Google has unveiled a number of new features of the Android mobile phone at a developer conference.At the demonstration in California it was revealed that owners will be able to unlock the device by drawing a secret shape on the screen.
Along with the 'signature unlocking' the phone boasts several more predictable feature including an internet browser, map software, compass, multimedia applications, text messaging, calendar functions and email - as well as a phone.
The phone, tipped to rival Apple's iPhone, is based on Android, a mobile phone operating system launched by Google last November.
The operating system is backed by an alliance of more than 30 mobile phone operators, handset makers, software firms and component manufacturers. HTC, Samsung, Motorola have said they will produce handsets that will run on the Android OS.
Android is an open-source operating system, and while Google will be supplying many applications, developers will be encouraged to create their own.
Google has declined to give a definite release date, but Android project leader Andy Rubin says they're committed to meeting a deadline in the second half of 2008.
Strategy Analytics, a research firm, has estimated that Android will be installed on two per cent of smartphones by December. This, however, is likely to only be the beginning of a period when all phones begin to resemble computers much more closely; Android is Google's bid to establish a potentially lucrative dominance in the mobile OS market that could be comparable to Microsoft's dominance in the PC market.
It is estimated the mobile advertising market could be worth more than £5.5 billion by 2011.
source : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
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