AT&T Bombshell: Android, webOS Coming SoonAT&T Bombshell: Android, webOS Coming Soon

AT&T dropped a bomb on the mobile industry during its press conference at the Consumer Electronics Show. It plans to offer five Android handsets from Dell, HTC and Motorola by June, and two Palm webOS devices "soon."Now we're talking. AT&T is moving full steam ahead to refresh its lineup of smartphones. Today the company said that it will have five Android handsets available for sale in the first half of 2010. Those devices will come from Dell (!!!), HTC and Motorola.

AT&T didn't provide a lot of information about the devices themselves. AT&T said in a statement, "AT&T will further its leadership in smartphones with the planned launch of five new devices from Dell, HTC and Motorola based on the Android platform. Those devices, which are scheduled to be available during the first half of 2010, include: A Motorola smartphone, powered by MOTOBLUR, with a unique form factor and an AT&T exclusive; Dell's first smartphone, based on the Android platform and an AT&T exclusive; and an HTC smartphone, based on the Android platform, and an AT&T exclusive. Customers can sign up for email notifications as more details are available at www.att.com/android."

This is huge news for AT&T. But there's more.

AT&T also says it is going to support carrier billing not only for Google's Android Market, but for Nokia's Ovi Store as well. Nokia's Ovi Store, in particular, needs this sort of foothold in the U.S. market. That's a major win for Nokia, no doubt.

Last, AT&T's CEO Ralph de la Vega said that the company plans to offer not one, but two, webOS devices from Palm "soon." Since Palm is expected to announce a new distribution deal with Verizon this week, things are suddenly looking up for Palm.

Big news indeed.