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Jun 5, 2010
Android fuels new war
<!-- by line --> By Sherwin Loh
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Several top smartphone makers, including Samsung, Sony Ericsson and Motorola, are now using Android to power their devices. -- PHOTO: MOTOROLA
TELECOMMUNICATION companies, rolling out the latest smartphones, are using exclusive deals as a selling pitch. The spearhead of this new battle of the telcos - now that Apple's iPhone is no longer exclusive to SingTel - is on Android-based phones. Android is Google's mobile phone operating system (OS) that - although less than two years old - is now as popular a platform as Apple's OS for its iPhone. Several top smartphone makers, including Samsung, Sony�Ericsson and Motorola, are now using Android to power their devices.
Since January, SingTel has signed exclusive deals for three Android devices. The first two were for Motorola's Dext and BackFlip. Its latest deal - for Samsung's Galaxy S - is being touted as a global exclusive. SingTel's customers in Singapore are the first in the world to get their hands on the Korean phone. Under exclusive deals, certain devices can only be purchased from specific telcos. The Galaxy S deal will require buyers to sign a contract.
Read the full report in The Sunday Times.