The Open Handset Alliance, the business group behind the development of Google's Android platform, has added 14 new companies to its roster. Among the notable companies joining ranks with HTC, LG, and Motorola are Sony Ericsson, ASUS, Toshiba, and Garmin. These are some exciting names to add to the Android-supporting effort, with Sony Ericsson especially helping to flush out the list of handset manufacturers behind the platform.

ASUS has been expanding from laptops into netbooks, and it doesn't seem like too much of a stretch to imagine it continuing the miniaturization process and releasing some smartphones; fellow netbook company Acer is already lined up to do just that. Garmin is poised to release its own handset next year, despite delays. Though it may be too late to work Android into its nüvifone, be on the lookout for the software in future Garmin products. Although Android devices have been slow to roll out thus far, with only the T-Mobile G1 and Kogan Agora available for order, this news makes the future look promising for fans of open-source mobile devices.

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