Thirty-four companies have pledged to join the Open Handset Alliance, which will develop applications for Google's new software platform, called Android. The Android platform includes an operating system, a user interface and a beginning set of applications.
In this new, potentially hectic free-for-all, adult businesses may have new opportunities to develop industry-specific software.
"Adult companies may lead the way [in developing applications]," Jeff Random, president of digital media consulting firm 3ob.com told XBIZ.
Random speculated that adult companies could develop software that could recognize a user's location and give them access to special content. For example, a patron at a gentlemen's club could watch a live feed or pre-recorded content from other clubs in the chain.
Potential mobile applications also include age-verification or live chat services, Random said.
Members of the alliance include HTC, Motorola, T-Mobile, Qualcomm, Broadcom, Intel, Texas Instruments, SiRF Technology Holdings, Marvell Technology Group, Nvidia and Synaptics. EBay (which owns the Internet calling service Skype) and Nuance Communications.
The new alliance and platform sets Google in opposition to companies like Apple, Microsoft or Nokia, whose mobile software platforms are for the most part tied to specific devices and closely monitored.
Google CEO Eric Schmidt said the first round of cellphones equipped with Android should be available in the second half of 2008.
For more information on Android, click here.
