Google exec confirms phone in the labs

So it seems that the oft-rumored handset from Google has taken that final leap into the "confirmed" column, though it may not be quite the be-all, end-all device we were expecting. Isabel Aguilera, Google's chief executive in Spain and Portugal, has admitted that the searchmeisters have some mobile goodness in the works but appeared to play down the project, noting that the phone is just one of 18 R&D initiatives the company currently has underway. Furthermore, she mentioned that Google's mobile skunkworks were designed to make their way into developing countries, suggesting that this may not be the Samsung sourced, iPhone-killing monster we'd been getting an earful about as of late. But hey, if Apple intends to turn the iPhone into a multi-device franchise, Google's entitled to do the same, is it not?

[Via Gizmóvil, thanks Juan D.]

[Joey @ Apr 20th 2008 1:31AM]

Whatever GOOGLE is coming up with their phone designs will be just a typical phones and applications with nothing that would really excite anyone. It will be best if they just remain to do online business.

[jason @ May 30th 2008 4:42PM]

Hey why dont all jerk wads watch G4, the phone is in progress, it will happen. It's being called the Google Android, sorces from AT&T, and Veriozn are going to see if the market is going to be up to the hype of Android phones. Google states the phone will be unlocked, and will accept any type of software downloads. Unlike that piece of shit Iphone, in which you have to use Jailbrake. So if the sales are up and it's more affordable that the piece of shit battery hog Iphone (I had one) froze up sucked batteries, on numerous different ones.

[GooglesPhones.com @ Aug 20th 2008 10:56PM]

GooglesPhones.com is for sale at GoDaddy.com

[JBizzy @ Mar 15th 2007 1:22PM]

Google is taking over the world!

[4cr JaXs @ Mar 16th 2007 12:23AM]

Better Google than Apple.

[shandy1948 @ Mar 15th 2007 1:24PM]

Beyond the clever interface, the interesting thing about the Google Phone (in common with the iPhone) is that it is likely to treat the network operators as dumb pipes. There's an intriguing article about it here:
http://www.robinontech.com/2007/03/10/mobile-operators-as-dumb-pipes/

[monster @ Mar 15th 2007 1:32PM]

Cell network operators aren't dumb pipes so much as a series of tubes...

[Matt B @ Mar 15th 2007 1:55PM]

That was a good read Shandy. Thanks for the link.

[andy.markham.admin @ Mar 15th 2007 2:11PM]

Since Google has never created a single consumer hardware device, I'm doubting they'll start with the most complicated/restrictive of them all. They may do something mobile, but I think it's more likely to be another existing phone with Google software loaded on it (Google Maps, Google Mail, etc.), as opposed to something designed from scratch by Google.

[Josh @ Mar 16th 2007 1:33AM]

Accessed Gmail from a mobile device lately? It'll prompt you to install a Java mobile profile client. They've already done that side of things.

[greg @ Mar 15th 2007 7:44PM]

and to think it all started as a search engine lol

[SubGenius @ Mar 15th 2007 3:01PM]

So Apple's going after the high-end of the market - $500+ uberphone
And Google is going after the low-end, mass market - $50 for emerging markets

[Colin @ Mar 15th 2007 4:31PM]

Google has so much money that they'd be crazy NOT to work on developing a phone. Hell, they've probably got a Segoogle Human Transporter under development in the "lab".

[ahrenl @ Mar 15th 2007 11:14PM]

Google has around $13 billion in current assets (Cash)
Motorola has around $30 billion in current assets (Cash)

Google may have so much money compared to you or.. you.. but they're not overly wealthy in the corporate world. They're young, have low costs, and good cash flow though.

I'd buy it if it weren't locked down, and didn't cost me my first born..

[beav @ Sep 30th 2007 12:32AM]

Assets does not mean (cash).

assets,
a. items of ownership; total resources of a person or business, as cash, notes and accounts receivable, securities, inventories, goodwill, fixtures, machinery, or real estate (opposed to liabilities).

[Deezee @ Mar 15th 2007 4:12PM]

If functionality was the same and I had to pick between google and Apple, I'd take the Google phone.

[Sam Lustgarten @ Mar 15th 2007 5:05PM]

This simply wont happen, Google has no real motivation to introduce a phone in an already competitive market, with Apple in the staging area for releasing the new iPhone.

