Trujillo: Android phones not robust

Google's Android mobile platform wasn't robust, Telstra chief executive Sol Trujillo said in an interview published yesterday, where he also disclosed he owns an Apple iPhone, among other handsets.

"We are looking at it," Trujillo said in the interview with ZDNet.com.au sister site CNET News.com, responding to a question about Android. "But the platform isn't at the stage where it's really robust. We are looking at what's being said about it in the blogosphere, and we're looking at testing it."

"But it's still in evolution right now. It's very Google-centric. And there are limitations. We are hopeful that it will be more open, because it offers a great alternative operating platform. But it's not there today."

No carrier or retailer is yet offering an Android-based phone in Australia, with Melbourne-based retailer Kogan postponing plans to launch its own device, and Optus refusing to comment on persistent industry rumours that it would launch HTC's Dream device locally. The device is on sale internationally.

Trujillo said at this stage Telstra had not announced plans to launch an Android handset in Australia. "But we're looking at it and having conversations," he said. "We won't be rolling it out tomorrow. The research we've done suggests consumers want more simplicity and not more complexity."

CNET News.com also questioned Trujillo on what handsets he personally used, with the executive saying he owned an iPhone, a BlackBerry Bold, a Verizon LG Voyager, a Samsung touchscreen device, and several others.

"I try them all in different markets as I travel the world. I'm always testing networks. My job is to study the markets," he said.