Samsung Mobile has launched its new 'Galaxy Portal' which is a smart phone powered by Android. The phone was earlier called Samsung i5700 Galaxy Spica and has been renamed for the launch in the UK.

Most Google applications like Gmail, Google search, Google Maps, Google Talk and Youtube along with social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace can be accessed though the phone.

Among fun applications, is a Samsung Football Pub Finder which locates the nearest bars showing live football matches.

The phone features a 3.2 inch touch screen, a 3.2 mega pixel camera with auto focus. It measures 13.2mm width and for connectivity it features WiFi, Bluetooth and USB 2.0 connectivity.

It offers Android 1.5 with DivX support, DNSe 2.0, a 3.5mm jack and also SD card slot which supports up to 32GB while a 1GB card comes with the phone.

The Layar application in the phone lets people access visual guides to what's around them by pointing their handset at their surroundings .

For the first three months, the phone would be available exclusively with T-mobile in the UK. T-Mobile has offered the phone for free to those that sign up to a £23 per month, 18-month contract.