Google and Verizon Wireless join hands for Android development

Following their promise to open up their network to compatible phones and applications a week ago, Verizon Wireless have tied up a deal with Google to jointly develop new Android-powered mobile devices for the Verizon Wireless network. This will leverage Verizon’s 3G network and Google’s Android platform to deliver rich mobile applications, services, and devices. Verizon serves about 87 million customers, more than double the number of the T-Mobile unit of Deutsche Telekom (DT), and Sprint Nextel Corp. (S). It is the biggest service provider yet to join forces with Google.

Verizon and Google will now co-develop several Android handsets that will be preloaded with innovative applications from both companies and third-party developers. The handsets will be built by leading mobile phone makers for the Verizon network (At present, the carrier depends heavily on Research In Motion’s BlackBerry smartphones, as well as Windows Mobile phones).

So far, neither company has announced what phone makers will actually be building the phones for Verizon and the deal should be finalized in the coming weeks. Verizon will launch two Android handsets this year, which the two companies see as the beginning of a family of Android devices to come. There are currently nine different Android phones on the market.

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