Open Handset Alliance

The Open Handset Alliance is made up of over 30 telecom-related entities, including wireless carrriers, semiconductor companies, handset manufacturers and software companies. However, several major wireless companies and manufacturers are absent from the coalition, including Nokia, Symbian, Apple, RIM, Microsoft, Verizon and Cingular.

The OHA introduced a mobile device operating system called Android. In November 2007, the group released an open source software development kit (SDK). A week later, Google announced the Android Developer Challenge, a program that will provide $10 million to developers who build mobile applications for Android.

The OHA faces a number of challenges in promoting Android, including the existence of three billion cellphones already on the market, the majority of which run the Symbian operating system.

Learn more about Smartphones and Mobile Phones

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More resources from around the web: - More information about the Open Handset Alliance can be found in the Alliance website. - The OHA also provides a helpful FAQ.

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