-Sam

http://www.marketmatador.com

[Sam @ Mar 16th 2007 3:18AM]

gPhone? Can we start saying gPhone?

[GalaXy @ Mar 15th 2007 5:37PM]

This is completely making up for never getting a pony as a kid. I cannot wait for the Google phone. I currently use a Treo 650, which I love, even though it is now very outdated. Unfortunately, I am a poor college kid and getting my GMail costs me money...money I don't have. Knowing Google, access to GMail and similar Google services will probably be free, assuming the carrier doesn't suck.

[Jeff Ross @ Mar 15th 2007 6:15PM]

"This simply won't happen. Apple has no real motivation to introduce a phone in an already competitive market, with Google in the staging area for releasing the new GooglePhone."

Remarkably, both versions have the same semantic content.

[alfonzo @ Mar 15th 2007 6:26PM]

10 bucks says it takes less than an hour for Apple to sue google over something in the Googlephone (perhaps the usage of the word "phone" in the name Googlephone? i mean, we have the iPhone, so i guess that makes the word phone belong to Apple).

[tim @ Mar 25th 2007 4:23AM]

you cant copyright something generic like the word phone, unless apple were to make the "ifone" or something

[rossinio @ Mar 15th 2007 6:29PM]

Uh, maybe true but the facts about data in the UK are a bit cherry picked.. I get 3g and HSDPA (.sic?) 1.8mb on t-mobile & up to 1gig of data. Admittedly its way overpriced at £30 for contract including £90 of credit but still, don't quote orange for data prices, they are insaaaaane and anyone serious about data etc already knows this.

[rossinio @ Mar 15th 2007 6:34PM]

Damn ignore my last comment, clearly I skip read rather too fast for my own good.. Ah well at least my point about it being overpriced is still valid. Compared to the US we get screwed on data, and don't get me started on consoles jeez luweeeze!

[jetpeach @ Mar 15th 2007 8:00PM]

Are there any confirmations about what the operating system the phone would run is? I would certainly like a hackable linux-based phone, like what they're doing at the OpenMoko project. But my hopes for OpenMoko aren't that high, since they seemed strapped for cash and developers, so if Google did something similar I would be very excited.
-jet
http://www.zoji.com/jet

[Joe Entrepreneur @ Mar 16th 2007 2:51AM]

Innovation has nothing to do with how much cash one has. May be it Google or Apple. Otherwise startups will never succeed. Next killer phone is going to come from some startup. Not Google and not Apple.

[Linkjockey @ Mar 17th 2007 11:43AM]

Apparently Google has the founder of Danger on the payroll. They make the cool Sidekick/ Hiptop phones.

Oh, how I love my Hiptop2! The unlimited data option for $20/month has been way, way cheaper than having a Crackberry.

LinkJockey

[Moshe Maeir @ Mar 17th 2007 2:57PM]

In my opinion there is a much easier way for Google to get into the phone business and I wrote more about it in my blog http://flatplanetphone.com/wordpress/?p=73

[datchcha @ Mar 18th 2007 2:53PM]

I do not think it would matter if Google developed their own handset or not. It would be interesting if Google used handsets from HTC www.htc.com and developed some java based OS which had Google’s apps already installed or available. There would be nothing like creating a spreadsheet or document on your phone and uploading it, and as soon as you are finished check your mail, and place some calls to catch up with family members and/or friends.

With public wifi locations popping daily – it would be a perfect tool and resource. What does worry me, would be security via the public wireless AP.

I do not see Google trying to take on Apple with there Iphone (Boooo…Crapple…CCNP cert: here, so siding with Cisco), but I do see Google exchanging blows in the market with Skype with this technology and product.

Excited to see what happens.
Cheers!!!!

[Mark @ Jun 3rd 2007 2:17PM]

Well, sure they could trademark / patent / copyright / whatever "iFone" (I'm sure they would caps the "F", as in "iMac") but just "fone" would get harder, because it's already heavily used (TracFone comes to mind) in the market.

[Bizness Guru @ Oct 15th 2007 12:02AM]

Is Google phone a smart business move for the Search Engine giant??
(http://thebizshow.wordpress.com)