Motorola to Unveil Android Handset on Sept. 10

A postcard invitational featuring the Android OS’ mascot is the newest indication that Motorola is poised to release a new Android handset (or handsets) this September. In recent years Moto’s proprietary “dumb-phone” platform has been increasingly eclipsed by smartphones, and especially so with recent releases and price-drops (of the Android OS and Apple iPhone, respectively). Given the potential for the Android OS to help move Moto into the smartphone market quickly and painlessly, the rumor has been nearly impossible to write off as purely wishful thinking.

Motorola has had an Android-focused section of their “MOTODEV” developer website for some time, but this is the closest we’ve seen to an official confirmation that Motorola’s first Android handset is nearly here.

Images purported to be of Moto’s new “Morrison” handset (rumored for T-Mobile) show a T-Mobile G1-like form factor with the familiar slide-out full QWERTY keyboard. Unlike the G1, however, the trackball has been replaced with a directional pad that is completely covered while the keyboard is stowed. The front-face features a large, wide-format screen and what looks to be three touch-sensitive buttons. The rumored Verizon handset, codenamed “Sholes,” has a similar form factor, but with slightly different navigational buttons and a larger display.

Rumors aside, we’ll know on September 10th how this new Android entry compares to its OS brethren and how it will position Motorola’s future in the smartphone market.