14 DAY TRIAL // It seems that we will be able to see a nice range of Android-powered mobile phones launched to the market this year after all. We reported back in January that we should be able to see more than 40 such handsets released during the ongoing year, and it seems that the previsions will come true after all.
The second Google device, namely the HTC Magic, has already been officially announced and it is expected to soon come to the European users. From what we've heard the device should arrive in April while also sporting the much anticipated Cupcake Android platform. The handset will certainly be welcomed on the market, not only due to the popularity of the platform, but because of the improvements it is said to carry along as well.
HTC Magic is not the only Android-based handset that should come from the Taiwanese company this year. HTC's CEO, Peter Chou, already confirmed that that phone maker was set to release at least two more such devices in 2009. And since leaked roadmaps are a trend these days, some suggest that the upcoming HTC “Hero” will be added to the company's lineup as running under Google's operating system.
At the same time, another roadmap unveiled to the world was that of Korean mobile phone maker Samsung, which also has at least an Android device in the works. The company hasn't unveiled any details on said device, yet it has been suggested that it should include a capacitive touch-screen display along with full Google integration. In addition, Samsung is also expected to launch the handset both in Europe and US.
Other makers are also expected to release Android-powered handsets to the market. Among them, LG announced plans to unveil at least one such handset until June, while also working on two other devices to be launched by the end of the year. The computer maker Acer is also reported to plan an Android based device, yet no details have been made available on said handset, and Toshiba could be working on a Google phone too.