Thursday, May 17, 2007
Can Google's G-Phone hit the G-spot?
By Alex Zaharov-Reutt
If you thought only Apple was able to generate mass hysteria with the pre-launch of the as-yet unavailable iPhone, think again – Google’s rumored Phone could herald yet another mobile phone revolution.
Is there anything Google can’t do? It seems nothing is impossible, and impossible is nothing for the world’s dominant search engine company, who now want to expand into the world of mobile computing, Internet access and telephony with their own branded phone.
Said to look similar-ish to the iPhone, with a big widescreen and few buttons, Google wants to bring their software, search, advertising, IM, VoIP and Web 2.0-style apps to a stylish handheld device that plugs you right into everything Google, bringing Google to those even without a computer.
Rumors abound on all aspects of the Phone, but one thought is that it will cost much less than the iPhone, which starts at US $500. But one thing that isn’t a rumor is the confirmation, according to the Wall Street Journal, that a ‘top Google executive in Europe confirmed the existence of a phone project’.
They also reported that venture capitalist Simeon Simeonov credited an ‘inside source’ also said Google had a phone project, although the specific blog entry that the WSJ refers to seems to have ‘disappeared’ and now returns a 404 error message, and a search of the site only has older Google Phone speculation, leading us to wonder if the artfully named Simeon Simeonov had a phone call (or email) from Google.
Thankfully, the WSJ article points us to a Tiny URL link which points to a Google cache of the original post, letting those who want to read what Simeonov had to say able to do so. Thanks, Google cache!
There’s also the report that Spanish site ‘Noticias.com’ also has reported Google chief for Spain and Portugal has confirmed an ‘investigation’ to develop a mobile phone.
Google is also reportedly working with the developer of the Danger HipTop, known in the US as the Sidekick, to develop the Google Phone, adding more juicy speculation into the mix. A Nokia spokesperson is also said to have expressed some doubt that Google has the carrier relationships necessary to make any potential Google Phone a success, but if Google couldn’t easily develop those relationships, who could?
So, what is the official word from Google themselves?
Despite all of that, there is no actual official confirmation from Google HQ, which would give us all a definite answer on whether or not Google’s phone will have a nice set of ringtones, or not, or whether the whole project is real, or just a fantasy.
Indeed, the only official word comes via Reuters, who quoted Google spokeswoman Erin Fors as saying that: “Mobile is an important area for Google and we remain focused on creating applications and establishing and growing partnerships with industry leaders to develop innovative services for users world-wide. However, we have nothing further to announce.”
Google’s phone is supposed to be running a version of Linux, uses a touch screen, has Google Talk built-in for instant messaging and VoIP calls, and would have to come with a powerful web browser and mobile versions of Google Apps and other Google software, such as Google Maps, Gmail, Google Calendar and more.
Built-in Wi-Fi would seem to be a given, although whether or not the phone will be 2.5G (GPRS), 2.75G (EDGE), 3G (UMTS) or 3.5G (HSDPA) is unclear. Bluetooth would be another obvious addition, as would some kind of camera, or even two cameras if video calling will be available. Mp3 and video playback capabilities would also seem to be natural features for Google to include.
The Observer kicked off a lot of Google Phone speculation back in December 2006 with a report that one could well be in the works, while Eric Schmidt told Reuters in November 2006 that in the future, cell phones could well be free as they would be supported by advertising – although whether this means having to listen to an ad before, during or after placing calls, or all three, is unknown. Confusingly, he then told Reuters that phones may never be free after all, and that Google had no plans to give away phones themselves.
In October 2006, research company IDG reported that nearly one sixth of the world’s population, or nearly 1 billion people, use mobile phones, with users always keen to upgrade to the latest models offering music and video playback, along with seamless access to email.
One thing is for sure: if Google wants to release their own phone, they have the power to do so, the ability to create the right software environment and the technological know-how required to make the Google Phone a reality.
Gee – the choice may well be tough in the future. G-Phone? iPhone? Nokia ‘multimedia computer’ phone? Walkman phone? Windows Mobile 6 phone? Some other phone?
Whatever happens, and whichever way you decide to go, all of the latest phones are more desirable and feature packed than ever, and they’ll all be trying to call your number!
