Google last week said it had postponed the launch in China of two mobile phones using Android, in an example of how its row with the government there could affect its businesses beyond just its China-based search engine.

China will not limit the use of any operating system as long as it conforms with Chinese regulations, Zhu Hongren, a spokesman for China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, told reporters at a news briefing in response to a question on Android.

The remarks from the country’s IT regulator are China’s first on Android since Google this month said it planned to stop censoring its Chinese search engine, Google.cn, even if that means closing down its China offices. Google cited tough censorship rules and cyberattacks from China for its decision.

The official did not address whether Google services like its search engine or Google Maps could be blocked in China. But many Android phones come preloaded with such Google services and their launch in China could still be affected if those services were banned.

Android phones have already started appearing in China. China Mobile, the world’s biggest mobile carrier by subscribers, offers handsets from companies including Lenovo Mobile and Dell under its Ophone brand, which uses a mobile operating system modified from Android.

Source : Konaxis

The handset, HTC’s Magic smartphone, will use a Chinese-language version of the Android operating system with some modifications to meet the needs of China Mobile, the world’s largest mobile carrier . with more than 500 million subscribers.

The touchscreen phone, to be sold under the Dopod brand in China, will come equipped with China Mobile applications including the firm’s instant messaging client, a mail service and a download platform for songs and pictures, according to the Web site of HTC.

Huawei Technologies, a Chinese telecommunications equipment provider, also previously announced an Android-based phone for China, but its handset is scheduled for sale in the third quarter.

HTC?s previous handsets were based on the Windows Mobile OS but last year offered an Android-based smartphone, the G1 in the U.S.

Phones based on the Open Mobile System OS, a version of Android modified by China Mobile, are also expected in China this year. HTC, Lenovo, Samsung and LG are all developing the handsets, called “OPhones,” according to telecom research firm BDA.

But Lenovo’s handset, originally earmarked for sale as China’s first OPhone this month, may not go to market until the third quarter, said Lei Shi, an analyst at BDA.

China Mobile developed its OS partly to promote the use of its own applications and value-added services, said Shi.

There’s no final word on price yet, but industry experts estimate that HTC’s new China phone will retail for about 5,000 yuan, or about $730.

The OPhones could be HTC?s way to double sales in China this year from 800,000 units last year, according to news reports. Market giant China Mobile may not be the only operator offering the handset. HTC Chief Executive Peter Chou said HTC may also offer Android-based models through China Telecom and China Unicom.

The OPhones will be competing against Apple’s iPhone, which is expected to be offered by China Unicom by the end of the year.

Source : Konaxis