Google’s Android open-source system is not just for mobile phones. It will be on desk phones as well.

NIMBLe is a desktop phone from Touch Revolution that uses the Android system. It also has a glass touch screen and programs built in.

There was no handset in appearance on the original model but it will happen. Touch Revolution is messing around in assorted hardware and software configurations which may end up as a ‘Touch Device Development Platform’ which other companies can add to.

For the moment it is allegedly a desk phone, so there are no great limitations of space and the NIMBLe has in it first incarnation a 7-inch multitouch display. That is about four times the screen area of the G1 Android phone made by Taiwan’s HTC.

The NIMBLe Google Android desk phone runs with 624MHz Marvel processor, SD memory expansion, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Do not hold your breath waiting to see it in the flesh. Probably it will not be on the United States market until September at $300 which seems a daft price unless it has some spectacular extras built it.

At the moment it seems more like work in progress.

In Australia, where this item is written, we expect to see the first Android 3G mobile, the Kogan Agora, imported by Melbourne entrepreneur Ruslan Kogan, on sale this month. There are two models: the Agora at $200 and the Agora Pro, which adds Wi-Fi, GPS and 2MP camera, at $270. Both have 2.5-inch screens.

The phone will not be tied to any particular carrier, for which relief much thanks. And it should comfortably beat HTC’s first Android phone to come to Australia.

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Entry was posted on Wednesday, January 14th, 2009 at 1:12 am under Uncategorized.

Read more entries by Gareth Powell.
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