Google’s gPhone is Nigh!
p2pnet news | Mobiles:- We’ve been hearing rumours that the gPhone is nigh for months. 
But last Friday, India’s Business Standard posted:
Google, the nearly $13.5 billion search engine major, is believed to be a fortnight away from the worldwide launch of its much-awaited Google Phone(Gphone) and has started talks with service providers in India for an exclusive launch on one of their networks.
Talks are believed to be taking place with Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Essar, respectively India`s first- and third-largest mobile telephony operators, and state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam.
And, “Google is currently assessing over twenty HTC models and refining its final handset design and will create a special version of Google Maps, compatible with built-in GPS, and compatibility with Gmail and the calendar app,” said CrunchGear on Monday, going on:
There is also some talk that Samsung will be releasing gPhone handsets as well, but that has not been confirmed.
One extremely interesting point? Google Talk will become a part of the phone, adding VoIP capability to the hardware.
Not only but also, Google recently bought GrandCentral Communications, a web-based voice communications company which gives users the ability to manage all their phones and phone numbers through one interface.
The company already has Google Local for Mobile with its man in Spain and Portugal confirming back in March, “Google is working on a mobile phone”.
On Monday, “I talked to one of my inside sources at Google today,” says Mark ‘Rizzn’ Hopkins on rizzn.com, going on:
He said that he was baffled at Google’s apparent internal confusion on the GPhone issue – that they’ve actually demo’ed the thing in public before.
He said that the Google (applications) Suite is going to play a huge role in the usability of the GPhone, and the thought process behind it’s functionality is less about beating the iPhone and more about beating the $100 Laptop, which provides a huge clue behind what will be the pricing structure on this.
This is my analysis based on what he told me: It’ll probably be sold at a loss or sold as a loss leader to increase ad-monetized content viewing. Just a guess though.
When he was telling me about all the nuances of what he’s seen the thing do, I couldn’t help but audibly remark about the FCC bid for the 700mhz spectrum making a whole lot more sense. He didn’t come out and say it, but I got the impression that they were gunning for the spectrum with a vengeance.
Essentially, this is a post to say that this is a solid confirmation on the GPhone – regarding the two week timetable on it’s release, he said he could not confirm that part of the story. I suggested a theory that perhaps they’ll show a version of the phone in two weeks (or a press conference about it), but it might not be available for American release until later, and he seemed to think that was a reasonable theory.
Other tidbits that I’m trying to recall based on questions I’ve received from readers:
It’s a modified Linux kernel
There is integrated GPS and GoogleMaps
And by way of an update, said Hopkins yesterday:
I spoke to my friend again this evening and told him about everyone’s linking and talking about the story. He was moderately amused, but ask for re-assurance I wouldn’t use his name, which I told him. He gave me the name of the fellow that’s the lead programmer/designer on the gPhone. He’s set to speak with him in the near future, and he’s going to try to casually ask whether or not he was actually supposed to say something about this or not. To re-iterate: my source re-assured me there is a gPhone, but wasn’t for certain whether or not he was allowed to say that.
But, “Before you get too excited and start queuing up somewhere for one of these phones, let me explain why I think the rumors are bogus,” posts CNET News‘ Marguerite Reardon, continuing:
“For one, Google has never actually confirmed that it’s working on building its own handset. Even though it sounds really cool and sexy for the company to pull an “Apple” by building its own hardware, it just doesn’t fit into Google’s business model, which is to develop software applications for the Web as a way to sell more advertising.
“That said, there’s no question Google is hot for mobile. The company has introduced several new mobile products this year. And CEO Eric Schmidt recently said the company will likely participate in the upcoming 700MHz spectrum auction early in 2008.
“Exactly what it will do with the spectrum if its wins licenses is unknown.”
But at the end of the day, just how many mobile phones can one person use?
And anyway, sooner or later, someone’s going to come out with a manageable (in the physical sense) voice and motion activated mobile which acts as an all-in-one on- and offline communications system, computer, game console and entertainment system, and which’ll also take the dog for a walk and do the dishes.
Stay tuned.
Also See:
Business Standard – Gphone to ring in September, August 24, 2006
CrunchGear – CG Exclusive: HTC Insider Confirms Existence of the Google Phone, August 27, 2007
recently bought – Google buys Net phone firm, July 4, 2007
man in Spain and Portugal – Google mobile phone, March 16, 2007
rizzn.com – GPhone – It’s Confirmed, August 27, 2007
CNET News – Google phone coming in two weeks?, August 27, 2007
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August 31st, 2007 at 1:03 am
Its true. I have GPhone. I dont want the employee to get into trouble. Once GPhone is launched officially, I will add the original photos that I took of it.
August 31st, 2007 at 1:04 am
Had become trigger happy. I dont have the GPhone. Rather I have seen the GPhone.