Orange France just recently launched the Android-based HTC Dream, also known as the T-Mobile G1. But it appears this is much more than an experiment to see how the Android operating system fares with Orange customers, if a new leak is true.
Unwired View, citing French website Mobinaute, says that Orange France will unleash at least 6 more Android phones in 2009. According to the source, Orange will next launch the HTC Hero, followed by another HTC handset with a different form factor. Motorola, LG, Sony Ericcson and Samsung are expected to contribute the remaining 4 handsets. This is a strange choice of release choices given the HTC Magic is the second Android phone, though I did once think the HTC Hero was the Magic.
The source also said the long-awaited Android Cupcake update will be available for the HTC Dream in late April followed by another major update in May. Smartphone orange. I would think that means none of the new Android handsets will launch until after the updates when the new features are incorporated into the main Android development branch.
