Google is Taking Over the World…In A Good Way

by stephanie ~ September 26, 2008

Without a doubt, Google is the most popular search engine out there.  Google continues to expand, and with additions like Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Transit, I don’t hear anyone complaining.

This week, Google announced the addition of Android, Google’s new cell phone operating system.  Upon first look, the new “G1 Dream” cell phone looks like an iPhone knockoff.  It definitely has many of the same features: touch screen, Wi-Fi, App store, icons on the home screen, etc.  However, the G1 boasts one feature that I, and probably most of the other text-message obsessed members of my generation, will love: a full QWERTY keyboard.

There is one major problem- the G1 comes from T-Mobile.  T-Mobile’s 3G network (the same network the iPhone is on) only covers 19 cities so far (AT&T covers 280).  The good news?  The Android and the G1 are “open,” which means after 90 days, a SIM card from any carrier can be used.  Google is opening up the Android program to all carriers and manufacturers, allowing them to make changes without even paying or consulting Google.

This is definitely any interesting move.  Nowadays, most things are so heavily defined and companies generally don’t like to share (for free) their new technology.  I don’t know how well this phone will do, but I do think it will make the folks over at Apple pretty nervous.

The G1 appears to bring together some of the best features of both the iPhone and the Blackberry, but it is still getting mixed reviews.  Some reviewers are frustrated with the lack of new features, while others think it simply cannot compare with the iPhone.  It’ll be interesting to see what approach Google takes in ads for the G1-what they plan to capitalize on in order to combat the comparisons.  Let’s just hope they don’t use Seinfeld for the ads…

Take a look at what people are saying:

New York Times: A First Look at Google’s New Phone

ZDNet: Android: It’s not about Sex, Excitement, or Cool

Reuters: Google phone wins cheers but told could be better

Information Week: Five Things to Dislike about the HTC G1 Google Phone

Stephanie Jones is an intern at Mediashop PR.  A student at Fordham University, Stephanie is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communications and media studies.