Google and Verizon Wireless are teaming to get Google's Android mobile platform humming on the largest wireless network in the U.S., with its 87 million subscribers. Both companies committed to putting a lot of dough into the effort.
In addition to Verizon Wireless, Android has agreements with two other major wireless carriers, T-Mobile and Sprint, and you'll be able to find Android on nine handsets.
However, rest assured that Apple isn't discontinuing production of the iPhone because of this new Google-Verizon partnership, and developers -- travel code-writers and others -- aren't slowing in their app-building for the iPhone.
Android, in fact, has a lot of proving to do in the marketplace.
Still, as smartphone mania takes over the airwaves, Android has more than a few things going for it.
Mark Mahaney, director of Internet research for Citi Investment Research says: "Search is typically the entry point for information gathering on the mobile phone, as it is for the PC, and Google has noted that Local Search on the mobile device indexes higher than the desktop by 2x-3x; and click through rates and cost per clicks on mobile search ads should long-term be higher than desktop ads, especially due to transaction intent and the location-based queries."
Google seems to know more than a little bit about search, which should boost Android's traction on Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile and Sprint.
And, travel advertisers will be monitoring it all to see if those click through rates on the Android platform, with its roster of telecom partners, really live up to the billing.