Google is working on a mobile OS, and it's due out shortly
By Ryan Block 
posted Aug 28th 2007 2:07PM
posted Aug 28th 2007 2:07PM
Can it be true? Is the Googlephone nigh at hand? Not that we haven't been hearing this time after time (after time after time, etc.), but we've actually got some hot news from a number of very trustworthy sources about Google's plans for the mobile space. Namely, Google's mobile device platform is well on its way, and will be announced in the very near future.We understand that the "Gphone OS" (our name for it, not theirs) began development after Google's very quiet 2005 acquisition of mobile software company Android, started by Danger cofounder and former-prez / CEO Andy Rubin. At Google, Andy's team has developed a Linux-based mobile device OS (no surprise) which they're currently shopping around to handset makers and carriers on the premise of providing a flexible, customizable system -- with really great Google integration, of course.
As for the timeframe on this thing, we keep hearing Google will announce its mobile plans some time post-Labor Day (September 3rd); from what we've heard Google isn't necessarily working on hardware of its own, but is definitely working with OEMs and ODMs to get them to put the Gphone OS on upcoming devices. Think of it more in terms of Windows Mobile or Palm OS (in the early days) -- Google wants to supply the platform, but we don't think they want to sell hardware. Still, don't entirely rule out the idea. Andy Rubin knows how to make a device and put it in peoples' hands, so nothing is impossible on the hardware side. Either way, we're totally stoked to peep the software, we've been waiting for the Googlephone for years on years.
Still, we can't help wondering what El Jobso thinks about all this. Apple has been so buddy-buddy with Google lately, especially on the iPhone -- and now Apple's mobile team is on the verge of outright competition with one of its closest partners. We know that's how the industry works, but it's got to sting a little, you know?
First!
They should market this heavily to Palm!
They should market this to whomever is willing to make their phones cheaper through subsidization from ads
/does that make sense to anyone?
They should make a simple version that can be downloaded on to "regular" phones (Ex: Razr) for a price, and of course should not add ads. I would pay NOT to have ads on my phone...
Google's angle is ads.
I don't have the time or space for ads on my handheld.
That brings up a good point, Google is good at serving and selling ads but not particularly good at creating user friendly software - their search page is really basic - all their software is a collection of mergers with other companies example Picasa, Blogger, Orkut, SketchUp etc
Even their own Google Video failed (remember how crappy that interface was, good god) and they had to pony up and buy YouTube.
Apple kicks ass at building the complete package (hardware + software) and refines the shit out of it until they got something special worth releasing, that's why the iPhone is so highly regarded.
I just don't see Google doing the same with their gPhone - I hope they prove me wrong, but in reality we will probably get some random Palm/WindowsMobile'esk Google OS that runs ok on some cell phones and totally sucks on other phones.
Well, lets hope Nokia throws a hat in the ring. I dont see them letting them throw anyone elses OS on their phones, but heres to hoping!
Carlos, did it occur to you that a simple search page is "user friendly," for a majority of users? That simple search page is actually quite powerful without resorting to any of their advanced flags.
This looks cool. But then again, anything other than the Verizon UI is cool.
Amen.
For me its not the Verizon UI its the Verizon music player!!1
The google/apple relationship seems to have been a little overstated. Apple promotes and integrates its .mac much more heavily then any google application. Besides google maps, there's isn't much there. It uses both Yahoo and Google for search and mail is open to any POP/IMAP. Seems apple would alwasy rather have own apps, and don't really promote google apps/services.
Hope it's unlocked :)
So true. How much did they really work together on the iPhone? Yeah gmail support is there but only through pop 3 which isn't that great and yahoo mail is way better supported. True, 2 of the main apps are google's but Apple needs those more than google needs the iphone. And as for YouTube, apple stupidly has to specially encode stuff to play on the iPhone instead of just using flash video. Bah.
From what I can see, the big convergence mainly has to do with the little pin drops on the map. Cool and all but it doesn't mean they are married. Also, at the end of the day Apple's closed approach seems very different from google's which benefits more than anyone from being open and platform-agnostic.
But oh how people just want to believe...heads are going to explode in the valley as the gApple zealots are paralyzed with indecision.
Google is about to *SMACK* Microsoft in the face really HARD! If Google can produce a good OS with a k/a interface, then Microsoft is going to feel that *SMACK* when consumers go out purchasing/demanding the Google OS be preinstalled on cell phones.
