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Google's bid to dominate the mobile phone operating software market got a boost on Tuesday when Taiwanese handset maker HTC unveiled the third phone based on the Internet giant's technology.
The touch-screen HTC Magic is to be sold by British network operator Vodafone and its subsidiaries in Britain, France, Germany and Italy, the companies announced at industry event Mobile World Congress here.
Rival developers are battling to create the dominant operating system for mobile phones, with Google and its Android system competing with software giant Microsoft, handset maker Nokia, an open-source Linux-based project and Blackberry.
"We are very excited to be introducing our first Android-powered smartphone in the spring," said Patrick Chomet, global director of terminals for Vodafone.
On Monday, Chinese manufacturer Huawei revealed its first mobile phone to integrate Android, meaning there are at least three "Google" phones now developed.
The first phone to use Android was launched by HTC in October last year in partnership with German network operator T-Mobile.
Google is hoping to establish its operating system as an industry standard, which would help drive users to use its various Internet services including search, maps and chat.
The HTC Magic will be entirely touch-screen and is in a tablet form.
