China Mobile, a Chineese telecom operator, has launched Ophones from Dell, Lenovo and HTC in an event in Beijing. Ophones are smartphones developed for the new operating system based on Google’s Android OS, Open Mobile System (OMS).
These Ophones are expected to carry carrier-specific applications such as news, instant messaging client, search feature, e-mail service, and other features. The launch is expected to increase the number of phones that adopt China Mobile’s 3G service. The Ophones are based on the China-developed TD-SCDMA (Time-Division Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access) technology.
The Lenovo O1 is expected to go on sale next month. Currently, Dell’s Ophone is a 2G prototype. But the company said that it is working on a 3G model called Mini3i, which will be available later this year.
Earlier in August, China Mobile entered into an agreement with PDA phones and smartphone manufacturer, HTC with plans to launch one phone this year, followed by six more in 2010. A model of HTC’s smartphone is already available for customers.
Other companies such as LG Electronics, Philips, ZTE, Samsung and Motorola are also lining up to offer Ophones handsets.
The launch of Ophone comes few days after China Unicom’s three-year deal to sell Apple’s iPhone. In the race to win 3G users, China Telecom is also in talks with Palm for launching Pre smartphone in the Chineese market.
