China Mobile may be offering Android-powered handsets, according to industry sources in Taiwan. Here are the facts that suggests we may see this happening in the near future:
- China Mobile is the only China-based mobile operator that is a member of Google’s Open Handset Alliance.
- In September 2007, China Mobile and Google, Marvell, China-based software developer Borqs International formed a technology alliance to promote a Linux-based open mobile system (OMS), integrating mobile applications specifically for the China market.
Originally, Chinese mobile operator planned to starting offer a Google phone by the end of 2008, with OMS applications to be developed by Borqs, the sources indicated. However, because the development of applications has lagged behind schedule, China Mobile is likely to postpone launching the handset until Q2 2009.
Alternatively, China Mobile may partner with HTC to offer an Android handset first by the end of 2008. And while we’re talking about HTC, the Taiwan-based smartphone maker plans to set up a subsidiary in China with clear idea to gain some market share in the “world’s fastest growing economy.” We’ll see where this goes…
[Via: DigiTimes]