After an initial slow start, the open-source Google Android operating system appears to be finally gaining enough momentum in the smartphone arena to offer some notable competition to the market leaders - the Apple iPhone and the Research in Motion BlackBerry.

The release of the Android-based Samsung Behold and Samsung Instinct initiated the upswing in the number of Android phones - what with the Google software platform having lined up a number of hardware partners including HTC, LG, and Motorola, besides Samsung!

Furthermore, Google Android also boasts support from top US mobile carriers, with cellular leader Verizon Wireless announcing this week that it would soon unveil two Android phones. In addition, buzz has it that AT&T is also likely to release an Android-based smart phone from Dell.

Going by some reliable estimates, nearly 15 Android-powered phones will become available in the market by the end of this year.

The Android platform was released by Google almost a year back - on October 22, 2008 - on the G1 from T-Mobile; and, in spite of mixed reviews about the Android, over one million G1 devices were sold.

With reference to the growing Android appeal, Google CEO and Chairman Eric Schmidt said: "Android has come a long way from one device, one carrier and one country to over nine devices in 26 counties with 32 carriers in 19 languages. You can see the growth!"