SPOTLIGHT: A gPhone drilldown

Google will have a lot to learn about bringing hardware and especially wireless handsets to market. Without their own proprietary technology, this would be the MP3 vs. the iPod. What's the value? For people that want an iPod but don't want to pay the premium, they choose a MP3 player. There is a definite market opportunity for an alternative to the iPhone, but don't forget about Motorola and Nokia. This is a race that will tiresome to keep up with advancements. Google will have to get the carriers to bend. Apple was able to pull that off, they were the first company that "dictated" to the carrier what the user experience and functionality would be. Not the other way around. Google may have some similar pull with the carriers, it's possible. They certainly have the deep pockets to push it through. Making it open and unlocked for a global market would be a better approach. Also, making it feasible for an enterprise mobile user would be one better. Most CIOs and IT directors I talk to are not enthused about supporting the iPhone on their networks. Selling it as a Google utility online direct from Google would also keep their costs down - that business model doesn't fit well with carriers today.
Paul Lopez
http://lopezunwired.com

Thanks for the comments, Paul. While I agree that a gPhone has plenty of obstacles in its way, you have to believe iPhone-ill-equipped carriers are interested in a device with a little hype behind it. Selling the handset online and bypassing carriers' distro channels might be somewhat incongruous with carriers' business models, but as long as Google doesn't lobby for a rev-share agreement a la Apple/iPhone--I bet the carriers will be more than willing to play ball. -Brian