Google gPhone, friend and foe to Android phone vendors
Google's brand and aspirations could be tough competition for handset manufacturers building Android-based devices
Follow @SavioRodriguesReports suggest that Google will partner with phone maker HTC to deliver the much hyped and long-awaited Google phone -- the gPhone, as some like to call it. The Google-branded phone is rumored to be out in early 2010 with advertising starting in January.
As PC World's Ian Paul suggests, the driver behind a Google-branded phone is to "own the customer experience" through the gPhone. While this makes complete sense for Google, what does it mean for Android and, more important, handset manufacturers building Android-based devices?
[ Read InfoWorld's in-depth mobile deathmatch series: BlackBerry Bold vs. iPhone | Palm Pre vs. iPhone | Motorola Droid vs. iPhone. And see our deathmatch slideshows' head-to-head comparisons: BlackBerry Bold vs. iPhone | Palm Pre vs. iPhone | Motorola Droid vs. iPhone | Read our review of the HTC Droid Eris. ]
First, let’s consider whether Google would use Android improvements required for the gPhone as a competitive differentiator versus other Android handset makers. The Android license doesn't require derivative works to be contributed back. However, I'll give "don't be evil" Google the benefit of the doubt and assume that the company will contribute Android improvements back to the Android community. In this respect, the gPhone helps the Android community.
Next, let’s look at brand. Until now, Android-based handset manufacturers have been able to trade on the Google brand. Competing against the Google brand will be altogether different. Matt Asay nails it when he concludes that Android is winning over Symbian because of Google's brand.
