The Internet rumor-mill has been bristling with anticipation, as sources reveal that Google’s new Smartphone will be available as early as this October. The phone is expected to be priced at $199 US, putting it in direct competition with Apple’s iPhone.
EWeek.com is reporting that Google’s debut cell phone — known as “Dream” — will be a collaboration between Google, T-mobile, and cell phone manufacturer HTC. The new phone, which will be based on Google’s recently developed Android mobile operating system, is expected to be introduced on September 23 at an official unveiling ceremony in New York City.
So far, there are not many details available about the particular specs of the Google “Dream” smartphone. However, it is an excellent bet that the phone will be sold exclusively by T-Mobile, and will take advantage of T-Mobile’s nationwide network. Of course, we also know that the phone will run Google’s Android operating system. Android, which was introduced earlier this year, has received mostly favorable reviews, but has so far failed to overwhelm the critics.
Whether Google’s new phone can hope to compete with the iPhone is the question many are asking. The cell phone industry in general has been waiting for a real contender — a smart phone with the sophistication and features to compete with Apple’s iPhone. So far, few models have come close to overtaking Apple’s lead.
Google may also find the mobile phone market much more difficult to crack than the online world. Although Google is currently dominating all things Internet-related, the global telecommunications market is a very different game.
Google’s decision to partner with T-Mobile is also a risky. Despite increasing competition, AT&T is still the biggest mobile network carrier in the United States, with T-Mobile coming in a distant second. Many experts feel that Google would have had a better chance of competing with Apple’s iPhone if it had chosen to partner with the larger AT&T network.
One trend that may bode well for the Google Dream is the frustration many users are reporting with their 3G iPhone’s. Some users have complained of dropped calls, and inconsistent Internet access, causing a kind of backlash among otherwise loyal Apple users. If Google markets the new Dream successfully, they may just be able to win over some of these disenfranchised Apple loyalists, and gain serious market share against the iPhone. By this November we should know whether Dream is in fact a dream come true or a rare misstep for Google.
It will be a nice challenge !!
Comment by TIM — September 27, 2008 @ 7:20 am