Google doesn't deny GPhone rumors, has prototype ready?

We all know that when rumors start to heat up, well, it just means there's more to speculate about. Nevertheless, new reports from both the BBC and The Wall Street Journal do a fine job of getting our hopes up, as it's noted that Google refused to outrightly deny handset rumors; rather, it simply reiterated that its users and partners are saying that "they want Google search and Google applications on mobile, and it is working hard every day to deliver that." Furthermore, it's now believed that the search giant is "showing the prototype to cellphone manufacturers and network operators as it continues to hone the technical specifications." Make of that what you will, but it sounds pretty enticing over here.

[Thanks, Omar A. and Ala A.]
Read - Google sidesteps mobile reports
Read - Google shows phone prototype to manufacturers

[The Pepto Pimp @ Aug 3rd 2007 10:22AM]

Congrats!

As far as the googlephone, that's cool. You know, Google, Apple, whoever. As long as it's someone who provides a product people actually want producing this phone, instead of those re-treads over at Motorola, Samsung, LG and SE.

[Javier Guerra Jr @ Aug 3rd 2007 10:22AM]

I cant wait to see what google has up their sleeve!!

[paloooz @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:30AM]

I own an iPhone. I'm kind of scared that this Google phone will totally "own" the iPhone, but I'm also thinking ... maybe they will be completely different phones? Google and Apple worked a lot together on the iPhone, I just couldn't see Google releasing a phone that is a competitor to the iPhone.

[Anthony @ Aug 3rd 2007 2:11PM]

It doesn't take much to outdo the iPhone. My phone, which came out three years ago has more functionality than Apple's brick. You lose.

[ATT @ Aug 3rd 2007 10:33AM]

nobody going to use it if they don't win the 700MHZ spectrum bid and open it up.
not paying AT&T or others $100 for 56kb speed with caps.

just so google can push ads on me.

[keepevets @ Aug 3rd 2007 10:33AM]

they already have a phone service running with grandcentral.com, not exactly a stand alone mobile service, but it has the making for it, you get a free phone number with your area code, that currently redirects to any of your personal numbers, it has free voicemail, and currently you can make calls but you have to use the site, can't wait to see what the future holds for it

[roole @ Aug 3rd 2007 10:56AM]

Eeew. What a f-ugly interface! But I'll bet all you Windows users will like it!

[wctodd @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:55AM]

keepevets- I'd love to give GrandCentral a try. Can you send me an invite?

[michael @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:46AM]

@roole:

Uh, what are you talking about?

I'm not much of a Google fan, but grand central at least looked interesting. It wasn't fugly, just clean cut. I don't usually prefer Google apps. first above all others, but at least it has a clean look.

And have you seen Vista's UI? Looks pretty elegant to me. Even XP SP2's bevel toolbar looks quite nice.

You are the loser user.

[keepevets @ Aug 3rd 2007 2:29PM]

@wctodd, i dont have any invites left but check out inviteshare.com, there are plenty of people there with tons of invites to give out

[Frank @ Aug 3rd 2007 10:40AM]

An iphonesque handset with built in web, email and Google maps (w/ GPS) Google Earth, Google search, YouTube, Dodgeball, camera, and mp3 player would be excellent! It might possibly outsell the iphone. Especially if they yank Youtube and Google maps from the iphone.

[TorontoGuy @ Aug 3rd 2007 10:44AM]

It would be great if Apple and Google got into a lengthy and expensive litigation that bankrupted both companies. As the Chinese proverb says: "Let mad dogs destroy each other."

[Yusuf @ Aug 3rd 2007 12:12PM]

Apple and Google board staff are members on each others board, hence Google now use OSX in their screenshots. gPhone would not be trying to rival the iPhone, rather both would have similar functionality. Apple may even license iTunes to the gPhone.

they could be the same product marketed by different vendors!

[Razor @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:01AM]

Why would that be great?

[Dale @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:19AM]

It would be great if you really want the technology landscape dominated by companies who profit from broken user interfaces that get slower and crankier with every expensive iteration - something neither Apple nor Google is guilty of.

[mikey @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:29AM]

probably because he works at rim and feels very threatened, as he probably should.

[TorontoGuy @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:39AM]

Because of their arrogance and deceptiveness, I have never trusted these companies and I would welcome anything that would hasten their elimination.

[movies4axe @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:58AM]

"Because of their arrogance and deceptiveness, I have never trusted these companies and I would welcome anything that would hasten their elimination."