God how I LOVE competition!
I'm sure Google doesn't really care if they offend El Jobso. In reality there are probably enough 3rd party developers to silence any angst that Apple would muster by dropping their Google support. I'm sure they don't care about offending the 10% of Apple users (of the 10% of computer users) by making something counter-Apple. el Jobso is probably going "Mwaahahahahah one less device with Window Mobile"
Besides everyone knows the platform to be on is Blackberry anyway.
Yes, indeed. The mobile phone market is large enough for new entrant. As long as it take from the market share from Windows Mobile
I welcome the competition. and i beleive the Google/Apple marriage isnt that big.
I cant wait for a OS upgrade.
No way is Google going to sell a physical phone direct to consumers. Over The Air upgrade, via text message, for Open Mokos Neo maybe. All this Gphone stuff is just wishful thinking until the spectrum action is over. Should Google win THEN it will be interesting.
Could call it a "G"oogle "O"nline "D"evice ... as it were ...
How about GooNIX for the OS? Yeah...
How about the OpenMoko for the OS? Like, you know, its /name/?
well I think it would be an interesting idea. Google might unveil something special if they're able to get that 700 mhz spectrum from the FCC. Also since Google's making their own mobile OS as opposed to hardware, you might be able to get some pretty cool phones with the hopefully free service, depending on how it all works out in the end. I don't really think Apple will try to have heavy competition with Google, it all depends on whether Google makes features such as Google maps and Google video exclusive for devices using their OS. If Jobs was to compete at all he would release a next generation iPhone with 3G or something.
iPhone is 3g, Cingular, err, I mean AT&T's 3g network just isn't built out yet everywhere.
I'm typing this while connectied via a cingular aircard connected to 3g service, not EDGE.
San Diego was first and L.A. is being built up rather quickly.
if the iPhone is 3g why doesn't it run on a 3g network when its unlocked and has Vodafone or helio sim card. The only iPhones with actually usable 3g are the ones coming to Europe. However it allegedly has 3g but it isn't programed to used it, but I think the next version will run 3g on AT&T.
@Cromag: The Cingular (actually, it's Sierra Wireless) Aircard is connecting to the internet using 3G, not your iPhone. It sounds like your iPhone is just piggy-backing its data connection using Bluetooth or internet sharing over 802.11x... unless you meant you were typing on your computer and not an iPhone.
@Dale, I do not own an iphone, but do have both a Sierra Wirless aircard and Cingular/ATT phone service. I assumed the notion that the iphone wasn't 3G was based on the weakness of ATT's EDGE network, which is being replaced in the US by a true 3G HSDPA system. However, upon more careful research on Apple's website, I noticed that in fact no mention is made of HSDPA technology being included in the current iphone. Which makes me wonder why anyone cares about the overhyped little toy in the first place! Give me a US market Nokia N95 anytime!!!!
I feel like I would need a full html browser to really take advantage of google's services... you know, a huge screen, really simple design, wireless and wifi, simple user interface, and made from a company I could trust in the portables field. Hmmm... NanoPhone anyone?
I know it'll never happen, but a kid can dream...
Are they going to monitor our conversations and then text us with 'relevant' ads?
Naw, but the area codes and/or three digit prefixes you dial, accumulated over time may influence the ads that the AdSense bot shows you. It knows the general area of your most frequent calls so would I be shocked if they pushed an ad for the nearest Papa Johns at me? No.
If I am going to get free unlimited worldwide calling and text messaging forever, please show me a couple of Papa John ads, I got no problem with that.
Naw, but the area codes and/or three digit prefixes you dial, accumulated over time may influence the ads that the AdSense bot shows you. It knows the general area of your most frequent calls so would I be shocked if they pushed an ad for the nearest Papa Johns at me? No.
If I am going to get free unlimited worldwide calling and text messaging forever, please show me a couple of Papa John ads, I got no problem with that.
If you are shown ads then you're not getting free anything. Companies add the cost of advertising onto their products/services, so you will have to pay for it in the long run. What you get in return is worth about 0.001% of what the company makes showing an ad to you, not exactly a great deal.
even more: use the device's GPS to modify adsense with advertisements of nearby businesses!!!! muhahahaha lol
Just because it is Google it is not nessarily cool. To me a lot of Google stuff is really so so. The search and google map is cool, but the rest is nothing special in my opinion...
they should make it so that other devices thet dont have that software built-in can upgrade their os to this, (if its real and comes out), like my kyocera strobe, or a psp, or a iphone for gods sake,(no offense god) i would like that. and so would many people.
