Breakthrough for Google as SoftBank and Sharp commit to the OS.
Last week, SoftBank confirmed the addition of an Android-powered phone among its 2010 line-up and Sharp announced plans to roll out a number of handsets as early as the first half of next year. Sharp is the number one OEM in terms of market share.
Android, and indeed Google, have negligible presence in Japan's mobile space so this is an intriguing move. Observers are speculating about how uniquely Japanese goods and services might be integrated into an Android offer. Stuff like the one seg digital TV standard and the Felica m-payment system.
Advertisement
