Android fans have plenty to be thankful to Motorola for. Not only does the Android CLIQ (or DEXT, depending on your country) seem to have had its release date leaked, but Motorola is rumoured to be releasing a further 10 Android devices in the next within the year. Also, French operator Orange has confirmed a big launch for the CLIQ/DEXT for the holiday season.
Release date:
This is pretty apocryphal, but apparently some of the promotional material released by Motorola gives October 19th as the date that pre-orders will start being taken. Poor editing or deliberate leak? Who knows – but the news will certainly excite people who are looking forward to getting their hands on the new device.
For a closer look at the CLIQ, check out our report.
10 more devices:
Global Equities Research analyst Trip Chowdhry has caused a certain amount of buzz with a report launched this morning. Citing “inside sources” the analyst claims that Motorla could launch as many as 10 new Android devices within the next year. This would mark another landmark gain by Android in the manufacturer market. Previous WinMo devotee HTC has jumped ship to start making Androids as well. Soon the market will be swamped with them. One more time: could we get an Irish operator to start selling them please?
Orange confirms the CLIQ:
French operator Orange has confirmed that it will be releasing the CLIQ in both France and the UK for Christmas. Well, more accurately it will be launching the DEXT, which is what it’s called in Europe. There’s still no word on pricing yet, but the operator is said to be planning a big push for the Christmas season.
What we think?
Perhaps I was a mite too quick to consign the CLIQ to the ash-heap of history. The device does seem to be generating a fair amount of excitement – not least from the people who have kept a candle burning for Motorola and see this as a vindication that it’s doing something right again.
It says more for Android, to be honest. If Motorola really is releasing 10 Android devices by the end of 2010 then there are is going to be a scary amount of choice for those looking for a Google phone. The Android Market is already starting to look less skimpy in comparison to the iTunes store. Watch your ass, Apple.
