Google phone to contract T Mobile USA by Jan next year

www.WirelessFederation.com/news: Google will enter into a contract with T Mobile USA to sell one of the versions of its own-branded cell phone, while the other will be unlocked version of the touch screen phone, allowing consumers to pick a
carrier of their choice to provide wireless service.

The version linked to Deutsche Telekom’s T-Mobile USA will subsidize the cost of the phone for U.S. consumers who agree to a service contract.  HTC Passion, Dream or Nexus One are the code names for the phone, manufactured by HTC and available directly though the Google website as early as January 5.

The phone is like Apple Inc’s iPhone but will also have  other features like an exchangeable battery, a somewhat larger screen and the ability for consumers to add a memory card. Until now, Google has partnered many handset makers by offering its open-source Android software as a freely available operating system for smart phones.

Earlier, Google had said that more than a dozen phones were available with Android, including the heavily promoted Motorola Droid phone that is available with Verizon Wireless, a unit of Verizon Communications and Vodafone.