Google to Kill the iPhone?

[mpuck972]

While I like my iPhone, it has several short comings. And unlike most Apple faithful, I'm not as quick to just dismiss them as future developments.

Anyhow, its seems as if Google is about ready to level the cell phone playing field. Here are a few quotes from an article:

" Photographs of Google's touch-screen handset are already on the Internet, and according to Rizzn.com, it will cost a mere 100 dollars."

" CrunchGear said the HTC/Google phone would have Google Talk enabled, allowing users to make free Internet phone calls."

" Google also intends to develop special applications for mobile phones, such as a search engine for ringtones, and offer free telephone subscriptions that would be financed through advertising."

" The blog said the Google phone will not only be able to surf the net but also will include "a special version of Google Maps, compatible with built-in GPS, and compatibility with Gmail," Google's email service."

How many of those options would you like to have right now? I would go for everyone except the free advertised based service. And all those options can easily be done now.

These are all things I would have expected from Apple. Everyone that looks at my phone asks about adding music from iTunes as ringtones. They cant believe it when I say it's not possible on a phone made by the #1 seller of mp3 players in the world. And saying its coming in a future update doesn't cut it, it should have been the first thing designed into the phone.

So how far will Apple go in the next 4-6 months to be able to compete with the Google phone? If in fact this phone does make it to market, I would easily lay down $100 for one.

 

[D1G1T4L]

First they need to win the auction. Then when they do it will be interesting.


Until Jan who knows

 

[clevin]

at this stage, I don't know if I can believe google is really working on this device at all.

 

[bostonte]

I hope they are working on one -- the more companies that come to market, the more choices I have to find a phone that does what I want.

That said, it very well may never see the light of day. There are quite a few amazing things being worked on in Google's labs (and most other major companies, for that matter) that are unlikely to ever be accessible to the general user. Even with Google's ad services, I find it hard to believe they could monetize the phone enough to justify all the things the rumors claim it will do for the price.

Sigh, I just wish Google and Apple would work out better gmail access. Gmail's POP access is the complete opposite of everything Google and Apple seem to stand for...

 

[CybrMike]

I'll file this under "believe it when I see it" category.

 

[kdarling]

I think it's more likely that Google is working on a phone operating system along with lots of web enabled apps. An entire platform that could replace WM or whatever else is being used.

This would explain their being in talks with so many different manufacturers. So I don't think it's going to be just one single phone, even though they'll probably make a reference model with all the bells and whistles.

Rumor says they will be using location based services (onboard GPS or tower) along with a search engine that's smart enough to narrow answers depending on where you are located at the moment. Locally originated ads and search answer placement would help subsidize the phone for users.

Another rumors says it's intended more towards making sure that everyone has internet access. Something akin to the One Laptop Per Child initiative, but for calls and web browsing.

We might hear something this next week or two. Should be interesting to see what it actually is!

 

[zap2]

I'll file this under "believe it when I see it" category.

I can't see Google getting in the hardware market!

Not there style....a Google OS would be nice, but it would support many Phone, most with weaker hardware then iPhone.


Or they stick to making web apps or apps that run on other company's OSes

 

[walangij]

I can't see Google getting in the hardware market!

That sure sounds like what people were saying a year ago about the iPhone. except replace Google with Apple and hardware with mobile phone.

 

[D1G1T4L]

That sure sounds like what people were saying a year ago about the iPhone. except replace Google with Apple and hardware with mobile phone.

Well the only problem is Apple has made hardware. Google..........

Think I was listening to Buzz out Loud (CNET Podcast) where they brought up the idea that if Google had a phone the hardware would most likely be 3rd party and the software would be Google. Think if anything that would be the route.

But of course you never know.......Google could surprise us all.

 

[Canuck4]

Same here. also to sit there and be forced to look at ads all day while I try to use my cell is a Hell NO
Maybe it would be a good thing if it comes out as competition might drop prices on other carriers for usage to stay close to googles phone.

I'll file this under "believe it when I see it" category.

 

[nickspohn]

google isn't going to sell a phone. enough said. no questions asked.

 

[kdarling]

Think I was listening to Buzz out Loud (CNET Podcast) where they brought up the idea that if Google had a phone the hardware would most likely be 3rd party and the software would be Google. Think if anything that would be the route.
.

Right.. Google is already said to be in talks with HTC and other manufacturers. They wouldn't have to make their own hardware, if their plan was to sell such.

 

[mashinhead]

I bet jobs is pissed about it because if anyone can threaten the iphone google can. If half those reports are true i would get one, if only i didn't already own and iPhone and if google didn't scare the living crap out of me. And as much as I love apple, they're not far behind on that list. Too much power with technology....i don't know about that.

 

[kdarling]

Same here. also to sit there and be forced to look at ads all day while I try to use my cell is a Hell NO

No ads while using the phone. Just directed searches, most likely. Think about now, when you Google for something. The highest paying comes up first. So you're already participating in some "ads".

IF (and that's a big if) there were to be outright ads, there's the possibility that they could show up only while the phone is idle. So if you've been Googling for clothes, then a coupon for jeans might show up the next time you light up the screen, but go away if you touch any key. Again, this kind of advertising is most likely NOT repeat NOT what they would do, except perhaps on a giveaway phone.

 

[Canuck4]

Kinda reminds me back in the day where Netzero was free.
But it had a big banner taking a 1/4 of your screen with random advertisements.
I hope they wont try anything like that
Either way Im more than happy with my Iphone, a few extra bells or whistles wont make me regret switching or getting another phone.

