Google's mobile phone in two weeks? Not likely

According to reports out of India, Google is currently in talks with country's first and third largest telecos, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Essar, concerning everyone's favorite mobile rumor: the Google Phone. Based on information coming from Rediff's India Abroad, an exclusive launch -- happening in a highly questionable two weeks -- is being discussed between the companies, and would tie into a simultaneous debut of the Gphone in both the US and Europe, coupled with announcements in India and other parts of the world. The only hurdle, they say, is approval from regulatory agencies (such as the FCC, we would assume). The report goes on to suggest that Google has plans to invest $7-8 billion in its telephony plot, though there has been practically zero confirmation from the company. When asked about the possibility of the Google mobile phone making an appearance soon, a spokesperson for the search-portal-giant said, "We don't comment on market rumour or speculation. However, Google is committed to providing users with access to the world's information, and mobile becomes more important to those efforts every day." So, while you can never, truly rule out a sudden showing of the Gphone, definitely don't go banking on it either.

[Thanks, Binil]

[tedk @ Aug 23rd 2007 11:59PM]

My bet: Google releases phone (not necessarily in two weeks) without much marketing lead-up; they utilize an "in-development" HTC smartphone. This way they can capitalize on the buzz that would be created by blind-siding the majority of people which are not expecting any sort of release. An HTC smartphone that is in development wouldn't create any undue attention when going through the FCC approval process.

[Jagannath A @ Aug 23rd 2007 11:59PM]

it would be GPhone BETA and is strictly invite based :P

[Gaines @ Aug 31st 2007 7:56PM]

LOL! Too true.

I'm psyched. Google does such a great job on their products and HTC makes some awesome phones...the two together will rock!

http://www.GoogleMobilePhone.net

[Alexeon @ Aug 24th 2007 1:43AM]

And after three years, people will be allowed to sign up for their own Gphone without an invite, but the beta will still be in the title.

[Jeff Jones @ Aug 24th 2007 3:40AM]

It seems like Google Talk as been a long time between updates. Maybe they are redesigning it to function both as OS to the Google Phone, and then also on the PC as a central communication hub (gmail, calendar, talk, Grand Central, etc).

[JuggleNuts @ Aug 24th 2007 8:33AM]

Please Google Gods, include GPS ... please?

[montecarlo @ Aug 24th 2007 12:25PM]

The Rediff story is full of flaws, as has been pointed out in this article from contentSutra.

http://www.contentsutra.com/entry/419-google-mobile-phone-to-enter-india/

[Nick @ Aug 24th 2007 2:22PM]

Super discounted phone.. and free service for putting up with their Advertisements. Dealing with their Advertisements sounds like a good trade if its gonna be saving me 60 dollars a month. And no lock in contracts.