Borg, er, Google moves into Wireless

[Dr. Whiplash]

SAN FRANCISCO — Google took its long-awaited plunge into the wireless world today, announcing that it is leading a broad industry alliance to transform mobile phones into powerful mobile computers that could accelerate the convergence of computing and communications.

Mobile phones based on Google’s software are not expected to be available until the second half of next year. They will be manufactured by a variety of handset companies, including HTC, LG, Motorola and Samsung and be available in the United States through T-Mobile and Sprint.

The phones will also be available through the world’s largest mobile operator, China Mobile, with 332 million subscribers in China, and the leading carriers in Japan, NTT DoCoMo and KDDI, as well as T-Mobile in Germany, Telecom Italia in Italy and Telefónica in Spain.

The 34-member Open Handset Alliance, as the group is called, also includes many of the leading makers of mobile phone chips, like Broadcom, Intel, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments, as well as SiRF Technology Holdings, Marvell Technology Group, Nvidia and Synaptics. EBay (which owns the Internet calling service Skype), Nuance Communications, NMS Communications and Wind River Systems are also members of the group.

The technology is expected to provide cellular handset manufacturers and wireless operators with capabilities that match and potentially surpass those using smartphone software made by Apple, Microsoft, Nokia, Palm, Research in Motion and others. In contrast to the existing competitors, Google’s software will be offered freely under “open sourceâ€

[Arp2]

The 34-member Open Handset Alliance....

"Hello, this is Google. Are you with us?

We need to know -- are.....you.....with..........us?"


(Read it with a voice somewhere between Michael Douglas in Wall Street and Tony Soprano.....)

[cgarison]

I was disappointed that this turned out to be software and not a new set of devices that operate on the new network that Google is looking to win in the auction.

[Force Commander]

I was always was told Clear Channel was the Borg.

Lower your shields and surrender your broadcast stations. You will be asslimated. You will live to service us. Your biological and creative capabilties will be absorbed into the collective. Resistance is futile.

[Dave Loudin]

Google can release all the software it wants. Getting 34 vendors to agree on anything is rediculous.

[cgarison]

Google can release all the software it wants. Getting 34 vendors to agree on anything is rediculous.

True, but the GPL has done wonders in IT circles to bring about unity in a proprietary world. Look at the use of Linux in HD DVD players, flat panel TVs, (uber hacked) gaming consoles, and even cell phones.

[Dave Loudin]

True, but the GPL has done wonders in IT circles to bring about unity in a proprietary world. Look at the use of Linux in HD DVD players, flat panel TVs, (uber hacked) gaming consoles, and even cell phones.

Fake Steve Jobs has the best reaction to Google. Money quote:

...the only companies that join consortia are the ones who are too stupid or shitty to make a great product on their own.

[Zak Tyler]

True, but the GPL has done wonders in IT circles to bring about unity in a proprietary world. Look at the use of Linux in HD DVD players, flat panel TVs, (uber hacked) gaming consoles, and even cell phones.

Fake Steve Jobs has the best reaction to Google. Money quote:

...the only companies that join consortia are the ones who are too stupid or shitty to make a great product on their own.

hey look, Arp left a comment on the article...

Anonymous said...

Only one capital letter in Macworld, my good friend.
2:53 PM

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