Predicting The Google Phone 205
An anonymous reader writes "Inside The GPhone: What To Expect From Google's Android Alliance (an article at Information Week) argues that you can predict what the GPhone(s) will look like very easily, simply by listing the technologies of the Open Handset Alliance partners. According to this theory, the phone will have a user interface from Sweden's TAT, VCAST-like multimedia capabilities powered by PacketVideo Corp., and an iPhone-like capacitive touch-screen, from Synaptics. Hardware-wise, it'll probably be built around Texas Instruments' OMAP processors, which enable a single-chip world phone (GSM/EDGE/GPRS). "While the GPhone won't be revolutionary, it'll connect the pieces in pleasantly new ways," argues author Alex Wolfe. Should Apple be concerned?"
well (Score:2, Insightful)
and its can be on sprint?
Yes, Apple should become concerned.
Re:Apple's iPhone is much less significant. (Score:5, Insightful)
You don't think Apple will repeat history in 2007 with the iPhone what they did in 2001 with the iPod?
It will most probably look like the emulator (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Ummm.. CDMA? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:I think I can answer that one... (Score:3, Insightful)
My question would be why do you want something you haven't even seen yet? For all we know the thing will be a monstrosity that doesn't work well anywhere. Are you simply saying you want one because it's Google or is there reason, other than a different form of fanboyism?
I'm not saying there's something wrong with supporting a company you like, just wondering whether there's some justification for your statement other than liking said company.
Re:I'd buy one because... (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Apple's iPhone is much less significant. (Score:2, Insightful)
KISS. (Score:1, Insightful)
Hmmm... (Score:2, Insightful)
Not the hardware - the IDEA (Score:5, Insightful)
It's the software it can come with that is the true revolution. You'll get a fully programmable, and EASILY programmable device providing you with mostly everything you desire. And because of the 'free software' idea, you won't be limited by silly patents.
Imagine this:
Combine GPS capablity (positioning relative to specific BTS, not the satellites) with ringer phone settings: entering theatre or lecture hall turns "silent" on.
Hack the GSM connection or even bluetooth, and you have a functional walkie-talkie for short-range talking for free.
Port Gameboy, NES and some more emulators.
Allow for morse code SMS text input (way faster than multitap, often faster than T9) and readout (read SMS without taking the phone off your pocket)
Skype->VoIP could come cheaper than most mobile connection rates (especially interntational)
GPS without GPS module - use BTS pings to triangulate your location and find yourself on Google Maps.
All kinds of weird shit you can pull out with the multitap, including fingers-smearing OpenCanvas-like multiplayer painting.
Combine a few of these for a bigger screen.
Use a bluetooth full-size PC qwerty keyboard. Maybe somehow a 17" screen too.
Emulate iPhone (and annoy the shit off Mac users)
Combine it with some GPIO hardware and use it to drive stuff remotely (a car?)
Get a handful of simple hardware (maybe Chineese will produce something that will plug into USB), run the emulator with modifications and change your laptop or even desktop into a (rather big) gPhone.
Build your own. The specs are quite open.
Run a modified manager process that keeps 95% of the phone's features powered down unless you specifically switch them on (including screen and most of the software) keeping the phone to run two weeks on a single charge (all power used by other chips goes to GSM).
Stream mp3s from your home server.
Use internal temp sensors and battery controller for a "hand warmer" function.
Scanner, Mouse (using camera) or Trackpad (using touchscreen) for PC.
Precisely tune the vibration motor timing, accelerometer input and the camera input and change the phone into an RC/autonomic vehicle moving using vibrations of precise waveform making it slide in a specific direction...
Re:the gPhone and the iPhone are different markets (Score:2, Insightful)
I'm probably responding to a troll, but, Apple makes hardware/software/service solution that are usable for the average person. The iPod created the mainstream market for portable digital music players because it was the first one where the entire user experience was easy enough for the average person (who until then was using a portable CD player). Until Apple stepped in it was too hard for most people to buy music online, rip CDs, and load that onto the player.
The iPhone is the same thing all over again, but replacing "portable music player" with "smartphone." It is the first cell phone with Web and e-mail, an organizer, a music player, SMS, and a few apps that is actually usable for the average Joe.
A lot of people don't understand Apple's success and try to dismiss it. They look at bullet points of features and the price and think Apple is providing too little for too much money. For some people, especially technical people that like to tinker, that is true. For the average person, however there is a lot of value in a polished user interface and overall experience.
My experience is Google makes online services that work, and mediocre software to interface with them.
We don't need new technology! (Score:4, Insightful)
We don't need anything that's not already available. We just need something unbroken.
Re:well (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:I didn't think it was possible... (Score:4, Insightful)
Apple is only a player in the media's mind (Score:2, Insightful)
Apple shouldn't be concerned about the Google phone. They should be concerned about what will happen in a year or so when the media hype has worn off and there are a dozen viable (and more functional) iPhone equivalents.
Re:well (Score:3, Insightful)
Talk about understatement!
That's like saying Cray's XT4 is not exactly pocketable...