LG Intros First Android Smartphone

LG Electronics is the latest company to offer support for the Google backed mobile operating system, as the third-largest handset maker introduced Monday its first Android-powered smartphone.

The company did not reveal many details about the LG-GW620, but the device will have a 3-inch touchscreen with a slide-out, five-row QWERTY keyboard. The handset will have support for social networking functions out of the box, and it will likely be preloaded with Google software such as Google Maps, Gmail, and access to the Android Market for adding new applications.

The Android-powered handset will be available in the fourth quarter in certain European markets for an unspecified price.

"Our objective is to provide a wide selection of smartphones to satisfy the diverse preferences of today's consumers," said Dr. Skott Ahn, president and CEO of LG, in a statement. "This Android phone is just one of many smartphone models we plan to introduce worldwide in the years ahead."

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