Mobile applications for Google Android phone a hit among users - says Google

Here is some happy news from the Google camp. The mobile applications for the recently released Android phone – T-Mobile G1 – are a hit among consumers.

Google executives have stated that on an average, a T-Mobile G1 user downloads 14 mobile applications. There are around 200 mobile apps available in the Android Marketplace right now and almost all of them have been well received by mobile users. Google is very happy with how things have gone with the Android phone.

As of now, the mobile apps in Android Marketplace are free. However, Google is planning to let developers charge for their apps soon. Once it happens, 70% of the revenue generated will to go the developers, a small percentage of the revenue will be used to cover the transaction charges, and the rest of the amount will go to the mobile operators. None of the mobile operators has raised any questions about this revenue sharing model so far, so we can safely assume that they are fine with this arrangement.

Google is also happy about the use of mobile data on the T-Mobile G1. Consumers have been very active so far and use various Google services like the search facility and Google Maps and a variety of third party services as well. Google has stated, without revealing the actual numbers, that there has been a ‘huge spike’ in consumer activity in the last month or so.

So, things are hunky-dory at the moment for Google. It will be interesting to see how consumers react once developers start charging for the software. What do you say?

Categories: Google, All things mobile phones.

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Google Android vs. Apple iPhone - Who is the real winner?

So, the widely anticipated Google Android phone, T-Mobile G1, has been released. Before its release, there were a lot of speculations and questions due to two reasons. First, it was from Google. As we now live in the Google era, anything Google does is big news. Second, a lot of people compared Android to Apple iPhone and expected it to create a huge buzz in the market like the iPhone did. So, now that the phone has been released, did it manage to create a huge buzz like Apple iPhone? The answer to that question would be ‘no’.

First of all, you need to understand why and how Apple iPhone managed to create such a huge buzz in the market. There are two main reasons behind it.

1. Apple iPhone was the first of its kind. The unbelievably smooth touch screen, the built-in YouTube player, built-in iPod, and other features made iPhone a stand-out choice for both technophiles and laymen. Also, it made mobile web surfing easier than before. This was a major breakthrough, as an overwhelming majority of iPhone users use the mobile search facility extensively, making the iPhone the leader of mobile searches.

The T-Mobile G1, on the other hand, is in the ‘oh; so what’s new now?’ category.

2. Apple iPhone had a huge, loyal subscriber base way before its release. Most of the iPod-worshipping crowd was excited about the arrival of iPhone and these were the people that rushed to buy the iPhone on the very first day of its release, without even knowing how it was.

The T-Mobile G1, on the other hand, does not have such a loyal following. Though Google is probably the most popular brand today, it is not so in the mobile world. So, we can safely assume that G1 will not rock the sales charts like iPhone did.

However, there is one important thing which sets Android apart from iPhone - its open source platform which allows any developer from anywhere in the world to create mobile applications. Apple, on the other hand, has a tight grip on both the hardware and software of the iPhone. So, though Apple offers plenty of mobile applications through its App Store, it retains a lot of control.

Google has announced that it will license Android to any company in the world, which gives handset makers and wireless carriers around the world to tweak the software according to their needs. This is a major plus point.

Just imagine – If any handset maker can come up with a device for Android and any wireless carrier can support it, Google Android can become a household name around the world in a few years from now. Apple iPhone, on the other hand, is locked with AT&T for five years.

So, while T-Mobile G1 phone has not managed to create a huge buzz like the iPhone did, there is every possibility of Android becoming widespread around the world. So, who could be the real winner in the long term? My money is on Google. What say you?

Categories: Google, Apple iPhone, All things mobile phones.

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On why Android makes way more sense than Google Phone

There has been a lot of talk about whether or not Google has done the right thing by developing Android. Some say developing its own phone, the so-called Google phone, would have been a better idea. Some say Android is the better idea. Now, where do I stand in this issue?

It’s very simple. Android is Google’s best chance to dominate the mobile world. The reason is very, very obvious. Just think - How did Google become the top dog in the internet? By serving ads to websites all over the world. In other words, Google made everyone use their service.

Now, think of the same scenario here in the mobile world. Instead of creating a phone which can only be used by so many users, Google has come up with a mobile platform which has the potential to reach hundreds of millions of users all over the world. Android is capable of reaching a wide range of operators and users all over the world and this is exactly the route to Google’s success in the mobile world.

With Android, operators will find it easier to make their subscribers use mobile internet as that is where the revenue is. The more the number of users that use mobile internet, the more money it will be for Google, as it will be serving ads through Android. In other words, Android will help Google replicate its online success in the mobile world.

Remember – it’s a market of over a billion users out there. There’s plenty of fish in the sea. Google, in my opinion, has both the experience and the expertise to pull it off in the mobile world, just like they did in the online world. So, wait and watch.

Categories: Google.

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HTC to release Android based mobile phone?

Alright; is it just me or are any of you guys thinking hard about the latest HTC ad? The ad is simple. It says ‘May 6th 2008 – Witness the next wave of HTC innovation.’ A strong rumor in the blogosphere is that HTC is actually preparing to launch the much awaited Google Android based phone.

There are two reasons behind this speculation. First, HTC is one of the companies that are working on an Android based mobile phone. Second, HTC promised last year that it would come up with an Android based mobile phone in mid-2008. So, two plus two should equal four, right?

I can’t wait to see what HTC has up its sleeve. Meanwhile, if you guys happen to get more information on this, feel free to shoot me a mail.

Categories: Google, All things mobile phones.

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Google has its eyes on TV white space

After advocating open access in 700 MHz spectrum, Google has now set its eyes on TV white space – the empty spaces between television broadcasting frequencies which act as buffer zones. The reason – Google thinks the space could be used for mobile internet.

Earlier this week, Google sent its pitch to the Federal Communications Commission regarding this issue. Google believes that TV white space is the solution to provide high-speed wireless broadband services across the country.

It further went on to add that by using TV white space, it could provide very high-speed mobile data transfers which will be immensely useful for mobile users. In fact, Google says it could provide a mind-boggling “gigabytes per second” speed by using the TV white space. Also, it could pave the way for low cost broadband services all over the country, according to Google.

To prevent television broadcasts and wireless microphones which depend on TV white space from interfering, Google will use its spectrum sensing technology.

Most importantly, this will make things easier for Android based mobile phones. As of now, around 30 companies are working on mobile phones that can support Android platform. If Google could get TV white space in its kitty, it will make the future of Google Android even brighter.

Categories: Cell Phone Advertising, Google, All things mobile phones.

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