A legal battle from Apple hasn't dampened interest among handset makers for Google's Android operating system, as executives uniformly say that they will proceed with plans to develop new phones based on the Internet search giant's software.


In fact, the two most popular devices unveiled at the CTIA show last week -- Sprint's fourth-generation Evo, made by HTC, and Samsung's Galaxy S -- both run on the Google's mobile platform.

Earlier this month, Apple filed a series of patent-infringement suits against HTC, maker of Google's Nexus One, claiming infringement on 20 patents covering elements of its user interface, internal architecture and hardware.

HTC has denied the charges and is preparing its defense -- citing its own record of innovations -- as evidence against the accusations.

The Taiwan-based company said its relationship with Google remains strong and it expects support from the search giant. "Nothing has changed," said Peter Chou, HTC's chief executive. "We're confident in our position."

Apple's assault is seen by analysts as having a broader scope than just HTC, and an attack by proxy on the Internet giant, underscoring the competitive landscape facing phone makers, both in store shelves and in the courtroom.

Friction between Google and Apple has mounted as the two Silicon Valley juggernauts both expand in the smartphone market. Google sees mobile devices as a key battleground to keep its lead in Internet search, while Apple wants to maintain its growth in the sector, fueled by the popularity of its iPhone.

But manufacturers now risk getting caught in the middle.

Sony Ericsson, which makes Android phones, said it hasn't changed plans and will continue to develop more smartphones that embrace the Google software. "It hasn't given us any reason to change our strategy," said Steve Walker, Sony Ericsson's vice president of handset portfolio.

LG, another Google supporter, said it is following the Apple-HTC dispute closely, and that it was too early to change business plans as a result. "At this stage, it's not affecting our business," said Ehtisham Rabbani, LG's vice president of marketing.

Earlier this week, Google made good on its promise to stop censoring its search results in China, causing additional worries for handset makers who use the Internet search giant's software. But companies are working their way around the problem. For instance, Motorola said its Android devices in China would be switched from Google to Baidu.

Some analysts have suggested that Google's troubles could be an opportunity for rivals like Microsoft to win back market share. But the momentum doesn't appear to be swinging in the software maker's favor. "We're not putting too many chips on that one," said Robert Dotson, T-Mobile's chief executive.

Regardless, insiders don't expect Apple's lawsuit to have much of an effect on an industry where such legal disputes are part of the ordinary course of business.

High profits have drawn various players to take their own patents disputes to court -- such as Motorola against BlackBerry maker Research in Motion, Apple against Nokia, Nokia against Apple, Nokia against Qualcomm and most recently camera maker Kodak against Apple and RIM.

Earlier this month, Google released new versions of the Nexus One that runs on the 3G networks of AT&T and Sprint. A version for Verizon also planned for release later this year.