The Google Phone (gPhone) Cometh ...

Is the wait finally over for the Google mobile phone? Leaked only a few days ago - Google is doing it again, and making us rethink how we access technology. They are launching their own mobile phone.

Even if you are not a fan of Google – you can’t deny that they have done some remarkable things over the last few years! Please see this previous Echidna Blog Post – “Changing the Landscape” for some examples.

So why is everyone taking about this and what’s the big deal?

The Google phone is called the Nexus One. It is made by Google’s hardware partner HTC and uses the Google Android 2.1 platform - again so what? Here is the unique part – Google will be selling The Nexus One online directly to the end user. It will be sold as an unlocked GSM device and the end user will then be able to choose its own service provider for the handset. This will give Google control of the features and functionality of the phone and not be limited by the dreams, desires and restrictions of the service providers.

Full autonomy definitely has its benefits, but it also comes at a price. In reality, that price is transferred directly to us - the end consumer! The price of these handsets will be significantly higher ($400.00 to $600.00) as the service providers will not be able to offset the price with service contracts.

Google isn’t pulling any punches either, pictures and hardware specifications are already starting to surface. In reality this is a smart marketing move, as they are creating a buzz before the product actually launches. This close to the launch date, (only a few weeks away), the competition can only sit back and watch. This could be a bold move that positions the Google phone as a market leader - or it could be the “kiss of death” that alienates all of its hardware and software partners.

Google has made bold moves before … so let’s see how this plays out in 2010!