China Mobile Close to Launching 3G "Google Phone"

China Mobile is reported to be nearing a launch of a smartphone based on the Google backed, Android operating system - a source close the matter told the South China Morning Post. The handset, codenamed the OPhone will also run on China Mobile's new TD-SCDMA 3G network.

China Mobile has been known to be working on an Android based smartphone for some time - but reportedly was having problems developing a Chinese language version of the Operating System.

The new handset is anticipated to be launched within the next three months.

Lenovo Mobile is claimed to be the handset vendor - said the source who requested anonymity ahead of the product's official release, although previous reports had suggested that several companies are working on Android based phones for the mobile operator.

The company has also been rumoured to be working on its own in-house developed OS platform for 3G phones.

On the web: South China Morning Post

Posted to the site on 9th January 2009