Google today showed off its Android mobile phone software system, appearing to mimic Apple's iPhone. But Google officials downplayed the notion that they will face off against the iPhone in the handset market.

The demonstration in San Francisco represented the most extensive public look so far at Android - an open-source platform under development by Google and a number of partners in the Open Handset Alliance.

The features included a way to unlock phones by drawing a specific shape on the touch screen instead of entering a password; bookmarks for favorite websites on the device's home page; a "compass" tool that automatically roams with the phone while a user looks at photographic images of a city map; a magnifying tool to zoom in on Web content; and a mobile version of the video game "Pac Man."

With Android, the company seeks to extend the browser to handheld devices, a capability currently limited to systems such as iPhone, said Vic Gundotra, Google engineering vice president. "We believe over time, the browser on mobile devices will be the entry point for many, many applications."

Android doesn't represent Google's countermove against the iPhone, Gundotra argued. "I wouldn't say that at all. I think the iPhone is just a world-class device with a great Web browser that delivers in many respects on one of Google's key goals: To bring the Web to the mobile device," Gundotra said. "We wish every mobile phone was as good as the iPhone."

Google also hopes that programmers will create products that will run on Android. It expects to generate revenues via Android by extending the reach of the Internet to handheld phones. Google sells Internet-based ads, applications, appliances and license fees.

Several handset makers, including Samsung, HTC and LG, are among the 34 partners that Google has recruited to help launch Android. The project was first announced nearly seven months ago and is due to hit the market some time during the final six months of this year.

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