Survey gives more Google phone clues?

Yes, this would be pretty easy to fake -- and even if it's real, it's just a survey, which means it's sorta fake by design -- but a questionnaire allegedly received by a Mobileburn forum member hints at specs and a rather fascinating concept design for Google's probably-in-the-works cellphone. Everything seems believable enough, though it seems like they flip-open QWERTY keypad could be a bit tricky to access from the right side thanks to the permanently-affixed nav buttons; features are said to include 3G data, WiFi, and a 2 megapixel camera, not to mention a rather striking Samsung-penned chassis. Typical test-marketing survey mumbo jumbo suggests that the phone would offer "all the exciting Google services from the PC" and -- thanks largely to targeted advertising -- affordable (as it's been suggested) flat-rate data service and a three-month trial. Could it be that Apple's going to see a legitimate competitor in the "pretty, giant-screened cellphone with tight Google integration" market right out of the gate (and with 3G, no less)?

[Via GODMODE]

[Kev50027 @ Mar 12th 2007 8:47PM]

I have to agree with you whole-heartedly. I too am tired of their extra fluffy paragraphs that only really give you a sentence worth of details.

[JoshLowry @ Mar 12th 2007 6:31PM]

Wow, that looks awesome!

I hope it's not a rumor. I'd sign up on a waiting list for a phone from Google. Hopefully it won't be $600 like Apple. :(


- Josh


Where's your head at? - http://www.StateOfBrain.com

[BatteryAcid @ Mar 13th 2007 10:07PM]

Knowing Gooogle most of the cost will be lifted from consumers shoulders and given to large companys.

[Kev50027 @ Mar 12th 2007 6:41PM]

I'd buy that way before even considering an iPhone. Seriously, the iPhone is so overrated.

[greg @ Mar 12th 2007 7:01PM]

we dont know how good it is because its not out yet. but yes way too much talk about it

[js @ Mar 12th 2007 7:38PM]

You're overrated!!!

iPhone, FTW!!

[Cody Boring @ Mar 12th 2007 7:01PM]

Sure would be nice if Verizon could get something nice ...sniff sniff =,(

[KIFF @ Mar 12th 2007 7:07PM]

Engadget does seem to think that the Iphone is the first touchscreen phone out there with large screen.

It isn't. The resolution is pretty lame too.

[craig @ Mar 12th 2007 7:30PM]

Since when is the iPhone a legitimate competitor in the "pretty, giant-screened cellphone with tight Google integration" market? It doesn't even exist and, when it does, it won't have a keyboard.

BTW, Google maps runs fine on my WM5 smartphone. There *are* giant-screened cellphones supported by Google that exist now and are waiting for legitimate competitors.

[Roflgoat @ Mar 12th 2007 7:36PM]

Even though I too, think the iPhone is overrated and overhyped, can we just talk about the Google phone?

I think it would either be lame, or a way to make Google online office services a killer app.

Read more

[Vijay Arunkumar @ Mar 12th 2007 7:59PM]

It looks more like a future Helio device (Samsung, Google Maps?). Anyway, I don't think it's fair for people to compare Apple's Multi-touch interface with today's Touchscreen devices (It's not just using fingers to touch, even my old USR PalmPilot did that... it's the pinching and expanding and multi-tap). It's like comparing Apples and Rotten Oranges.

Apple's UI is unparalleled in easy of use and intuitiveness. And touch doesnt add any value if it's not done right, and for the right reasons. Has anyone tried using the LG Chocolate's touch buttons? Even when compared to the 3G Ipod's touch button interface... the chocolate sucks.

Now, whether we need all those multi-touch features on a cell phone... that's up for debate. It all depends on how the device is positioned, and how well the wireless netwrok is going to support/enhance the features of the device.

[Murc @ Mar 12th 2007 8:01PM]

I'd buy one...long as its under 250, and doesn't make you locked intoto a contract, I have 18 more months left of my razr withVirizon...after its done...I will never use Verizon ever again in mylife, I have been trying to get 175 that they have owd me for nearly5 months...and next week I have to miss work because I'm using thattime to go to small claims court to rip my money outta their damngreedy hands. and th fact that they nickle & dime you to death.
FUCK-OFF VERIZON!!!

anyways back to google's sweet lookin phone.

[Vijay Arunkumar @ Mar 12th 2007 8:08PM]

And BTW, Google Maps is not gonna be a selling point for the iPhone anyway... Not unless they add a GPS chip in it. And I hope they open up development on the platform if they want to position the device as more than just a touchscreen phone (useless!).

[superpixel @ Mar 12th 2007 8:53PM]

Doesn't make much sense for Google to get into this market. Hardware, phones especially, that's a rather volatile market with wacky margins (as in, really tight).

