Android phones facing delays

23 June 2008 9:50 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Google's Android platform for mobile phones is experiencing major delays.

Phones based around the new operating system might not hit the market until the fourth quarter of 2008, with certain offerings said to be delayed until next year, according to the WSJ's unnamed sources.

Android-based phones were expected in the second half of 2008 but problems with both hardware and software are being cited as the reason for the hold-ups.

The Journal reports that some mobile operators, with Sprint Nextel named, have "abandoned" the plan to launch an Android phone this year, and China Mobile is also said to have delayed their roll-out to later this year or early next year.

The software problems are said to be due to Google continually making changes to the platform, making it difficult for software developers to create programs customised to work with operator requirements.

Full tags

Phones, Google, Android, Biz, Software, Operating Systems