Non-Google Phone Announced

Google announced Project Android today. The announcement includes 30 partners, with an open software platform available only to users who buy one of the official phones – there is no single GPhone.

Google announced their Open Handset Alliance plans through a blog entry, which is appropriate considering their stance in the web 2.0 world. Currently, there are no details on the SDK, although they did say details would be coming on November 12. It appears Java is part of the plans, according to a Sun announcement:

"We're thrilled to have Google amplify the global momentum behind Java technology, the world's most prolific open source software platform - on more than five billion devices. We are excited by the Open Handset Alliance's upcoming open source contributions of new services and frameworks. We welcome Google to the community and look forward to collaborating on the evolution of the Java platform as part of our ongoing relationship. In addition, Sun and the NetBeans community will provide NetBeans support for the Android platform as it becomes available and will continue to build on the support NetBeans provides to numerous mobile platforms and standards," said Rich Green, executive vice president Software at Sun.

Additionally, Jean-Claude Martinez, CEO of Esmertec, has said that they are delighted to be part of the Open Handset Alliance, and plan to make their Jbed Java ME product available for the platform.

What is known so far (see this InformationWeek article) is that the platform will be based on Linux, there is no one Google-branded phone; Google will provide the platform, base applications, search, and ads; the phones will be open to third-party application developers.

I can't help but feel a little disappointed by the fact there seems to be no such thing as a gPhone, the Wifi-enabled device that would offer free mobile phone service, as the press has been reporting for the past several months. However, time will tell if the fruits of the Open Handset Alliance will eventually include this promise.

Keep tuned for more details as they emerge.

-EJB

Posted by Eric Bruno at 12:43 PM  Permalink