After iPod phone and Zune phone,

location based services


there's a new "phony" buzz around: The Observer of London has reported that Google might be working with a Taiwanese firm along with telecom services giant Orange to build a Google Mobile Phone, which could possibly have Google software running on the device. If true, this will be Google's first venture into hardware
The phone will come pre-loaded with mobile versions of Google apps like Google Earth and G-mail. It is rumoured to feature location-based searches, such as a tailored list of local cinemas, restaurants and other amenities, and maps and images from Google Earth. Google has been aggressive in developing location based services, like local search and mapping services.
The report stated that Orange honchos travelled to Google's headquarters, or 'Googleplex', for exploratory talks on this deal. The collaboration between two of the most powerful brands in technology is seen as a potential catalyst for making Internet use of mobile phones as natural as on desktop computers and laptops. For Orange, this could be a valuable asset in its triple play ambitions. The company owns broadband businesses across Europe, and has access to 3G networks, and is owned by France Telecom. It could use Google’s web expertise to take on its rivals, by offering web-mobile hybrid phones, and at the same time get a slice of mobile advertising revenues.
According to the report, the phone would be manufactured by HTC of Taiwan, a firm specializing in smart phones and personal data assistants (PDAs). It might have a screen similar to a video iPod. It would have built-in Google software for surfing the Net from a mobile handset. Orange and HTC previously partnered to produce the first Windows Mobile smartphone, with HTC's smartphones re-badged in various countries such as i-Mate, Dopod, Qtek, O2 and other brands. It is believed that the Google phone would go on sale by 2008.
Google has been moving into the mobile space for a while now. There are already handsets that come pre-loaded with Google software, and in recent months they've also offered mobile versions of Google Maps for download. In addition, it has also been mobilizing its applications such as GTalk and GMail. YouTube, the video arm of Google, too is beginning to embrace the mobile ecosystem. Also, in 2005 Google had bought Ontario based start-up Reqwireless working on technology that could help bring web-content to the mobile devices. The company had developed a web browser and an email application when Google bought them. Google already owns a significant amount of dark fibre acquired in the recent years and could only be too anxious to have a phone that could harness the best of VOIP (voice over Internet protocol) technologies.
A phone from Google would also be a way to keep pace with Apple, which is expected to announce a cellphone sometime in the first part of next year. Last month, Forbes reported that the Cupertino company has ordered 12 million mobile handsets to Hon Hai Precision Industry, a Taiwan sourcing company. The main source of this information was a Chinese newspaper, the Commercial Times, quoted by Forbes. The Commercial Times didn’t reveal the financial details of the contract, but it said that Apple will launch the mobile phone in the first half of next year. Microsoft has already announced its plans to launch a similar Zune phone.
Labels: Google, Mobiles, Phones