DigiTimes: Google will definitely launch its own branded handset

Citing sources at "Taiwan handset makers," DigiTimes is reporting that "Google will definitely launch its own branded handset." However, the Googlephone's OS, hardware specs, production contractor and operating partners have still not been finalized. Given that we're already pretty sure that Google has developed their own mobile OS based on Linux, we'll assume that their use of "finalized" refers to the final feature set and UI polishing -- not the possibility of the gPhone running Symbian or WinMo, for example. DigiTimes' sources also note that Google is contemplating going with a 3G handset instead of EDGE for its initial foray into the cellphone market. However, the choice for Qualcomm's 3G versus TI's EDGE could push the introduction of the HTC manufactured handset into the first half of 2008. Come on Google, it's post-Labor Day now so just go ahead and announce your plans already. We're big boys, we can take it.

[Ant @ Sep 19th 2007 5:21AM]

Not sure what that picture is of but if Google did a WiFi, 3G, browser, media thing like that i'd poo my pants. That screen looks great. Come on Google, spend some of that money on real nice hardware, I think your mind set could wipe the floor with other 'cool' companies.

I can see Google starting the WiFi, Voice Over The Internet revolution and pissing off all the greedy charge based networks, the time is close I can feel it. Come on Google you can do it, just start the ball rolling your our only hope.

[Vinod Ponmanadiyil @ Sep 19th 2007 8:54AM]

Truphone already did it ;) Not to forget Fring!

[ryantrevisol @ Sep 19th 2007 7:11AM]

Well, this makes sense. Google introing a smartphone iGooglePhone that accesses Gmail, Google Calendars, Google Documents, Maps, etc explains why they've never put any development into syncing their online PIM services with Palm.

I foresee this thing not being announced/finalized until the 700Mhz spectrum auction is over.

[Thomas Ricker @ Sep 19th 2007 7:29AM]

@Ant,

That's the Google "Switch" as it was known back in January.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/18/the-google-switch-an-iphone-killer/

Thomas

[ryantrevisol @ Sep 19th 2007 7:44AM]

And if they don't win, I predict it will run on Sprint's Xhom, because of the speed. Now here's where I want this thing to go: ad-supported wireless data access.

[Christopher Price @ Sep 19th 2007 5:33AM]

Let me get this straight... first we bash Apple for not having 3G in iPhone, then we bash Google for not having 3G in the Googlephone? Okay, I think I've got it now.

- Christopher Price
http://www.phonenews.com

[Christopher Price @ Sep 19th 2007 5:34AM]

Or rather, Google trying to have 3G in the Googlephone... either way, there appears to be a double standard between what people ask of Apple, and what people now expect from Google.

[Josef F @ Sep 19th 2007 7:09AM]

Who do you mean by "we"? Because if you're suggesting that Engadget has been bashing Apple...ever...I don't think we're reading the same blog.

[John @ Sep 19th 2007 8:44AM]

no, engadget definitely bashes Apple for not having 3G in the iPhone, albeit half the time making excuses as well. Check the article on t-mobile being the German iPhone carrier, which was posted a bit after this one. What this article is doing is pointing out that the inclusion of 3G could push back any potential release date, which is fair enough to say.

[david @ Sep 19th 2007 10:14AM]

I actually think it's the M$ fanboys that are Apple bashing here. You could almost hear them getting woodys over the Zune 2 "leak" from the great satan. The Google phone looks cool, I just hope it's not too big and that the screen is somewhat scratch/crack resistant. I've cracked two Dash screens.

[Leooow @ Sep 19th 2007 5:35AM]

Google is the best:p everything for free and it works great. I think it's going to be an revelation on the mobile market

[Xavier Gill @ Sep 19th 2007 5:48AM]

Absolutely nothing is free. It might be 'free at the point of use' but advertiseres add the cost of advertising to products you purchase, so you'll pay for it in the long run. Advertisers spend billions trying to reach your eyes and the quality of what we get back (TV shows, radio, newspapers, Engadget etc) doesn't represent anything close to a good deal.

[Leooow @ Sep 19th 2007 5:54AM]

Thats true, but you wont pay for the whole deal. So it's still very cheap to use :P

[Xavier Gill @ Sep 19th 2007 6:14AM]

You will pay for it in the longrun. Also there are some things there are difficult to price, like protection of privacy and invasion of personal space.

[webon @ Sep 19th 2007 6:45AM]

@xavier... dude its free like tv is free dont you watch enormous amouts of tv? me does, me is not complaining bout those nice nice ads that make me wanna buy shinny stuff, thus me looses money on stuff me WANTS not everithing i NEED!

[Leooow @ Sep 19th 2007 5:35AM]

:D

[Dias @ Sep 19th 2007 5:47AM]

iPhone's usability + Google's productivity. Plz, I beg you.

Oh, and if it's possible, without adsense crap.

[webon @ Sep 19th 2007 6:47AM]

No ads means you gotta pay dude! there is no other way

[Dias @ Sep 19th 2007 8:08AM]

Sounds ok for me. I'd rather pay a little more for a device than a little less with a lot of spam crap. :)

I know that nowadays Google is an advertising corporation, but c'mon, just give as a choice.

