Google phone is coming, believe it or not
3 August 2007 - 5:17The writing is on the wall and now people who have been briefed on Google’s cellphone project have revealed that Google has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into it. And yes, it has developed prototype handsets, is currently in talks with operators such as T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless, and has talked through technical specifications with phone manufacturers. Consumers can expect a variety of Google phones from multiple manufacturers based on its specs and better yet you may not even have to change carriers because it’s more than likely multiple operators will offer them.
Beautiful concept rendering of the Google phone courtesy of T3.
Don’t dump that new iPhone or old clamshell phone just yet because the Google Phone wouldn’t be available until next year at the earliest, say people familiar with the project.
The Mountain View, Calif., company has made clear it is serious about developing advanced software and services for cellphones. “What’s interesting about the ads in the mobile phone is that they are twice as profitable or more than the nonmobile phone ads because they’re more personal,” said Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt at the D: All Things Digital conference in May.
A Google spokesman yesterday declined to comment on a Google phone project, but noted: “We are partnering with almost all of the carriers and manufacturers to get Google search and other Google applications onto their devices and networks.”
Once again, people familiar with the matter stated that “the Google phone project goes far beyond Google’s existing deals to include its search engine or applications such as Maps on select handsets.”
As if that’s not enough info, the source continue to share that “now [Google] is drafting specifications for phones that can display all of Google’s mobile applications at their best, and it is developing new software to run on them. The company is conducting much of the development work at a facility in Boston, and is working on a sophisticated new web browser for cellphones, people familiar with the plans say.”
Taking a different route than Apple, Google is willing to let manufacturers create devices on a common set of specifications and hope that multiple operators will offer its phone.
Google has approached several wireless operators in the U.S. and Europe in recent months, including AT&T, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless, a joint venture of Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group PLC, people familiar with the situation say. T-Mobile USA, a unit of Deutsche Telekom AG, appears to be the furthest along in considering it, these people say. Andy Rubin, who helped design T-Mobile’s popular Sidekick phone, now works at Google and is involved in its handset project.
The specifications Google has laid out for devices suggest that manufacturers include cameras for photo and video, and built-in Wi-Fi technology to access the Web at hot spots such as airports, coffee shops and hotels. It also is recommending that the phones be designed to work on carriers’ fastest networks, known as 3G, to ensure that Web pages can be downloaded quickly. Google suggests the phones could include Global Positioning System technology that identifies where people are.
People who have seen Google’s prototype devices say they aren’t as revolutionary as the iPhone. One was likened to a slim Nokia Corp. phone with a keyboard that slides out. Another phone format presented by Google looked more like a Treo or a BlackBerry. It’s not clear which manufacturers might build Google wireless devices, though people familiar with the project say LG Electronics Co. of South Korea is one company that has held talks with Google. Google has already lined up a series of hardware component and software partners and signaled to carriers that it’s open to various degrees of cooperation on their part, the people say.
Phone manufacturers and operators will not be charged a licensing fee but Google has suggested the phones could carry the Google brand alongside the brand of the operator or, alternatively, leave it out completely.
Any time a new player enters a market, especially when it comes to Google, it’s extremely exciting because consumers will soon have more options to choose from. Their flexible approach towards branding is also interesting, and will inevitably draw comparisons with “everything must match” Apple and AT&T.
56 Comments | Tags: Google, Google Phone
03 Aug 2007 - 10:44
It would be really cool if the camera at the back of the google phone is in the ‘o’ from Google. Google is watching you!
03 Aug 2007 - 11:31
Vincent:
Congratulations on your site! The buzz over a Google phone is reaching a fever pitch. gPhone or No … That is the question? If Google does build a phone it will likely be “low-to-no cost” for the hardware. gPhone price will likely be subsidized by Google ads delivered to the gPhone. This is a trade-off that many users will accept for an inexpensive phone (low-cost not low-featured) and possibly a discounted plan. We’ll have to wait and see.
Just like Apple, Google will have to do biz with a cellular carrier/partner for the first few years (until WiFi/VoiP take over). Negotiations will be interesting. Carriers may be a bit nervous about the prospects of working with Google as they see Google as capable of delivering national and eventually global Wifi or WiMax connectivity that will make cellular calls yesterday’s news. VoIP calls can be made via the Net with no need for cellular towers/infrastructure. This will kill off big cellular cos. current biz model. Hence all major cellular players are busily working behind the scenes to grab a share of the next gen. WiFi (WiMax or technology to be named later) delivery capability. They don’t want Google to do an end-run and leave them without a business.
As you know … I love the Apple iPhone. I think the gPhone (if it gets done) will not compete directly with the iPhone. iPhone software and user experiece cannot be topped in a low cost phone. Apple iPhone is so well designed and easy to use … offers much more than any phone on the market - full Internet experience and rich video/music experience to name just a few. And it’s integrated with Leopard OSX.5 and will evolve via firmware upgrades. iPhone is great now and will only get better.
