T-Mobile and HTC to partner for Google Android?

According to an article in the New York Times, T-Mobile is to partner with mobile phone manufacturer HTC to deliver the first smartphone running Googles Android Platform.

The unnamed source said the carrier could announce the phone as early as September, but realistically October.

An unofficial T-Mobile blog claims the new phone, to be called the “G1,” would launch Sept. 17 to T-Mobile customers only at a price of US$150. The following week it would rise in price to $250 to $400 and be available to new T-Mobile customers.

HTC is widely expected to be the manufacturer, as the company has expressed interest and support of Android and is also a member of the Google-run Open Handset Alliance.

“As to the T-Mobile rumour, I really can’t comment - but Android has been due for sometime now,” Sean Ryan, a research analyst for IDC’s Mobile and Wireless Group, said

“Q4 delivery of an Android product would make sense, and HTC does seem to be the most likely device manufacturer to deliver a first Android device,” he added.

Chris Hazelton, a research director of mobile and wireless for The 451 Group, said that, “I think it’s likely.”

“HTC is good at developing UIs (user interfaces) and touch screen interfaces - and also at working with a complex operating system like Windows Mobile. I have pretty strong faith in HTC’s ability to work with Linux and Android and roll out a device that … T-Mobile, HTC, Google and the Open Handset Alliance will be happy with,” he added.

Google has not confirmed or denied the rumours about T-Mobile and HTC but it did note that the first Android-based handsets are on track for delivery in the second half of 2008.

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