The Google Phone..Disruption In The Wireless Industry Ahead

If the phone isn't tied into a wireless provider, does this count as another example of cloud computing?

If there are no contracts, how will this affect the cell phone manufacturers with regards to rebates?

How long before the Verizon, Sprint etc stores are completely gone? Best Buy Mobile is doing a great job of taking traffic from local wireless stores due to pricing.

From CS Monitor Google Phone Upsets Mobile Industry

"Google could sell the phone directly to consumers without a contractual relationship to a cellphone service provider"

"consumers could use the phone on any service that uses GSM technology — that is, runs with a SIM (subscriber identity module) card.

Instead of being locked into AT&T or Verizon service, for example, consumers could take their newly purchased technology where they pleased, taking advantages of typically shorter or nonexistent contracts that companies offer when shoppers bring their own phone to the deal"

Will Google Upset The Apple iPhone Cart?

This story covers the rumors I keep hearing with the upcoming Google phone.

In my opinion, the mobile phone has three functions: (ranked in priority)

1.Communication
2.Information
3.Entertainment

The iPhone seems to focus on the entertainment function, which ones do you think the Google Phone will prioritize?

Here are 10 things I want on the Google Phone

From Rediff Forget the iPhone, the GPhone is here

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.

The Wall Street Journal too had reported that Google had invested "hundreds of millions of dollars" in the project and was involved in discussions with US-based T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless.

Sources close to the development said a simultaneous launch across the US and Europe is expected, and announcements would be sent to media firms in India and other parts of the world. US regulatory approval, which is expected soon, is the only hurdle that Google is waiting to cross, they added. Google plans to invest $7-8 billion for its global telephony foray.

Could we be seeing Iridium Part 2?

Google Mobile Patent Shows A True Mobile Portal

Not really a surprise, but Google has plans and patents around a very comprehensive mobile info, or mobile "find" portal.

Russell Shaw at ZDNet uncovers one of Google's patents covering mobile search. Great find Russell.

Search for a restaurant via portal, and then dial from one click, get a map, or use Google GPS for direction. Keywords, maps, GPS coordinates, use same results in a different location (mobile favorites)

It appears Google covers mobile search using a keyboard, voice and GPS coordinates to identify and direct a mobile user to relevant query. Your "find" query stays in a "loop" and Google is there to offer additional services, providing a true mobile portal.

The abstract:

A computer-implemented method is disclosed that includes receiving on a mobile device a search query associated with a geographic location, providing one or more search results in response to the search query, the search results each being associated with a geographic location, and presenting on a graphical display of the computing device icons corresponding to each search result and also corresponding to a key on the computing device.




To see Russell's very extensive review on this patent.