Android phones at Feb. expo, Apple missing?

Phones using Google's Android platform could make their first public appearance as early as February, according to the exhibitor listing for the Mobile World Congress show beginning that month. The search engine developer has booked two separate spaces at the event, giving the company an unusually large amount of space that is not believed to be connected strictly to promoting the software side of its platform.

The California firm has not hinted at which manufacturers if any would use the Congress to showcase early devices but is believed to have worked with well-known smartphone maker HTC on one full QWERTY keyboard design, which has been seen both in the official announcement video as well as outside of Google's campus in leaked photos. Google has previously explained that completed Android phones should be available from HTC and other manufacturers such as Motorola or Samsung in the second half of 2008.

Google's presence contrasts sharply with that of Apple, which for a second year will be absent from the February trade show despite announcing its high-profile iPhone this past January. Apple has traditionally shunned major events such as the Consumer Electronics Show in favor of Macworld and other Apple-focused exhibitions, but is also known to regularly present and announce new products at industry-specific exhibitions such as the National Association of Broadcasters Expo or the NAMM music show.

Filed under: iPhone, Apple
Other story tags: Samsung, Google, Motorola, htc, Android

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testudo

It's a Jobs thing

12/26, 2:19pm, EST

If Steve can't have himself and Apple at the center of attention, he'd just rather not show.

And what's he got to go for, anyway. Everyone already knows of, if not has, an iPhone.

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robttwo

starting the new year

12/26, 7:52pm, EST

A new years resolution - to agree with testudo at least once.

And here it is!

You couldn't be more right about this one - but it IS a strategy and not just arrogance. Apple positions itself as "above/better" (whatever word you choose) than their competition - which always puts the competition in the position of "chasing." For instance - how many vendors will be saying things like "this is as good (or better) than an iPhone." And viola - Apple is not even there, and yet their own competition is marketing for them.

and also, for once I will not close by saying doofuses.

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Constable Odo

Every friggin' handset...

12/26, 9:12pm, EST

manufacturer will be saying their handset is better than the iPhone. And they'll throw out a list of hardware features as long as their arms. They'll kindly point out that the iPhone can't do this and can't do that. Of course, their handsets can do EVERYTHING much better and cost HALF as much. After all, they've been making smart handsets for years. Practice makes perfect.

I love that they use the same tact that mp3 player manufacturers have been doing for years and strangely enough the overpriced, feature-weak iPod is still on top. And this year, especially, people aren't even buying those other mp3 players. Jeez, I wonder why.

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