The hype and hoopla surrounding Google’s entry into the mobile space has fizzled out somewhat. Google’s Open Handset Alliance (OHA) announcement was huge, there’s no doubt about that - but as far as staying power, that announcement has already hit the back-burner. AT&T is looking to fire up the hype-machine again with AT&T wireless chief Ralph de la Vega’s announcement that Big Blue is considering joining the Android-supporting OHA. AT&T’s entry into the OHA would mark the carrier’s intention to sell handsets with the Linux-based Android mobile OS. If AT&T were to join the OHA, smaller carriers like Sprint and T-Mobile USA could get shafted out of their open-handset advantage. Larger carriers like Verizon and AT&T are notorious for locking down their handsets to only run code sanctioned by the carrier - Sprint and T-Mobile’s participation in the OHA would have given them an edge against the larger incumbents by offering innovative handsets to their subscriber-base. But, if AT&T ships Android-based handsets, we could see an even larger gap between the top US carriers and smaller (relatively) outfits like Sprint, and T-Mobile. [Via: Electronista] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:Brief: Confirmed: Nokia in discussions with Google about Android, no decision has been made yetGoogle announces open mobile OS Android and Open Handset AllianceDetails on Google "Dream" Phone - could it be the HTC Omni?Nokia open to joining the Open Handset Alliance if it proves beneficialSymbian answers to Android threat: We've heard [...]
Filed under: Google, ATT, Announcements, AT&T, Cingular/AT&T, Partnerships, handset, open, gphone, android, oha, alliance