[Scott @ Sep 19th 2007 10:11AM]

Software I use from Google that has zero ads (that I'm aware of):
iGoogle, Maps, Groups, Picasa, PicasaWeb, Docs, Earth, GTalk, Calendar, News, SketchUp.

Seems to me like I'm getting a whole hell of a lot for nothing AND with no ads. The biggest issue is privacy. Considering most people have bank accounts and credit cards that sell your information wholesale and don't seem to care (yes, you can opt out, but it should be opt IN), I think Google is doing VERY well in this regard. I've never received credit offers or spam from Google or any affiliated company, for instance.

[sean @ Sep 19th 2007 5:25PM]

check the rumor mill... the battle for 700mhz is on and if google pulls it off you'll be seeing a free ad-supported wireless internet browsing phone. I think you get enough adverts from every corner of your life that you've learned to ignore, this will just be one more battlefield. Now if you really can't stand the thought of advertisements on your handset you've got two options:
1) stick with the iphone
2) go with the google phone and wait for someone who is l33t to hax it and pwn the adverts.

[suv4x4 @ Sep 19th 2007 6:09AM]

Please clarify where is that photo from.


The interface is kinda ugly but the device itself look interesting. I hope this is just alpha or something.

[naba @ Sep 19th 2007 6:12AM]

Google's interest in mobile phones is eminent with the recent introduction of AdSense Program for mobile. So it's not surprising to see Google's forray into the mobile market soon.

[Zach @ Sep 19th 2007 7:07AM]

I thought Eric Schmidt (CEO of Google) was on the board of directors for Apple. Why would he make a rival product to the iPhone? Maybe it's the 2G iPhone we're looking at here. Apple had more experience in hardware than Google, which leads me to believe that this may be a joint venture.

[Dane @ Sep 19th 2007 7:17AM]

"Google has developed their own mobile OS based on Linux ... "

This is pure, unadulterated postulation, but I wonder if the "Linux-based operating system" in question would have anything to do with Ubuntu Mobile, given A) Canonicals announcement of the project (and its eminent release with Gutsy) and B) the confirmed existence of Goobuntu.

[Steve Macfarlane @ Sep 19th 2007 9:53AM]

I still have to say I'll believe this one when I see it - does not compute.

[Steve Macfarlane @ Sep 19th 2007 10:00AM]

I mean, wouldn't they benefit from being more hardware agnostic?

[sachax @ Sep 19th 2007 11:45AM]

Hey I just purchased the iPhone. I don't want to be getting a new phone every time some company temps me by setting a new standard!

[jonbruck @ Sep 19th 2007 4:28PM]

Sorry to rain on the parade, but isn't there still a patent dispute/court injunction keeping Qualcomm's chips from being imported into the USA?

[dennis p @ Sep 19th 2007 4:56PM]

@Steve Macfarlane:

no, i don't think GooglePhone would benefit from being more hardware agnostic. if Google is serious about making a phone that handles access to all of their apps, does net access, does phone calls, does WiFi, does 3G wireless internet, and whatever else has been speculated that it will do you would have to be crazy to target the entire universe of cell phones. the developers would go bonkers trying to keep up with all of the various combinations of hardware. users would be frustrated with the possible bad experiences using partially-supported hardware.

no, i think if they are doing their own hardware that is a Good Thing. they can create a controlled environement and then deliver to users an optimal device for their service.

if the goophone also includes a usb host port, that would be cool. i could take a small hard drive that i could use to off-load my camera on vacation without dragging a laptop!!

the Mac teaches that having a stable hardware base underneath you makes for a better environment. Google (if the rumors are true) has internalized that lesson...

[Big Brother @ Sep 19th 2007 4:59PM]

I call BS...just like these other rumours:

http://gphone.corank.com

[Gareth @ Sep 20th 2007 9:27AM]

I'm presuming the higher resolution photo was taken on the iPhone? :D

[colin6969 @ Sep 20th 2007 3:42PM]

well...I just walked out of an interesting meeting with a T-mobile Major Business Account Executive. Basically I'm looking at moving our company to a new provider...

A lot of fluff talk....but she did confirm one thing that shocked me: The iPhone is headed for T-mobile USA Jan 08.

I asked her about the exclusivity agreement with ATT....she said that technically it's a 'multi-year exclusive agreement'....and technically After Jan 1 2008, they've had it for '2007 and 2008'....

....I'd of course take anything a 'non-technical' rep from some vendor with a grain of salt though....

[suv4x4 @ Sep 21st 2007 4:50AM]

That sounds like bullshit since how could you claim 2008 exclusivity when it won't be exclusive on January 2-nd 2008.

Now, January 2009, that I would believe.

[colin6969 @ Sep 21st 2007 10:19AM]

whoa get this, I asked her to clarify what she was talking about....

She actually said that HTC is building it, but it will actually be called an iPhone.

This is sounding like the google phone. (Google iPhone?)

With Eric on Apple's board....who knows what they're going to do.....I'd guess it's this Google-linux based - HTC Built - phone....that will perhaps be called an iPhone.

Jobs would never let OSX inside non-Apple hardware, that's against their philosophy, but the term iPhone is obviously up for grabs.