Google and Dell to backstab Apple iPhone with new Linux phone?
Google’s work on Android and Dell’s recent emphasis on electronics with trendy designs make the two companies a good match for creating a new Linux-based mobile phone, and that may put the Apple iPhone in the crosshairs.
Google’s Android platform has received a lot of attention and supporting hardware has been bubbling to the surface as manufacturers look to gain a head start. Finding a company who can design a phone that appeals to iPhone-saturated consumers will be critical, and it’s possible Dell is up to taking that challenge.
“Senior industry sources claim the two companies will reveal their plans at next month’s 3GSM telecoms conference in Barcelona, al-though Google insiders deny an announcement is due in the near future,” according to MarketingWeek.
Google also has fierce competition ahead of them as they push into the mobile operating system industry already occupied by Symbian and Microsoft. That means the search king will need to create a compelling value proposition, and some of that could come from hardware architecture designed by a company like Dell.
Traditionally Dell has utilized a “just-in-time (JIT) inventory-management, profiting from its attendant benefits. Dell’s JIT approach utilizes the “pull” system by building computers only after customers place orders and by requesting materials from suppliers as needed,” according to Wikipedia.
If Dell applies that same philosophy to manufacturing mobile phones powered by a Linux-based operating system like Google Android, that could create some big changes in the market.
Imagine ordering a phone and choosing how much memory it has, storage space, color, screen size, software included, camera options according to your individual needs.
But, would that customization be enough to unseat the iPhone? Even with Google’s insane brand equity, any Linux-based phone it may create in partnership with Dell would have to make a powerful design statement and be incredibly intuitive to approach the iPhone’s finesse.
That puts Google in an awkward position. It already benefits from lots of iPhone users accessing Google apps on the iPhone, which gives them a tightening vice on the mobile software industry. Partnering with another company at this point would be like a slap in the face from Google to Apple.
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January 31st, 2008
Google’s disciplined business identity does not include getting into the manufacture of value (cheap and giveaway) phones with their low margins against Nokia and others.
Dell’s business plan is minimizing manufacturing costs to sell lowest-price products.
If they want to compete against Apple in the prestige consumer market, they will be playing Apple’s game. Doubtful.
But hey…the changes in the evolving markets and business plans should eventually benefit consumers…so…bring it on.