If they integrate it properly with gmail and google calendar, I'm ditching my iPhone. Dot-mac sucks, and I want integration of my personal information accessible at all times in a platform agnostic manner.
I have gmail on my Nokia, sure its a 3rd party app, but it works pretty good, i havent used it but i know you can get a google calendar app too, msn, skype, yahoo, well whatever, i even installed tom tom gps on it, 30 euro gps receiver in the car, and i can boot it up when im out driving, works a treat.
I have yet to see the allure of the iPhone.. Just like i cant see the allure of a gPhone, not unless its cheaper and gives me all the things i have become accustomed to.
plaxo
I had gmail on my previous (non-smart) phone, and it worked pretty good, but the web sucked. I don't need to argue the benefits of the iPhone- that has all been done before. Suffice to say, from my perspective, all it is missing is a real gmail client and integration with google calendar. If Apple would ditch .Mac and use google as their back end, I'd be an extremely satisfied customer. That to me is the holy grail. I want a device that works seamlessly with my Mac and seamlessly with my google account.
googles programs on my blackberry have been the most useful phone based programs i've ever used. they've built up enough goodwill that i'd be interested in other entries for them.
i for one welcome our new google overlords
We know that's how the industry works, but it's got to sting a little, you know?
Just the way it stung Moto?
i am so ready to have google maps and earth gps, gmail, and picassa on my phone!
this will be cooler than the iphoney that has NO gps.
I do alot of work with Google i know the plan is for them to eventually offer worldwide wifi access using their devices offering open access supported by advertising and free GPS services however available on 3 tears
1, ad support gps (non vocal)
2 ad supported (vocal and ad supported)
3, pro edition advertising free
The plan is also in hand to introduce a true mobile version of youtube built directly for use with G-Serv OS
i would also expect a service offering high speed internet services both wired and wireless.
Interesting rumor...
Replace the G by an A, the 2 Os by 2 Ps and remove the second G... and you will see that rumors remain just rumors :)
Regarding what should be on their potential mobile device, I would love to see a full internet experience as described by Chippy at www.umpcportal.com.
Well, if it's good, it'll be Apple's only credible competition - and competition is good for consumers. Here's hoping!
On the other hand... Yuck, ads.
Ah come on. Enuff Uber-Fanboydom, Apple is NOT flawless. I have an iPhone. I have a Macbook Pro. I have a Macbook. Google is NOT the only competition from Apple in the mobile phone space.
Blackberry has made some serious strides in their mobile phone design. HTC acts as if there are *no* rules and manage to release compelling design without all the fabricated hype of Apple.
While I *do* like the iPhone, it is NOT the end all be all!
Who's being a fanboy? Not me. I don't even own an iPhone. And look, I'm even saying that Google will give Apple a run for their money, and - shock horror - that this is a Good Thing. That doesn't sound like typical fanboy behaviour (incidentally: that's a horrible, lazy term that basically means, "I don't want to reason with you - either because I'm lazy or because I think you have a point - so I'll try to dismiss your point as invalid just because you disagree with me.")
Blackberries are great, but pretty ugly and not at all consumer-orientated. HTC produce some beautiful hardware, but it's crippled by the software that goes on it. The iPhone is hands down the best consumer experience, as decreed by the overwhelming majority of the media - and users. This is why we need a new player, such as Google, to actually push things forward further.
Go on, call me a fanboy again. :-P
the ultimate iPhone killer
brought to you by Google...
count me in friends even though I despise Google!
I see it this Google phone as an option to those who do not like WM6 or can not afford or like the iPhone. As for being an Apple killer...I can't it. Apple is known for its easy to use UI, simplicity, etc. Google is known as a search engine among other things.
What I would very much like to see is something like a smaller tablet, as well as a Psion NetBook like thing, running such an OS. Arguably, Google’s stuff isn’t slick in the gee-wiz sense, but it works. Frankly, I miss my Blackberry for the Gmail integration. Being able to use it as a modem and transfer files is nice too.
What about something like the OpenMoko? That is a rather nice piece of kit.