30 October 2007

Google mobile plans 'to be revealed soon'

Search engine Google is set to unveil its plans in the mobile phone arena within the next few weeks, according to reports.

Sources familiar with the issue told the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) that Google intends to reveal its long-term wireless strategy in the next two weeks.

According to the publication, the company's main aim in the mobile market is to make certain applications "as accessible on cell phones as they are on the internet", including video-sharing, maps and social networking.

The claim comes weeks after Google acquired mobile blogging software firm Jaiku and after analysts Lehman Brothers released a report indicating that the long-rumoured GPhone could be on the market by February next year.

However, insiders told the WSJ that the internet giant's plans may see handset manufacturers - potentially including HTC and LG Electronics - and operators such as Orange, T-Mobile USA and 3 become able to launch Google-powered mobile phones by mid-2008.

The publication added that Google's plans could allow it to gather data on users in order to display targeted ads on mobile phones.

IDC analyst Karsten Weide told the New York Times earlier this month that it is unlikely the Gphone will have the same effect on the market as Apple's iPhone.

"The iPhone was a milestone in terms of how people use a mobile device," she commented, adding: "The GPhone, if it does come out, will help Google with distribution for their online services."

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