Forget about search engine stuff for a minute.
Remember web based email services before Google?
When Google launched Gmail it offered 1GB of storage for your email FOR FREE. At the time Yahoo and Microsoft were offering 4MB and 2MB respectively. Google completely changed the web mail game forever. Instantly Hotmail went from 2mb to 25mb for its users (250mb for hotmail plus users). Yahoo went from 4mb to 100mb for its free account.
Google seriously changed the game with Gmail.
Remember website analytics before Google Analytics? Another major game changer from Google.
Website Optimizer, Webmaster Central, Picassa, Docs, Apps, the list goes on and on.
Steve Ballmer (Microsoft CEO) calls Google a 1 trick pony with their Google AdSense product (which is about 99% of their revenue).
If their is one thing Google is REALLY good at its getting more real estate for its 1 trick. They already bought their way into Firefox and Apple’s web browser and iPhone default search.
But now Google is getting into the cellular phone business and I think this will be their biggest game changer and frontier to run AdSense on yet.
You can read all about the Google Phone here on Techcrunch.
About the only thing we know is that the device is real and that Google is going to sell it unlocked with a GSM chipset (to start). They are also going to sell it independent of any carrier. This means out of the gate it will work just about anywhere in the world.
Now lets play what if with the rumors.
Rumors are that:
- Google is planning to sell this phone (which appears to be the equivalent of the HTC Droid Eris) for $99
- Google is planning to sell the phone completely outside of carriers. Which also means outside of contracts.
The Google phone could completely change the cellular telephone industry as we know it.
Unlike before where everyone’s money to make phones was the kickbacks they got from the cellphone companies, Google’s motivation is search engine market share… For its 1 trick pony.
I think its awesome. Go Google.
February 13, 2010 at 10:08 am
When Google launched the Nexus One in January, the company hit on an odd bit of marketing to distinguish the new phone from its rivals.
January 8, 2010 at 2:31 am
Many people said the phone is great.
January 4, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Ballmer and Microsoft always talk smack about something then go out and imitate it. Remember when they said the iPod would flop cuz no one would buy one for $400?
Back when Netscrape was kicking sand in their face in the browser wars of old, Microsoft said the internet was a fad that would die away then they embedded Internet Explorer to the OS.
Basically, if Ballmer/ Microsoft say something is crappy or will be a flop, you better believe it’ll likely be a hit.
January 4, 2010 at 8:43 pm
I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incriminate me.
I’ll pass on any Google product tangible, intangible or imaginary.
I won’t do anything more to put money in their pockets.
I have nothing nice to say about them so I won’t say anything more.
December 23, 2009 at 9:22 pm
At this point, Google can do no wrong. And I’m sure this is only the beginning. Can’t wait to see what’s next.
December 21, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Google really did turn the heads of many people. I believe they still would.
On another note: Googles offer of 500 million for Yelp was denied by the CEO of Yelp.
December 20, 2009 at 10:15 pm
I don’t think google will do that great. They are not a hardware company, and they have no experience in design. Name one piece of hardware that google has branded? They are starting to remind me of MSFT. They are throwing a bunch of crap against the wall hoping to get something to stick. For every new introduction they have a failure they turn off. Just stick with your core before someone takes it away I say.
December 17, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Its funny what steve balmer said everybody completely ignored , thats how powerful google has become
December 17, 2009 at 1:01 am
Go Google! Yeah that’s pretty awesome.
December 17, 2009 at 12:33 am
Any serious webmasters should be PRETTY WORRIED about one company owning the web.
December 16, 2009 at 11:51 pm
What I really want is the phone to be better then the iphone. The iPhone is the best phone yet, and if you have jail broken it all the better.
December 16, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Without reading ALL the comments, I would just like to say that I love to see Google taking another step to making a product worth buying.
Most of what Google does is FREE of charge and we can thank the advertisers that spend billions each year for that.
They have resources and if they weren’t coming out with something new all the time, I would think something is wrong with their business plan.
December 16, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Google is spreading their wings and in ten years every computer users come under their wings.
So wait and watch.
December 16, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Way to go shoe.Well said.I mean google not only change the industry, but our life too.A lot of people benefits from Google Adsense all these years.Thanks Google!
December 16, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Referring to Ballmer’s comment… DELL is also a one-trick pony with a superior supply chain. BMW is also a one-trick-pony with engineering. Microsoft is also a one-trick pony with fat clients. Coke is also a one-trick pony with branding. I’m sure he is smart enough not to confuse a company’s differentiating strength with overall capabilities… He must have not been happy with Google that morning.
December 16, 2009 at 5:01 pm
I have heard a little bit about this new phone by Google. I have heard that it doesn’t have a keyboard but is voice activated. It will be great to see how they put this phone together!
December 16, 2009 at 4:51 pm
I am looking forward to Google’s phone. We need more good players in the phone business, and the phones will improve more. The future is going to be great.
