Google to laugh last as Yahoo is set to launch Android Phone

The Android army just will not stop getting collaborators. With Yahoo teaming up with SoftBank, one of the leading telecom carriers in Japan I can be forgiven for saying that 2011 is the 'Year of the Android'. Mobile phone adoption surged as apps became a key driver with mobile phone/device Operating Software (OS) taking centre stage. This happened largely thanks to Apple (iOS) and Google (Android) creating a new world order in which they rock and the others well, don't rock. Ask RIM and the Symbian guys. The recent Yahoo move however also demonstrates that the drivers are now Apps and social networking.

So it was only a matter of time before the social juggernaut - Facebook took notice and we had the first ever 'Facebook phone' thanks to HTC Status http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/07/htc-status-facebook-phone/

YAHOO PHONE: 3 OBSERVATIONS:

SEARCH
It will be interesting to see if Google search will be allowed on the phone. Yeah right. There may not be a need for this as Yahoo is the largest website destination in Japan

MOBILE ADVERTISING
This could give Yahoo a chance to boost dwindling ad revenue by integrating definite mobile ad serving on the phone across its key platforms like Yahoo messenger.

COMPETITING SOCIAL NETWORKS OR ACQUISITION DRIVERS?
Will the new phone come with pre-installed social networks like Twitter and Mixi which represent some of the largest social networks in Japan? Will Facebook get to make a pre-loaded cameo on the phone? Facebook has not made quite a hit in Japan so maybe not. If one of the objectives is to boost use of Yahoo services then this will be an interesting scenario.

You can read the original story here Yahoo to launch Android Phone in Japan

What do you think will be the next big news in Mobile? A Bing phone? Looking forward to your comments. Thanks!

Dayo Adefila is a leading practitioner of digital marketing in Nigeria, a tech entrepreneur who loves to collaborate on cool start up projects. Follow him on Twitter or Google+