Huawei to launch Android smart phone in 2009

Huawei Technologies has recently announced plans to launch smart phones based on the Android platform next year.

Specialising in providing the next generation telecommunications network solutions, Huawei Technologies has recently joined the Open Handset Alliance. At present, the company serves 35 of the world's top 50 operators, along with more than one billion users worldwide.

"Currently, we're developing smart phones on the Android platform, which we plan to launch in 2009. We believe that the Android platform will transform the mobile life experience for users around the world," said Li Jilin, vice president of Huawei Communication.

The Android platform is designed to define specifications for universal mobile phones, and to provide allied vendors with one application architecture that contains a whole set of software stacks.

Open Handset Alliance

The Open Handset Alliance is a group of 47 technology and mobile companies which collaborate to drive innovation in the mobile industry.

Android is the first complete, open, and free mobile platform co-developed by the member companies, which are committed to commercially deploy handsets and services that incorporates the operating system, middleware, user-friendly interfaces and applications.

China Mobile, Telefónica, and T-Mobile are several Alliance members that have established strategic partnerships with Huawei.

Smart phone boom

"Huawei sees potential in the operator resale market, and is relying on its insight into mobile communication trends and operators' requirements to further explore the mobile field to meet the varied demands of operators and users", said Li.

From 2007 to 2011, smart phone shipments worldwide are expected to increase at an average annual growth rate of 37.7 per cent.

By 2011, shipments are expected to climb to more than 400 million units from just 110 million in 2007. Smart phones are expected to account for 24.2 per cent of the global mobile phone market by 2011, and this figure is set to exceed 30 per cent by 2012.

According to industry analysts, mobile devices are becoming increasingly crucial for people's daily communication needs, and mobile phones will continue to incorporate a variety of features with more compelling services. It is expected that the commercial use of the Android platform will reshape the mobile operating system market.