ASUS said to be launching Android handset in first half of '09

We'd already heard that ASUS had been invited to join the Open Handset Alliance, and DigiTimes is now reporting that the company is, in fact, planning to launch an Android-based handset -- go figure. That phone, some unnamed company sources say, will roll out sometime in the first half of 2009 (we're guessing late first half), and could possibly be released in Taiwan first under ASUS' own brand before making its way overseas in the form of different "customized models" for various clients. Of course, any other details are non-existent at this point, but those same sources did also note that ASUS will be phasing out its use of the Ericsson Mobile Platform (or EMP) in its phones in favor of handset platforms from Qualcomm and Marvell, which is interesting insofar as that both Qualcomm and Marvell are members of the OHA, while Ericsson is not.

[Jamma @ Oct 29th 2008 12:08PM]

bring on the Eee1

[joe23521 @ Oct 29th 2008 12:11PM]

If it looks anything like that picture, it should be named EeeW.

[lowdef @ Oct 29th 2008 12:20PM]

The ASUS Ceeeeeeeeeeeell phoneeeee

[Benson @ Oct 29th 2008 12:33PM]

My faith wavered for a moment as I clicked the "2 comments" link -- I was struck with fear that a First, Crysis, or Blend post would be here, to be exorcised only with great low-ranking.

But Jamma has restored my faith in humanity (or at least that segment of it that frequents engadget), following in the true Way, posting an Eee [joke/truth] comment.

Props!

[PeteC @ Oct 29th 2008 6:45PM]

In that case, I'm not gonna be an early adopter, I'm gonna wait for a third gen Asus android phone which i guess should be out late early in the second half of 2009 or perhaps wait for the 6th Gen for Christmas.

[gazerbeam @ Oct 29th 2008 12:09PM]

anyone know why it's impossible to find a 160 GB white 1000H in the US?

[telepheedian @ Oct 29th 2008 1:57PM]

They've never had white 1000hes around here, you're probably best off grabbing a black one, then putting some white contact paper on the lid. I did it, and the black/white contrast looks rather nice, and you're spared the surface scratches that the black lid usually picks up after a while...

[Deputy Doffoos @ Oct 29th 2008 12:09PM]

And after that, two weeks later they'll launch an updated brand new model

Wait for it.

[Todd @ Oct 29th 2008 12:10PM]

Android = "bag of hurt" for expensive, proprietary mobile operating systems.

See: http://www.android.com

[TareX @ Oct 29th 2008 12:11PM]

There's nothing in their cellular phone history that makes me look forward to this Android one. But there's a first time for everything.

[bob sakamano @ Oct 29th 2008 12:29PM]

asusandroid.com ... check

[iEye @ Oct 29th 2008 12:32PM]

redirect ->

iPhone.com check...

[Christian Martin @ Oct 29th 2008 12:42PM]

I don't want it unless it comes preloaded with cracked apps and someone's resume. Throw in a preloaded unlocking tool for good measure.

[SickNick @ Oct 29th 2008 1:05PM]

I feel Asus products are very well built, and have a really nice design(they do have an italian dude doing the designs). So if they can produce a handset as good as there other products I have had, and throw Android on there, I am sold.

[greatsunjester @ Oct 29th 2008 2:27PM]

You know there is at least one person in a position to institute a name out there being held behind a locked door screaming "eeePhone! eeePhone! NAME IT THE EEEPHONE!"...... other Asus employees are holding the door closed.

[thrasher @ Oct 29th 2008 3:45PM]

Love asus products, dont care for the looks but if its like everything else they build it should be rock solid. now if google would get off their high horse and quit requiring everything in android to be tied to only google. while it may seem minor to some i dont like being forced into using their web based everything. will every android phone "force" you to have a gmail account? or will it ever really be open..........................

[thrasher @ Oct 29th 2008 3:48PM]

oops should have paid better attention i missed the part about it only being branded by asus the first time through lol

[SickNick @ Oct 30th 2008 12:09PM]

thrasher, your missing the point. You dont NEED to use the GMail account, but they want you to use that, because Android is made to sync through the phone to where? Your Google Account, you dont need to use it for email you have the other email client for all your other emails. Android was started by Google of course they are gonna have some things that complement them, why would they ever do it if they do not put their name on it. When you buy a mac, first thing you need is a .mac account or a me account. When I had the sidekick I HAD to use the tmobile email account to use it, that also synced online. At least now I can use different emails, plus gmail allows you to hook your other email accounts into it. Accusing it of being tied to google is obscure they created the damn thing and they released the source code.

[SickNick @ Oct 30th 2008 12:09PM]

thrasher, your missing the point. You dont NEED to use the GMail account, but they want you to use that, because Android is made to sync through the phone to where? Your Google Account, you dont need to use it for email you have the other email client for all your other emails. Android was started by Google of course they are gonna have some things that complement them, why would they ever do it if they do not put their name on it. When you buy a mac, first thing you need is a .mac account or a me account. When I had the sidekick I HAD to use the tmobile email account to use it, that also synced online. At least now I can use different emails, plus gmail allows you to hook your other email accounts into it. Accusing it of being tied to google is obscure they created the damn thing and they released the source code.

[Jash Sayani @ Oct 29th 2008 4:07PM]

Finally another Android phone!! Waiting for it to release.... I hate how the G1 looks, great example of bad design.... However, Android is really cool !

Anyway to load Android on old Windows Mobile Phones...??

[James @ Oct 30th 2008 1:22AM]

I have to disagree with you on that one. The G1 held in hand is a pretty nice phone but android so far has been lacking. I know google and other developers will make something amazing out of it though.

[Alan Strangis @ Jan 7th 2009 12:52PM]

@ Jash: "Anyway to load Android on old Windows Mobile Phones...??"

Yep. On the HTC Vogue, at least. It runs well, but I'm not sure of other devices...

http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=23244

[ZnO3 @ Oct 29th 2008 4:15PM]

OMG, ASUS doesn't get enough on the mainboard industries, way to go :D






---------------------------------
http://www.zno3.com

[phail @ Oct 29th 2008 8:29PM]

"which is interesting insofar as that both Qualcomm and Marvell are members of the OHA, while Ericsson is not."

indeed

[Window Blinds @ Mar 6th 2009 6:02AM]

so, how exactly is this thing android? i don't really see it from reading the description and the specs..or perhaps it's just a name?