British chipmaker ARM has unveiled a prototype mobile phone that will use the operating system Android, launched by Google last November. The unbranded prototype handset demonstrated at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona features an internet browser, map software, multimedia applications, text messaging, calendar functions, email and other cell phone functions. Tipped to rival Apple's iPhone, ARM's prototype uses Google as its web browser home page, Google Mail as its email application, and Google Maps for navigation. Although the Android project is at a relatively early stage, the first Android-based mobile phones are expected to be launched in the market later this year, reports the Telegraph. Experts at the research firm Strategy Analytics reckon that Android – which is being backed by an alliance of more than 30 mobile phone operators, handset makers, software firms and component manufacturers – will be installed on two per cent of smart phones by December.
