VZW and Google working together, 2 Androids on Verizon this year

Lowell McAdam and Eric Schmidt – CEOs of Verizon and Google – announced today a partnership 18 months in the making. The two companies, previously at odds with one another, are embarking on a joint venture to release an entire family of Android-driven products.

Verizon will be releasing two Android phones by the end of the year, with many more to follow. The Sholes/Tao/Droid is expected to be the first. And while the second has not been revealed, Google proclaims that is will be “game-changing.” Perhaps that phrase is becoming a marketing tool, but I’d like to think that something special is in the air. They could just be talking about Verizon’s Hero. There were also some hints of other Android gadgets.

VZW has taken an about face in their general approach to phone software, claiming (in reference to Google Voice), “Either you have an open device or you don’t.” Let’s hope that means Verizon will let Android be Android, even if they do fiddle with the UI.

Via cnet