Huawei announces affordable Android 2.2-powered IDEOS

As expected, Huawei unveiled an Android 2.2 smartphone Thursday at the IFA trade show in Berlin.

Dubbed the IDEOS (Industrial Design Evolution Operating System), we're looking at an entry-level device with a 2.8-inch (240x320) touch display and 528MHz processor. There's also a 3.2-megapixel camera, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an microSD slot.

Though this certainly isn't the most powerful stuff on the market, Huawei could be forgiven, thanks to the handset's expected $150 to $200 price tag (that's unlocked and in U.S. dollars).

Making high-end Android phones that compete with the likes of the Droid X doesn't seem to be Huawei's game plan. The Chinese handset maker cares more about lowering the price point for smartphones, in turn making its own products more accessible to people.

Still, this isn't to say the IDEOS doesn't have some great features. Like many of today's Android phones, the IDEOS packs support for HSDPA, Wi-Fi (802.11n), GPS, and Bluetooth. One standout feature of the IDEOS is its ability to act as a 3G Mobile Hotspot with support for up to eight devices.

It should be noted that this is a "with Google" experience, meaning the phone comes with a stock Android installation. I would expect to see future updates rolled out quickly, much as I do with the forthcoming G2 from T-Mobile. Look for the IDEOS to roll out over the next few weeks in European, Asia-Pacific, North American, and Latin American markets.