Qualcomm Working on Google Android Phone

Qualcomm has confirmed that it is working on an iPhone rival platform which would be based on the Google supported open-source Android operating system. Chief Operating Officer Sanjay Jha, speaking at an analysts presentation said that the company anticipates that a large number of Android phones would run on Qualcomm platforms.

The first Android based phones are expected to be released this Autumn - with Taiwan's HTC widely expected to be the first to market with a smartphone.

Qualcomm is a member of the Open Handset Alliance (OHA), which is promoting the Android platform.

He also outlined plans for the new Snapdragon line of voice and data chipsets, which will feature a 1-gigahertz processor and the ability to support an 8-megapixel camera and a video camera. However, it is not currently expected that these chips will support the Android OS.

Google is expected to make an announcement regarding the Android platform within a few weeks, including new members of the OHA and an updated version of the developer software kit.

Posted to the site on 2nd August 2008