Google Phone: Colored Orange?
Looks like the Google Phone is going to be a reality and its going to be Orange. Here is an excerpt from the original Observer article.
Their plans centre on a branded Google phone, which would probably also carry Orange’s logo. The device would not be revolutionary: manufactured by HTC, a Taiwanese firm specialising in smart phones and Personal Data Assistants (PDAs), it might have a screen similar to a video iPod. But it would have built-in Google software which would dramatically improve on the slow and cumbersome experience of surfing the web from a mobile handset.
A source close to the talks told The Observer: ‘Google are software experts and are doing some amazing work compressing data so that the mobile user gets a much better experience. They don’t know so much about mobiles, but they are eager to learn from Orange’s years of experience.’
Among the potential benefits are location-based searches: aware of your handset’s geographical position, Google could offer a tailored list of local cinemas, restaurants and other amenities, and maps and images from Google Earth. It is believed that the Google phone would not go on sale before 2008.
Ok now. Looks like Google is playing nice with network operators. In this case, it is Orange. There were actually fears that Google will be giving away the Google phone for free and just make money out of advertisments. This would effectively destroy mobile network operator business. At least, we know the Google phone is going to be operator friendly … for now.
January 1st, 2007 at 5:37 am
[…] Orange previously annouced its partnership with Google and speculation was high about it being a Taiwanese HTC PDA/mobile handset. However, it looks like Samsung is stealing the thunder by having its Ultra Edition 13.8 (formerly Z720) handset as the “first” Googled phone. Contrary to previous beliefs, it looks like neither Orange nor HTC will have a part in producing the first “Googlephone,” and instead it seems that Samsung is slipping in the back door to steal the limelight. When the Ultra Edition 13.8 (formerly known as the Z720) got official a few days back, we noticed the relatively unexpected suite of Google apps swarming the mobile’s innards, and aside from the handset not exactly abiding by the Opera agreement that is supposedly falling into place, it seems a good fit for the first Google-infused mobile. Of course, the programs that come loaded are all available as free downloads on supported handsets, but it seems the European-bound 13.8 will be numero uno in what’s likely to be quite a lengthy list of Googled mobiles. […]