Two Verizon Android phones coming in 2009

Google and Verizon Wireless on Tuesday announced what would have once seemed a very unlikely partnership, pledging to "advance the discussion" in the mobile computing market with a family of jointly designed devices to appear over the next few years.

Verizon has joined T-Mobile and Sprint in support of Google's Android software, with plans to release two new Android phones this year.

(Credit: James Martin/CNET)

Eric Schmidt and Lowell McAdam, CEOs of Google and Verizon Wireless respectively, worked on this partnership for 18 months before they were ready to officially bring it to light, they said Tuesday morning in a Webcast press conference. Two mobile phones running Google's Android mobile operating system will launch on Verizon's network by the end of the year, and that's just the start of a joint road map that will include other Android-based devices beyond phones, the companies said.

Verizon is known for the strong performance of its data network, but has not historically been known for its mobile software, at least not in a good way. The carrier was perhaps most emblematic of the wireless industry's desire to control the software that ran on its devices, and that left Verizon customers with a stable network but relatively unpopular applications.

However, ever since Apple's iPhone shook up the mobile industry in 2007, Verizon has pledged to improve the quality of the software that runs on its phones by scaling back its control over that software to allow outside developers a greater say over what software is available on Verizon phones.

The Android devices that emerge from this partnership will have Google's Android Market preinstalled on the phones, said John Stratton, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless parent company Verizon Communications. Verizon also pledged to support applications such as Google Voice, currently at the center of a controversy among Google, Apple, AT&T, and the Federal Communications Commission over Apple's decision to prevent Google Voice from reaching the iPhone.

The companies declined to name hardware partners for the initial devices, but Motorola and HTC have been rumored for months as the initial phone makers expected to work with Verizon. Beyond that, it sounds like Verizon and Google expect to release other devices, such as Netbooks or perhaps an ebook reader that will run on Verizon's network.

Verizon will become the third U.S. carrier to support Android, with the notable exception of iPhone carrier AT&T. T-Mobile has been perhaps the most vocal Android backer in the U.S. to date, although Sprint has also pledged its support for Android.

Verizon, however, is playing in a different league than T-Mobile or Sprint. With 87 million customers, Verizon has more subscribers than Sprint and T-Mobile combined.

Schmidt spoke several times during the call about Google's eagerness to team up with a network of that scale and implied that developers should like that combination as well. "Developers need the kind of data network that is the base of what Verizon offers," he said.

McAdam and Stratton deflected several questions about what this partnership would mean for Verizon's existing partners, of whom Research in Motion and Microsoft are perhaps most prominent. Verizon chose to make this announcement on the eve of the CTIA Wireless IT and Entertainment conference in San Diego, overshadowing the debut of Windows Mobile 6.5.

Stratton did say that Verizon sees room for multiple partners on its network. The carrier is still expected to bring the Palm Pre to its network next year, according to analysts.

A few years ago, smartphones made up around 10 percent of Verizon's devices, he said. Now, it's more like 40 percent and the growth has not stopped amid a global recession that has hurt demand for many consumer electronics products.

Still, Google and Verizon have pledged to create services and applications that may or may not be exclusive to Verizon Android handsets. Partnerships are a dime a dozen in the tech industry, but the combination of two giants of Verizon and Google's size has to be taken seriously by the rest of the mobile industry.

[kwhsy82]

Windows Mobile: Prepare for 5th place. Symbian, RIM, Apple, Android.... Ballmer in other interviews loves to count Windows PCs versus Macs (which is certainly fair enough). But in 2011 or 2012, what if smartphones start to catch up in volume with PCs?

[chrisfrary]

I could potentially see android eventually unseating apple, and possibly RIM in the future. I have Windows Mobile on my moto Q and applications suck. I am simply waiting for the Sholes/Tao/Droid and I will be officially done with Windows Mobile for a long time. I like the fact that it is nearly impossible as to what program can be installed on the Android. I just hope Verizon doesn't do something stupid and encrypt the firmware.

[darkxeno]

I would bet they will encrypt the firmware and then state its for the better good of the network if you cant modify it.

[gerrrg]

Unseating RIM is easy. According to AdMob, there's just one percentage point separating the two. http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10366193-94.html

I fully expect Symbian to decline dramatically as Android becomes de facto OS for anything NOT Apple, with a robust applications market that is lacking with Symbian.