As the Spanish proverb goes: "Better suffer a known evil than change for uncertain good"

You're assuming that whomever replaces Apple and Google would not adopt the same arrogant and deceptive tactics.

Let us all know when you find this Utopian corporation.

[VJ @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:07AM]

Pleease, Google. No soft QWERTY keyboard. In fact, invent something awesome to displace the stupid idea of miniature QWERTY keyboards altogether.

[TorontoGuy @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:40AM]

RIM can do down the drain too!

[roc ingersol @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:44AM]

It's just another angle on Google's "We want into the handset space" strategy.

First, they try to convince the existing networks to open their platforms to 'google-compatible' devices.
Then, they mock up their own prototype to prove to the networks that they're very serious, even if the other handset makers aren't interested.
Next, they try to get the FCC to guarantee them a legal 'in' to every mobile device on the 700mhz spectrum.
Lastly, they maintain their threat to bid on the 700mhz spectrum, and force their way in if necessary.

At this point, they've got a credible answer for each angle on the mobile market, and the existing networks are going to have to leave _some_ hole open - lest they wind up competing against a true google mobile network. And that's probably the last thing they want. (but I'd love to see it)

Because - contrary to what valleywag may think - Google doesn't care about money from the handset like Apple, or money from the contract like Verizon. They're gonna make most of their money from the advertisers, by providing kickass free apps on your handset, and from the corporations by providing instant automatic integration with google app server data.

And google knows its necessary. Because as smart phones take off, people are going to be doing less and less through their desktop. And in the handset space, google apps are an also-ran. The biggest threat to google (and microsoft) is mobile.
The same way that browsers are increasingly making your desktop OS irrelevant (who cares what it is so long as it can get you to youtube/facebook/etc), a clear mobile winner will make the entire desktop world far less relevant (who cares what it is, so long as it can sync with your phone).

[Anthony @ Aug 3rd 2007 2:11PM]

Browsers make OSes irrelevant? That's the biggest load of crap I've heard in my life.

Let's just forget about what people use computers for, like games...(Windows), software development (Windows/ Linux), video/ graphic editing (Mac), right, let's completely disregard any kind of business applications that may be tied in with the Operating System of use.

We can use Mac OS to run our Internet servers, right?

[Danny @ Aug 3rd 2007 12:12PM]

>Google releasing a phone that is a competitor to the iPhone.

Why? Sorry to disagree but I don't know that they worked together all that much. The webmail that actually works best on the iPhone is Yahoo mail. Support for gmail is only through POP which actually isn't all that great. It doesn't even synch gmail contacts and you have to subscribe to google calander through iCal to get that to work. So far, the little pin dropping thing in maps and the stock quote are the closest things I see on the iPhone as evidence that Apple and Google are as intertwined as folks want to believe. Heck Apple even (lamely IMHO) transcribes everything into their own format before they will deign to let the iPhone use YouTube!

[Stephan @ Aug 3rd 2007 12:34PM]

Hey if it is googleesque aka "FREE" and the monthly is "FREE" I say bring on the ads. I have no problem saving $60 a month for our current limited family plan. That is $720 a year towards my kids college fund.

[Marco Lambrugo @ Aug 3rd 2007 12:45PM]

Neo 1973?

;)

[Abhishek @ Aug 3rd 2007 1:12PM]

Checkout my views on this subject.

http://abhishek.tiwari.com/2007/08/03/first-free-mobile-service-now-free-phones/

[RSDeuce @ Aug 3rd 2007 1:46PM]

I just hope that the gadget reviewers (Ahem, lookin at you E) will spaz out a little less as more information comes out. The iPhone coverage was out of control, and I think in the end the Hype hurt the product. Apple is not selling them like they thought they would...

[R @ Aug 4th 2007 12:22PM]

test

[g512 @ Aug 3rd 2007 8:30PM]

A little birdie told me that TI (texas instruments) is already working with Google on their phone.

[logyk @ Aug 3rd 2007 6:52PM]

I bet it's going to be free, only instead of ring-tones it plays adverts in relation to your GPS location. so you could be at the supermarket flirting with some cute cashier when from your pocket blares "Ask the Pharmacy about Enzite's Male enhancement pills!"

[quiksliver @ Aug 5th 2007 12:59PM]

I haven't bothered with a cellphone for 16 years, but now this gPhone will probably be my first ever phone, I can't wait!

[concerned @ Oct 12th 2007 10:23AM]

Just to let people not forget the other dangers of open source......viruses.

[Spencer Slezak @ Oct 30th 2007 8:00PM]

My dad has a google phone prototype.