Android Smartphones Begin Hitting the Shelves

The mobile gadget world went ape when Google launched the first-ever open platform Android smartphone, HTC's G1 with wireless carrier T-Mobile, just about a year ago next month. And then the once loud media music of how Android and its open source capabilities would revolutionize the handset world seemed to die down.

But get ready for the band to start playing again as handset makers and carriers are finally pushing out Android handsets as the year winds to its close.

Earlier this month, T-Mobile and HTC pushed out their second Android effort, the MyTouch 3G, and just late last week, handset maker LG jumped onto the bandwagon with the first of two Android devices coming to market.

The LG-GW620 (at right) offers up a 3-inch full touchscreen and slide out QWERTY keypad that promises to make social networking tasks easier than ever, according to a press statement.

"The LG-GW620 will appeal to first-time smartphone customers by offering a new and different kind of user experience," said Dr. Skott Ahn, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company, in a release. "Our objective is to provide a wide selection of smartphones to satisfy the diverse preferences of today’s consumers. This Android phone is just one of many smartphone models we plan to introduce worldwide in the years ahead."

The shelves could be crowded by holiday season as competitor Motorola is also rumored to be getting ready to unleash its own Android devices in the next month or so.

Photo courtesy of LG