Comments on: Future Implications: Why the Gphone will fail

If Google decides to break out of its shell and release a new cell phone that some are calling the "iPhone Killer," it will be a huge mistake.

[Mapper99]

iPhone vs gPhone vs yPhone...

I think the gPhone won't compete with the iPhone. I'm sure it will be cool, but I have the feeling Google is thinking about giving them out for free to satisfy it's advertising market. Now there are rumours Yahoo is coming out with a phone!

Here is a great site which aggregates all gPhone news (rumours at this point) into one place:

http://gphone.corank.com

[Mapper99]

iPhone vs gPhone vs yPhone...

I think the gPhone won't compete with the iPhone. I'm sure it will be cool, but I have the feeling Google is thinking about giving them out for free to satisfy it's advertising market. Now there are rumours Yahoo is coming out with a phone!

Here is a great site which aggregates all gPhone news (rumours at this point) into one place:

http://gphone.corank.com

[johncon]

Why not a Gphone?

Because of competition, Google shouldn't enter the phone market? Because of competition they just might! All this is based on rumours of a Gphone (actual phone) but what if the latest rumours are true that the Gphone isn't hardware but a mobile operating system? Ahh.. a mobile interface where Google apps have a potential home with 1 BILLION+ mobile users.. Now the phone manufactures may complain about invading their phone software space but, as you said, it's a competitive world. Perhaps they would enjoy a mobile device as functional as the IPhone, that isn't tied to Microsoft. And now the hook... the 700 mHz spectrum. Google could easily tie in the software functionality to be Skype like and invite the hardware manufacturers in, all on its new GPhone operating system, shutting Microsoft Mobile out quickly. Yes, it is a competitive market, but me thinks Google isn't as brash as you may think. Their speciality is software and I think that's where they are headed.

[johncon]

Why not a Gphone?

Because of competition, Google shouldn't enter the phone market? Because of competition they just might! All this is based on rumours of a Gphone (actual phone) but what if the latest rumours are true that the Gphone isn't hardware but a mobile operating system? Ahh.. a mobile interface where Google apps have a potential home with 1 BILLION+ mobile users.. Now the phone manufactures may complain about invading their phone software space but, as you said, it's a competitive world. Perhaps they would enjoy a mobile device as functional as the IPhone, that isn't tied to Microsoft. And now the hook... the 700 mHz spectrum. Google could easily tie in the software functionality to be Skype like and invite the hardware manufacturers in, all on its new GPhone operating system, shutting Microsoft Mobile out quickly. Yes, it is a competitive market, but me thinks Google isn't as brash as you may think. Their speciality is software and I think that's where they are headed.

[ctfoley]

The Gphone will succeed

Imagine an upgraded iPhone for $100. That's what the gPhone will probably be. Everybody wants an iPhone, but it's too expensive. Everybody would buy one at $100. Do you really think that wouldn't compete with ordinary cell phones in the same price range? Also, Google could buy airtime and 3G network usage wholesale from Sprint, like Helio does.

[ctfoley]

The Gphone will succeed

Imagine an upgraded iPhone for $100. That's what the gPhone will probably be. Everybody wants an iPhone, but it's too expensive. Everybody would buy one at $100. Do you really think that wouldn't compete with ordinary cell phones in the same price range? Also, Google could buy airtime and 3G network usage wholesale from Sprint, like Helio does.

[longears]

Are you new to the Internet?

I'd like to offer a few counter-arguments to your post.

First of all, Google HAS made hardware. They make enterprise servers for integration into existing corporate networks (http://www.google.com/enterprise/). Secondly, they have acquired the company that made the Sidekick. They have the knowledge and expertise to make a hand-held device to be integrated into a wireless network.

Secondly, Google HAS seen competition. They have worked their way from absolutely nothing (1996) to a multi-billion, publicly-traded company (today). They weren't the first search engine - they didn't even come up with the pay per click model. They have, however, become the authority in both. They HAVE seen competition, and have excelled.

You ask why Google should get into the cell business when it's about to win the 700MHz spectrum auction. What else would they do with it? Why not use the 700MHz spectrum to their advantage across multiple platforms?

You also mentioned that if Google created a cell phone, Nokia, LG and Motorola would have an answer within 2 weeks. Well, the iPhone has been out for almost 2 months now, and Nokia, LG and Motorola haven't released anything to compete with it yet. Besides, GOOGLE owns their applications (Gmail, Talk, Documents, Spreadsheets, Reader, Picasa...). They can license their applications to whomever they please. If (and this is just speculation here) Google makes a hand-held that has all (or most) of their applications built into it, I don't think other companies can replicate this within weeks of release. I do think that Google would be more than happy to get their applications on as many devices as possible, but integration takes time. Other companies can release hand-helds, but won't replicate the Google Phone.

One last note. You mentioned that the only reason the iPhone was successful is because they already had a following. I am not privileged to know how many people use Google on a daily basis, and I have no idea how many people have a Gmail account, but I'd venture to say that there are many, many more people who use Google on a daily basis than have (or covet) the iPhone.

I personally hope that Google will make the Google Phone, get it into the market, and generate a large market share. I believe that this will make owning a web-enabled mobile device much cheaper and feature-rich. Why would I, as a consumer, discourage progress?

[longears]

Are you new to the Internet?

I'd like to offer a few counter-arguments to your post.

First of all, Google HAS made hardware. They make enterprise servers for integration into existing corporate networks (http://www.google.com/enterprise/). Secondly, they have acquired the company that made the Sidekick. They have the knowledge and expertise to make a hand-held device to be integrated into a wireless network.

Secondly, Google HAS seen competition. They have worked their way from absolutely nothing (1996) to a multi-billion, publicly-traded company (today). They weren't the first search engine - they didn't even come up with the pay per click model. They have, however, become the authority in both. They HAVE seen competition, and have excelled.

You ask why Google should get into the cell business when it's about to win the 700MHz spectrum auction. What else would they do with it? Why not use the 700MHz spectrum to their advantage across multiple platforms?

You also mentioned that if Google created a cell phone, Nokia, LG and Motorola would have an answer within 2 weeks. Well, the iPhone has been out for almost 2 months now, and Nokia, LG and Motorola haven't released anything to compete with it yet. Besides, GOOGLE owns their applications (Gmail, Talk, Documents, Spreadsheets, Reader, Picasa...). They can license their applications to whomever they please. If (and this is just speculation here) Google makes a hand-held that has all (or most) of their applications built into it, I don't think other companies can replicate this within weeks of release. I do think that Google would be more than happy to get their applications on as many devices as possible, but integration takes time. Other companies can release hand-helds, but won't replicate the Google Phone.

One last note. You mentioned that the only reason the iPhone was successful is because they already had a following. I am not privileged to know how many people use Google on a daily basis, and I have no idea how many people have a Gmail account, but I'd venture to say that there are many, many more people who use Google on a daily basis than have (or covet) the iPhone.

I personally hope that Google will make the Google Phone, get it into the market, and generate a large market share. I believe that this will make owning a web-enabled mobile device much cheaper and feature-rich. Why would I, as a consumer, discourage progress?