Australian incumbent operator Telstra has teamed up with Google and the major Android handset makers to launch a substore dedicated to the mobile OS.
The store, dubbed “Androidland,” is located in Telstra's flagship retail outlet in central Melbourne. It includes exhibits including an interactive ride designed to promote Android to Telstra customers.
Announcing the opening, Telstra said this marks the first time an operator has teemed with Google to establish a dedicated Android retail presence.
As well as Google, the store space has been established with the co-operation of handset makers Samsung, HTC, LG, Sony Ericsson and Motorola.
The installation is currently temporary, but Telstra said it will gauge interest in setting up a similar substore in more of its retail outlets.
As of August, Android had overtaken iOS as the most popular mobile OS in Australia by market share, according to tracking figures from Kantar Worldpanel.
Android has also been estimated to have beaten iOS by market share in Southeast Asia in the September quarter.