Just weeks after entering the world of the web browser, search engine giant Google has given software developers a sneak peak of the first phone to use Google’s phone operating system, called Android.
Just weeks after entering the world of the web browser, search engine giant Google has given software developers a sneak peak of the first phone to use Google’s phone operating system, called Android.
Google executive Mike Jennings was demonstrating Android at a Google developers’ day in London when he appeared to inadvertedly show off the phone, which is called the Dream.
While the phone was covered in masking tape, observers said it looked like the Dream, which is pictured above.
For some sneak footage that was shot at an early demonstration, watch below.
The Dream is expected to be officially launched in New York next Tuesday, when Google and mobile phone carrier AT&T will hold a joint press conference.
As well as the slide-out qwerty keyboard pictured above, the Dream is expected to have a built-in global positioning system and run the suite of Google applications, including g-mail, Google maps and, if course, Google’s new web browser, Chrome.
This morning technology site ChrunchGear quoted an unnamed person involved with the development of the phone as saying the Dream would cost $US200 under contract with AT&T. That will put the Google phone on a crash course with Apple’s iPhone, which sells for $US199 under contract.
According to The Times of London, the manufacturer of the handset, Taiwanese company HTC, expects to ship 600,000 to 700,000 units of the new phone this year, while analysts have a more conservative estimate of 300,000 to 500,000 units.
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