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Google is officially unveiling Android, the new mobile phone software, during a press conference today. Thirty-four companies have said they will join the Open Handset Alliance, a multinational alliance that will work on developing applications on the Android platform. Members of the alliance include mobile handset makers HTC and Motorola, U.S. operator, T-Mobile, and chip maker Qualcomm.

The Android platform consists of an operating system, middleware, a user-friendly interface and applications. Consumers should expect the first phones based on Android to be available in the second half of 2008, Google said in a press release.

The idea is that through the developer’s alliance, handset makers and cell phone operators will be able to develop more user-friendly services and devices that help bring more of the Internet functionality onto mobile devices. And because of this open model, the companies involved also hope that by scaling the development, advanced functionality will be able to hit the market for less expensive mobile devices that will have more compelling and rich Internet services with more user-friendly interfaces.

Our participation in the Open Handset Alliance and integration of the Android platform in the second half of 2008 enables us to expand our device portfolio into a new category of connected mobile phones that will change the complexion of the mobile industry and re-create user expectations of the mobile phone experience.

Peter Chou, CEO of HTC said in a statement.

In response to a question regarding the lack of Apple’s participation in the group, Google said that the OHA is open to new members as long as they can contribute. The complete list of current OHA members follows:

# Aplix
# Ascender Corporation
# Audience
# Broadcom
# China Mobile
# eBay
# Esmertec
# Google
# HTC
# Intel
# KDDI
# Living Image
# LG
# Marvel
# Motorola
# NMS Communications
# Noser
# NTT DoCoMo
# Nuance
# Nvidia
# PacketVideo
# Qualcomm
# Samsung
# SiRF
# SkyPop
# SONiVOX
# Sprint Nextel
# Synaptics
# The Astonishing Tribe
# Telecom Italia
# Telefonica
# Texas Instruments
# T-Mobile
# Wind River