from its line entirely in a switch to Android. HTC, a major cellphone maker, expects half its phones sold this year to run Android. Dell is using Android for its entry into the cellphone market.
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