Join the club
2010 has already been predicted to be a big year for Android - the Google-run smartphone operating system - and we're seeing nothing to contradict that. The latest company to jump on the bandwagon is Virgin Media, which has announced three new Android additions to its Virgin Mobile offering.
The LG InTouch Max was Virgin Mobile's first Android handset, launch back in January of this year. It has presumably been a success, because you can now get the Samsung Galaxy Portal ‘free' for £22 per month over 18 months and in April will be able to get the HTC Desire (very similar to the Google Nexus One) and Sony Ericsson's big Android play - the Xperia X10.
We asked Virgin Media why it was suddenly so obsessed with Android and were reminded that it has recently launched a bunch of other smartphones, like the HTC HD2, Nokia X6, BlackBerry stuff, etc. We also got this statement:
"As more and more customers are enjoying savings by bundling mobile services with their existing Virgin Media home entertainment services, we've been listening to feedback and are delighted to be able to offer a great range of high-end devices designed to make the most of the mobile web and entertainment on the go.
"With compelling tariffs for all customers, including extra benefits for existing Virgin Media customers, our expanding range of phones including Android, the high-spec HTC HD2 and Blackberry, is sure to delight customers with options to suit every taste."
Virgin doesn't seem to have got its hands on the other big HTC launch of MWC - the Legend. Vodafone is expected to be the first UK operator to have it, also in April.
