Google: We're not making Android hardware

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--Google's Andy Rubin, head of the company's Android development, would like to clear something up: Google is not in the phone-making business.

Don't expect to see Google-developed hardware competing with the Motorola Droid anytime soon.

(Credit: Motorola)

Last week TheStreet.com reported that Google had plans to sell a Google-developed phone at retail this year, bypassing carriers with its own Android implementation. But Rubin, vice president of engineering for Android at Google, scoffed at the notion that the company would "compete with its customers" by releasing its own phone.

"We're not making hardware," Rubin said. "We're enabling other people to build hardware."

Now, Google has played a role in designing phones that have emerged with Android, such as the G1. For example, Google advocated the infamous hinge design on the G1 based on its desire to offer a phone with a five-row keyboard, Rubin said. That design was not popular with reviewers, however, and Rubin joked that perhaps that's why Google shouldn't make its own hardware.

But pushing for a design feature is a far cry from designing an entire phone, contracting with a manufacturing partner to build it, and working the distribution channels to get it to market. That would be "a fundamental shift" in Google's business model, Rubin said, and one the company does not seem prepared to make at this time.

Rumors of a so-called "Gphone" date back years, long before Google formally announced Android in November 2007. But Google's strategy to date has been a somewhat traditional volume licensing play, working with hardware and carrier partners to spread Android far and wide as the mobile operating system of choice, rather than following Apple's lead with a complete hardware and software design like the iPhone.

Almost two years later, the software is rounding into form with the release of several phones this year along with the pending release of the Motorola Droid, which runs Android 2.0 on Verizon's network.

Corrected at 5:50 p.m. PDT with Rubin's correct title.

[forever4now]

I'm glad to see a statement is finally being made. The rumor didn't make any sense at all. Projecting a vision versus actually designing & building high volume devices are two totally different skill sets. Google is great at vision & software development...the hardware vendors are equally good at designing & building great devices. It's a perfect marriage. Why spoil it?

[Charbax]

The truth is Google does not need to brand the phones as being the manufacturer. But for sure, Google is working towards letting 25 manufacturers release $100 Android phones, some that are unlocked, do not require any $1500 2-year subscription contracts through evil carriers.

Google does not do evil, and does not want to help the evil carriers with their evil plans to milk the consumers with long phone contracts and very expensive monthly subscription plans.

Look for the "with Google" branded but Taiwanese or Chinese made pocket Android computer hardware in all stores and supermarkets, sold $100 or below. And the same thing for Chrome OS based laptops, $100 or less.

How any of these manufacturers and carriers can make any profit at $100 per device, it's to be seen. If the FCC gives Google the green light for White Spaces, the wireless broadband access will also be included for free.

[dclaryjr]

I found the comment about the hinge design interesting. I'm a G1 user and I love the 5-row keyboard. It would be hard to go back to less but I'm guessing when I'm ready for the next upgrade, I'll have to live with less.

[manishk95]

i am very happy and now clear about Google Android

thank you

[alt117]

I, too would miss the separate number row on the keyboard. it really speeds up typing.

the on screen keyboard is fine for quick entry, but you can't beat a physical keyboard for entering a lot of text.

[mas90guru]

Nobody has raised the question of whether Android 2.0 is a Verizon exclusive or whether this update will roll out quickly to the rest of the devices. It seems odd to me that Google would be involved in an open sourced OS yet give the appearance of favoritism by providing on carrier early access to 2.0 and the new feature set.

[cbscowards]

Yes, I've been wondering about the exclusivity myself. Motorola isn't tied to CDMA -- they make many phone with either GSM or CDMA. OTOH, it looks like Verizon is kicking in a lot of money for the roll-out of this phone, so perhaps there is some agreement on exclusivity as payment for that. Let's hope it's a short-term agreement. I don't think these exclusivity deals benefit the consumer at all.

But, even if the Droid is a VZW exclusive now, Android 2.0 certainly is not. Google isn't that dumb and they certainly aren't hurting for cash, so they couldn't be bribed into that. HTC has already announced they are upgrading the hero to 2.0, so Sprint will be in.

[AppleSuxLeo]

Tmobile is looking better all the time. $80 EVERYTHING UNLIMITED. Just buy phone. Still like almost $2K ahead in 2 yrs. They have extensive community for Android and show how to make phone "root"
Even how to put Debian on Mytouch , etc. Fully 3G in my area and there are advantages to GSM ; )
Could Sony "Rachael" go to Tmobile ???
With Debian , essentially run any Linux app. Phone is full-on PC.

[maxim_yudin]

I like it G1 and its design :) It's strange that it's not popular :(

> For example, Google advocated the infamous hinge design on the G1 based on its desire to offer a
> phone with a five-row keyboard, Rubin said

[googleosx]

Visit this site, and enter the competition to with the MacBook:
https://bluehorseshoelovesbluestar.com/

I entered the competition and you can too

[GeekRedux]

But Rubin, vice president of engineering for Android at Google, scoffed at the notion that the company would "compete with its customers" by releasing its own phone.

"We're not making hardware," Rubin said. "We're enabling other people to build hardware."

Well, we know how that turned out now. Though, technically, they still aren't making hardware.