Android Picking Up Speed

By year’s end, there will be at least 18 phones on the market worldwide based on the Android operating system, Google disclosed for the first time today. Andy Rubin, senior director for Mobile Platforms for Google and the spearhead of the Android operating system, said the number could be as high as 20. (That figure does not include devices made by manufacturers that use a basic Android system but have not apprised Google of its use). The 18 to 20 devices Google knows about will be made by eight or nine different manufacturers, Mr. Rubin said. Android will be to 100 devices by the end of 2010. (Bits)