I’ve been holding off on sharing this information, which is really mostly rumor and speculation, up to this point – but Google is supposedly readying the launch of a new cellular phone which will come GPS and have built in access to Google Maps, Gmail, Calendar and Docs.
Google previously bid for the FCC’s 700MHz wireless spectrum, one which could be used to operate a new Google cellular phone service, and as I previously reported they acquired GrandCentral (I handed out around 75 invites to the beta service), a unified messaging platform which provides “find-me, follow-me” service, voice mail, and other goodies.
If you think about it, with the convergence of Voice into IP and the ubiquity of the Web it makes perfect sense for Google to play in this game and disrupt all of the natural players. And a well integrated Web / phone device would be a great starting point.
The latest fuel to the fire comes from Mark Hopkins who claims to have an inside source at Google that is confirming that Google will announce their new phone device by early to mid September 2007. His source is also claiming that the device will be:
- Cheap.
- Linux based.
- GPS enabled.
- Demo’ed in 2 weeks with a general US release to follow a little later.
If all of this turns out to be true, and I could surf the web, write articles on my blog, and watch online videos on this device – in addition to all of the cellular phone features we are already accustomed to (syncing with Outlook, etc.) then I’d be tempted to buy one. Otherwise I’ll just stick with my PPC-6700 which already does all of this.
Here are a few other people reporting the same story:
- Rediff India Abroad
- Wired Magazine
- Mobile Magazine
- CrunchGear
- Google News stories on the Google Phone.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Looks good John, but any competition to the iPhone?
I get this impression this being more of a handheld computer than an actualy phone.
This is the first I hear of this phone.
I am a Nokia fan myself, mostly because I live in the Philippines nad Nokia is the only brand the shops can repair properly in case something happens. I was tempted by the Iphone but I can’t get it here and I know if something happens it will be a huge pain to get it fixed.
I do like the integration of applications I already use, and GPS linked to Google map is another step towards world domination by Google, they will now not only be able to see what we surf and from where, they will have GPS details on us too…
Kim:)
That’s true Kim. I hadn’t thought of the “big brother” implications.
Of course, our cellular providers can already track us even without GPS integration, but I guess the difference is that they don’t have Google’s massive database behind them.
John
I’m curious to see how this would stack up to the iPhone in terms of functionality and price. Having played with an iPhone, I thought it was great, but far too high for my budget.
My phone’s been dying on me so I do need a replacement in the next year. So far the affordable ($150) Tmobile Dash is in the lead, but I’d like a touchscreen as well.
If they got past the sticking points of the iPhone, I’d definitely go for it. Not being a mac fan (although to be fair, I haven’t really used one since high school), Google would be one of the more trusted names for me.
hmm i read somewhere that they are working on ways to display ads on cellphones, such as when u dial, in spots which won’t disturb the user… The article also mentioned that the advertisers will pay a portion of the users phone bills, i’ll try to find that since i think it was somehow related to adsense!
this is google’s answer to iphone.. but i still prefer nokia n95 :)
The thing i hate about the nokia is the symbian operating system, I used to be a big fan (even started developing my own apps for it) until i got my first windows mobile powered ppc/phone (htc prophet). I love the wide variety of softwares available for it, which is also a reason why i won’t consider getting an iphone at the moment (very few softwares compared to windows mobile).
What’s the Iphone, but a glorified phone that acts like a computer. Seriously, do we really need to be watching YouTube videos about a dog skateboarding while at work? No. Blackberry still holds my interest and if Google wants to compete with that series of phones, go right ahead. I’m always very happy with all of Google’s online services. The way I see, they take existing solutions and make better solutions, that are much more UI friendly.
I’ve been hearing about this phone for months now, wonder who will be the service provider.
It is great but when will it be available to the rest of the free world? Like never? :)
S.