Google Phone Rumors: OS And Hardware

Whether this suggests that “Google is making a real push to launch something early next year and is no longer trying to keep everyone quiet” as TechCrunch posits or merely a change of direction for the normal rumor-mongers is something I’m not willing to put money on.

However, the rumors are logical, and it’s expected that Google will do something with mobiles beyond simply putting its services on there individually.

Engadget notes that Google bought mobile software company Android in 2005, and the team from there “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”.

This indicates that Google is looking to supply a platform, which would see it compete with Symbian and Windows Mobile.

CrunchGear reports (based on an insider tip) that HTC is working with Google to launch a Google Phone in the first quarter of 2008.

“Google is currently assessing over twenty HTC models and refining its final handset design and will create a special version of Google Maps, compatible with built-in GPS, and compatibility with Gmail and the calendar app. There is also some talk that Samsung will be releasing gPhone handsets as well, but that has not been confirmed…One extremely interesting point? Google Talk will become a part of the phone, adding VoIP capability to the hardware.”

This last bit isn’t very surprising—I’m betting on any Google handset to have WiFi access, and/or to work on any spectrum that Google may win in the upcoming auction in the U.S.

Meanwhile, Rizzn has reported (based on an anonymous Google insider) that “the Google (applications) Suite is going to play a huge role in the usability of the GPhone…This is my analysis based on what he told me: It’ll probably be sold at a loss or sold as a loss leader to increase ad-monetized content viewing. Just a guess though”.

It does raise the point of the tension between operators, content providers and platform providers over who will get the lion’s share of ad/content revenue.

Google’s Gphone rumored to enter India in Two weeks time

We all were aware that the Google Phone AKA Gphone was on its way anytime in 2008. But what’s come as quite a startling news is that the device will launch in a fortnight’s time and apparently the company has already began talks with service providers in India for an exclusive launch on one of their networks, according to Rediff.

Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Essar are the prospective companies that may perhaps see the Gphone hitting on their networks.

Further on, reportedly a simultaneous release in the US and Europe is also in the works and announcements would be sent to media firms in India and around the globe. However sources that have given this piece of information also stated that the US regulatory approval, which is expected soon, is the only obstacle that Google is waiting to cross. Google plans to invest $7-8 billion for its global telephony venture.

According to reports, in India, there are talks with the local providers to provide data and content and platforms such as Instant Messaging (IM) and Search functions. But all the same, this bit of information is not yet confirmed.

A Google spokes stated, “We don’t comment on market rumour or speculation. However, Google is committed to providing users with access to the world’s information, and mobile becomes more important to those efforts every day. We’re collaborating with partners worldwide to bring Google search and applications to mobile users everywhere. However, we have nothing to announce at this time.”

Some days ago, Google had apparently shown a Google Phone prototype to mobile phone operators in the US, and was said to be in talks with handset makers.

According to Rediff.com Google only needs FCC approval and it’s ready for launch. Now it’s certainly not ‘only’ an FCC approval, cause that but has a lot of importance to it for sure.

The Apple iPhone is expected to launch in India in early 2008, or maybe even as early as 2007-end. In that case, the Gphone could perhaps pose a cut throat competition to Apple’s device.

Google’s Gphone rumored to enter India in Two weeks time

We all were aware that the Google Phone AKA Gphone was on its way anytime in 2008. But what’s come as quite a startling news is that the device will launch in a fortnight’s time and apparently the company has already began talks with service providers in India for an exclusive launch on one of their networks, according to Rediff.

Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Essar are the prospective companies that may perhaps see the Gphone hitting on their networks.

Further on, reportedly a simultaneous release in the US and Europe is also in the works and announcements would be sent to media firms in India and around the globe. However sources that have given this piece of information also stated that the US regulatory approval, which is expected soon, is the only obstacle that Google is waiting to cross. Google plans to invest $7-8 billion for its global telephony venture.

According to reports, in India, there are talks with the local providers to provide data and content and platforms such as Instant Messaging (IM) and Search functions. But all the same, this bit of information is not yet confirmed.

A Google spokes stated, “We don’t comment on market rumour or speculation. However, Google is committed to providing users with access to the world’s information, and mobile becomes more important to those efforts every day. We’re collaborating with partners worldwide to bring Google search and applications to mobile users everywhere. However, we have nothing to announce at this time.”

Some days ago, Google had apparently shown a Google Phone prototype to mobile phone operators in the US, and was said to be in talks with handset makers.

According to Rediff.com Google only needs FCC approval and it’s ready for launch. Now it’s certainly not ‘only’ an FCC approval, cause that but has a lot of importance to it for sure.

The Apple iPhone is expected to launch in India in early 2008, or maybe even as early as 2007-end. In that case, the Gphone could perhaps pose a cut throat competition to Apple’s device.

The latest gPhone rumor – Google to launch its phone in a fortnight

Before you read too much into this, be sure to get your recommended dose of salt ready. A newspaper out of India is reporting that Google will in fact be releasing a phone, and much sooner than anyone would have anticipated.

