Google Announces Android and Open Handset Alliance

Here is the press release:

Despite all of the very interesting speculation over the last few months, we’re not announcing a Gphone. However, we think what we are announcing — the Open Handset Alliance and Android — is more significant and ambitious than a single phone. In fact, through the joint efforts of the members of the Open Handset Alliance, we hope Android will be the foundation for many new phones and will create an entirely new mobile experience for users, with new applications and new capabilities we can’t imagine today

Android is the first truly open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices. It includes an operating system, user-interface and applications — all of the software to run a mobile phone, but without the proprietary obstacles that have hindered mobile innovation.

We didn't really find anything concrete in the call or press release in terms of products or services. However by going mobile, this represents a major growth opportunity for Google, which wants to bring the Internet (along with search and contextual ads) to your phone. The software development kit will be available on November 12.

For more info on the man behind the Google Phone, Andy Rubin, check out the NYTimes article.