Despite broad support by the industry, at least initially Google Android phones will be exclusively available from High Tech Computer Corp. (HTC). The domination on the market of one player will curtail abilities of Google to promote its Android platform really widely among end-users who are interested in cell-phones from companies that have well-established brands.

HTC will ship 600 thousands of G1 phones to T-Mobile in Q4 2008, whereas LG Electronics and Samsung Electronics have already announced that they will not ship any Google Android-based phones until Q3 2009, which leaves the market for HTC. Companies like Motorola, Nokia and Sony Ericsson have publicly expressed interest towards Android, but did not unveil any concrete plans. In addition, Asustek Computer and Inventec show comparatively strong interest in such phones and are now.

China Economic News Service reports that besides T-Mobile HTC is going to further contract local telecom companies in Germany, Austria, Czech Republic and Holland to promote its G1, and plan to provide several customized models to hold its lead next year. Additionally, China Mobile and Sprint Nextel, have shown strong interest in the newest Google phone developed by HTC.

The monopolization of the Google Android market is a good news for HTC, which will indisputably generate large revenues and profits selling hundreds of thousands of smartphones that attract a lot of interest among end-users. But the domination of a single handset manufacturer is not something good for Google: many customers in Europe prefer branded models from companies like LG, Nokia or Samsung and may not be interested in handsets from HTC.

Back in 2007 Google formed so-called OHA (Open Handset Alliance) to promote Android. But while 30 companies have joined it, only HTC was able to deliver a real product in 2008.

Tags: Google, Android, HTC