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Jan. 7, 2010

AT&T is now fully embracing the Android operating system as it plans to launch no less than 5 new smartphones during the first half of 2010. Android is now gaining momentum throughout all the wireless industry, and is starting to nibble away at the iPhone's large market share.

AT&T's announcement comes a day after Google announced its Nexus One smartphone, which the company plans to offer directly to consumers for $529 or with a T-Mobile USA 2-year service contract for a subsidized price of $180.

Overall, the new Google smartphone lacks a 3G radio that would allow it to work on AT&T Mobility's network, though it did announce some plans to launch a similar version supporting Verizon Wireless' CDMA-based 3G network as well as Vodafone Group's 3G network.

Before today's announcement, AT&T Mobility was the only wireless operator in the U.S. that didn't offer a device powered by Google's Android OS. But the mobile carrier does offer a handful of devices powered by Microsoft's Windows Mobile OS as well as Research In Motion's BlackBerry devices.

Additionally, AT&T is the exclusive reseller of Apple's iPhone in the U.S. market.

AT&T Mobility said its new Android-powered devices would be provided by Motorola, which would use its patented "MotoBlur" user interface and an exclusive form factor to AT&T Mobility.

Dell's first smartphone based on the Android OS and is also exclusive to AT&T.

In December, Nokia's Ovi Store gained some market share when AT&T Mobility said it would begin supporting the storefront for its customers using Nokia devices. Supported devices include the E71x, Surge, Mural, 6650, 6555 and the 6350, with more devices expected to be enabled soon.

AT&T customers can have purchases made through the storefront included on their monthly AT&T Mobility bills.

Last year's Nokia's Ovi initiative has been gaining traction slowly overseas. The company noted more than 50 million users in 180 countries have accessed the storefront.

AT&T Mobility is the first U.S. wireless carrier to support the storefront option.

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Source: AT&T.