A new analyst report from ThinkEquity LLC suggests that Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) Android devices could arrive on the Clearwire LLC (Nasdaq: CLWR) network sometime in 2009, backing up recent comments about the platform by the operator's CEO, Ben Wolff.
The Clearwire head told Unstrung at the CTIA Wireless IT & Entertainment confab that he was expecting devices using the open-source operating system to be launched onto the Clearwire network in the coming years. Wolff just didn't know exactly when that would be. (See CTIA: Clearwire Talks Android & More.)
ThinkPanmure analyst Neeraj Singhania writes in a new research note that launches should be expected sometime next year:
We believe Clearwire will benefit greatly from strong acceptance of Android platforms. Directly, we understand that Clearwire is working with several manufacturers and application developers on Android-based products for its network, likely for 2009 launch. We believe that there are likely several efforts under way that are beyond Clearwire's purview that will be launched on their network, given its open nature.
The possible 2009 launch-date raises an intriguing question, however: Exactly what type of devices could vendors offer over the Clearwire WiMax networks? They may not be mobile phones in the traditional sense.
This is because Wolff said earlier this month that he is not expecting to deploy mobile voice-over-IP on the "new" Clearwire network until 2010. "I don't think you'll see us offer mobile VOIP before 2010, largely driven by the footprint we have," he told Unstrung.
ThinkPanmure is now expecting Clearwire partner Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) to launch its first mobile WiMax market in Baltimore on Oct. 8.
"The biggest concern from the developer perspective is the size of the near-term WiMax network, which will be steadily addressed by the Sprint Xohm-Clearwire merger, and the rapid fire launches of Baltimore, Chicago, Washington, Portland, Atlanta, Grand Rapids, Las Vegas, Boston, Dallas, and Philadelphia, plus the 2009 conversion of Clearwire's current Expedience [pre-WiMax] markets covering 16.6M US PoPs," writes Singhania.
Android development partner PacketVideo Corp. has already been clear, however, that the platform should be thought of as more than just a handset or two. Joel Espelien, PacketVideo's vice president of strategy, told Unstrung last week that four out of the world's top five phone OEMs are working on Android devices and that a number of different types of devices could be expected -- from smartphones to dedicated photo and video gadgets.
For T-Mobile’s G1, there will be a bundle of G1 accessories online to select from; everything from Backup Batteries to Car Accessories, Chargers, Cables, Headphones, Cradles, Bluetooth Accessories, and more. The list goes on and on, but basically the primary purposes of any G1 accessories are to add functionality, such as where you can use it and what you can use it with, make some features easier to use, and extend the use of the G1 Android phone. http://www.fommy.com/t-mobile-g1.htm
Americans have lucked out by being the first in the world to get the much-hyped Android phone, due to come out in a few short weeks. The G1 Device, made by HTC, is going to be sold via carrier T-mobile.However, the rest of the world, and namely Asian markets, are eager to get the device. Initially there was some buzz that an Android OS phone would hit Asia in 2008 as well but now it seems that next year is more likely.
I doubt Google cares much, as long as Android connects to something.
As an aside, there are almost 58 million active HSPA connections worldwide.
Even accounting for the fact that many users will have more than one connection (phone + dongle, for example) and that connections are personal (and aren’t generally shared), it’s still one of the fastest growing broadband technologies of all time. Probably the fastest.
See the live counter here: http://hspa.gsmworld.com/
well you forgot WiMAX enabled toilet seats. That will keep you warm during the long winter visits to the W.C.
Are you working for Intel by any chance? I thought WiMAX inspired to much bigger things than 3G. What happened to 4G and 4.5G?
I think what network the gadget is running on doesn't matter that much as long as you can get decent voice quality and good enough data access. Anyway, If you want to run high end or good enough quality multimedia on your mobile device these days you'd better gear up with ACDelco battery.
"we should soon see Android on WiMAX Handsets, Internet Tablets and WiMax Player- Screens, WiMAx radios, WiMAX video cameras and WiMAX PDAs. ...be ready for a range of low speed devices as well- with continuous connectivity and constant Talk".
This is true for any IP based wireless network. The Kindle device from Amazon does this now using EVDO--books on demand over the wireless network with small licensing fees paid to Sprint. With a sufficiently widespread and open WiMax network you'll get more of these types of products.
The question is just how widespread and how open with WiMax be? Same questions for LTE.
I think what Kumaramitabh meant was that Andriod on 3G is a stepping stone to it then being on WiMAX (and LTE???) devices.
Which makes sense - especially given Google's play with CW. Moving forward, the number of WiMAX subscribers and (also importantly) devices will grow - again, makes sense.
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