As Google Phone rumors spread earlier this year, many expected the device to be some form of an answer to Apple’s iPhone. It turns out many have misinterpreted Google’s future cell phone product, and its destiny is not to rival the iPhone but rather Microsoft’s Windows Mobile.

That’s what the New York Times is saying, and they’d like to add that Google’s creation is most likely not a physical phone but rather a phone OS. In offering a phone OS sans licensing fees to builders, Google hopes to rapidly develop an advertising system for the mobile Internet and cell phone networks.

The Google phone is not expected to impact the wireless industry as much as the iPhone, which managed to change customer expectations about a mobile phone. “The iPhone was a milestone in terms of how people use a mobile device,” said Karsten Weide, an IDC analyst. “The GPhone, if it does come out, will help Google with distribution for their online services.”

Google is also expected to develop advanced, better versions of its mobile applications already available for free, but Arun Aarin, Vodafone CEO, is not impressed.

“What is it that is missing in life that they are going to fulfill? It is not a no-brainer,” Sarin says. “You can reach Google already through a number of devices. You don’t need a Google phone to do that.”

Perhaps he’s just afraid of the rumor that Google is looking to introduce very cheap or free cell phone service if it acquires the 700Mhz spectrum in the US. Free cell phone service or highly subsidized service could spell huge problems for current carriers who get the meat of their income from monthly subscriber bills.

Despite the information presented in this article, we still know very little regarding Google’s journey into the mobile phone world, and, despite lackluster reactions from big time cell phone players like Sarin, Google doesn’t joke around when it targets a market. For proof, look no further than the Internet.

Thanks to T3 for the gPhone concept picture.

 

Related:

Microsoft fights back against Apple’s iPhone, also targets Google

Google builds GPhone for the masses, Apple’s iPhone for upper classes?

Google says outright "we’re not doing a mobile phone"

Microsoft boss: “We will outsell the iPhone”

The Google Phone: 5 facts

Entry was posted on Monday, October 8th, 2007 at 9:49 am under Apple, Google, Internet, Microsoft, Mobile phones, Web2.0.  Print This Post

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