Over the past few weeks, there has been a lot of hype over the Google Phone, but does anyone know what it's going to look like? Is Google developing hardware, software, or both?
One way to examine this question is to look at Google's recent acquisition of GrandCentral (www.grandcentral.com). GrandCentral is a software developer for mobile phones, and is working on some pretty impressive stuff. Their goal is to universalize your phone and give you access to it from any platform you can get your hands on. Key features include:
1) Giving you one cellphone number for life, no matter what carrier you switch to.
2) Giving you access to your voicemail from your phone, computer, pda, other phones, etc. Voicemails will be displayed like e-mails, and you will be able to choose which one to listen to, instead of going through them in sequential order.
3) Taking greater control of your contacts, including storing address, phone numbers, e-mails, etc. In addition, you will be able to block callers.
4) Enabling you to screen calls. GrandCentral software allows you to listen to your voicemail as it's being recorded, instead of after. This allows you to screen calls and talk to your caller at any point.
5) Giving you the ability to use any phone you want. Have you ever been in your house, talking on your cellphone, really wanting to switch back to your landline. With GrandCentral Software, you will be able seamlessly transfer your call to your landline, enabling you to save your minutes or have the comfort of using your landline.
Google claims that they are developing the OS for their cellphones on a Linux platform. I hope it'll be as easy to use as Google's other products. Notice that Google hasn't mentioned anything about hardware. Google probably won't develop any hardware, as they are a true software company. It will be in Google's best interest to partner up with a cellphone manufacturer.
Any thoughts, comments, or knowledge? Post below.
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