The smart phone operating system (OS) from Google is soon going to tie up with leading cellphone companies of India such as HTC, Samsung, LG and Motorola firming up plans to roll out a portfolio of such handsets.

Urban youth users are going to be targeted by the vendors after positioning them in the mid to high-end segment. Recently, HTC has started shipping the first Android phone to India, next month onwards Samsung’s first device, christened Galaxy will be available.

Industry sources said that Android phones from LG and Motorola’s stable are also likely to hit the market by December. Google also accepts faster growth of this platform with such launches at varying price-points in India.

Vinay Goel, Director (products) Google India told ET that 47 companies are working on the Android platform. He said, “Globally, around 15-20 Android handsets will be launched by December. We expect some of these models will be shipped to India as well”.

A favorable response is already received by HTC for its first handset. Ajay Sharma, HTC India country head said that “Android is an evolving platform and will be one of the mainstay for HTC. It drives internet mobility and the touch factor adds novelty. Since, we roll out 2-3 devices in India every quarter, some of them will be on this platform”. Sunil Dutt country head, Samsung Mobile said that the company will launch a portfolio of touchscreen Android handsets by year-end.

He said, “We will work with Google to ensure faster adoption of the devices in India. Android has the potential to emerge as the next big mobile phone OS”. Android will be able to compete against the two most popular smartphone OSSymbian and Windows Mobile boasts the vendors like Samsung, HTC and LG.

Mr Goel said, “Our research has shown that consumers really don’t care about their handset OS. All they want are exciting applications and experience which are the main driving factors behind Android”. Anil Arora, LG India’s head (GSM mobile ) expresses his views that the rest test for Android will begin next year when the population of such devices reach a critical mass. He said that the fact that Android allows much more flexibility to consumers for customising the look and feel of their handset could be a growth trigger.

Vendors need to launch some handsets in the Rs 10,000-15 ,000 price range to target the mainstream Indian market and ensure Android’s success, thinks Google. Mr. Goel said, “Android being open source, there is no license fee which can bring down handset prices”.

HTC has launched its 1^st Android phone in India for around Rs 30,000 for now and Samsung plans to launch Galaxy at Rs 29,000.

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Posted by Naresh Koshti on 22 July, 2009 11:40:42 AM IST #