Interesting days ahead in the mobile market!
~ Danny B
06 Aug 2007 - 13:07
just buddy Justin just asked me “what’s up with the Google phone running Windows Mobile?” I agree with you Justin that it’s never going to happen.
mobile linux + firefox mobile + google apps
08 Aug 2007 - 0:43
i, personally, would really like to see this phone coming from either Helio (a Sprint network based MVNO) or Sprint themselves.
another cool feature would be USB connection, that offers up the phone as a USB drive and as a phone, with the USB drive part offering up PC launchable apps a la the U3 flash drives
thats just my random spewing of ideas, but it would make all pics, vids, apps, and other data available on your PC instantly and you could use the phone connection to tether and connect to the web.
13 Aug 2007 - 1:09
[…] Google-Phone.com reported that Google does not deny or admit to existence of Google phone prototypes being floated around to wireless operators such as T-Mobile USA, AT&T and Verizon Wireless. According to the same sources close to this matter, Google hasn’t been too shy about sharing specs of the phones to phone manufacturers. […]
22 Aug 2007 - 0:44
[…] was the “Google phone is coming, believe it or not” article where there were two concepts of what a potential gPhone might look like and there was a […]
27 Aug 2007 - 8:30
Sounds like great phone!
30 Aug 2007 - 2:07
i want updates on Google phones..
Thanks…
30 Aug 2007 - 4:10
Quality of picture is superb
30 Aug 2007 - 5:35
… well, simply great news.. but.. any idea when is it coming to India?
Cheers!
30 Aug 2007 - 7:11
Its gonna be the cool stuff in 2008!!!!!! :) waiting to see
31 Aug 2007 - 1:37
Let us Wait and see
31 Aug 2007 - 2:08
hi Everyone,
Ur updates are very good.
Keep Going…
I need more updates reg features of GPhone
31 Aug 2007 - 2:30
Everything looks good…..But what about the cost? Will it be within the range 25 - 35K INR?
31 Aug 2007 - 5:45
Sound nice,,,, It will certainly make todays structure of communication a thing of the past,,,,,,, Wi-fi nall other features,, like VOIP,, would vertually kill the operators,,, Bravo,,, Hats of Google,,, You know how to penetrate n have a perfect kill,,,,,,,, on a massive scale,,,,,
31 Aug 2007 - 7:41
The thing it looks nice and the features specified are nice what is the cost
01 Sep 2007 - 14:01
[…] ที่มา Google Phone […]
04 Sep 2007 - 6:05
[…] Source: Google-Phone.com […]
04 Sep 2007 - 9:06
If it does come, i hope it will allow deployment of third party applications and not make it google apps only. That would surely make people feel like gPhone binds them in a google world…
07 Sep 2007 - 0:49
It’s awesome looking phone. Can i get some technical specification,plz.
12 Nov 2007 - 21:57
[…] With so many speculations about a possible Google Phone, it’s almost impossible to be just a rumor. […]
15 Dec 2007 - 7:38
yes
19 Dec 2007 - 22:26
well, i think its a good idea, but i wouldn’t want a gPhone if it had a slide out keyboard. I’d rather pay a little bit more to get a touch screen.
22 Dec 2007 - 23:19
Hi!!!
My name is Thuan. I’m a fan of google. It is a first time i see google phone. I thinks it is too beautiful. Can i become one of the first person that have this phone.
Thanks
Thuan
22 Dec 2007 - 23:56
I think the Google phone is a great idea. If it’s going to have stylish and functional phones and services at little or no charge, I have nothing at all to complain about. Period.
24 Dec 2007 - 6:16
This phone looks awesome…..lets hope its worthy enough
28 Dec 2007 - 5:35
looks so ordinary, nothing special, reminds me XDA mini…
30 Dec 2007 - 2:11
GOOGLE ROCKS!!!!!! Its far better than microsoft. MArvellous PHONE. cant wait to see it
01 Jan 2008 - 6:20
[…] googlerocks […]
01 Jan 2008 - 15:53
hye i got queastion this phone google phone project when can i have also do u can i use this in t-mobile let me know how to get this please
01 Jan 2008 - 15:58
about this phone please u guys when u have chance let me know cuz for reall if u sale this am gonna buy ok for me it s nice phone
03 Jan 2008 - 1:26
I think gphone will rock :)
I hope they will launch in India also
I am waiting for it….
05 Jan 2008 - 11:53
There is any chance og goolge phone to be in Bangladesh ?
05 Feb 2008 - 13:20
Im a bit disappointed bout iPhone that only lounched in the US, what about googlePhone, does Asia deserve to get something called “iPohone killer”, representing indonesian people as u know that Nokia have “special” market in indonesia, does google have indonesia on the list?
