Open Handset Alliance signs up 14 members

The Google G1 looks like it will get some company in 2009 after the Open Handset Alliance announced 14 new members to the scheme. No doubt buoyed by the success of the HTC-built Android phone, the list of developers has been swelled by AKM Semiconductor Inc., ARM, ASUS, Atheros Communications, Borqs, Ericsson, Garmin, Huawei Technologies, Omron Software, Softbank Mobile Corporation, Sony Ericsson, Teleca AB, Toshiba and Vodafone. Ok, most of these will mean nothing to you, but we're guessing a few names will jump off the page. We already knew ASUS was creating a Google smartphone and Garmin has also been rumoured to be working on a phone, but we're particularly excited to see Sony Ericsson's name on the list. The company currently uses the Windows Mobile and Symbian platforms, but in a statement released yesterday, it promised 'consumer focused multimedia handsets' that will be 'drawing on the successes of the Walkman and Cyber-shot sub-brands'. Which we read as new Walkman and Cyber-shot ... (link)