Google’s Mobile Phone Assault Begins November 06, 2007
Read more Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , Mobile Devices , Mobile phones , Smartphones , Software
Recently there’s been a lot a talk about Google launching an iPhone rival, comically referred to as the gPhone [above] – well, it’s not true.
The truth is that Google has launched Android, a free open development platform for mobile phones that’s backed by 34 top companies in the mobile phone arena. Android comprises an operating system, user-interface and applications. It doesn’t sound as a cool as a gPhone, but in reality it’s a lot cooler, since it has the potential to really shake up the mobile phone as we know it.
The new Open Handset Alliance (OHA) includes companies like T-Mobile, HTC, Qualcomm, Motorola, Samsung, LG and others, and devices based on Android are due out in the second half of 2008. No Nokia and Sony Ericcson, though.
The thinking behind Android is that the mobile experience on-the-move – especially Internet experience- on mobile phones is hindered by proprietary phone operating systems, so let’s make it a lot better by offering the development community a free platform to develop innovative new applications. Obviously, this is going to alarm the makers of the leading mobile platforms like Microsoft, Symbian, Research in Motion and Palm, all of whom charge a licence fee.
“This partnership will help unleash the potential of mobile technology for billions of users around the world. A fresh approach to fostering innovation in the mobile industry will help shape a new computing environment that will change the way people access and share information in the future," said Google Chairman and CEO Eric Schmidt. "Today's announcement is more ambitious than any single 'Google Phone' that the press has been speculating about over the past few weeks. Our vision is that the powerful platform we're unveiling will power thousands of different phone models."
Whether Android succeeds or not, it’s likely that consumers are going to see some benefits in the coming years through cheaper handsets and better applications from existing players. This can only be good.
Google will launch the first SDK (software development kit) next week.-Martin Lynch
Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
Contributor | Tamlin Magee
Comments
There is no doubt that this is a positive step forward for mobile technology generally. Propriety software and devices are certainly not as positive a step as an open developing platform.
I don't know, it seems the iPhone seems to be a whole lot better a phone than a fudge of companies. I sure am looking forward to a phone designed to better get adverts on.
Give the prototype an online test-drive at: phone google