17 Feb 2008 - 11:44
Its not the Google phone thats important. Any hardware manufacturer can and will continue producing the BETTER cell phone. Its the analog 700 mhz frequency Google is trying to buy up.Once all television signals go digital next year that 700 mhz will be a virgin frequency once again….Pure non interference signal. What other cell phone company can compete with that!
21 Feb 2008 - 22:39
I work for a Web Development Company “123Triad Web Design” That is a shameless plug! We spend a boat load of money on Google Ad Words every month. I think Google should send our employees complimentary phones once they come out. I mean companies like us are the reason Google has been able to build such a huge empire using their huge sophisticated search engine.
02 Mar 2008 - 19:31
Shut up Justin. Don’t be so greedy. Just because you work for a company that helps Google doesn’t mean you should get a free phone. Pay for it like everyone else you cheap f**k. And no one wants to listen to you whine about getting a free phone from google. Honestly, all of us couldn’t care less. This is a site for information about the “Gphone,” and strictly information about the Gphone. Not a place for you to complain because you don’t want to pay for a phone like everyone else. You think you deserve one? If Google decides you do, fine, if they decide you don’t, don’t go bitc*ing about the fact you actually have to pay for a cell phone. Isn’t it enough that they’re trying to give it a low price? Be happy with what you have man.
04 Mar 2008 - 22:36
ha you tell ‘em patrick. funny running into you here. when’s this “Gphone” supposed to come out anyways??
06 Mar 2008 - 13:50
when will it come out and how much will it cost?
06 Mar 2008 - 13:51
whats so good about it????
07 Mar 2008 - 13:18
haha ya alec whats up? and well theres still no official release date. its not even a confirmed product yet. only the OS is confirmed, but google actualyl producing a phone isn’t for sure yet.
12 Mar 2008 - 15:19
just wait for big deal
18 Mar 2008 - 19:21
Oh yes it is already being made, i have already recieved spam for getting the google phone for free and there are testamonials were people have it and love it
my aunt is in the marketing business and they gave her company free google phones and they are ten times better than the iphone
19 Mar 2008 - 13:16
I want buy this phone , like on first picture! will wait.
20 Mar 2008 - 2:13
I think i will like the google phone…
01 Apr 2008 - 12:37
i think that google should go with t-mobile (becuz i’ve liked them ever sience my first sk) but they should find some1 eles beside LG or Motorola to put parts into it LG is just cheap chrap and motorola is the next step up and the user interface just sucks and it’s the same for every single fucking fone they’s ever thought about creating and it sucks
thats just my opion if i was in the game thats how i would do shit
and if ur ganna make a phone u better make it right the first time other wise it was a waste
03 Apr 2008 - 4:16
[…] Isn’t it fantastic that Google has joined the ranks of brands like Xerox and Tivo? Brands so omnipresent that you can use their name as a verb. What next, a phone? […]
24 Apr 2008 - 1:31
Who can put me in contact with Google Phone, Product Manager so i can give them aceess to Miroamer.com. This will product sounds great and google have the money to market it right. Great sight.
24 Apr 2008 - 2:57
If it launches at an affordable rate, it’ll blow apple outta the water.
BRING IT TO SOUTH AFRICA AS SOON AS IT LAUNCHES>>> PLEASE>>
28 Apr 2008 - 12:37
Is it worth waiting for this? Or will the Iphone be customizable? I assume mac will rip off the same thing but its hard to decipher if i should wait or not!
argh!
29 Apr 2008 - 0:17
Hey everyone I work for T-mobile and just got the word that this phone is only going to be made for t-mobile for 5 years then any wireless company can buy rights to it. This phone will run windowns 6.1, with all the software from google to use like google maps, search ect. ect. No price has be said yet but you can expect around 300 after rebates. BTW this phone is made by HTC…. with google skin on it.
07 May 2008 - 22:37
One service google could add to the google phone. Have ever been to a super bowl and got lost trying to find you care suc or buy. Google should also have a aervice to help you find your way eithe bank to your car suv or bus. Send some feedbank and let them know what you think about it…
Danny Kidd
Leesville La
09 May 2008 - 3:36
I’m Sham from Maldives, i am yet having this iPhone damm thingy!! Just waiting for the gPhone(googlePhone). Could you guys telme when its really gonna be released? is it a fake story or a real???? ON THE PICTURE YOU HAVE PUT IN THIS PAGE! SEEN REALLY NICE.. n Hope it’ll have the features that i WANT.
THNAK YOU.
CHEERS
09 May 2008 - 8:28
i would really love to be updated on this phone and when it will come out.
16 May 2008 - 12:32
I want this phone now.top teasing me!!!!
16 May 2008 - 12:33
Send me the phone now!