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Yes, my prediction is that Android, Google’s open source mobile phone software, is going to take over soon… might I say rule the world!? Ok, maybe not, but there is a lot of buzz about the Open Handset Alliance and Google’s desire to produce a mobile phone “platform” that would be available for open source application development. What’s the story?

Originally, there were rumors that Google was going to produce a “GPhone” much like Apple’s iPhone hardware. Adding fuel to the fire was the company’s acquisition of Android back in August 2005. Then, there were rumors they were just going to start producing some phone software. But (last week) Google announced its leadership of the Open Handset Alliance,

a group of more than 30 technology and mobile companies who have come together to accelerate innovation in mobile and offer consumers a richer, less expensive, and better mobile experience. Together we have developed Android™, the first complete, open, and free mobile platform. [more]

With this, they have now positioned themselves as a leading participant in an open source phone platform that can be freely distributed & infinitely customized by ALL mobile phone manufacturers. Why just stock the shelves when you can run the store, right? Of course they still have their eye on the hardware market (the Open Handset Alliance promises a handset w/ Android in 2008) but the primary goal is to provide handset makers and even individual wireless operators an easy way to develop custom applications for their users. It’s easy to imagine how the apps developed by companies and end users are going to turn mobile devices into a hotbed of 2.0 mashup applications using maps, profiles (ala Dodgeball) and geo-information. People are already putting together alpha versions of Android apps, as mentioned in this recent News.com article.

It’s an exciting time to watch the mobile world. No doubt Google has positioned itself, alongside its Android, to rule the world.

Technorati Tags: Android, Open Handset Alliance