Samsung, the world’s second-largest handset vendor, has confirmed it will launch its first device based on Google’s Android platform this year. According to a report by News OXY, the vendor will launch the phone in partnership with US operators, T-Mobile USA and Sprint Nextel. “We are accelerating the development process for Google phone in order to meet the specific need of local carriers,” a Samsung official said in a statement. The smartphone will reportedly feature a full touchscreen and include a variety of mobile applications, including Google apps such as Google Maps, G-Talk messenger, G-Mail and Google Search. Pricing and further information was not disclosed.

Samsung was one of the founding members of the Open Handset Alliance, a consortium supporting the Android platform. Other members include rival vendors HTC, LG, Motorola and Sony Ericsson. However, HTC is the only vendor to date to have launched an Android-based device, the T-Mobile G1. A new version of the device – dubbed the G2 – is reportedly lined up for launch this quarter. An Android device under development by Australian electronics company Kogan – which was previously thought likely to become the second commercially available Android phone – has been indefinitely delayed, Kogan noted on its website recently.