Google Android, the open source cell phone operating system from internet behemoth Google, has made the jump from phone to car.

The Rowe 350 has started production on March 18th and will be officially launch at the Beijing Auto Show on April 23rd and will feature Android 2.1 as the operating system for the GPS computer/DVD Player.

Android 2.1 is the same software that powers the Google Nexus One and Motorola Droid.  It is being widely pushed by Google as the ultimate operating system for mobile devices…and apparently cars as well.

What makes this interesting is that the Android platform is built specifically to take advantage of wireless technologies like 3G cellular connections and other wireless technologies.  The Android platform also has application marketplace similar to the one available from Apple with it’s App Store.

It’s not hard to imagine that the system would be able to install new applications from the app marketplace to make it truly extendable.  If this system allows users to install any application from the app store, then the possibilities are almost endless.

For those not familiar with the Android platform, this will give you an idea of what type of applications are available:
Searchify – perform translations, calculations, unit conversions, wikipedia searches, calendar entry
Weatherbug – Allows you to get instant weather updates.
Meebo – Let you send/receive Instant Messages on pretty much any platform
Facebook – Access Facebook from Droid to keep you with your friends
Twidroid – Twitter client for Android
FourSquare – Find your friends and see what they are doing
Yelp – Find food and restaurant reviews.

Nearly anything is possible once you open an auto to a application marketplace like this.

Rowe is a luxury brand of SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation,) and has been partially built utilizing technology  licensed from MG Rover.  Rowe doesn’t currently sell in the US or UK, but according to multiple press sources the plan for US availability is “in the works”

Would you be anxious to have an Android powered car?  Or would you want to wait a few years until the “bugs” are worked out?  Let us know what you think in the comments below

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