Google Android business plan starts to come together

Google is putting some meat on the bones of its Android business model, and it's all about cooperation. (Our Stephen Shankland took this Android screenshot.)

Cooperation is a natural process in open source, so that is no surprise. What is surprising, perhaps, is how quickly this is being translated into working kit:

• Funambol is out with another version of its SyncML for Android, adding pictures, music and videos to the mix.
• Broadcom is demonstrating a complete Android reference design. Such designs can let OEMs turn around a new device in weeks instead of months.
• The next HTC Android phone, dubbed the HTC Magic, will be delivered to Vodafone.

Not a bad day's work.

Mobile devices move quickly and slowly at once.

Designs turn over with the seasons, and manufacturers ready with reference designs and chip sets accelerate the process.

At the same time carrier relations move slowly. It's not like the Internet where you just make something and see if the market likes it. There are gatekeepers involved.

This week Google has shown it can play both games. If its reference designs can evolve quickly, and its carrier relations move along smartly, it can evolve into a real iPhone competitor.

Critics forget Google started this effort from scratch 15 months ago.