Open Social and the Gphone

Surprisingly little has been said by the blogosphere about the possibilities of OpenSocial working on the Gphone (we believe set of Gphones). While a lot has been said about the Gphone and OpenSocial in separate articles as separate subjects, I have not been able to find any that discusses both working together. Both applications functioning in concert is a mobile game changer and if realized we will all be speaking into our Gphone handsets, “iPhone who?”

I've created a quick diagram on how OpenSocial and Gphone software may work together (emphasis "may" as this is an illustration only).

Social Applications Using OpenSocial
The OpenSocial Platforms Interacts Directly with the Gphone
but first the Data is fed through Ad networks to determine appropriate ad
$$$ Mobile Advertiser Layer $$$
The Ad is served along with the User requested information
	Enabled Gphone(s)
Users Will Have Instant Location Based Information streaming from across their Social Networks
Starbucks Ads?			Users will have location based social networking features at their fingertips		What hotspots does your social network recommend?

The complete list of OpenSocial partners can be found here :

According to a press release, "OpenSocial gives developers of social applications a single set of APIs to learn for their application to run on any OpenSocial-enabled website. By providing these simple, standards-based technologies, OpenSocial will speed innovation and bring more social features to more places across the web." The APIs give access to a user's profile, their friends, and the activity streams. While no mention of OpenSocial was made about working with the Gphone Linux operating system, it is inevitable if not out of the Gphone box.

Imagine a location based mobile application that instantly feeds users’ reviews, pictures and videos of the surrounding area all pulled from the OpenSocial network. Then add to that a slew of advertising networks that piggy-back on the mobile feeds and offer ads/coupons based on your location and you are getting closer to an advertisers dream application.

Another simpler Gphone tool using the OpenSocial network could be a citizen mobile social application where users can snap pictures and videos then share them across their networks. Their friends will then be given the chance to further promote them by voting the pictures or videos up or down.

The possibilities will be endless, and since the platform is open, developers and ultimately the consumers will decide what Gphone social applications will succeed and change the mobile space. I suspect another gold rush is coming and this time Gordon Gekko is using the cell phone.

• "It's all about the bucks kid, the rest is conversation."

Additional Articles from the Blogosphere

• First OpenSocial Application Hacked Within 45 Minutes

• Are E28 behind the first gPhone?

• Google to Announce GPhone in Two Weeks

• Google Phone revealed as E28 Linux handset! Well, maybe...

• China's E28 to be manufacturer of Google Phone?

Google Gphone and China's e28 - UPDATE

I've made many calls to the e28 company today in an attempt to get e28's confirmation on the e28 Google Gphone story we broke last night. I finally reached someone in the Hong Kong office that took my call but the remark was a terse, "we cannot comment on this story." When I pushed to speak to someone that could comment I was told, "sir, no one here will comment on the story."

I don't want to draw any conclusions from the lack of a statement above, but as we have mentioned previously e28 appears to be a logical fit. However, they are probably not the exclusive gphone software or hardware provider given the Google model of being open.

Related Reading:

• China's e28 to be Google's Gphone Handset Supplier
• Google in Discussions with Verizon over new Gphone

China's e28 to be Google's Gphone Handset Supplier

On the heals of the latest Google and Verizon announcement, we've just confirmed a tip from an industry insider that China's e28 is going to be a Google Gphone software and handset manufacturer (this is from one source only - not two as we usually receive). We have not been able to confirm whether the Chinese smart phone manufacturer will have the exclusive Gphone software and handset rights. E28 is a leading provider of mobile Linux convergence technology and will fit the Google mantra of keeping everything open.

The Latest e28 Smart Phone (is this the next Gphone?)

e28's road map includes a statement about the "Era of Convergence" where converged media, converged networks, and converged devices all interact seamlessly. They also plan to implement a robust wireless VoIP system that will reshape the entire mobile industry. One has to wonder how Verizon will react to a VOIP phone unless they are receiving a cut.

e28 and partner NewStep recently completed testing of a seamless handoff of GSM/VoIP interoperability over WLAN and cellular networks and may be another reason Google chose e28 as their manufacturer. In a recent press release, NewStep Network announced their solution for fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) can now provide customers with a fully-VCC (Voice Call Continuity) compliant handset running on a Linux open source operating system from E28.

