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Internet Exposes China Mobile TD Android PhoneBEIJING, Jul 29, 2009 (SinoCast Daily Business Beat via COMTEX) -- An Internet user lately disclosed on a forum the picture of Android-powered TD-SCDMA handset to be made by China Mobile Ltd. (SEHK: 0941 and NYSE: CHL). The handset is equipped with seven-inch Touch Lens touchable color screen. Its body represents one third the size of mainstream laptops, making the product easy to take when users go outside. Previous rampant talks have revealed that the handset will use Android operating system developed by Google Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOG). The picture confirmed the news. The Internet user also introduced many functions of the handset, such as voice and video talk, short messages and multimedia messaging service, online browsing, stock-trading, and sending and receiving emails. Before the picture was exposed, an insider told reporters that China Mobile's TD-SCDMA wireless handset will be able to play videos in different formats, and support picture viewing. It also has functions like weather report and electronic maps, and is theoretically supportive to all the Internet applications of the Android system. China Mobile is currently developing OPhone based on its open mobile system (OMS) in partnership with mobile phone makers. The OMS operating system is the result of Android's secondary development, specially built for smart phones. The handset will be produced in cooperation with Taiwan-based High Tech Computer (HTC), the maker of T-Mobile G1, the first Android phone. HTC is said to enhance its research and development of Android-powered products. By 2010, Android mobile phones will account for half of the company's product ranges. In mid July 2009, media reports disclosed that HTC would release four new models, including one adopting Android system. A few days after the Spring Festival, the TD-SCDMA promotion plan of China Mobile was revealed, saying that the company would bundle together a TD-SCDMA mobile phone, a data card, a laptop embedded with Internet-access card, and a wireless handset for each customer. By May 31, the fixed-line user bases of China Telecom Corporation Ltd. (NYSE: CHA and SEHK: 0728) and China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd. (NYSE: CHU, SEHK: 0762, and SHSE: 600050) respectively hit 200.75 million and 108.7 million. China Mobile is believed to march into the lucrative market and catch up with archrivals through the promotion of its TD-SCDMA wireless handset. Mobile phone makers have also taken actions in the field. In early July, foreign media exposed that the first smart phone of Sony Ericsson based on the Android platform would be released later this year. (USD 1 = CNY 6.83) Source: www.news365.com.cn (July 29, 2009) |