Samsung to launch two Android devices in U.S.

During Samsung's press conference at CTIA 2009, company executives didn't have much to say about its Android plans, other than that it's on track to deliver devices during the second half of 2009.

However, Samsung Mobile's executive vice president of global product strategy, Won-Pyo Hong, was feeling a little more chatty and revealed some new details in a conversation with Forbes.

While Hong didn't get any more specific about release dates, he did say the United States will get two smartphones using Google's mobile operating system later this year and that they will be offered by two carriers.

Of the U.S. service providers, it's believed that Sprint and T-Mobile will be the ones to offer them, since they're both part of the Open Handset Alliance.

Hong added that the two handsets will look "totally different" to appease carrier preferences, while Europe will probably get one device at launch, since the same model can be shared across multiple carriers. Samsung's first non-U.S. Android device is slated to be released in June.

When asked why it's taken so long for Samsung to bring an Android handset to market, Hong said part of the reason is that the company wanted to add its own twist to the Android user experience, but it also was waiting for clearance from carriers.

"Some operators were concerned about the vision Google has, (and) that affected (timing)," Hong said. Hmm, wonder who that could be?