Android has officially gained OEM momentum

Today, LG officially announced its Android-based GW620 slider, the same 3-inch touchscreen device that was shown off at IFA in Germany under the name "Etna" last week. Though LG didn't release any in-depth specs for the new Android phone, the company said it will be released in select European markets in the fourth quarter of the year.

But the specs of the GW620 aren't the important news with this release. The important news is that three of the top five worldwide mobile phone manufacturers -- Samsung, Motorola, and LG -- have each announced their own Android-based device. Samsung debuted the Galaxy in April; last week, Motorola premiered the the Cliq, and now with LG's GW620 on the way, it's time to look for an Android-based Xperia from Sony Ericsson.

In July, a video purported to be leaked by Sony Ericsson of a new Android user interface and skin dubbed "Rachael" appeared along with shots of an unnamed touchscreen device. Though the interface actually bears a stronger resemblance to Windows Mobile, reports have said that it is Android based, and will appear on the next Xperia phone. The Windows Mobile-based Xperia X2 which was unveiled earlier this month did not feature "Rachael," so the wait continues.

Nokia remains the most widely-shipped device manufacturer, with 36.8% market share in the second quarter of 2009. The Finnish mobile phone company has stated with absolute certainty that is has no plans to ever support Android, and that its allegiance to Symbian is "a well-known fact."

However, the combined market share of Android's supporters is nearly equal to Nokia's, with 35.99% (not including Huawei,) according to Gartner's August figures.

If Sony Ericsson comes through as it is expected to, companies responsible for more than 40% of all mobile phone sales will be Android supporters.