Serendipity 2009

discovering digital bits and pieces

gPhone update 3

(Courtesy of Bob Cringely):There are two gPhones gphone.jpg slated for release with the first coming in September and the second probably not appearing until after Christmas. Given that the first is the high-end model and the second is cheaper, Google will probably expect to make as much money as possible on the higher-margin units at Christmas before revealing the budget model even exists. How Apple-like, eh?

Both will include WiFi, which makes me wonder if a VoIP client will be there, too. The high-end phone will look somewhat like a Blackberry Pearl, but the screen flips up and there is a keyboard for texting. No word on pricing for the high-end phone, but the second model is intended to be less than $100 — AFTER Christmas.

The actual manufacturer of these gPhones will be Samsung (rumors to this point had indicated HTC, so this is a change) and Google is still talking with both T-Mobile and Verizon as potential carriers (rumors also said Verizon had passed — not). That means there are both GSM and W-CDMA versions in the works. Given AT&T’s success with the iPhone I can’t imagine Verizon will let the gPhone pass, but it will be interesting to see if Google will be able go with a nonexclusive deal and get both U.S. carriers.

Nice ‘eh?

February 17, 2008 - Posted by William Sager | google | , , , , | 1 Comment

1 Comment »

  1. I’m not as sure as you there will be 2 versions for the Google Phone…

    But I’m convinced it will include 3G + Wi-Fi (VOIP) & much more

    Comment by Google Phone - Bluebeetle(one) | February 24, 2008 | Reply


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