Wave of Android smartphones to hit Europe in 2010

Paul Nesbitt

The Android platform looks set to take off in 2010 with the news that both Acer and HTC are planning to launch families of Android smartphones between them

The news that HTC and Acer are planning big Android rollouts in 2010 comes as research from IDC revealed that adoption of Android in Europe has been slow so far.

Acer, best known as a leading supplier of laptops and netbook PCs, has just released its first Android smartphone in Hong Kong and Taiwan, in the shape of the Acer Liquid A1 handset. And now the company has revealed plans to launch five or six more Android phones during the first half of 2010.

Mobile phone giant, HTC, may have just announced three new smartphones running Windows Mobile, but documents leaked from the company suggested it has plans to launch at least six new Android phones during the first half of 2010.

And HTC may be working on even more Android handsets if a leaked HTC ROM's data is correct. According to enthusiasts who hacked the HTC Android ROM there are 20 handset names encoded inside, including 13 completely new model names. Of course, not all models are likely to make the cut, but it does suggest that HTC plans a major commitment to Android next year.

Meanwhile, while Acer VP Roger Yuen said that company is 'still evaluating the second half [of 2010],' the company company will definitely ship five or six Android handsets in the first half of 2010. The company said it plans to offer high end, mid-level and entry level Android smartphones, with models targeted at both business and consumers. The first Acer Android smartphones will be launched across Europe early next year.

The news follows a report by researcher, IDC, which found that Android has so far failed to take off in Europe. Android's market share of the smartphone market in Western Europe is just 5.4% (up from 4.2% in the second half of 2009), which is well below the level most industry watchers expected, and behind the uptake in the US.

'Several operators listed Android devices in 3Q09 for the first time, which helped Android shipments to grow, though consumers steered clear of Google's OS and sell-out is below everyone's expectations,' noted IDC.

'Consumers recognise the Google brand, but still do not understand what Android is. The lack of devices available didn't help to raise awareness, though this is expected to change, with more handsets from LG, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, and other vendors hitting the market soon,' said IDC.