Those who had any doubts that the Google Android operating system is for real got their answer in Barcelona at the Mobile World Congress. A half-dozen companies were demonstrating Android, the Linux-based OS backed by Google and its Open Handset Alliance friends.

Handsets running Android are expected later this year, but chipmakers Texas Instruments, Qualcomm, Marvell, ARM, NEC and ST Microelectronics showed off prototype handsets running the system. LG said at the show it expects to have an Android phone in late 2008 or early 2009. LG is a member of the OHA, along with HTC, Motorola and Samsung.

TI’s demonstration handset used its OMAP850 process, which includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth access. PC Magazine’s Sascha Segan says he was surprised by how well Android runs on relatively slow devices, running fast and smooth on all of the prototypes.