Google makes a helluva lot more with services and ads, so while this is a cool concept, coming from Google it makes no sense.

Whether you hate Apple or not (which is a great way to live, btw, rejecting products out of hand because of the label) Google's partnership with them puts another nail in the coffin for this idea.

[Bloobie @ Mar 12th 2007 9:11PM]

I just want to know if it will be in beta for the next 4 years... ;)

[mitch @ Mar 12th 2007 10:47PM]

I would not even hesitate to buy one...Damn, I think I'm a Google fanboy.

[Jeff Ross @ Mar 12th 2007 11:16PM]

"Could it be that Apple's going to see a legitimate competitor...?"

Nope. Because to have a competitor, Apple's going to need to actually release their fluffy vaporware iPhone, first. Which means they'll have to go through an honest-to-god regulatory agency like the FCC.

So, I'll believe "June"... of 2009. Maybe.

Welcome to telecoms, Steve.

And, for those who think Apple ever lives up to their schedules, I have three words:

Pink.
Taligent.
Copland.

There's a reason they call it a "reality distortion field," and not a "reality clarification field."

[DM @ Mar 13th 2007 1:14AM]

Google is gonna be scary for years to come. Mark my words.

http://www.blogmaverick.com/2007/02/11/the-future-of-personal-computing/

[dhruv bhutani @ Mar 13th 2007 3:32AM]

u know what that just might be the 3g version of the iPhone. coz even that is supposed to run a lot of google stuff and there is supposed to be a 3G model later.

[Ghazi Ramadan @ Mar 13th 2007 5:49AM]

Many analysts expect launching a new cool phone to disrupt the market. We've seen many phones of different shapes and form factors and the number one reason for carrying a phone is still "Voice", then SMS/E-mail. I'm pretty sure Apple's iPhone will find a niche market, especially within their religious followers.

Google are purely focused on applications, and they are after the mass market, not just a segment of geeks. It really doesn't make sense to get into the hardware bandwagon and I agree here with superpixel.

If Google has to expand out of the application space, my prediction would be for a Virtual Machine play, similar to adobe Flash Lite or may be just the Java virtual machine itself!!! This is only to ensure that their applications run everywhere, just like how the Microsoft Office applications helped pushing the Microsoft Windows.

Ghazi Ramadan
www.iotasphere.com

[MaDnEzZ @ Mar 13th 2007 7:56AM]

Hey guys, wow i didn't think a lil rumour that i put on a forum would manage to reach engadget! lol surprised at that one, i was just reading the link that was in the article to the other spy shot of the 'switch' and noticed that the name may be more fitting for this device doesn't anybody else think so?

[WhoDatNinja @ Mar 13th 2007 8:01AM]

I agree with the article in that the right side of the keyboard would be difficult to reach from the right side. The design needs to be tweaked a bit. If it were more like HTC Vox style or had a complete sliding keyboard. Heck, even if the entire front face flipped (including the hard nav buttons) revealing an even larger screen.

[Travis Jenkins @ Mar 13th 2007 11:15AM]

I personally can't wait for the iPhone. If you don't care for the phone, at least appreciate the fact that its challenged the industry. That's revolutionary imho.

Travis

[KIFF @ Mar 13th 2007 11:27AM]

^ No it did not. Revolutionary my ass. Apart from the big flash size, everything the Iphone offers has been bettered by other companies a year ago.

[Paul @ Nov 6th 2008 1:30PM]

To bad the consumer doesn't agree with you. I think they've sold a few of these phones, haven't they?

[keese @ Mar 13th 2007 12:12PM]

OK. Let's stop looking at the exterior of proposed phones and get things in a perspective.

One month after announcing the Apple iPhone carriers start bitching about too many platforms. Remember the iPhone runs on yet antoher OS called Mac OS .

It must be ironic that Nokia killed S90 in the cradle and abandons S80 in favour of S60.

What is this Google phone then?

IMHO it's a mobile terminal. Terminal in the 60's sense.
All the computing and data is on the server.
Now the big question for acceptance is: who owns the servers?

So we have distinct approaches for applications on smartphones now:

3rd parties including individuals shall develop (Symbian, ...) apps to be run on the phone

Apple developes apps to be run on the iPhone - maybe carriers also

Google has apps on their server (already).

[Erwos @ Mar 13th 2007 1:42PM]

I blogged about the Google Phone (aka, gPhone) a few days ago:
http://david.zakar.com/blog/?p=184

Summary: they're going to try to use it as leverage to promote Google Apps in corporate. Let's hope they don't screw it up by having a camera...