LG announced a new phone that came with several Google applications pre-installed, and many wondered if this was the rumored Google phone. However, rumors persisted that Google was still developing their own phone.
Google and the FCC Auction
The IS Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that they would be auctioning off a large chunk of wireless spectrum. The spectrum will be freed in 2009 when analog TV ceases broadcast.
Google made the surprise announcement that they would commit 4.6 billion dollars towards the auction, if the FCC agreed to stipulate that any auction winner must allow open standards for software, devices, networks, and services.
The FCC adopted two of the four suggestions and stipulated that auction winners must provide open standards for devices and software. Rather than leaving the auction entirely, Google did bid in the auctions and made sure the reserve was met. In some cases, they even bid against themselves to drive up the price. Google did not win any spectrum. Their goal was only to make sure the open standards clauses were met.
Android and the Open Handset Alliance
Rather than releasing a Google branded phone, Google released an operating system for mobile phones. The new system, released to developers in 2007, is an open source project called Android.
Along with Android, Google announced a band of 30 technology and mobile companies called the Open Handset Alliance.
Google's aim in releasing Android as open source and forming an alliance is to try to introduce an open standards in an industry that is notorious for having closed systems. This also lets Google gain market share with the growing number of people who access the Web from mobile devices.
Android Market
Software for Android powered phones will be delivered through the Android Market. Google says that developers will have unrestricted ability to upload apps to the Android Market. This is a contrast to the iPhone App Store, which has controversially banned software it feels competes with existing Apple products.
Android Developer Challenges
In order to release Android with high quality applications already in place, Google held a contest called the Android Developer Challenge. The contest gave large cash prizes to developers for prize winning applications. Google has plans for more Android Developer Challenges.
T-Mobile G1 With Google
The first Android phone for market will be the T-Mobile G1 With Google. The new phone will be in T-Mobile stores in the US on October 22 for $179 with a two year voice and data contract. It should be available in the UK in November and Europe in 2009.
The G1 will feature:
- Touch screen, trackball and keyboard
- Applications from the Android Market
- Google Maps, YouTube, and Google Talk
- Music downloads from Amazon.com
- Built-in Wi-Fi, 3G, and EDGE
