GPhone Still In the Works At Google

Technical Writing Geek writes "According to sources at a Taiwanese manufacturer, Google will definitely be launching its own branded phone. An article at DigiTimes states that the company has yet to finalize the handset's specifications, OS, production contractor and operating partners. 'TI's handset chipsets will find their way into the Google phone should the company decide to roll out an EDGE-compliant handset, but Qualcomm could turn out to be the winner if Google decides to bet on a 3G model ... However, the choice of a 3G platform might force Google to postpone the launch of the so-called Gphone to the first half of 2008 instead of the latter half of this year as expected due to the change of platform and problems related to licensing of patented technologies ...'"

Hmm

[ackthpt]

I wonder if it will pop-up Flash ads during phone calls.

• You call/receive call
• Google speech pattern recogniser listens in, detects 'date', 'dinner' and 'movie'
• Information passed to server
• Server pops up ad for Trojans (complete with animation!)

nah, they'd never do that .. would they?

And the point of the article is...?

[WindowlessView]

WTF? So, basically the gPhone will have some kind of operating system and be connected to some kind of network, all of it to made by some as yet unnamed manufacturer.

In other news...

[freyyr890]

Google announces plan to destroy all information it can't index [theonion.com].

Re:Whole Lotta Speculation going on

[ackthpt]

but nothing concrete....

Nope, nothin concrete, BUT(!) there's ultra sekrit spy photos of Microsoft's zuPhones [wikimedia.org]!!!

Re:Hmm

[Ajehals]

If they do that then I will add the following predictions

1: The GPhone will be free, but you can buy one if you wish to use your own number.
2: It will never leave Beta.
3: Microsoft and Yahoo will release rival Phones, but they wont be as good, and will look ugly.
4: People will complain that the Gphone is clearly a monopoly as it is Google leverage its advertising monopoly into another market to take it over....*

* Not that I think Google is a monopolist, nor can I see why they would be classed as such

Re:And the point of the article is...?

[Ajehals]

You forgot to add "Maybe" to the end.

Re:The Power of Google

[JustinKSU]

What I want to know is will the GPhone help me find the GSpot?

Re:The Power of Google

[SimonInOz]

Maybe it'll help you spot a Gman. Is that what you want?

Re:The Power of Google

[b0s0z0ku]

What I want to know is will the GPhone help me find the GSpot?

Google up the location, set ringer on "vibrate."

I'm Feeling Lucky

[arsheive]

I want an "I'm Feeling Lucky" button on this thing that uses google's vast amounts of data on everyone to automatically call whomever I _should_ be talking to at the time.

The Underwear Gnomes strike again!

[peterb]

You just gotta love /. "Google's planning on shipping the phone in the latter half of this year, even though they haven't yet decided on what the hardware platform is, what OS it will be running, who their cell network partners will be, or any of the manufacturing details!" Also, in other news, I will be giving free ponies to everyone who visits my website [tleaves.com]. Free flying ponies.

Re:Clearly

[Onan]

Perhaps Google and Apple can compromise and collaborate on the hPhone.

this sounds familiar...

[Tumbleweed]

the company has yet to finalize the handset's specifications, OS, production contractor and operating partners

Hmm...that sounds just like my plan to take over the world! I just haven't figured out how, yet, that's all. But just you wait! *shakes fist*

Re:I'm Feeling Lucky

[Serhei]

Then, I want this feature put in a phone with no screen and one button, so that it can compete with the iPhone Shuffle.

In Other News...

[8ball629]

3D Realms has confirmed that they will be releasing Duke Nukem Forever the 2nd quarter of next year due to issues surrounding DirectX 8.

Re:Data collection

[m2943]

I don't worry about the gov getting as much on us - the gov is mostly incompetant (that actually works in our favor, as citizens). but google is pretty competant

You are so naive. Do you really think that the people that manage a trillion dollars of our money and can casually send US troops to kill 500k civilians overseas are stupid and bumbled into their jobs? Look at who's running the country now and who was running it half a century ago. These people want power above all and were smart enough to get it, and they have the family and connections to make it work, generation after generation.

Considering the alternatives, it's not even a bad system. Unlike many previous systems of government, if you want it badly enough and are smart and ruthless enough, you can probable make it yourself into that circle. Many of the people, in addition to their egos, are also genuinely concerned about the well-being of the country, even if you wouldn't believe it.

But don't assume for a second that they don't know what they are doing.

Sergey and Larry got where they got because they incredibly lucky in addition to being smart. Many government leaders got where they got through meticulous long term strategizing and planning.

Re:Whole Lotta Speculation going on

[darthnoodles]

You lied! You said there was nothing concrete.