…according to Google

Figures forecasthing the sale of up to 130,000+ Android handsets are being touted by Google and T-Mobile. Apparently, the sheer level of anticipation over the Android-based mobile phones has analyists suggesting sales in the region of 400,000 handsets by 2009. Whilst I agree that there would appear to be a strong interest in Android handsets, I’m not so sure these figures add up especially when you consider how little marketing has been done so far. This means that the end of year market share of 4% that Google and T-Mobile want will be extremely hard going.

Now, if you think that T-Mobile is aiming high, take a look at this - HTC and Google are thinking even bigger. Some rumours suggest that around 700,000 handsets will shipped worldwide in order to prevent shortages! Now that’s thinking big.

HTC and T-Mobile are the only companies looking for big gains. Apple has sold a huge number of iPhones, both generation 1 and 3G, albeit on the back of a lot of hype and a huge marketing campaign. But they’re not stopping there. Jobs and Co are hoping to sell 10 million iPhones by 2009!

The key battleground for Google and Apple will be the availability of apps that can be used to customise the handsets. Currently, 1 - 0 to Apple but we mustn’t forget that the Android OS is Linux based and will have huge appeal to the Open Source commmunity. This rather clever move on the part of Google could just tip the odds.

I’m going to put my feet up with a beer and watch as battle commences. By the time the dust settles…I’ll be very drunk!

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