Google’s stock today in the 24 hours is down by 0.2 - 0.5%, as Google announces delay of it’s key mobile platform - Android. Google, in my humble opinion, overvalued the press release earlier this year on Android, and didn’t understand all the handset requirements and communications with operators involved in the process, and the whole project got delayed. The platform is to be launched in early 2009.

I am very impressed by the Google Android platform, and seeing it function two weeks ago on videos was fantastic, and I was extremely impressed. I believe Google can make a hole in the ground with this, that will leave a much more significant mark on the platform side then the iPhone, but after Nokia announced today, that it’s buying out Symbian and taking it open source (by the way Nokia stock raised by 0.9% today, getting to a record high in a couple of weeks). I am looking forward to both seeing Android on a real handset, and as well as seeing Symbian open source, as that can take it to a completely different level.

How will taking Symbian open source affect the market? Well as far as I know Symbian has a heavy majority of the smartphone market, especially in Europe, where in many markets even 20 - 25% of handsets are Symbian (total handsets, not of smartphones). This is a big market, and Nokia realises the potential of this group growing. Also seeing the new vision of the Nokia devices controlled by hand, I see no real advantages in the iPhone.

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