Microsoft Ends Google's Winning Streak

Android is Google's direct attack on Microsoft's mobile Windows effort and an answer to Apple's private-garden approach to iPhone applications. T-Mobile, the U.S. wireless arm of Deutsche Telekom (DT Quote), introduced the first Android phone -- the HTC G1 -- in September. Other phone shops including Motorola (MOT Quote) are planning their own Android products.

Google, shares of which closed Thursday's trading session up about 1% to $325.19 -- well below their Nov. 7, 2007 high of $747.24 -- could have used a big wireless deal right about now. The recession has put the brakes on advertising sales. Analysts suspect Google's revenue growth rate slowed down in the December quarter, a first for the tech giant.