 

[D1G1T4L]

Right.. Google is already said to be in talks with HTC and other manufacturers. They wouldn't have to make their own hardware, if their plan was to sell such.

I could see HTC as being the manufacture. Will be interesting to watch. Of course they need to win the auction first.

 

[iLeoMarc]

I could see HTC as being the manufacture. Will be interesting to watch. Of course they need to win the auction first.

Am I missing something, or I thought that Google and what people have been calling the gPhone will not have only one manufaturing company? Instead they are choosing to go the Microsoft Route and instead providing the OS for multiple phones and for multiple brands.

It seems much more logical considering that Google has always tried to out-due Microsoft (Thank god Apple stopped doing that).

That being said I don't think by referring that HTC is "THE manufacturer" just doesn't sound right. But then again, I'm not reading too much about upcoming phones as the iPhone is enough to hold me down.....untill iPhone v.2? LOL. Okay, maybe v.3.

 

[D1G1T4L]

Am I missing something, or I thought that Google and what people have been calling the gPhone will not have only one manufaturing company? Instead they are choosing to go the Microsoft Route and instead providing the OS for multiple phones and for multiple brands.

It seems much more logical considering that Google has always tried to out-due Microsoft (Thank god Apple stopped doing that).

That being said I don't think by referring that HTC is "THE manufacturer" just doesn't sound right. But then again, I'm not reading too much about upcoming phones as the iPhone is enough to hold me down.....untill iPhone v.2? LOL. Okay, maybe v.3.

Well we are all just guessing. Yes I agree it also makes sense that they would just do the OS and leave it all up to 3rd party to the devices. I was just saying if there was a Google branded phone I could see it being done by HTC.

 

[skubish]

The iPhone still has one must have feature over a gPhone...


...it exists

 

[kbrain2929]

I can't see Google getting in the hardware market!

Not there style....a Google OS would be nice, but it would support many Phone, most with weaker hardware then iPhone.


Or they stick to making web apps or apps that run on other company's OSes

I agree... while it would be "cool", I don't believe it will happen. I mean, Apple+Google is stronger than ever after the iPhone. I just don't see it happening.

 

[ozziegn]

The iPhone still has one must have feature over a gPhone...


...it exists

BINGO! we have a winning answer.

history proves that the first timers are the ones that prove their worthyness while the late comers have been (and probably will be) playing follow the leader.

face it people. Apple concepted the iPhone design from drawing board to consumer pocket. the rest is history (like it or not).

 

[D1G1T4L]

Well come January if Google wins the auction for the 700 MHz spectrum then you can bet they are going to do something with it

 

[EricBrian]

history proves that the first timers are the ones that prove their worthyness while the late comers have been (and probably will be) playing follow the leader.

So are you saying that Apple was the first to put out a mobile phone? If that is not what you meant, are you saying that Apple will always be following others when it comes to phones?

 

[ucfgrad93]

I'll file this under "believe it when I see it" category.

Same here. It sounds very interesting, but I won't get too excited until I hear something offical from Google.

 

[Chef Medeski]

BINGO! we have a winning answer.

history proves that the first timers are the ones that prove their worthyness while the late comers have been (and probably will be) playing follow the leader.

face it people. Apple concepted the iPhone design from drawing board to consumer pocket. the rest is history (like it or not).

If thats so why did Japan and Germany beat out US efficiency, only after WWII, in manufacturing even though they had to rebuild their entire manufcaturing base. Most historians agree, its cause they could buy newer equipment, which for manufacturing represents a large portion of the costs and is a lot harder to update, making it that the prohibitly expensive cost of changing out the equipment at factories; allowed Germany and Japan upon rebuilding their Manufacturing to gain efficeincy due to newer equipment that the USA would not upgrade to due to their present stock.

So I guess the point is. Late comers playing second fiddle depends on the nature of the field. If the field mandates long term contracts and buys then late comers will have a edge over competitors who are still bound to their older equipment, less efficient equipment.

Is this the case in technology? Most certainly not since most items are updated quite frequently, altough a microcosm of this whole system can be seen in the Apple update cycle. A new update usually brings the product close or surpasses the general trend in technological advanceness in the market. But by the end of a product cycle the product looks kinda overpriced for what you can get, and people complain of Apple lagging behind competitors. Take case in point with the last MBP Refresh (to Core 2 Duo). It came a couple months after everyone else and really only finally allowd the architecture to come close to competitors which had alredy had the Core 2 Duo chip for some time. It did surpass in terms of CPU clock speed, bucking higher than most other notebooks. But towards the end it was a bit late again for Santa Rosa. It had a slim amount of RAM in comparison with the toppling prices of RAM over its cycle. But when it was updated to SR. It quickly came to par with out Santa Rosa computers. Bypassed most in the amount of RAM given. And jumped well ahead of the curve with the LED screen. The late-comer to SR had actually made the better product. Now this trend is almost solely present in Apple due to their long product cycles. But clearly it shows your statement is wholly false and that even in the tech industry where it should be seemingly false, it truley depends on the exact situation to dictate if the late-comer will have an edge. If google's phone comes out with not only multi-touch and a great interface, but 3G, GPS, and double the Flash memory due to new chips, then coming late to the game could actually make it a more attractive product. Until Apple updates theirs of course.