Sony Ericsson, Toshiba and Vodafone are among 14 companies that have demonstrated their support for the Android platform by joining the Open Handset Alliance. The other new members are: AKM Semiconductor, ARM, ASUSTek Computer, Atheros Communications, Borqs, Ericsson, Garmin International, Huawei Technologies, Omron Software Co, Softbank Mobile Corporation, and Teleca AB. They joing the founding members, who include Google, T-Mobile, HTC, Qualcomm and Motorola.
Alliance members will either deploy compatible Android devices, contribute significant code to the Android Open Source Project, or support the ecosystem through products and services that will accelerate the availability of Android-based devices. With these commitments, the Open Handset Alliance says it will continue to drive greater and faster innovation for the benefit of mobile users and everyone in the industry.
The Alliance adds that its members continued contributions to Android give everyone in the mobile ecosystem a free and complete mobile platform to build Android devices. The new members will add to the momentum of Android device availability, it says, providing developers with an even greater opportunity to deploy compelling applications that will reach a global audience. As a result, consumers around the world will benefit from a superior mobile experience that features less expensive devices, more compelling services, rich Internet applications, and easier-to-use interfaces.