According to their unnamed source it will be only a fortnight before we hear an official launch from Google. Their source goes on to tell us that Google is currently in talks with two of the largest carriers in India for the phones release and that we can look forward to a simultaneous release in both the UK and the US. While I don’t see the phone coming out in a couple of weeks, I will admit that it would be great to see it released in the US and the UK at the same time. All too often do we see a product released in on place, while the other sits around patiently waiting for their turn. (see: iPhone)

Google of course has declined to comment on the latest rumor and was careful to neither confirm nor deny their plans for a phone. They did however have this to say, “Google is committed to providing users with access to the world’s information, and mobile becomes more important to those efforts every day. We’re collaborating with partners worldwide to bring Google search and applications to mobile users everywhere.”

Debunking the Latest gPhone Rumor [via apple2.0]

The latest gPhone rumor – Google to launch its phone in a fortnight

Before you read too much into this, be sure to get your recommended dose of salt ready. A newspaper out of India is reporting that Google will in fact be releasing a phone, and much sooner than anyone would have anticipated.

According to their unnamed source it will be only a fortnight before we hear an official launch from Google. Their source goes on to tell us that Google is currently in talks with two of the largest carriers in India for the phones release and that we can look forward to a simultaneous release in both the UK and the US. While I don’t see the phone coming out in a couple of weeks, I will admit that it would be great to see it released in the US and the UK at the same time. All too often do we see a product released in on place, while the other sits around patiently waiting for their turn. (see: iPhone)

Google of course has declined to comment on the latest rumor and was careful to neither confirm nor deny their plans for a phone. They did however have this to say, “Google is committed to providing users with access to the world’s information, and mobile becomes more important to those efforts every day. We’re collaborating with partners worldwide to bring Google search and applications to mobile users everywhere.”

Debunking the Latest gPhone Rumor [via apple2.0]

Rumor: Xbox 360 Ultimate?

Basically, the logic behind the meat of this story is that there was the 360 Core, then Premium, next the Elite, and soon, the Ultimate (Legendary after that anyone?). So, now that we have addressed my issues with the supposed name, lets get into the story.

Some guy at some forum (Proelite from Neogaf to be more exact) said that his one of the employees at his local Gamestop told him that they are getting a new SKU, and essentially what is happening (with the HDMI being added to the Premium systems and the HD-DVD drive prices dropping) is the Elite’s feature, minus color, are being dropped down to the Premium systems, and then there is a new SKU for a system that is basically an Elite (don’t know which color) with an integrated HD-DVD drive.

The reason why, to me, this makes sense is because I firmly believe that their were two driving factors for Microsoft not including a next generation Optical drive in their system from the beginning, the first is price (hehehmm, $600 PS3?) and the second is they didn’t know if either would lose significant ground.

Right now, Blu-Ray is winning by about 10%, if you ask me that could be corrected by subtracting the massive number of PS3’s with them integrated, and even then, winning by 10% isn’t enough to really say one is losing. So, since HD-DVDs aren’t losing by a lot, and Xbox 360s are selling like hot cakes, and there is now an HDMI port on the 360, why not go ahead and integrate the drives. Besides, Microsoft has already proven the modularity of their system with the USB HD-DVD drive they have already released, and integrating the drives would allow for larger game discs I would reckon.

Like I said, I have no idea how true this information is, but it does kind of make sense.

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Rumor: Xbox 360 Ultimate?

Basically, the logic behind the meat of this story is that there was the 360 Core, then Premium, next the Elite, and soon, the Ultimate (Legendary after that anyone?). So, now that we have addressed my issues with the supposed name, lets get into the story.

Some guy at some forum (Proelite from Neogaf to be more exact) said that his one of the employees at his local Gamestop told him that they are getting a new SKU, and essentially what is happening (with the HDMI being added to the Premium systems and the HD-DVD drive prices dropping) is the Elite’s feature, minus color, are being dropped down to the Premium systems, and then there is a new SKU for a system that is basically an Elite (don’t know which color) with an integrated HD-DVD drive.

The reason why, to me, this makes sense is because I firmly believe that their were two driving factors for Microsoft not including a next generation Optical drive in their system from the beginning, the first is price (hehehmm, $600 PS3?) and the second is they didn’t know if either would lose significant ground.

Right now, Blu-Ray is winning by about 10%, if you ask me that could be corrected by subtracting the massive number of PS3’s with them integrated, and even then, winning by 10% isn’t enough to really say one is losing. So, since HD-DVDs aren’t losing by a lot, and Xbox 360s are selling like hot cakes, and there is now an HDMI port on the 360, why not go ahead and integrate the drives. Besides, Microsoft has already proven the modularity of their system with the USB HD-DVD drive they have already released, and integrating the drives would allow for larger game discs I would reckon.

Like I said, I have no idea how true this information is, but it does kind of make sense.

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