HTC to sell Google Android smartphone in China

China's first mobile phone based on Google's Android software will go on sale next month in a deal between China Mobile and Taiwan's High Tech Computer (HTC).
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The handset, HTC's Magic smartphone, will use a Chinese-language version of the Android operating system developed by HTC, a company representative said.

The software will also be tweaked to meet the needs of China Mobile, the world's largest mobile carrier, the representative said.

The touchscreen phone will come equipped with China Mobile applications including the firm's instant messaging client, a mail service and a download platform for songs and pictures, according to the Web site of Dopod, HTC's brand in China.

Huawei Technologies, a Chinese telecommunications equipment provider, previously announced an Android-based phone for China, but its handset is slated for sale in the third quarter.

HTC, earlier known for handsets based on the Windows Mobile OS, last year became the first firm to offer an Android-based smartphone, the G1 in the U.S.

Phones based on the Open Mobile System OS, a version of Android modified by China Mobile, are also expected in China this year. HTC, Lenovo, Samsung and LG are all developing the handsets, called "OPhones," according to telecom research firm BDA.

But Lenovo's handset, originally earmarked for sale as China's first OPhone this month, may not go to market until the third quarter, said Lei Shi, an analyst at BDA.

China Mobile developed its OS partly to promote the use of its own applications and value-added services, said Shi.

The firm hopes customized phones will attract more users willing to pay for such features, he said. China Mobile aims to launch an application download platform similar to the iPhone App Store this year.

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BY Fletcher and Dan Nystedt
Source：IDG

Copyright (c) 2009, IDG News Service. All rights reserved.

宏达国际今年将推出三款以上谷歌手机

宏达国际首席执行长周永明周二称，计划在2009年推出三款以上的谷歌手机，包括在第二季度推出一款第二代智能手机。
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周永明在台北举行的一个投资论坛间隙称，去年第一款谷歌手机G1的销量超过了100万部的目标。该谷歌手机使用android操作系统，该系统是一个用于手机的开放标准平台。

按照发货量计算，宏达国际是使用微软操作系统的世界最大手机制造商。周永明称，该公司计划在2009年推出20多款智能手机，其中包括采用android操作系统的手机。

研究公司Gartner本月初表示，第四季度全球智能手机销量较上年同期增长3.7%，至3,810万部。宏达国际在截至12月31日的3个月内市场占有率增至4.3%，高于上年同期的3.7%。

周永明称，宏达国际今年将重点关注中国大陆市场。他补充称，该公司仍预计2009年收入增长率为10%-20%，尤其是在中国大陆发放第三代移动通信业务牌照之后，今年将是该公司进入中国大陆市场的重要年份，该公司希望继在进入欧洲和美国市场之后，今年能在中国大陆市场取得突破。

周永明称，来自中国大陆市场的收入占公司收入总额的5%左右，但他拒绝预测中国大陆市场的增长率。周永明称，该公司希望在2009年将中国大陆手机销量提高一倍，但他并未提供2008年的销售数字。他称，该公司还准备收购更多手机设计与技术公司。但他并未具体说明。

2008年，宏达国际收入增长29%，至新台币1,525.6亿元(44.5亿美元)，上年同期为新台币1,185.8亿元。

12月份，该公司收购了总部位于旧金山的One & Company Design Inc。该公司专门从事消费产品设计。

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文章出处：新浪科技
作者：N/A

HTC Claims Android Hurting Windows Mobile Sales

On the heals of the G1, HTC has already committed to releasing a G2 and a G3. However, what is interesting is that Smart House is reporting that HTC--the largest Windows Mobile manufacturer--is claiming that the success of Android is hurting Windows Mobile: "The HTC executive has also admitted that the new Google offering is hurting sales of Windows Mobile devices of which HTC are the biggest maker in the world."

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While I see Android aimed at consumers and possibly prosumers, it really isn't an enterprise device quite yet unless Google or a third-party licenses full Exchange capabilities, like the iPhone. However, the lack of enterprise Exchange capabilities means that enterprise users will still have to stick with Microsoft technologies either through Windows Mobile or a licensee of Exchange such as the iPhone, Nokia, Palm, and others.

However, as more big name players like Samsung, Sony Ericsson, and Motorola enter the Android camp, it will be interesting to see what becomes of the platform and how Windows Mobile will counter. Windows Mobile is in an interesting position moving forward as it really has a more diverse audience than other OS. On one hand, it is the OS for niche and vertical markets, supporting a variety of hardware options including barcode scanning technology, commonly seen, ironic enough, at Apple stores for point-of-sales checkout. It is also an enterprise email and business solution, most notably competing with the likes of Research in Motion's BlackBerry arsenal and the Nokia E-series handhelds. It is also a consumer and prosumer device--like the iPhone, Nova, and Android, which enables entertainment, gaming, and multimedia capabilities.

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BY Chuong Nguyen

Source：pocketnow.com