Search may be Google’s main business, but they have the money and power to go into many differnet fields.
Good Googleing to All,
Tom Shay
December 16, 2009 at 4:44 pm
That is cheap and sweet shoe. I love the iphone but i dont see much changes! apple really need to work on it.. its been a long time
December 16, 2009 at 4:44 pm
If they make the Google phone the same way they do other products, I’ll be grabbing one when it comes out.
December 16, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Yeah, thats how things started. First google took over online world, microsoft and yahoo didn’t see it coming. Now they take over cellphone market with the phone and will probably become the next verizon soon with a new game plan and probably take over the new industry.
The were dreaming of phone market for many years. Remember back a few years ago they were going to provide free service while the ads ran on your phone, which didn’t take off but resulted in GOOG411? With more power in the cellphone industry they will totally be able to provide the free service in the future and drive verizon and att out of business. As a matter of fact purchasing something like t-mobile is a going to be a chunk of change for them to get started. 
December 16, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Awesome. I really hope the Google phone does change the cell phone industry game. We could all use a break from these powerhouse carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and the like. Two-year contracts? Who needs ‘em? Cool post. I’ve got my eye on the Droid phone. -Jason Clegg
December 16, 2009 at 2:13 pm
may be they are champs at giving softwares for free… but they got to work hell.. when they are giving hardware for such price as 99$..
hope it comes to india..
December 16, 2009 at 2:09 pm
I agree the Google Phone is the future but currently I have to say the iPhone is the best product out there.
December 16, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Wow. At $99, even in my currency, that’s totally do-able.
I love how you can see the bigger picture. Don’t you love how Microsoft shoot their mouths off (they were dissing the ipod not so long ago) only to regret it later (or pretend they never said that).
Can’t wait to see what Google do. They are freakin’ pioneers those guys. 1 trick pony? My *ass*.
December 16, 2009 at 1:38 pm
If anything gets me to switch from my iphone, it will be this one. I really like the fact that they’re going to offer it free of the carriers. It really is a slap in the face to the “must have AT&T” stranglehold that Apple puts their in. Unless you have a jailbroken iphone, then the point is moot I guess.
December 16, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I don’t like how google gets into everything else. Seriously, big brother scares me!!
December 16, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Hey Google, don’t forget about us here in Canada.
December 16, 2009 at 6:10 pm
That is the main advantage of Google that they do not forget anyone and walk with everyone.
December 16, 2009 at 1:10 pm
2009 Shoestradamus predictions
6) Google’s Andriod operating system will be regarded as a flop and I will never even get to try it.
fail.
December 16, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Nice catch. I am wrong every once in a while on predictions =P
December 16, 2009 at 11:00 pm
That IS a good catch. It’s too bad the only time I remember your predictions is when someone brings up one that is wrong, lol.
December 16, 2009 at 1:06 pm
This is why I still carry an old and ugly Motorola.. I’m waiting for the Google Phone!
December 16, 2009 at 5:38 pm
We salute your patience and determination.
I am sure by now you will be known as old motorola guy in your locality. Lollzz
December 16, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Well I must say that I am an iPhone junkie. I think its a great go for Google though. I don’t think it will get near the market share that the iPhone has, EVER.
However I think its super smart. They can get an increase in mental market share. Thus even if someone has an iPhone and breaks it and uses the google phone till they get another iphone they can get in the mindset of Google. I like how Bing is taking over market share though. Competition is good. I read on Seoblackhat that Bing is in the position to be at 15% market share by the end of 2010. Albeit I love google, but they are a bit “big headed” if you ask me. Anyway I look forward to seeing this phone.
December 16, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Adsense 99% of revenue? Do you just mean adwords and adsense together?
December 16, 2009 at 2:14 pm
yes, both combined..together..
December 16, 2009 at 12:05 pm
The cell phone business needs to change and I hope this is the kick in the pants. The major carrier brands rely on abusing and manipulating their customers because they can. I have a love/annoyed relationship with Google but I’m excited about this one. This is the future of search and they know it. If they can open up this business, it’ll be great.
December 16, 2009 at 11:55 am
I’m also really looking forward to this. We have 18 phones across our business and I’m sick of being held hostage by carriers who keep extending their contracts. It will be great to be in the driving seat for once and for carriers to have to win our business by offering value and good coverage instead of points.
December 16, 2009 at 11:48 am
Frontier for adsense on it? I don’t see this being useful for marketers unless you have an actual product you own and are selling. You have to be the sole creator for it to be useful so affiliates on mobile platform won’t have luck with this. Who orders from there phone?
December 16, 2009 at 11:22 am
If they really want to push their Google Talk product, I think they’ll have to sell it outside of contract – go Google this will be very interesting to watch!
December 16, 2009 at 11:17 am
I’m a big Google fan but I don’t use all of their products.
In fact, I actually don’t need them to have the greatest x all the time. All I know is that when Google joins a game (any game), all other players have to step up.
