(Image from NYT.com)
As I expected, The Times reports that Google plans to build a software suite/platform for a new class of phones. I thought so. (My post called “Google Phone-y” is here.)
From the Times piece:
“The essential point is that Google’s strategy is to lead the creation of an open-source competitor to Windows Mobile,” said one industry executive, who did not want his name used because his company has had contacts with Google. “They will put it in the open-source world and take the economics out of the Windows Mobile business.”
Key to the success of this plan? Developers. And undercutting the economics by running Adsense, of course:
“The essential point is that Google’s strategy is to lead the creation of an open-source competitor to Windows Mobile,” said one industry executive, who did not want his name used because his company has had contacts with Google. “They will put it in the open-source world and take the economics out of the Windows Mobile business.”
I still say that building the platform qualifies it as a “Google phone”. The same way we talk about “Microsoft” PCs, even though MS doesn’t build the hardware.