HTC launches India’s first smartphone run on Google’s Android operating system. The open-source platform is accessible to anybody and does not need Google’s formal involvement.

The exclusive carrier Bharati Airtel will offer the phone at around Rs 25, 000. HTC refrains from branding it as a ‘Google Phone’ like it did with the HTC Dream. The Taiwanese handset manufacturer had launched the Magic series identical to the Dream minus the touch-screen keyboard. Magic lost to the launch of the overwhelming response to the Apple iPhone 3GS series.

The new HTC device will compete with Apple iPhone and iTunes App Store while Nokia N97 and Ovi Store join the race.IN fact the iPhone 3G S series is said to have sold 1 million pieces in the first three days of its launch.