Back in September, I published a post called "A Google Phone Might Be a Reality Soon," and today is the day. Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) has formally announced it's jumping into the cell phone market with a free cell phone software package which will allow the company to serve real-time ads based on a user's location.
Four cell phone manufacturers have signed on to use Google's programs in their handsets according to CNN Money: Motorola (NYSE: MOT), Samsung Electronics, HTC and LG Electronics.
Many wireless carriers have agreed to carry Google's new service except two of the biggest players in the industry, AT&T Wireless (NYSE: T) and Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ). I find this very interesting based on my post back in September where I mentioned Verizon Wireless was playing it cool at the time saying that even if Google launched a free ad-based service, they would be unlikely to follow suit. Well, the time has come, and it looks like Verizon Wireless needs to decide whether it will jump on the Google bandwagon or go it alone.
According to an article in USA Today, both AT&T and Verizon Wireless now admit to being in discussions with Google about the company's new cell phone applications, but both companies claim to be wary of allowing applications that support Google over other providers. I suppose I can't blame them for that. Google is becoming more like a monopoly everyday, but like everyone else, I suspect AT&T and Verizon Wireless will get sucked into the omnipotent Google soon enough.
What do you think about free ad-based cell phone service from Google? Are we witnessing a major change in the cell phone and wireless service markets?
» The Google Phone: How Excited Are You? from OfficeStuffer
Earlier today Google announced their new free cell phone software package that’s in development. The Google "software stack" won't be available until late 2008 but I suppose that gives people a chance to consider if this is going t... [Read More]
Tracked on: November 5, 2007 11:31 PM | Permalink to Trackback