Source taken from: http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/10570/1103/1/0/
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If you thought only Apple was able to generate mass hysteria with the pre-launch of the as-yet unavailable iPhone, think again – Google’s rumored Phone could herald yet another mobile phone revolution.
Is there anything Google can’t do? It seems nothing is impossible, and impossible is nothing for the world’s dominant search engine company, who now want to expand into the world of mobile computing, Internet access and telephony with their own branded phone.
Said to look similar-ish to the iPhone, with a big widescreen and few buttons, Google wants to bring their software, search, advertising, IM, VoIP and Web 2.0-style apps to a stylish handheld device that plugs you right into everything Google, bringing Google to those even without a computer.
Rumors abound on all aspects of the Phone, but one thought is that it will cost much less than the iPhone, which starts at US $500. But one thing that isn’t a rumor is the confirmation, according to the Wall Street Journal, that a ‘top Google executive in Europe confirmed the existence of a phone project’.
They also reported that venture capitalist Simeon Simeonov credited an ‘inside source’ also said Google had a phone project, although the specific blog entry that the WSJ refers to seems to have ‘disappeared’ and now returns a 404 error message, and a search of the site only has older Google Phone speculation, leading us to wonder if the artfully named Simeon Simeonov had a phone call (or email) from Google.
Thankfully, the WSJ article points us to a Tiny URL link which points to a Google cache of the original post, letting those who want to read what Simeonov had to say able to do so. Thanks, Google cache!
There’s also the report that Spanish site ‘Noticias.com’ also has reported Google chief for Spain and Portugal has confirmed an ‘investigation’ to develop a mobile phone.
Google is also reportedly working with the developer of the Danger HipTop, known in the US as the Sidekick, to develop the Google Phone, adding more juicy speculation into the mix. A Nokia spokesperson is also said to have expressed some doubt that Google has the carrier relationships necessary to make any potential Google Phone a success, but if Google couldn’t easily develop those relationships, who could?
So, what is the official word from Google themselves?
Despite all of that, there is no actual official confirmation from Google HQ, which would give us all a definite answer on whether or not Google’s phone will have a nice set of ringtones, or not, or whether the whole project is real, or just a fantasy.
Indeed, the only official word comes via Reuters, who quoted Google spokeswoman Erin Fors as saying that: “Mobile is an important area for Google and we remain focused on creating applications and establishing and growing partnerships with industry leaders to develop innovative services for users world-wide. However, we have nothing further to announce.”
Google’s phone is supposed to be running a version of Linux, uses a touch screen, has Google Talk built-in for instant messaging and VoIP calls, and would have to come with a powerful web browser and mobile versions of Google Apps and other Google software, such as Google Maps, Gmail, Google Calendar and more.
Built-in Wi-Fi would seem to be a given, although whether or not the phone will be 2.5G (GPRS), 2.75G (EDGE), 3G (UMTS) or 3.5G (HSDPA) is unclear. Bluetooth would be another obvious addition, as would some kind of camera, or even two cameras if video calling will be available. Mp3 and video playback capabilities would also seem to be natural features for Google to include.
The Observer kicked off a lot of Google Phone speculation back in December 2006 with a report that one could well be in the works, while Eric Schmidt told Reuters in November 2006 that in the future, cell phones could well be free as they would be supported by advertising – although whether this means having to listen to an ad before, during or after placing calls, or all three, is unknown. Confusingly, he then told Reuters that phones may never be free after all, and that Google had no plans to give away phones themselves.
In October 2006, research company IDG reported that nearly one sixth of the world’s population, or nearly 1 billion people, use mobile phones, with users always keen to upgrade to the latest models offering music and video playback, along with seamless access to email.
One thing is for sure: if Google wants to release their own phone, they have the power to do so, the ability to create the right software environment and the technological know-how required to make the Google Phone a reality.
Gee – the choice may well be tough in the future. G-Phone? iPhone? Nokia ‘multimedia computer’ phone? Walkman phone? Windows Mobile 6 phone? Some other phone?
Whatever happens, and whichever way you decide to go, all of the latest phones are more desirable and feature packed than ever, and they’ll all be trying to call your number!
Source taken from: http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/10570/1103/1/0/
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