Android rumours pick up momentum

The web is awash with Android rumours this week, as the Google-backed platform finally starts to pick up momentum.

Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Acer is now expected to unveil an Android-based device in the fourth quarter of this year, in the wake of its foray into the mobile space with a line up of Windows Mobile devices.

And Japanese vendor Panasonic is also believed to be jumping on the bandwagon, with a Google phone due out in 2010.

No surprise to hear about Samsung; the Korean firm will release several gadgets based on Android, with the first expected to arrive in the summer months, followed by two more in the second half of the year.

While a leaked company road map from troubled vendor Motorola suggests that the company has and Android gadget called the Morrison in the works, and that it will be available on T-Mobile USA towards year end.

Android pioneer HTC is also gearing up to release two more Android phones this year, in addition to the recently launched Magic handset.

Meanwhile, Canada’s Koolu has taken the Neo FreeRunner open source handset from OpenMoko and stuck Android Cupcake on it. It’s already shipping beta versions and hopes to have a consumer offering available over the summer.