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Verizon Getting Android Phones With Google Partnership

Google and Verizon Partner to Bring Android to Big Red
Verizon and Google announced a new partnership that will bring Android powered devices to the cellular carrier in the coming weeks. While we knew that Android handsets were coming to Big Red, the press release suggests this partnership goes beyond Verizon slapping its branding on an HTC Hero. According to the announcement, the two companies, "plan to co-develop several Android-based devices that will be pre-loaded with innovative applications from both parties as well as third-party developers."

Google will likely be working closely with Verizon to ensure Android-based devices coming down the pipe aren't crippled. Verizon has been known in the past to disable access to features of GPS and Bluetooth. It also means there may be some exciting Verizon-specific apps coming in the future -- we're hoping for an Android app that will let you remotely control your FIOS DVR.


The partnership is a major announcement for Verizon, which so far lacks any smartphones using modern OSes like Android, iPhone OS, or Web OS. Instead, Verizon carries a few Windows Mobile devices and some BlackBerry devices -- while good, these lack many features of the newer rivals, and seriously lag in the mobile Web browsing category. John Gruber, at Daring Fireball, is excited that "Verizon should now have phones other than BlackBerrys that are actually good." And Verizon Wireless CEO Lowell McAdam fired a shot across the bow of AT&T and its iPhone when he told the Wall Street Journal that it would support the use of Google Voice on its devices.

A pair of Android devices will launch with Verizon in the coming weeks, one of which is expected to be the Motorola Sholes / Tao / Droid (who knows what it will be called at this point?). The other, clearly visible on the left in the photo above, appears to be the HTC Hero, which will also be launching on Sprint shortly.

While we have our problems with Verizon's history of hampering phones, the company seems dedicated to a new policy of open access. The combination of Android and the reliability of Verizon's network (especially when compared with AT&T, here in NYC) is enough to have us eyeing the expiration date on our iPhone contracts. [From: PRNewswire, Engadget, Daring Fireball, Verizon, and Wall Street Journal]

Tags: android, htc hero, HtcHero, motorola, sholes, top, verizon wireless, VerizonWireless

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