Friday 13th proves lucky for Android lovers

Rating: At least Sony Erisson doesn’t diss Symbian

It’s been a good day for Android lovers. Details have finally emerged for the launch of the  Dell 3 mini, the existence of which has been known for ages. So, it’s going to be offered first in China then Brazil. And Sony Ericsson has been hyping Android today, too.

It seems a bit of an irony that on the day Sony Ericsson launched its Xperia 2 exclusively on the Vodafone network, Christopher David, head of developer and partner engagement with Sony Ericsson, has been talking to the Times Online about Android.

The Xperia 2 is, of course, a Windows 6.5 based handset not a Google Android phone. Yet David is happy chatting to the Times about how Android, “Holds much promise within the context of our multi-platform strategy.”

According to ABI Research, the Chinese version of the Dell 3 mini will run on the Open Mobile System, a version of the Android operating system developed by China Mobile. Other sources say China will get the Dell 3 first because it will use EDGE rather than 3G.

For a handset that is finally officially announced, all the commentators are moaning about the lack of detailed specifications. Some seem to think it will not only lack 3G but lack Wi-Fi, too.

Besides being launched in the world’s largest mobile phone market (China) in November, the handset should appear in the Brazilian market courtesy of Claro in December. So Android can chalk up two of the most important growing sectors.

Better still, ABI Research speculates that the Dell could well make an appearance in North America with AT&T – another major plus because that network is yet to range an Android handset.

GoMo News was also impressed by these other pronouncements from Sony Ericsson’s Christopher David …

“Google Android’s key benefit stems from the fact that it is a web-centric, rather than a Telco-centric platform.

The approach towards working with open source, rather than proprietary technologies also suggests a certain way of thinking – one that maximises inclusion.”

Although he was also pumping up the Xperia 10 Android handset (see details of it on the Sony Ericsson blog here), at least he didn’t manage to suggest that Sony Ericsson was dropping Symbian.

Unlike Samsung which had to retract the rumours (See GoMo News) that it was ditching Symbian.
Yup. Overall, it’s been a Good Friday 13th for Android.
Tony is based in Surrey and is a veteran journalist he writes on the UK market…. contact him here mailto:tony@mobileinsight.co.uk