Google buys cellphone software company

We only have the faintest idea why Google just bought Android, a stealthy startup that specializes in making "software for mobile phones," but we do know that trying to guess Google's next move recently replaced digging through Steve Jobs' garbage for clues about the next iPod at the top of our weekend activities list. It's no secret that Google's getting ready to a move into wireless (witness Monday's story that they were thinking about launching some sort of free WiFi network), we just don't know exactly what it's going to be yet. They launched SMS search last year and then scooped up Dodgeball, that sort-of-Friendster-for-cellphones-thing that we've mentioned a few times on the site a few months ago, but what really gets our speculative juices flowing (disgusting as that sounds) is that Android was founded by the same guy who started Danger, the company which makes the T-Mobile Sidekick. For now Google's keeping quiet about what they're working on, they would only tell BusinessWeek that they, "acquired Android because of the talented engineers and great technology." 

[Peter @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Google is opening up Pandora's Box!

[JT Mill @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Google's next move: Buying Star Bucks so they can rule both our physical and cyber addictions.

But seriously though, who knows what Google's thinking. That's like trying to guess when Microsoft will get something right.

[Andrew Stone @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

I like google starting to buy companies that make you wonder what they are up to... we all know they are good at what they do, but most of their moves the past couple of years have been predictible ("Humm... wonder why they want to buy Keyhole?").

They do exciting stuff, and leaving us guessing will only add a little apple-esque suspence in to their mix.

[Alex @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

apple + google + itunes + itunes phone + google wirless network + motorola= ???????????

[Blue @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

This is off topic, but does anyone know when www.google.org went live?

[sbono13 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

I'm logged onto a WiFi network called "google WiFi" in Union Square in San Francisco right now. I have no idea why Google has a free wifi network in a public park, but I'm not complaining.

[Austin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

This is just phase seven on googles plot to take over the world

[mark @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

*don't mind me*

when did google scholar go up?

http://scholar.google.com/

[thad @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Here's the play. Google is going to start a cell/VOIP convergence company. That's why they are buying 1)cell phone software company and 2) lots of dark fiber.

[Hacp @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Well at least with Google, you know(hope) its gonna be free. Thats why everyone's so excited! We all love free stuff, even if it does have adds...

[David @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Actually, what Google is doing makes a lot of sense -- and Microsoft better watch out, or they may be �relegated to the OS.�

The Internet has thus far been like a separate yet parallel world to the "real-world" in which we walk and drive and buy most things. Still, today almost every commercial and governmental organization has a "web-presence.�

Mobile phones are on the brink of having the horsepower to drive the mobile commerce applications that hi-tech software companies in the "bubble" were talking about (like NetMorf). Take a look at new Windows Mobile 5 phones (and WM 5 has native support for Wi-Fi) due in a few weeks for an idea of what will soon be possible (and at lower price-points).

So it looks like Google building the links connecting Internet "web-shingles" to the "real-world." This will enable and drive all sorts of mobile-commerce applications, and new location-based services.

It all becomes a big database application. Let�s put together a few of the pieces:

1) Knowledge of your location at all times � as determined by WiFi location tracking technologies, such as Android or Feeva or Boston�s independent Newbury Networks.

2) Offering Wi-Fi signal availability to consumers.

3) Ability to place real-world addresses in relation your current location � for an example, play with Google Earth.

4) Ability to send people SMSs (with Google Short Message Service) of information to mobile users seeking everything from driving directions to weather forecasts.

5) Ability to link �who-knows-who� with Google�s mobile social-networking services.

So, what can you do with all this? Well, here are a few ideas for consumers, for example:

a) Serve up paid advertising pertinent to your present, or �planned to visit�, locations --and even in relation to any searches you may do.

b) Serve up all sorts of new location-based commercial SUBSCRIBED services like �parking space reservation� or �traffic headache alerts� or �location-based personal reminders.�

c) �Locate my Child� services for parents�

The key to all this will be to make it USER-CONTROLLED, so users can SUBSCRIBE to the services they want. This is NOT about pushing �offers� to people as they move about. It�s about subscribers and subscribing to the location-based services they want to receive.

I hope that helps.

[burchie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

#7. . . probably fake or something, is this real?

[matt jennings @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

What is so ironic is that Google can't even figure out how to get their Google Adwords site to work with Internet Explorer on Pocket PC phones. If they can't get the business that brings in over 95% of their revenues to work on a mobile phone, I don't think Yahoo and MSN have much to worry about unless Android was bought to solve these problems.

[mike @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

#13, yes there is a google wifi network in San Fran but its totally seperate from this.

[David @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

regarding #13 -- FEEVA is providing the Union Square Wi-Fi connectivity -- and Google are sponsoring FEEVA.

http://www.business2.com/b2/web/articles/print/0,17925,1093558,00.html

"In April it launched a Google-sponsored Wi-Fi hotspot in San Francisco�s Union Square shopping district, built by a local startup called Feeva. Feeva is reportedly readying more free hotspots in California, Florida, New York, and Washington, and it's possible that Google may be involved. Feeva CEO Nitin Shah confirms that the company is working with Google but won't discuss details. Google's interest in Feeva likely stems from the startup's proprietary technology, which can determine the location of every Wi-Fi user and would allow Google to serve up advertising and maps based on real-time data."

"So is Google about to offer free Net access to everyone? Characteristically, the company is cryptic about its goal. "We are sponsoring [Feeva] because [it is] trying to make free Wi-Fi available in San Francisco, and this matches Google�s goal to organize the world�s information and make it universally accessible," says Google spokesman Nate Taylor. "We don't have anything to add at this point about future plans." To which we speculate: Today San Francisco, tomorrow the world."

Are you ready for the GoogleNet?

Resistance may be futile!

:-)

[tershania @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

#6- Google.org has been there for more than a couple of years. I remember seeing it a long time ago on Google. It's their philanthropic arm of the company

[mtorres07 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

What are they building with the acquisition of Andy Rubin�s latest venture? It seems likely to be a Java based application service for mobile devices. Cell phones, PDA�s, converged devices and mobile computers are all using Java and developers are keen on providing tools for the mobile user.

�Android had at one point been working on a software operating system for cell phones��Historically, platforms have been operating systems which have to be licensed and need to build a hardware infrastructure.

Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. [Google also wants to]�provide ways to access all this information without making a special trip�[to your desktop computer].

Google values efficiency and innovation, it is interested in low-cost solutions for end-user and the mass-market as well as novel approaches which leverage existing infrastructure and technology which appear to be forming a �platform-esque� gestalt.

Google is not out to build a low-cost handheld device or reinvent infrastructure. They are moving towards acquiring existing service infrastructure to knock down the biggest barrier to Google everywhere. A service contract.

It has occurred to me (any others here) that what they are attempting to do has the effect of racially altering or disrupting the cellular phone industry by provide �free� mobile access of information.

[thewaca @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Quite simply, the next step is Goggle Skynet .... coming the summer 2006 ....

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

Google also runs the hotspot in Bryant Park (NYC).

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 12:18AM]

I too have quit digging for clues at the Jobs residence and have moved on to Android.

I found a few interesting bits and now I'm just in way too deep. Take this for example. I don't know Andy Rubin, but, somehow I know what he named his house. Lots of trivial facts later... I still can't even guess what they are doing at goog.

If you ran it through Xanalys(Watson)or the like, you might find Paul Allen in there. Can that be right? Everyone keeps talking mobile applications but Paul Allen is more of a Microsoft/cable T.V. guy.

Bioscience link?

Someone throw me a hint, please...