Google OS popularity ‘could worry Microsoft’

With a number of new mobile phones heading to the market that boast Google’s new Android operating system (OS), one expert has suggested two of the top names in the industry may have cause for concern.

According to a spokesman for Mobile gazette, a publication which specialises in providing news and reviews on the latest developments in the handset and telecommunications sector, said the recent influx of technologies was significant.

Conrad Longmore, editor of the resource, explained that Google has been offering the consumer access to free services like Maps for some time and since then its mobile applications have given others in the industry something to think about.

He added it was clear Microsoft’s Windows Mobile system was one product under threat from the growing popularity of the Android system, adding that as long as the search company continued to make money from ad-supported items it would continue to offer them.

In addition, Mr Longmore explained that the announcement of the new Sony Ericsson X10 and the Motorola Droid, the sector was becoming even more "highly competitive" and that other manufacturer’s who use their own platforms should be concerned.

"There’s no doubt that Android 2.0 will attract customers, but not necessarily the same customers that would go for the iPhone. Perhaps the people who should be worrying most of all are Microsoft and Nokia," he concluded.

Sony Ericsson’s X10 was unveiled last week and follows other Google-powered devices like the T Mobile G1, HTC Hero and the Samsung Galaxy i7500.