With many mobile phone manufacturers, including Motorola, Samsung, and LG, planning Google Android-powered handsets in 2009, Digitimes Research estimates that shipments of the open source mobile operating system could reach up to 8 million units in 2009. This could translate into a 7 percent global market share.
HTC has already tasted success with the T-Mobile G1. It is now expected to follow this up with new devices customized for Vodafone and NTT DoCoMo (and presumably for T-Mobile as well).
A number of companies that have not joined the Open Handset Alliance are also planning Android-powered devices. Lenovo is expected to deliver its first Android-powered device to the carrier China Mobile in early 2009. Meanwhile, Australian-based Kogan also expects to ship its first devices in January 2009.
Will 2009 be Android’s year?