February 16, 2009 by Jay Smith
Today Vodafone is closing in on a deal with mobile phone manufacturer, HTC. If successful, HTC will construct the latest version of the ‘Google phone,’ for Vodafone – the device will run on the Android operating system and is provisionally known as the G2. The companies hope to have a deal in place in time for an announcement at the Mobile World Congress. The industry’s annual trade show opened in Barcelona on Monday and now looks likely to be the phone’s launch-pad.
HTC have significant experience in this area after designing and building the original G1 SmartPhone which was launched by T-Mobile last year. Tempting HTC to switch teams for the follow up would be a significant coup for Vodafone.
The so called G2 is likely to be only one part of a glut of new Android phones expected to flood the market in the coming months. Numerous manufacturers, including industry giants like Samsung, Motorola and LG are currently working on their own versions. However, HTC are expected to have the edge since they are the only company with actual market experience selling an Android phone.
It’s the sheer variety of Android based devices that will have Apple worried. Over the next couple of years or so, innovation in the Android market is going to be powered forward by the kind of competition impossible for one company, however big or innovative they are.
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