Israeli mobile users will soon see handsets with Hebrew-language Google Android operating systems. Google Israel Ltd. will translate the operating system's interface into Hebrew and release them to distributors beginning in June.
Until now, handset importers - Samsung importer Suny Electronics Ltd. (TASE: SUNY) and HTC importer Newpan Telecom Ltd. have had to translate the Android into Hebrew. Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT) translates into Hebrew its newly launched Milestone Android operating system for Cellcom Israel Ltd. (NYSE:CEL; TASE:CEL).
The translations increased the importers' costs, and delayed handset launches behind launches in other countries. By translating the Android itself, Google Israel will enable importers who have not yet launched Android smartphones in Israel to bring forward the launch date. Manufacturers' future smartphones will also see faster launch schedules.
Some manufacturers are relying on Google Israel's Hebrew. Sony Ericsson, which unveiled its X10 Mini and X10 MiniPro smartphones at the 2010 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona two weeks ago, will not launch them in Israel until a Hebrew Android is released.
Google Inc's (Nasdaq: GOOG) decision to translate the Android into Hebrew was unexpected, especially in comparison with its main rival, Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT). Microsoft has ignored Israel as far as the Windows Mobile operating system is concerned, leaving translation into Hebrew to third parties. This has sometimes resulted in faulty translations and other problems, including slow operating speeds and Hebrew running in the wrong direction.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 1, 2010
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