Dec 15
The Google Phone Cometh
Google Inc plans to sell its own cellphone direct to consumers as soon as next year, bypassing wireless operators in a rare strategic move, the Wall Street Journal cited sources as saying on Saturday.
Called the Nexus One and made by smartphone maker HTC, the phone will run on the search giant's Android operating system -- around which Motorola and other cellphone makers have built devices -- and will be sold online, the newspaper cited persons familiar with the matter as saying.
Cellular service will have to be bought separately, it added.
The Internet search leader may be sounding a challenge to wireless carriers such as Sprint and Verizon, as well as smartphone makers like Apple. It marks a departure for the leader in Web advertising, which has rarely sold devices directly to consumers, the newspaper said.
via reuters.com
This news is long awaited and potentially huge.
Since announcing the concept of Android (its mobile operating system) back in 2007 the 'G-Phone' has been expected as the next logical step for Google.
Apple has made the previously geeky domains of smartphones and mobile internet consumer friendly, Google will look to take this to the next level.
