Pledging to deliver three Android smartphones this year, phone maker HTC may be poised to continue leading the pack in getting devices sporting the Google-backed OS out of the gate.

But that strategy alone might not be enough to keep the Taiwan-based company on top in the open source mobile market.

According to HTC CEO Peter Chou, the smartphone manufacturer plans to release at least three Android devices in 2009, a figure that includes the already much-anticipated Magic model coming in April for European carrier Vodafone. HTC also served as the manufacturer for the T-Mobile G1, which debuted to much fanfare last September.

At the same time HTC is gearing up for a series of new Android-based releases, the industry is also eagerly awaiting the introduction of Android models from other manufacturers, including Samsung, Sony Ericsson and other members of the Open Handset Alliance, which officially oversees Android development.

While HTC may be building a dominant lead by being the first to capitalize on Android, its position could become vulnerable if its upcoming devices lack a "wow" factor, said Avi Greengart, research director for consumer devices at Current Analysis.

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