December 16, 2009 at 10:56 am
I can’t wait for this to hit the UK. I bought an iPod Touch for Apple app development specifically because I wanted to wait for Google’s phone (not waste cash on the jumped up iPhone).
Love the hypocricy from Ballmer as well, Microsoft and one trick ponnies, never. Cough– Windows– Cough
December 16, 2009 at 10:50 am
I wonder why they went with the ” Nexus One ” name? ” Google Phone” ( gPhone) sounds like the perfect name to draw eyeballs.
Phone might be a killer but it doesn’t look good as iPhone IMO.
December 16, 2009 at 2:16 pm
may be they did not want to sound like “iphone” ..”gphone”.. thats the reason they went for nexus one.. brand new name..
December 16, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Yes why should google is going to follow any one and any kind of trend. They are capable enough to set a trend for their product itself.
December 16, 2009 at 8:41 pm
I don’t quite agree. I think that ” Google Phone ” is a perfect name.
Nexus doesn’t sound any better than Droid. If fact, Droid sounds much better i think. And they all sound like the names we see on movies lie Transformers, which I don’t like to be honest …
Nexus is a really good word but I don’t think many people understand the meaning.
All in all, phone doesn’t look that spectacular in any way to be THAT separated/talked about from other Androids on the market.
Just was curious why the went that way with the name …
I remember that Schmidt said not so long ago that Google’s main goal is that people have access to smart phones, start using them on bigger scale. I think we all agree that mobile internet has a great financial future ….
December 16, 2009 at 10:09 am
Eagerly waiting for the Google Phone !
December 16, 2009 at 9:39 am
This holiday season Google has provided free Wi-Fi at many of the airports across the country. Expand that a bit and the phone could easily run a VOIP application without the need of a cellphone provider. Add in a few more agreements with the likes of Starbucks and Panera and you start to get a pretty broad map of coverage. Good for Google, scary for us with the unlimited control, power, and access to data.
December 16, 2009 at 9:38 am
Hmm….does this device use a SIM card?
?
Jim
December 16, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Ya.
December 16, 2009 at 9:35 am
I’ve been holding off on the iPhone because I am with Verizon – so if this phone could give it a run for the money – that would be a good thing!
December 16, 2009 at 8:44 am
So if I was to get the phone, what’s the best “no contract” carrier?
I’m currently with T-Mobile and not very excited about them.
December 16, 2009 at 5:33 pm
There really is no USA based GSM carrier. GSM is just bad technology. CDMA is where its at.
GSM = ATT, Tmobile
CDMA= Sprint, Verizon
December 16, 2009 at 8:43 am
Google probably is going to invent a phone that uses independent satellite connection. If this happens, I wonder if it will make things easier for the terrorists to plan secret operations.
December 16, 2009 at 8:33 am
Its a very nice move and no should be locked with any carrier in first place, like its in India.
December 16, 2009 at 8:18 am
Right! I hate the idea of contracts on phones, and since being in Thailand the last 5 years and paying as I go with phone cards we buy at 7-11 for any amount of money from $2 to $9 (can buy multiples) I’m so spoiled.
Every phone we have here is unlocked and SIM ready – except the iPhone. Imagine that. They required a contract with TRUE network. It didn’t catch on very well.
I’m all for opening up the mobile game… To call anywhere in Thailand it’s the same amount of $ from the mobile. Not sure it’s like that in USA. It COULD be though.
Hope it happens. And, I’ve not bought the iPhone because the stupid contract. If the Nexus comes out in Thailand – I’ll get it immediately. I just read it’s THINNER than the iPhone. Hope it kills – not the iPhone, but the ridiculous contract based mobile game.
December 16, 2009 at 7:42 am
I’ve been holding off on getting a new phone, because I want to see what happens next month with the Google phone, if it is really released then.
December 16, 2009 at 7:18 am
Great To Hear that google Phone will be launched and for $99 and will have to wait to see what kind of revolution it will bring in the telephone industry..
December 16, 2009 at 7:06 am
email, docs, instant msging, voip, now cell phone, cookie here cookie there, google user 7598437
-wheres my child??
-dont worry! Google Track TM is here!
-google search: wheres my child 5789437
-results: your child is in las vegas, was searching for “strip clubs in las vegas” 7 minutes ago
theres no anonymity on the net
December 16, 2009 at 6:49 am
I will say it again, as an iPhone lover, I have to say, Apple has to make some serious changes in the next iPhone! I for one am actually looking forward to my contract being up, there are so many phones on the market at the moment that I want, and everyone of them does so much more than the iPhone, although saying that it will take some beating the App Store
December 16, 2009 at 6:05 pm
People still love the look of this iPhone and no other phone have got such kind of beauty yet.
Plus in many countries iPhone did not get such pick up yet, so let them enjoy all success for the time being.
In nutshell Apple is not going to chnage the look of iPhone in at least one or two year.