Google's gPhone mobile launch delayed until Christmas

by Darren Davidson, Brand Republic 24-Jun-08, 09:10

LONDON - Google's much-anticipated entry into the mobile phone market with the gPhone is unlikely to happen until the end of the year, after its release was delayed from the second quarter.

A director of mobile platforms at Google told The Wall Street Journal that the development of the gPhone was taking its time.

He said: "This is where the pain happens -- we're very, very close."

The gPhone is not actually a phone in itself; it is a software platform, based on the Linux operating system, which has been developed by Google as a competitor to Symbian and Microsoft on existing smart phones.

The Google system, called Android, will run on handsets and, as such, requires the involvement of handset manufacturers as well as mobile operators.

In November, Google announced the establishment of the Open Handset Alliance, a 30-strong group of technology companies, handset makers and network operators who declared an interest in developing Android-based products and services.

Android offers mobile companies huge potential because it has been developed using "open source" software, which means the code is free to view, use and re-use. Given this potential, the opportunity to develop new features is limitless, compared with traditional, proprietary platforms.

Although, the WSJ reports that the Android software has yet to win broad support from large mobile-software developers. It is believed that developers have encountered problems developing programs while Google is making changes as it finishes its own software.

Much of Google's early work is already done and a prototype version of an Android phone was showcased at the Mobile World Congress in February.

But before any Android handsets can go on sale, the manufacturers and the network operators have major configuration work to build it into their systems.

Comments

Philip Buxton - 24/06/2008

so we've invented a new category - handsets with Android as the OS are G-Phones?

werwr wrwerwewr - 24/06/2008

It seems like a new but strong competitor for future of iPhone - Google learned from the mistakes Apple made and now delaying its new product launch. Clever of them!