LG Intros First Android Smartphone

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LG-GW620

LG Electronics is the latest company to offer support for the Google-backed mobile operating system, as the third-largest handset maker introduced Monday its first Android-powered smartphone.

The company did not reveal many details about the LG-GW620, but the device will have a 3-inch touchscreen with a slide-out, five-row QWERTY keyboard. The handset will have support for social networking functions out of the box, and it will likely be preloaded with Google software such as Google Maps, Gmail, and access to the Android Market for adding new applications.

The Android-powered handset will be available in the fourth quarter in certain European markets for an unspecified price.

"Our objective is to provide a wide selection of smartphones to satisfy the diverse preferences of today's consumers," said Dr. Skott Ahn, president and CEO of LG, in a statement. "This Android phone is just one of many smartphone models we plan to introduce worldwide in the years ahead."

The introduction of the Android-powered handset is part of LG's larger strategy of focusing on smartphones in order to overtake Samsung to become the second-largest handset maker. The company said it would be launching three Windows Mobile smartphones by the end of the year, and at least 13 Windows phones by the end of the 2010.

The move also shows that Android is gaining traction among handset makers, and Google said it expects up to 20 Android smartphones to be released by the end of the year. Motorola introduced its first Android phone Friday, and it joins LG, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson as major handset makers committed to making phones with the open source OS. Nokia is the only top-five handset maker that hasn't announced support for Android.

Most companies are just starting the hard work of mobilizing workforces by bringing the software they use to smartphones. InformationWeek analyzed this issue in an independent report, and it can be downloaded here (registration required).