gPhone: ExpansysTV demos the possible HTC/gPhone Platform

As we mentioned yesterday, the new HTC Dual touch has been released. ExpansysTV has released a five minute long YouTube video demonstrating the device. It has been speculated by some that this could be the platform for the new gPhone in development by Google (and my trusted sources at least haven't denied this could be one of the platforms, either).

So, figured you gPhone hounds might be interested in taking a peek. Enjoy.



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gPhone: The Final Countdown Starts Here

Update (11:52 AM CST 10/3/2007): You might be interested in this video demo of the HTC Dual Touch, which is rumored to be the hardware platform for the gPhone. I'd also like to re-iterate that the release dates are less trusted than the details in the main post. I mentioned that the dates I've heard have ranged from late Sept to early Oct. I haven't had any two sources say the same date twice, as I mentioned on the show, as well, so I don't trust those dates as much as I trust the rest of the details I've disclosed. Everyone seems keen to discount me using the dates I mentioned as 'proof', so I thought I'd re-iterate the authenticity of specific facts (or lack thereof). In other words, read the entire article in context.

Update (8:38 PM CST 10/1/2007): Several people have written in to me with the caveat that after the $400 gPhone is purchased the carrier connection might be subsidized by ads, thus technically free service. No one has said anything that would indicate this explicitly, but then no one has said anything to directly contradict it either. I wouldn't count on this fact personally, but it's not outside the realm of possibility. Trust me, though. I'd love it if it was free.

Update (5:00 PM CST 10/1/2007): Finally heard back from T-Mobile. A spokesperson who preferred not to be named stated: "...regarding the gPhone, T-Mobile does not comment on rumors or speculation." Almost verbatim what Google currently says publicly when asked. In response to my queries about data network specifications, the spokesperson said: "...I have looked into your request and found T-Mobile’s 3G/UMTS network updates are currently in the works. We are targeting the rollout for the first half of 2008. At this time we are not providing details regarding the availability of our network or future advanced data services. "

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Howdy Rizzn-ites and gPhone hounds,

We're going to talk a lot about this on the show today (Episode 141). Listen in and get the full story!

I'm unloading my payload today. I've been aggregating and sifting through rumors from a number of sources - Deep Throat, NDA'ed entrepreneurs, NDA'ed employees of various related vendors and trusted internet sources. Some of the juicy tidbits that I trust implicitly I've been sitting on for the last month so I could drum up verification by independent sources. All of my sources prefer to remain anonymous, so I suppose this technically remains in the rumor bin, but my first predictions proved to be true regarding the gPhone, so as an independent reader, take that as you will. Thus ends my disclaimer.

On to the juicy tidbits. T-Mobile is going to be the network operator for the gPhone worldwide. I've got a call in to the press department over at T-Mobile in which I expect them to respond with the "we don't comment on rumor" line, but several other sources have corroborated this aspect.

It is going to be a Linux based kernel for the operating system. As of last talks with folks at Google, the GUI is still being finalized. The testing hardware was described as being in pieces spread across a table a couple weeks ago, as they finalized the drivers and the GUI for the device. The phone reference design will be open source, using the Apache license. This reference design will be an unlocked, neutral environment.

HTC is making the hardware - this isn't a new revelation. The rumor that they were involved has been a very widely reported rumor, but not only are trusted sources now reporting renewed confirmations on this, but HTC has released several phone models recently that show capabilities or indications that they could run an advanced GUI, as noted by Andy Beal.

There is going to be a price, and that price is $400. This is the big shocker. I had originally noted that part of the philosophy was that this product would compete in functionality with the OLPC and I inferred that it would be ad subsidized, which then started a spiral of analysis from many many folks that this phone would range in price from $200, then $100, then free.

Keep in mind, though, that this is being rolled out on an existing operator, not the 700 mhz spectrum, and not a satellite network. T-Mobile isn't owned by Google, and neither is HTC. It would be very difficult for the service to be free, but I haven't heard what the monthly pricing plans are going to be like, only that the device is going to cost $400. I have inquiries in at TMobile to find out the details.

