Orange County Register

Google is coming out with a cell phone any day now. Well, not really a cell phone, but a new cell-phone operating system called Android. Rumors are it will be available first on T-Mobile and as early as October.

But Google hasn’t set a date and T-Mobile won’t confirm the rumor. All Google will tell me is this:

“To prepare for Android’s public launch, we are testing the platform on a variety of devices. This process ensures we have an opportunity to receive feedback from users. We have nothing to announce at this time but look forward to sharing Android updates with you in the future.”

We do know that 1,788 Android software applications were submitted last spring. And we know there will be a one-stop shop like Apple’s Apps store to buy and download Google Android software. Also, the FCC approved the HTC Dream phone in August, and T-Mobile has been quietly turning on faster 3G internet in a handful of markets. TmoNews.com even found a T-Mobile poster proclaiming an Oct. 1 launch in 27 cities.

While we wait, I rounded up the other smart-phone options are available based on the operating system:

Apple iPhone Carrier: AT&T Price: $199 to $299 (16 GB/32 GB) Cost of 3G per month: $30 3G Internet speeds: Up to 1 Mbps No. of applications: 2,772 (approx. on 9/5/2008) More info: AppRater, Pure-Mac.com (iPhone friendly)
Windows Mobile Phone: Verizon’s XV6900 Carrier: Verizon Price: $199.99 (online) Cost of 3G per month: $45 for unlimited data 3G Internet speeds: 1.4 Mbps No. of applications: 18,000+ More info: microsoft.com/windowsmobile Developer info: msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsmobile
Palm OS Phone: Palm Centro Carrier: Sprint Price: $199.99 Cost of 3G per month: $99.99 (includes voice) 3G Internet speeds: Up to 1.4 Mbps No. of applications: 50,000+ More info: PalmInfocenter.com,
Blackberry Phone: Curve 8310 Carrier: AT&T Price: $100 Cost of 3G per month: $30 3G Internet speeds: Up to 1 Mbps No. of applications: 56 on Blackberry’s site, More info: Blackberry Apps
Google Android Phone: HTC Dream (rumor) Carrier: T-Mobile (rumor) Price: n/a Cost of 3G per month: Available in 7 markets for $20/month 3G Internet speeds: Up to 1 Mbps No. of applications: 1,788 from last mention More info: Official Android developers blog, HelloAndroid.com

Michael Gil contributed to this report. Images from the companies. HTC phone image from FCC filing.

Related:

• Apple coming out with new iPods?
• Google phone apps are looking good
• Psst: T-Mobile’s 3G one-third less than AT&T’s iPhone plan
• This week’s headlines to help you save money
• Why wait for Android when iPhone is already here?Broadcom explains Android Alliance

Did back-to-school chores force you to miss some Orange County business news? Here’s our highlight reel of some of the most intriguing stories of last week:

• Baja Fresh, La Salsa moving headquarters to Cypress
• August sales of O.C. businesses plunge 52%
• 32.5% of LA/OC home sales linked to foreclosure
• Cosmetic docs tell how to fix John McCain’s face
• Advisor ordered to pay $66 million to bilked investors
• AT&T improves indoor cell signal … for some of O.C.
• $35 movie ticket may be coming to O.C.

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