NOV 2007 - Google Plans Said to Include Phone by 2008
Google is close to unveiling its long-planned strategy to shake up the wireless market, people familiar with the matter say.
The Web giant's ambitious goal: to make applications and services as accessible on cellphones as they are on the Internet. In a move likely to kick off an intense debate about the future shape of the cellphone industry, Google wants to make it easier for cellphone customers to get a variety of extra services on their phones -- from maps to social-networking features to video-sharing.
To get its way, however, the search giant will have to overcome resistance from wireless carriers and deal with potentially thorny security and privacy issues. Google-powered phones would have applications like Google Maps that are already in some handsets. Google is trying to loosen the grip wireless carriers have over the software and services consumers can access on cellphones. Carriers have considerable clout, especially in the US, where they control distribution of phones to consumers through their retail stores.
Within the next two weeks, Google is expected to announce advanced software and services that would allow handset makers to bring Google-powered phones to market by the middle of next year, people familiar with the situation say. In recent months Google has approached several US and foreign handset manufacturers about the idea of building phones tailored to Google software, with Taiwan's HTC Corp. and South Korea's LG Electronics Inc. mentioned in the industry as potential contenders. Google is also seeking partnerships with wireless operators.
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