Google's Android open cell phone platform has a new champion in AT&T. The largest US cellco initially snubbed the Open Handset Alliance, the group of industry leaders Google pulled together to help further plans its plans for an open mobile environment. However, during his talk at CTIA on Wednesday, AT&T wireless chief Ralph de la Vega told the audience, "I like it a lot more than I did before. It's something we would want in our portfolio."

According to an AP report, it took a meeting with Google execs showing how AT&T can put its own apps on any Android-based handsets it sells to get de la Vega to change his mind. His initial reluctance to embrace Android reportedly came from concerns that there would be too much focus on Google's applications.