Verizon and Google have announced a “strategic partnership” to develop Android based smartphones.

Verizon Wireless and Google plan to co-develop several Android-based devices that will be pre-loaded with innovative applications from both parties as well as third-party developers. The family of Android phones on the Verizon Wireless network will come from leading handset manufacturers.

I would consider webOS, iPhone, and Android to be the only mobile platforms doing anything interesting. Of those three, Android will be the first to land on Verizon.

The only high-end handsets currently available for Verizon are BlackBerrys, and that will soon change. This is the first indication that Verizon is ready to fix their awful hardware lineup.

Update 10/18/09: Verizon Debuts Teaser for ‘Droid’ Handset

Update 11/8/09: HTC DROID Eris