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T-Mobile intends to evolve Android beyond phones

Interest is high, uptake is low

T-Mobile intends to evolve Android beyond phones
It’s pretty clear now that Google’s Android platform isn’t designed as an iPhone killer after all. Indeed, it’s beginning to look as though it’s not even specifically designed for smartphones.

A new report in the New York Times states that T-Mobile is working on several Android-powered devices that – while including cellular connectivity and voice communication – aren’t smartphones.

The devices seem to blur the lines between the smartphone, tablets and netbooks, with particular note of a seven-inch touchscreen system designed to be used in the home.

The leaked information from T-Mobile has many analysts looking into the future of Android powered devices, and suggesting the dedicated mobile phone might well become a thing of the past.

“All of the carriers are going to be supporting these mobile Internet devices that range from laptops to smartphones,” said Greg Sterling, an analyst at Opus Research.

Carriers and electronics manufacturers have spoken liberally about their sincere interest in the Android OS at both the World Mobile Congress and at CITA, though only one device was actually launched across these major mobile events.

T-Mobile has yet to comment on its future devices, but it seems the Android system has yet to find its true home. Either Google has successfully predicted a new type of device that blends together the smartphone, tablet and computer and provided the open source OS capable of powering these systems, or Android isn’t fitting into the market as well as it had hoped.

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