Android Community

Usually it’s tough to get company reps to stop talking about their products long enough to escape from the booth, but someone seems to have failed to tell Huawei that.  The company announced back in January that it would be bringing its first Android phone to Mobile World Congress, but now that we’re here trying to get information out of them is proving more than difficult.

In fact, what Huawei failed generally to warn us was that the Android device they brought was just a dummy, locked up in a glass box and with no hardware details or even a screen mockup to entertain us.  That latter part is particularly key, given that according to the company’s press release, they’re working with an “established design consultancy” to develop their own custom interface, and hopefully get around the fact that there’s a dearth of buttons on the current concept.

It’s tough to get excited about a device that, even in dummy form, you’re not allowed to hold.  Huawei insist they’re on course to launch the unnamed device in Q3 2009, and there’s talk of being in negotiations with carriers.

Press Release:

Huawei Showcases its First Android Smartphone

Commercial launch in Q3 2009

Huawei Technologies (“Huawei”), a leader in providing next-generation telecommunications network solutions worldwide, today showcased its first Android-powered smart phone at the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. This smart phone will be commercially available in the third quarter of 2009.

“Huawei is delighted to showcase its much anticipated first Android-powered smart phone. As a terminal solutions provider with all-round capabilities, Huawei has an acute insight into the drivers of the communications industry and in-depth understanding of operators,” said Mr. James Chen, Director of Huawei Terminal Marketing Department., “A pioneer in mobile broadband devices, we look forward to expanding a compelling mobile communications experience for end-users whilst providing customized services to our operator partners via the Android smart phone.”

Huawei partnered with an established design consultancy to develop a robust and user-friendly interface, creating a powerful customer experience that is able to evolve with operators’ differentiation requirements.

Smart phones are expected to account for more than 24 percent of the global mobile phone market by 2011, and this figure is set to exceed 30 percent by 2012.