Abhishek Tiwari

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The internet is buzzing with rumors about a possibility of a phone from Google. I too have posted some thoughts in the past. It is being said that Google isn’t developing a phone but an operating system. That kinda sounds right as Google is known for its software and not for its hardware capabilities. Although Andy Rubin (possibly the main guy running the GPhone operation) did create the SideKick, which was an awesome phone.

Based on this latest rumor, the threat could be more towards the likes of Microsoft, Symbian and other mobile OS providers. The OS play is interesting as Google will have to depend on OEM vendors and carriers to some extent for getting its service to the market. This is in contrast to Apple who has all or nothing mentality (of course excluding the RF infrastructure).

My intent with the post is not really to spread more rumors. It is more around analyzing how Google could solve this problem. They probably have the best armory of services and applications, which can be extended to a Mobile ecosystem. This post delves into the approach from my perspective. I will try and break my analysis down in various horizontal components, which comprise the ecosystem. This post will be in three parts covering:

1. Base operating system and mobile features
2. Messaging, Productivity and Media features (live now)
3. Application Ecosystem and Revenue Enablement (live now)

So without further ado, let’s look at part one.

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Most of you know about Google throwing in the gauntlet in the wireless game. I have extensively covered some of that in this blog. Read the first four posts here:

1. Rise of the GoogNet
2. Rise of the GoogNet — Part 2
3. Rise of the GoogNet — Part 3 Well Sort Of
4. Rise of the GoogNet — Most Likely

Now things had been going hunky dory for Google. FCC had accepted two of four Google’s demands and most of the blogosphere was pretty happy with the results. However as one can expect, the big boys of wireless weren’t quite happy with the results. AT&T reacted with strong words. However Verizon the true veteran in this space had other ideas.

Verizon with its barrage of lawyers and access to unlimited knowledge of wheeling and dealing in the wireless space sued the FCC itself. They weren’t happy with the two options around open devices and open applications (surprise surprise!). As usual they want to lock the devices and offer limited access to the consumers.

Google has been pretty disappointed with these moves and has reacted strongly on their blog. RCR Wireless is also accusing Verizon of behind the scenes lobbying. All this has many worried and it seems like FCC may end up revising the rules. Google is standing by their views and are in constant conversations with FCC. Google has also claimed that if they win the auction from FCC, no matter what the rules say, they will open up the devices and applications.

Verizon who I had covered recently as the rejuvenated company, is looking as the bad guy in all this. Given their moves and public statements I am sure they aren’t making any friends. Certainly not Google.

I am definitely in favor of open policies. After all we the consumers here in the US will suffer if these rules aren’t changed. Frankly we live in the “third world” of wireless and will continue on that path if the incumbents had their way…

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Recently Google has been showing a lot of love to India. Now they have launched a new search feature on the Search service for cricket lovers. Just like its courier delivery tracking service and calculator, its launching Cricket Score service.

Just type Cricket into the search box and it will display the latest scores of various games as the top result. One can also type the country name to access specific scores.

I am a big time cricket fan and love this feature. Now I only hope they can make this into a widget for my Netvibes. Is someone at Google hearing me?

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Just yesterday I posted about ZOHO and their move in the small business marketplace and potential threat to Google. Google made a significant announcement today where it will partner with Cap Gemini to offer its office applications to enterprise customers. Cap Gemini already runs desktop services for over a million customers will starting offering Google apps to enable productivity and collaboration. Google offers following within its premier app edition:

• Gmail (with 10 GB)
• GTalk
• GCal
• Start page
• Page creator
• Docs and spreadsheet
• Management apps, enterprise support and
• API access

Well I was hoping that this was just another announcement among the plethora of press releases Google makes. However almost hours later this announcement is drawing heat from other big players in this space.

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Yesterday I wrote about Google Phone and made some high level predictions. Today I stumbled upon a great post from Daniel Langendorf of Last 100. He details various elements of the much anticipated phone and what Google could bring to the game. Here are some excerpts:

“The Android/Google team supposedly has developed a Linux-based mobile OS, which one expects will integrate tightly with Google’s interests to provide a satisfying user experience.”

“Google’s Gtalk is a VoIP service, allowing people to hold phone conversations over the Internet. Many are hoping and praying that the Google phone will support Internet telephony, either through Gtalk or maybe even Skype.”

“The Google phone must include GPS, which is another complaint of the iPhone. The iPhone uses Google Maps, a nice-to-have application that falls short of being truly useful without GPS capabilities. Imagine GPS on the Google phone: Addresses in Gmail or in Gcal are automatically mapped and plotted for real-time travel. Another benefit of using GPS is the coming of location-based services and proximity-based notifications.”

“Google’s track record — as seen through its Web application development — is no thrills and minimalist. Expect the phone to be innovative and full of promise but not nearly as pretty and awe-inspiring as the iPhone.”

Check out the post, it’s a good read.

Great work Daniel!

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