Google I/O: 18 Android phones in 2009; attendees receive special edition HTC Magic

The New York Times is reporting that Google Senior Director for Mobile Platforms Andy Rubin said yesterday that there will be at least 18 Android-powered phones worldwide by the end of the year.

Rubin said that eight or nine manufacturers will make the phones, and that Android-powered devices will be slow to come to the market in the U.S. because carriers are trying to create unique models that stand out from the rest.

The statements were made at Google's I/O Android development conference in San Francisco, where later, attendees received a special edition HTC Magic smartphone named "Ion" with a T-Mobile SIM card that includes 30 days of free 3G service. The devices have been popping up on eBay, if you'd like a look for yourself.