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Qualcomm's Take On Android: We're Anxious To Watch It Unfold

Over The Air took a few moments to ask Qualcomm's Vicki Mealer, senior director of product management, QIS, a few questions about Google's Android mobile platform. On the whole, Qualcomm is positive about Android's potential.

Over The Air (OTA): What role does Qualcomm envision playing in the Android ecosystem?

Vicki Mealer (VM): Qualcomm's involvement is simple. The main benefactor will be the the chipset division. It continues to show that we will support many operating systems and platforms. This includes BREW, Microsoft and others. With Android, we're just saying we can run Linux on our chipsets as well.

OTA: Does this change in an way Qualcomm's commitment to BREW?

VM: It really does not affect our commitment to BREW. We're about developing robust data services. This is just another platform by which we can deliver content or helpful data services. BREW supports Flash, for Verizon, and our C-based applications support Java. Android should be no different. We look forward to being able to distribute content and services to Android-powered devices.

OTA: Will Qualcomm create a developer support organization similar to what it has done with BREW?

VM: We have a long track record of monetizing an ecosystem for developers. Obviously our developers like the ecosystem, and like that we can give them reach. If the scale is there on Android handsets, if the need is there for testing/certification, then it might make sense for some developers to want to play in an ecosystem where they can get full reporting and monetization. There is nothing precluding Qualcomm from supporting developers in this way later.

OTA: Does Qualcomm feel that another mobile operating platform is really what the industry needs? Will Android help tie things together, or fracture them more than they already are?

VM: We've positioned our services in such a way that we don't have to care. Initially Android is being targeted at higher-end devices. It will be competing with Window Mobile and other high-end Symbian devices. BREW has proven to deliver rich data services across mass market devices. If Android gets any traction into the mass market segment where it can be used to monetize content and services, then we're happy to support it. We're anxious to watch it unfold.

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