[zshazz]

I'm certainly planning on getting an Android-powered smartphone from Verizon... I'm eagerly anticipating Motorola's Sholes

[zizzybaloobah]

Finally! My new-every-two kicks into effect at just the right time.

Here's to hoping VZW doesn't renege on having an truly open phone (they're allowing the iPhone-denied Google Voice on their Android handsets to which VZW's CEO says: "You either have an open phone or not")

[Police_States_of_America]

if the price isnt outrageous i will be getting one the first week of release.

[ry_jones]

Ah, the end of WiMo. I've been using it since 2003SE - here's hoping VZW doesn't screw up the release.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Android is starting to take over. Is growing at the fastest rate by far. No wonder Apple banned Google Voice.
They know it`s just a matter of time. The witting is on the wall.
I have even submitted to the power of Google and am using Chrome Browser ; )
Google can squash Apple like a bug !

[AppleSuxLeo]

This is how The Washington Post explained it...
Apple's chief complaint against the Google Voice application was "The application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone?s distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone?s core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls¿"

And that's ok, because we all know that the real reason Apple won't let Google Voice through is that they are scared out of their mind that Android and Google Voice will eat their iPhone lunch over the long term. Apple can't win the fight over the long term, but they sure are willing to say and do anything in the short term to stop the advance of Google.

[polaris20]

Hey, Loser: don't you have anything better to do than troll every single article about your Apple butt hurt? You don't like Apple. We get it. Move along now.

[AppleSuxLeo]

This Week In Google is the most popular tech podcast.
http://twit.tv/twig10

[SixString16]

This should be quite the topic on this weekend's show... Leo's a great host and TWIG is the best of the twit podcasts.

[codynews]

Google makes an OS that phone makers can use. Why would Google be entering into an agreement with Verizon? Google doesn't make a phone.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Verizon is a member of The Open Handset Alliance , thats why.
Apple=closed
Android=Open ; )
http://phandroid.com/2009/04/29/motorola-android-phone-calgary-headed-to-verizon/

[ckh1272]

@AppleSuxLeo--It's real funny that Verizon is a member yet locks almost all of the phones sold through them by locking out certain features (unless you pay for them). I have had them for two years (unlocked phone) and the only reason I stay with them is their coverage is much better where I live and most of my friends are on Verizon. Maybe they will start to relax these locking rules of theirs and then I will be a truly happy camper. That could be the biggest benefit of adding Android based phones but I won't hold my breath until it actually happens.

[AppleSuxLeo]

That "Calgary" phone looks nice. Best thing to happen to Calgary since 1989 !
Canadians will get that ; )
http://phandroid.com/2009/04/29/motorola-android-phone-calgary-headed-to-verizon/

[ertem0]

OK, so the phone will be open, great. How about the network it's connected to? Will VZW now be net neutral? An open phone attached to a network that blocks ports and throttles apps is not that great a deal... mce

[ckh1272]

My point exactly.

[ahawkinson]

This is a huge development, and will ultimately will result in a ton of new innovation as all the major players (Apple and Microsoft included) triple down on innovation. For tonight though, Apple and Microsoft have suddenly become drinking buddies http://bit.ly/5smxR

[tdlucas]

Buying WAVE (NextWave Wirelss) on this news.
Gonna be HUGE!!!

[darkebinary]

Too little, too late for me in regards to Verizon Wireless. I've been a Verizon customer for just under 8 years now. My 4th two year contract expires in December. I'm tired of their locked down phones, and overpriced plans. I may find the grass is no greener elsewhere, but I've had enough of paying for features that come with the phone but are locked out by their software. Their data plans cost as much as a good home Internet connection, their GPS cost $120 a year, and their unlimited plans are least %50 more than their competition. Unless they really deliver on a truly open phone and almost give it to me for free (I can get a new Blackberry for about $29 when I renew) I?m done giving them my money.

[AppleSuxLeo]

The Android avalanche is upon us. Android FTW !

[ArtInvent]

I think Android has a very good chance to gain market predominance. It's already arguably as advanced technologically as the iPhone, but provides a fairly unified platform to ANY phone maker and ANY network - and yet can still be completely customized by either one if desired. This can't be said of any other mobile platform. Apple could put up the best fight, but without abandoning the carrier exclusivity, no way.

In two years, this will be an Apple vs Android horse race.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Agreed but Android has the advantage of not having a POLITBURO deciding what apps you can run.
This is America after all , not Cold-War era Soviet Union.