OHA Gets 14 New Android Fans: ASUS, Sony Ericsson, Garmin & More Onboard

The Open Handset Alliance (OHA) has announced fourteen new members, including ASUS, Sony Ericsson and Garmin, together with carrier Vodafone.  While the specific intent of the new members is unknown, they will all either "deploy compatible Android devices, contribute significant code to the Android Open Source Project, or support the ecosystem through products and services that will accelerate the availability of Android-based devices." 

The full list of new membership is:

That list includes some significant players in the mobile industry.  Sony Ericsson's recent X1 is already confirmed as merely the first of the XPERIA range, raising the possibility of an Android-powered future smartphone; a press release from Ericsson suggests the first "mobile platform" supporting Android will be available by mid-2009.  Garmin, meanwhile, may be eyeing the OS for a future nuvifone (or even a refresh of the much-delayed first version); that would certainly make sense, given the platform's emphasis on location-based services.

Meanwhile, while ASUS is currently using Microsoft's Windows Mobile OS for its P565, that's not to say a future device may not convert to Android.  ARM's presence is an interesting addition to existing member Qualcomm; it also suggests that future Android devices – whether they be cellphone or MID – could use the company's powerful Socle chipset.

[via Android Community]

Press Release:

Open Handset Alliance announces 14 new members

December 9, 2008 – The Open Handset Alliance, a group of technology and mobile players, is pleased to announce the membership of 14 additional companies. By joining the founding members of the Open Handset Alliance, the following companies demonstrate their support for Android as an open mobile platform and their commitment to its commercial success. The new members are: AKM Semiconductor Inc., ARM, ASUSTek Computer Inc., Atheros Communications, Borqs, Ericsson, Garmin International Inc., Huawei Technologies, Omron Software Co. Ltd, Softbank Mobile Corporation, Sony Ericsson, Teleca AB, Toshiba Corporation and Vodafone.

New members will either deploy compatible Android devices, contribute significant code to the Android Open Source Project, or support the ecosystem through products and services that will accelerate the availability of Android-based devices. With these commitments, the Open Handset Alliance will continue to drive greater and faster innovation for the benefit of mobile users and everyone in the industry.

Open Handset Alliance members' continued contributions to Android give everyone in the mobile ecosystem a free and complete mobile platform to build Android devices. The new members will add to the momentum of Android device availability, providing developers with an even greater opportunity to deploy compelling applications that will reach a global audience. As a result, consumers around the world benefit from a superior mobile experience that features less expensive devices, more compelling services, rich Internet applications, and easier-to-use interfaces.

For more information around the Open Handset Alliance, visit www.openhandsetalliance.com. (For more information around this announcement, take a look at the "What's New" section.)

Press Release:

Ericsson further expands its Open OS offering by joining the Open Handset Alliance

December 9, 2008, 17:00 (CET)

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) announced that the company has joined the Open Handset Alliance, a multinational alliance of technology and mobile industry leaders, and will support Android software stack on its mobile platforms. Ericsson now supports all major operating systems on its mobile platforms.

Ericsson will support the Android software stack on selected platforms, both with external application processors and integrated solutions. Ericsson will also contribute with necessary software interfaces and drivers to the Android Open Source Project in order to further support the development of Android. Mobile platforms from Ericsson supporting Android will be available by mid-2009.

Robert Puskaric, head of Ericsson's mobile platforms' business, says: "By becoming a member of the Open Handset Alliance and supporting Android, Ericsson further strengthens its Open OS offering to device manufacturers. Android is set to become a significant application framework for mobile phones and our goal is to provide our customers with platforms that enable them to be successful."

Ericsson supports all major operating systems on its platforms. Ericsson is a licensee of Symbian and supports this with several different application processors. Ericsson is also a licensee of Windows Mobile and has delivered Windows Mobile-based platforms to a number of mobile phones around the world. Ericsson will now also offer Linux-based platform solutions.

Read more about Ericsson Mobile Platforms at

www.ericsson.com/ericsson/press/facts_figures/doc/emp.pdf

Ericsson's standard multimedia content is available at the broadcast room:

www.ericsson.com/broadcast_room

Ericsson is the world's leading provider of technology and services to telecom operators. The market leader in 2G and 3G mobile technologies, Ericsson supplies communications services and manages networks that serve more than 195 million subscribers. The company's portfolio comprises mobile and fixed network infrastructure and broadband and multimedia solutions for operators, enterprises and developers. The Sony Ericsson joint venture provides consumers with feature-rich personal mobile devices.

Ericsson is advancing its vision of "communication for all" through innovation, technology and sustainable business solutions. Working in 175 countries, more than 70,000 employees generated revenue of USD 27.9 billion (SEK 188 billion) in 2007. Founded in 1876 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Ericsson is listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm and NASDAQ.

For more information, visit www.ericsson.com or www.ericsson.mobi