Motorola will use the Google Android operating system on a new line of smartphones that will be aimed at several carriers in the United States and across the world, it was revealed during a conference call.
"With Android we believe we can enable differentiated consumer experience and applications, with enhanced integration of messaging and social networking applications," according to Motorola CEO Sanjay Jha. "We also intend to offer a range of devices by delivering those capabilities in both the high tier and mid tier and we will deliver meaningful products in the fourth quarter."
Specifically, the Android phones offered by Motorola "will launch with multiple carriers and not just in North America," though there should be a stronger emphasis on U.S.-based consumers. Furthermore, it's possible Motorola will rely more on the pre-paid phone market, as several of its phones have been popular on MetroPCS, Boost Mobile and Cricket.
Motorola has struggled, but many analysts expected the company to use Windows Mobile to try and help revive the company moving forward. However, Android has become increasingly popular among developers, with more than 3,000 third-party applications already available through Android.
Android also will make its way away from smartphones and head further into the consumer market place on netbooks and other mobile devices.
Something must be done by Motorola, as the company's phone sales have been struggling the past few quarters. During the first quarter of 2009, the company sold just 14.7 million phones, accounting for only six percent global market share at the moment. Just a few years ago -- when the company dominated -- it had more than 23 percent of mobile phone market share, selling 65.7 million phones during a single quarter.
