Google builds GPhone for the masses, Apple’s iPhone for upper classes?
By Nelson Ireson
Google’s rumored GPhone is shaping up to be a serious contender for a seriously attractive price. In a strategy contrary to the Apple-AT&T bundling deal that can run users $2,000 per year in costs and fees, Google is looking to in-house operating systems and recent tech acquisitions to make its rumored mobile phone affordable for the masses.
Acquiring Jaiku and Zingku has enabled Google to leverage several key mobile technologies and combined with low-cost hardware, the GPhone could rival the iPhone at a fraction of the cost. Others speculate that the GPhone could be intended as a Windows Mobile rival.
The search giant is already pushing its online services into the mobile niche, trying to get advertisers to sponsor search results on phones. Google already makes billions per year in revenues, much of it directly attributable to its online advertising sales.
Another version of the phone, targeted at a younger audience, with a Google-sourced browser optimized for viewing its services, like GMail, Reader, and YouTube videos, is also rumored to be in the works, writes USA Today’s Byron Acohido. The acquisition of mobile social-networking startup Zingku tends to add credence to the rumors.
Major cell phone providers, eager to capitalize on Google’s tech-marketing genius, are said to have designs ready to roll out in a matter of weeks once Google signs licensing contracts. These phones would not be the Google-made phones mentioned above, but standard phones equipped with “GButtons” that take users to a Google-centric texting screen. Such a mobile search portal could be the gateway to untold billions in advertising revenues. The only holdup: cell phone providers want a taste of the action.
Only time will tell how many of these GPhone-related rumors will bear fruit, but no matter how it works out, it looks like the consumer will win with lower prices and more options in the internet-enabled smart-phone field.
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October 21st, 2007
It is unbelievable how many of the experts can make all these claims without knowing anything about a product and giving you max cost not what most people will use, 59 a month dose not equal 2000 and all plans the more minutes the more cost. Yes the iphone is not cheap but what is, so many cheap phone that I have bought have ended in the closet. let see what happen when all these new phones come out. I do not have a iphone but do think the ui will change the phone industry.
October 21st, 2007
More B.S. rising from wishful dreaming. These rumors are likely born from the same sources as those anti-iPhone analysts. Google hasn’t bid on any spectrum and isn’t likely to become a carrier for typical cell phones even if it wins some. They’re merely increasing their leverage on keeping open those areas of net use they want to compete in.
October 22nd, 2007
I own BOTH Google and Apple stock. Both are great companies. But, GOOG would be straying from its mission and will regret it if they go ahead with a GPhone. The next 20 years are going to be:
Hardware: Apple
Network: ATT (think 700 Mhz spectrum)
Content: Google
October 24th, 2007
GOOG doesn’t need to bid on spectrum (think “alliance”). AT&T for “Network” for the next 20 years, Tom B?!?! AT&T is sooo far behind in wireless data it’s laughable. Suggest you catch up to the 21st century and bone up on WiMax - start at the website URL contained in this post.