Can Google’s G-Phone hit the G-spot?

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Monday, 19 March 2007 10:29

Opinion and Analysis

If you thought only Apple was able to generate mass hysteria with the pre-launch of the as-yet unavailable iPhone, think again – Google’s rumored Phone could herald yet another mobile phone revolution.

Is there anything Google can’t do? It seems nothing is impossible, and impossible is nothing for the world’s dominant search engine company, who now want to expand into the world of mobile computing, Internet access and telephony with their own branded phone.

Said to look similar-ish to the iPhone, with a big widescreen and few buttons, Google wants to bring their software, search, advertising, IM, VoIP and Web 2.0-style apps to a stylish handheld device that plugs you right into everything Google, bringing Google to those even without a computer.

Rumors abound on all aspects of the Phone, but one thought is that it will cost much less than the iPhone, which starts at US $500. But one thing that isn’t a rumor is the confirmation, according to the Wall Street Journal, that a ‘top Google executive in Europe confirmed the existence of a phone project’.

They also reported that venture capitalist Simeon Simeonov credited an ‘inside source’ also said Google had a phone project, although the specific blog entry that the WSJ refers to seems to have ‘disappeared’ and now returns a 404 error message, and a search of the site only has older Google Phone speculation, leading us to wonder if the artfully named Simeon Simeonov had a phone call (or email) from Google.

Thankfully, the WSJ article points us to a Tiny URL link which points to a Google cache of the original post, letting those who want to read what Simeonov had to say able to do so. Thanks, Google cache!

There’s also the report that Spanish site ‘Noticias.com’ also has reported Google chief for Spain and Portugal has confirmed an ‘investigation’ to develop a mobile phone.

Google is also reportedly working with the developer of the Danger HipTop, known in the US as the Sidekick, to develop the Google Phone, adding more juicy speculation into the mix. A Nokia spokesperson is also said to have expressed some doubt that Google has the carrier relationships necessary to make any potential Google Phone a success, but if Google couldn’t easily develop those relationships, who could?

So, what is the official word from Google themselves? Please read onto page 2 for the conclusion...