Google phone

There's me thinking I really need to post an update to my blog and an interesting piece of mobile news comes along ....

Inevitable really isnt' it ? From the mobile network / access / device / content layers - Google were playing in all of the fields except the device area... and they're now entering that market too.

Google have stated in previous 2006 analyst announcements that they see mobile as a key part of their future. An interesting quote from the FT by CEO Eric Schmidt back in May this year...

"Mobile phones are cheaper than PCs, there are three times more of them, growing at twice the speed, and they increasingly have internet access. What is more, the World Bank estimates that more than two-thirds of the world's population lives within range of a mobile phone network. Mobile is going to be the next big internet phenomenon. It holds the key to greater access to everyone - with all the benefits that entails."

We've seen the aggressive push to incorporate mobile Google Search with existing International operators for on-deck and off-deck search (and of course mobile advertising) as well as mobilising some of their other services such as Google Maps,Gmail, Google Talk (IM), Blogger, Personalized homepage widgets. (Next: mobile Google video and/or YouTube).

They're buying mobile specialist/content companies (eg Android, Dodgeball, ReqWireless) and are experimenting with their own networks for mobility access. Ex T-Mobile board member Arora also has a good understanding of the current complexities of the mobile industry from an end-to-end perspective.

Microsoft have had a head start of course and been pursuing Mobile for years with large investments... there are signs they are finally getting somewhere

What's next for Google Mobile ?