There will be a press conference on September 23, at which the US company, T-Mobile, will have the distinction of being the first in the world to offer a mobile phone based on Google's Android OS.
The handset is manufactured by Taiwan's High Tech Computer (HTC), and should be available towards the end of September.
Since Android is an Open platform, there should be many networks offering Android phones. Apple have made an important strategic decision in their choice of BSD for the underlying technology of their operating system. This allows them to concentrate on the important issues of user applications and systems integration.
Paradoxically, Microsoft's decision to draw a line in the sand around their proprietary products hog-ties them to the very products they are trying to defend. Windows has become a dead weight, fastened around Microsoft's ankles. Rather than riding the new waves of systems integration, they will struggling just to keep their head above water.
I am predicting that Android will do well. The advantages of price, performance, interoperability and timely release of updates plus an integrated desktop will be a powerful combination. Google's chrome may also be a factor in this mix.
One thing is certain. There will be lots of competition in the mobile arena. And competition is good. So they say.