We have heard the speculation, the rumors and the aimless banter about the mythic gPhone. Well, it turns out that the myth is in fact reality, and the reality will be unleashed today. It will not however be what you may have thought.
Google’s gPhone will not be a device (at the onset at least). The gPhone will be an open operating system aimed to compete with and loosen the constraints of the walled gardens created by the major mobile carriers.
“The new operating system, geared specifically for cell phones, will be used to showcase and promote Google's ever-growing panoply of services; much like Microsoft has done for decades with its Windows operating system”
…and why not! Google has a far superior ad delivery system, and if they can get on the palm tops of the lionshare of people, it will only mean increased revenue for the big G.
Verizon, AT&T and Sprint, be afraid, be very afraid (or be prepared to do something that you are not used to doing; playing nicely).
Other Key Points:
- The gPhone will allow developers to work in an open source environment, spurring the growth of the mobile space
- Due the increased usability of the web from handsets, people will begin to rely on these types of devices and expect more from their current carriers. Just as the iPhone raised the bar for what is expected from a mobile device, the gPhone will raise the bar again
- Advertisers will have increased control over their reach to mobile devices, not needing to rely on large mobile ad networks such as Third Screen Media
I am not saying that I feel the gPhone will certainly prevail, however there is no doubt in my mind that it is a game changer and others will look to it as a symbol of things to come.
Tags: gphone, mobile, google, advertising, sprint, att