Now, on to the facts that I haven't been able to find independent verification for, but sound reasonably congruent to everything else:

• Google has formed a consortium of about 30 companies to create it. The consortium includes chip makers, OEM manufacturers, software providers, and carriers. The phone will in fact not be a product -- it's really a reference design. I've referred throughout this post to the gPhone as a reference design because without anyone from Google explicitly saying this, it more or less sounds like what's happening. Google sent out requests to a whole bunch of vendors, and is putting together the pieces at the Googleplex.
• It'll be GSM everywhere except Japan, where it will be TDMA. I actually am ashamed to admit that I don't know all the specs on what goes on in the backplane of the different American carriers anymore - not like the days when I worked at Nokia where I had spec data ad nauseum memorized. If I had that information back from T-Mobile press relations, I could comment on this tidbit more reliably, but they haven't gotten back to me in time for this article to go out.
• The thrust is that the gPhone is the "the anti-iPhone". It will be an inexpensive, open design, vs. Apple's closed, expensive design. I don't think it's more or less the anti-iPhone, at least not in original intent, although it could very easily be framed that way, especially with Apple's tendency to brick iPhone in sight, these days.
• The Google phone will be announced sometime between 9/27 and 10/5. I don't know this to be a fact, but these dates are ones that have been bandied about by several of my sources. My advice? Buy your Google, HTC, and T-Mobile stock now. You know none of it's gonna go down.
• The gPhone will role out simultaneously in the US, Europe China, and Japan. They have a carrier ready to go in every region. I don't know this to be a fact, but one of my sources said that this is more or less gospel. We know they've been talking a lot to people in Asia, since much of the gPhone rumor seems to be originating in India, and they've been demonstrating it in America. T-Mobile is obviously very strong in Europe (owned by Deutsch Telekom). It's highly possible!
  

That's more or less all I know for now. I'll probably be chiming in on the blog here with some analysis on some of the more interesting posts that will come out of this. I am, for a change, going to refrain from making sweeping predictions in this post (I'll save those for the show), since the predictions I made last time were taken so widely out of context.

See these articles for all the old stuff I've said about the gPhone:

• gPhone: It's Confirmed
• gPhone: Vindicated!
• gPhone: Rumor Control.
• gPhone Hubbub

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gPhone: Vindicated!

Rizzn-ites!

(further discussion on this can be found on Episode 121 of RizWords. Subscribe in iTunes for the first scoops!)

Don't ever doubt me again! When a leak or a confirmation comes from me, you know it's true! :-p

What am I talking about? Obviously you haven't checked Engadget or your copy of the Boston Globe yet. The gPhone was demo'ed in Boston, according to Scott Kirsner, to: Dan Roth of Nuance, Mike Phillips of Vlingo, Paul Ferri of Matrix Partners, and Murali Aravamudan of Veveo. It's an interesting assortment of names, and include a lot of names and companies we talk about here on the show.

Off that tidbit, what can be assumed? Well, given that Google specializes in search, and has a considerable amount of resources devoted to video and voice recognition (GOOG-411 and Video Search), we can assume they'll be either trying to incorporate their's or other's technology into the device.

Additionally, Om Malik came out today with a number of other confirmations on things we already knew here at Rizzn:

