Google "Switch" Update

More information trickles in about Google's rumored mobile phone and mobile platform (codenamed "Switch").

In 2005, Google acquired a company named Android, a small mobile software company co-founded by Andy Rubin of Danger., Inc (www.danger.com). Danger created the T-Mobile Sidekick, and offers the Danger Platform, which is an integrated mobile Internet solution that delivers voice, Internet, and messaging capabilities through mobile devices.

Andy now works in Mountain View, California, at Google's headquarters, and coordinates efforts with a team in Boston led by Android's other co-founder, Rich Miner. Together, these teams are rumored to be developing a mobile phone that uses wireless technology to deliver free mobile service. Additionally, Google is said to be working on a suite of mobile applications with revolutionary interfaces to rival desktop application suites offered by companies such as Microsoft.

Many in the industry are wondering how Google will fare in the world of hardware devices, which is currently not an area it competes in. Specifically, many are wondering how the Google Phone will compete with the iPhone. Indeed, it doesn't seem to be as disruptive a technology as the iPhone has been. However, look carefully at the rumors regarding the mobile suite of applications. It seems that Google is positioning the Google Phone to be more of a competitor with Microsoft than it is with Apple, Nokia, AT&T, or any other wireless device manufacturers or carriers.

I haven't heard anything definitive regarding what platform the Google Phone will be built on. However, Google's recent lobbying indicates that they intend to bring an open-platform approach to mobile computing, similar to desktop computing, free from lock-in and control by a single vendor or carrier. Therefore, I would guess that the platform would be built on Linux, with Java used for much of the mobile application suite. Currently, Java is used for some versions of Google's mobile map software. This gives Google the tools it needs to get the platform working on a wide range of devices with limited effort.

It will get interesting as facts and details begin to emerge regarding the Google Phone. See this NYTimes article for details so far. The name alone will need to be settled upon, as the moniker GPhone itself seems to be taken (see gphone.sourceforge.net and www.gphone.com).

What's your take on the Google Phone rumors? Are you ready for an open platform with free or low-cost wireless calls at the expense of possible advertisements? Respond here an let us know.

-EJB

Posted by Eric Bruno at 10:07 AM  Permalink