It makes no sense to rehash or summarize the lengthy announcement of Android, "the first truly open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices" backed by Google and its mobile partners.

What's notable though is that companies like Nokia, Palm, and of course Apple-all companies with their own established mobile platforms-are not joining the party. Android is seen as the first significant step towards Google's much-awaited foray into the mobile handset market.

Read on for a list of the Android "Open Handset Alliance" founding members.

• Aplix


• Ascender Corporation


• Audience


• Broadcom


• China Mobile


• eBay


• Esmertec


• Google


• HTC


• Intel


• KDDI


• LivingImage


• LG


• Marvell


• Motorola


• NMS Communications


• Noser


• NTT DoCoMo Inc.


• Nuance


• Nvidia


• PacketVideo


• Qualcomm


• Samsung


• SiRF


• SkyPop


• SONiVOX


• Sprint Nextel


• Synaptics


• TAT - The Astonishing Tribe


• Telecom Italia


• Telefónica


• Texas Instruments


• T-Mobile


• Wind River

Given the PR's about section, it looks like Google, T-Mobile, HTC, Qualcomm, and Motorola are top dogs in this alliance.