LG to do Google-friendly phones

Google has thrown in its lot with a major handset maker to bring YouTube to the mobile platform.

LG has announced its plans to launch a series of YouTube-centric designs with a new user interface to help customers upload their mobile films to the video-sharing site.

The handset manufacturer said it expects to launch the YouTube phones worldwide before the end of the year.

The deal follows an earlier agreement between Google and LG to sell phones with the web giant's services pre-installed, including Google Maps, Blogger and Gmail and one-button access to Google search. LG said it plans to produce at least 10 Google-friendly phones this year.

Google has been keen to exploit the mobile platform in recent months, signing up a number of operators to offer mobile versions of its most popular offerings, including heavyweights China Mobile and Vodafone.

However, the search behemoth recently put paid to rumours it intended to launch its own-branded mobile, after press reports surfaced alleging Google was working with mobile operator Orange and manufacturer HTC on a so-called gPhone.

Jo Best writes for ZDNet Australia