After several big companies joined Google’s Open Handset Alliance (OHA), analysts expect a new wave of smartphones that will have the Android OS. OHA is the organization that developed Android, an open-source operating system and from which Google hopes to steal some of Symbian’s and Windows Mobile’s market share.

Now, the only smartphone that is Android-enabled is the T-Mobile G1, a device that is manufactured by HTC. However, the G1 wasn’t a hit, as its design is a matter of choice. But then again, this phone was more of a showcase of Android’s capabilities rather than a commercial success.

Recently, there was leaked information a new Samsung device that will be Android-powered and that it will share its design with the Behold or the Instinct models. Samsung representatives told ETnews that the development of Android has been going very well and that the company expects to release a model for Sprint and T-Mobile in Q2 2009.

Sony Ericsson is also expected to launch Android-powered device since the company recently joined the Open Handset Alliance. The company stated that it is already developing a smartphone with the Android OS. Even though the new model is in its prototype phase, many analysts said that it should be released sometime in June 2009.

So much diversity centered on a single operating system may sound good, but some experts believe that the user experience might vary between different models and 3^rd party applications. However, one thing is for sure: Android will change the way we look at the big players, such as iPhone, Windows Mobile and Symbian.