Why So Many Space-Themed Phone Names?

Korean manufacturers are looking to space to find names for their new mobile phones running Google's Android operating system.

Samsung chose the name Galaxy for an Android-powered smartphone to be released in Korea later this month. Earlier this week Pantech unveiled a smartphone called Sirius, named for the brightest star in the night sky. LG Electronics' new smartphone expected to be released next month is being developed under the name Eclipse.

The space theme is in line with the open nature of Google's Android project. Google allows any manufacturer or developer to use the system, in contrast to its rival Apple, whose mobile operating system is exclusive to the iPhone.

Another reason for the stellar names is because the word "android" refers to robots in the shape of human beings, which often appear in sci-fi stories. "With the name Sirius we tried to convey the idea of free and open communication, like the endless boundaries of space," a Pantech executive said.

The manufacturers plan to stick to the theme for upcoming smartphone models. Pantech is considering other names of stars, including Mirach, a star in the the constellation Andromeda, and Acrab, a stellar system in the constellation Scorpio. A Samsung official said the company plans to continue to use the Galaxy brand name for its series of Android-powered smarthphones sold in Korea and abroad.