An Android-Powered Samsung Phone Might Come in H1 2009

Samsung Electronics announced recently that it planned to add new smartphones to its offering, and that the new models would run on different operating systems. The company was rumored before to plan on releasing handsets powered by the Android OS developed by Google, which would add to its lineup of Windows Mobile, Symbian and Linux-powered devices, yet this is the first time that we learn something concrete.

“In the first half of this year, for touchscreen phones we will expand our line-up and upgrade some of the functions including the user interface and for smart phones expand our line-up and provide various OSes to satisfy the diverse needs of our customers,” said Chi Youngcho, head of the recently created digital media and communications unit, in a conference call with analysts.

As many of you might already know, Samsung is a member of the Open Handset Alliance group, which was formed around Android, but hasn't unveiled yet a phone running on the platform.

Previous rumors pointed towards the fact that the South Korean manufacturer would plan on releasing an Android-powered smartphone at a certain moment in the third quarter of the year. Although Chi Youngcho did not mention Google's platform in today's statement regarding the various OSes the company plans to include with future mobile phones, a handset featuring it would be the most probable device to be launched.

On the other hand, the company's official announced that there would be new touchscreen mobile phones launched during the first half of the year. Moreover, he also stated that the new handsets would come with some upgraded functions, which would also include new user interfaces. Hopefully, the company will also include the much-expected smartphone that runs under the Google Android operating system among these releases, and we'll be able to enjoy a Samsung device running the platform before mid-2009.