Verizon Wireless and Google to Introduce Android Mobile Phones

Tuesday Verizon Wireless and Google announced that within next few weeks mobile phones powered by the Internet giant's Android software will be released.

Photo: Verizon Wireless and Google to Introduce Android Mobile Phones

Verizon Wireless and Google also said they planned to commit "substantial resources" to a strategic partnership to deliver "leading-edge mobile applications, services and devices."

"Through this partnership, we hope to deliver greater innovation in the mobile space to consumers across the US," said Google chief executive Eric Schmidt.

"The Android platform allows Verizon Wireless customers to experience faster and easier access to the Web from any location," he said, AFP reports.

In the meantime, Google has been pushing into the mobile phone market to replicate the success it has in desktop computers. The ultimate idea is to sell targeted advertising on mobile phones, which many analysts believe is the next big frontier in advertising.

The Verizon Wireless deal is the Android system's latest with a major U.S. mobile phone company. Others include Sprint Nextel Corp and T-Mobile USA.

Google and Verizon Wireless, a venture of Verizon Communications Inc and Vodafone Group Plc, will sell several Android-based devices loaded with applications from both companies and other mobile software developers, Reuters reports.

It was also reported, today's Android announcement may be a part of Verizon's attack plan against the iPhone and other exclusive handsets on competing networks. Parodying Apple's iPhone commercials, Verizon launched a "There's a map for that" ad on Monday. The television ad highlights Verizon's superior 3G coverage to AT&T's, reinforcing its message that the network is more important than the handset, PC World reports.