Google Android in China for First Time

A new deal between China Mobile and HTC means a smartphone with Google’s Android software will go on sale in China in June.

The touchscreen phone will include an IM client, a mail service and a download platform for pictures and songs.

Being first with Android is nothing new for HTC, which was the first to offer an Android-based smartphone, the G1, in the United States, last year.

China Mobile hopes to launch an app store by the end of 2009.

Huawei Technologies plans to release a handset in China as well, but not until later this year.