Motorola to Launch Google Android-Based “Social Smartphone” Next Year

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Motorola to Launch Google Android-Based “Social Smartphone” Next Year

6:00 am on October 21, 2008 | Category: Web Services, Mobile Devices, Cell Phones, Software

BusinessWeek published early details yesterday about a forthcoming Motorola smartphone based on Google’s much-anticipated Android operating system.

Motorola is making consumers wait for the device – which won’t be available until the second quarter of next year in the U.S. (Europe will have to wait until Q3) – but the company is already investing heavily in the product, which BusinessWeek describes as a “social smartphone.”

The key selling point will a wide array of social networking features, including support for sites like MySpace and Facebook, integrated with the Google Android OS. Other features will include an iPhone-like touchscreen display and slide-out keyboard.

Motorola itself is saying very little about the device, stating only that “we’re excited about the innovation possibilities on Android and look forward to delivering great products in partnership with Google.”