In the last days more and more people around the net are talking about the new Google Phone. It seems a new hype is starting like with
Apples iPhone. Ive gathered some information about the new gPhone that will tell you some interesting facts about Googles big next step in its expansion.
1. The new gPhone isnt a cell phone, its an Android!
Sounds a bit strange to you? But its true, the praised new Google Phone isnt actually a cell phone at all, its an open software platform called "Android". It a llows different software developers to use it as an easy programming interface to the underlying cell phone hardware and its features. Its based on open standards, so for a developer its way easier to write customized phone applications that can access the cell phones hardware functions like transmitting messages or an integrated GPS device for example. Behind "Android" stands a big consortium of over 30 companies like Mobile Operators, Handset Manufacturers, Semiconductor and Software Companies called the Open Handset Alliance.
2. Who stands behind the gPhone?
As stated above, the software platform "Android" is managed by the "Open Handset Alliance". 30 well known companies worldwide have consolidated to build a base for the future development of "Android". Big names are China Mobile, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile, HTC, LG, Motorola, Samsung, Ebay, Intel and Nvidia. You see, a great portfolio of different companies mostly from the cell phone, hardware and software branch stands behind quality development. But some of the most popular phone companies like Nokia are missing at the moment, maybe they have there own plans or they just wait to see if "Android" has a successful start.
3. Why Google dives into the mobile business
Google is steadily growing in its size as a company that provides quality services like search solutions or free software. So diving into the mobile business would be the next logical step, because its a huge market and millions of peoples around the world are using cell phones. With the new software platform "Android", Google is able to monetize new mobile services even if they are based on open source software and standards. Advertising would be a big worthwile field for making money, for example Google could integrate its Adwords program into their gPhone browser.
4. What are the features of the gPhone?
The underlying software platform is based on a Linux kernel which is also able to run the Java virtual machine.
There will also be a special User interface and an integrated browser. The whole operating system is Open Source, so everybody can change or add new functionalities, which opens a fantastic way for creating new applications and specialized services. New cell phones using "Android" as its software platform are also able to communicate among each other, in a way like P2P networks do. There will be nearly endless possibilities for using the cell phone.
5. When will we see the first gPhone?
At the moment theres no clear information about when the first "Android" based cell phone will appear. It is stated that the first phones will come out in the second half of 2008 and it will likely be released by one of the handset manufacturers that joined the "Open Handset Alliance". The "Android" software development kit (SDK) will be available earlier, on November 12th. Developers are encouraged to test the new SDK and start writing their first applications. If all things work, well definitely see some brand new applications on the market.
6. New possibilities for your cell phone
Im really no expert in the field of programming, but I think there will be some really great new things you can do with your cell phone. For example I can imagine taking photos with the integrated cam that get geotagged from your GPS device and submitted to online databases like the Google Earth Community. In the future it may even be possible to run Google Earth on your mobile phone (if the underlying hardware power increases). The possibilities are endless, also because of the fact that the phone can use (wireless) internet connections.
7. A reason why the new gPhone isnt actually a new cell phone
It sounds a bit funny, but Google CEO Eric Schmidt joined Apples board of directors in 2006, and we all know that Apple has its own cell phone on the market, the iPhone. Sure, its only my opinion, but I think this could be one reason why Google only releases a software platform (at this moment), they wont compete with Apple. Eric Schmidt also loves making his calls with an iPhone ;-)
All in all I think the new Google Phone or more specifically the open software platform "Android" will be a big step towards completely new mobile applications and services. We all know that Google offers great services, not only their search, but also a lot of free software like the Google Pack, so I think the gPhone (as I call it) will start a new hype like with Apples iPhone. So stay tuned and keep an eye on the further developments, its likely the next big thing in the mobile market.
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