Google is preparing to introduce a suite of software for mobile phones based on open-source technology, backed by some of the largest wireless industry companies in the world.
Google is expected to hold a press conference on Monday to unveil the project, which is expected to incorporate Linux software into a mobile platform code-named Android that's designed to run on phones. Its partners include Sprint Nextel Corp, Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile USA, Motorola Inc and Samsung Electronics. Android was a mobile-phone software company acquired by Google in 2005.
The phones are expected to come on the market around the middle of 2008. Google had engaged Taiwan's (HTC) High Tech Computer Corp. to design a Linux software-based phone for launch in the first quarter.
Japanese wireless carriers KDDI and NTT DoCoMo are said to be heavily involved in what will be called the Open Handset Alliance.
All the companies involved declined to comment.
All the companies involved declined to comment.