1. Google Phone is based on a mobile variant of Linux, and is able to run Java virtual machines. We knew this to be true from Deep Throat... Linux-based kernel.
2. All applications that are supposed to run on the Google Phone are java apps. The OS has ability to run multimedia files, including video clips. We didn't know that it would have video on it, although it would be rather silly for Google not to include one of it's leading draws, currently, YouTube in the mix somehow. The Java angle makes me a bit nervous - I've never had super luck with Java Applets, although in recent years, the platform has stabilized a bit. Additionally, Java Applets running on a tightly integrated system like a mobile platform could be mean better performance for said applets than we see on the PC architecture.
3. The image (with red background) floating around isn’t representative of the Google Phone UI. The entire UI is said to be done in Java and is very responsive. Again, because of integrated design, the Java could perform much better than other real-world applications. And indeed, the image we ran with the story last week was something we simply found on Engadget, not something handed to us from Google.
4. The UI, of course has a “search box.” Derrrrr.
5. Initially there was one prototype, but over past few months Google has the mobile OS running on 3-to-5 devices, most of them likely made by HTC, a mobile phone maker, and all have Qwerty apps. The model that folks have seen is very similar to the T-Mobile Dash. Around 3GSM, there were rumors that Google, Orange and HTC were working together on mobile devices. This jives with what we've heard from folks inside the loop as well as what we've read on the blogosphere. My suspicion, based on candid conversations with folks involved with the process, is that it'll initially be on a partnership basis like the iPhone situation with AT&T, but look for it in other countries before America gets it. American carriers will be less likely to do a subsidization on the service plans than overseas. If I had to guess, I'd expect to see it in Asia and Europe as some sort of internet wireless plan separate from carriers (think 802.something), parts of middle-to-Southern Asia and middle-to-Eastern Europe as a partnership with existing carriers, or maybe a mix of both. Keep in mind this is based off my analysis, not hard facts.

Om also mentioned:

We will post more details as they come our way. I had initially thought that it could be a more viable option to the $100 PC. While that argument still remains true, I think this is a strategic move by Google to keep Windows Mobile’s growing influence in check. Microsoft has spent billions on its mobile efforts including buying companies such as Tell Me Networks.

To be honest, I think this platform is an answer to both situations. The impression I get is that Google is working very closely with select partners like HTC to tailor the hardware to the OS and software, and vice-versa. The result will be something that comes in at a much lower price point with a lot more functionality than a Microsoft or OLPC style device can deliver.

Theoretically, on certain levels, it'll compete with both products, but as with most Google products, it'll do more to carve out it's own operating niche than to enter direct competition. If it's one thing I've learned, it's that Google doesn't think, in it's tactical level, on competitive terms, but more emphasis on innovation (a term I've often heard bandied about is 'Blue-Sky R&D). As a result, they end up being mightily competitive, without having to worry about it so much.

Back to the Boston Article a moment...
Scott in his Boston Globe article said:

Google spokeswoman Erin Fors wouldn't confirm whether software for mobile phones was being developed in the Cambridge office, where there are more than 50 employees.

Going back to my conversation with Deep Throat, I'm fairly certain that development for the phone is taking place, at least in part, at the Mountain View Googleplex. Saying what gave me this impression would reveal too much about my source, but it's the impression I got.

Another interesting quote from the Boston Globe article was from Mark May, an analyst:

Mark May, an equities analyst at Needham & Company who follows Google's stock, says he doesn't expect Google to manufacture the phone itself, but rather provide an operating system and a suite of applications that "would appeal to consumers and professionals," like the mail and word processing applications it already provides to PC users.

"That's a natural extension from their core business," May says. The operating system is expected to be open not just to Google's applications, but applications developed by all sorts of other players - a real problem with many cellphones.

So, what was an absurd rumor from a blogger five days ago is now a 'natural extension'? Nice spin, MSM.

GPay? What?
As if there weren't enough angles today to the gPhone story, Google published a patent today covered by TechCrunch detailing yet another application for the gPhone or other mobile devices allowing for payment via text messaging.

When I worked for Nokia in 2000, this was one of the applications we were working on before the bust hit, and 500 people from my department were laid off. PayPal initially got funded on the idea that it could be a mobile payment system, as well. No one really has gotten traction in the market of Text Message Payment Systems, and quite honestly, Google doesn't deserve the patent, which isn't to say that this couldn't become a widely successful application for them. Integrating your wallet with your mobile computing device? Actually quite ingenius.

Of course, it'll be a matter of moments before the debate on Goog's strangle-hold on information and privacy issues are raised again (not to mention the evil-ness, or lack thereof).

How's that for something to chew on this Labor Day? I'm going to my mom's to go eat some bratwurst. See you folks tomorrow. (again, check out the show for more info).

/rizzn

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