Roger Kung, chairman and CEO of E28 Limited said, “We recognize the value of assured interoperability between NewStep's leading FMC solution and our advanced open source handsets optimized for price/performance and deployment flexibility.” NewStep currently offers its' patented, carrier-class CSN server-based software platform in two versions—the CSN30 for enterprises and small carriers, and the CSN1000 for large carriers. Both platforms converge services across diverse networks to enable subscribers to have a single number, single voicemail, simultaneous ringing across multiple phones and other features like corporate extension dialing, from a single handset.

From the e28 website:

E28 Limited is a World leading Linux Mobile Converged Smart Phone solution provider. It provides dual mode Linux mobile smart phone solutions to Telecom and Broadband Operators, service providers and mobile manufacturers. E28 provides solutions with customized formats according to customers' needs.

The Company is Focusing on
1、 Smart Phone
2、 Linux SW
3、 Mass Market Mobile Convergence (looks like a Googlism)

In Summary

Choosing e28 as the Gphone manufacturer and Linux software provider is an ingenious move that will certainly trump the popularity of the iPhone. Imagine a phone that makes calls using a low cost VOIP system on cellular networks and WIFI while seamlessly integrating data across diverse technology platforms. Add to that an open platform that will allow any programmer to develop add-on applications (see Facebook) and you have the makings of a revolution in Mobile technology.

Additional Gphone Articles

• OpenSocial and the Google Gphone – The Next Gold Rush?
• Google Gphone and China's e28 - UPDATE
• Rumor and Innuendo – the India Gphone Fact or Fiction? ~ The India ...
• Google Unveiling Gphone Plans In Two Weeks & Wants to Change the Cellphone Industry
• Google in Discussions with Verizon over new Gphone
• Even More Gphone News: Google in Advanced Talks with Verizon & Sprint

Google in Discussions with Verizon over new Gphone

According to the Wall Street Journal, Verizon is in discussions with Google to develop a Gphone. In a direct competitive play to Cingular/AT&T’s relationship with the iPhone, Verizon would become the main hardware provider for the Google Gphone operating system. No word yet if there is to be an India launch of the Gphone as earlier and widely reported across the internet a few months ago. We correctly blasted the Gphone rumor story then.

According to the Wall Street Journal; for Google, a partnership with Verizon, the second largest U.S. wireless carrier, would give it access to 63.7 million potential customers. Google is also targeting at least one other major U.S. operator, Deutsche Telekom AG's T-Mobile USA Inc.

Within a couple of weeks, Google will announce the new Gphone software and services that handset makers can use to develop customized applications. This may be a Facebook for mobile phone opportunity if developers find it easy to program.

Some of you may have noticed that Google and Verizon have fought in the past when Google was suing to force wireless carriers to open up their networks. Verizon tried to overturn the rules that Google successfully pushed through the Federal Communications Commission regarding the forthcoming radio spectrum auction.

However recently, Verizon dropped its appeal of the FCC rules. I’ll bet the Verizon decision to drop the case stemmed from this forthcoming agreement. We'll follow this story and report back to you on developments.

Additional Gphone reading

• Rumor and Innuendo – the India Gphone Fact or Fiction? ~ The India ...

• gPhone - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

• Google getting more serious about the Gphone? - Engadget

Rumor and Innuendo – the India Gphone Fact or Fiction?

Wow, we have seen a lot of rumors about the so-called Gphone for India but are they true? A product to be released in India without any pre-marketing or announcements by Google? Where are the phones manufactured? Let’s attempt to answer these questions and provide some clarity to the situation.

Supportive Evidence:

1. The original Gphone article by rediff claims that; “Talks are believed to be taking place with Bharti Airtel [Get Quote] and Vodafone Essar, respectively India's first and third largest mobile telephony operators, and state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam.”

We noticed the Bharti Airtel stock has run up 20 points since the Rediff article so it seems to support (albeit weak) the accuracy of the report.

2. On August 2^nd 2007 The Wall Street Journal reports that Google is looking to develop a Google Phone. The article also contends that Google is actively working a mobile handset, the so-called "Google Phone" or "GPhone," and possibly envisions itself an operator one day of an ad-supported free mobile service.

However, the article states the phone is still month’s away from entering the commercial market.

Other Supported evidence from the Mark “Rizzn” Hopkins Blog. He’s been very fair in his analysis and reporting of the Gphone rumor.

• Wired said that: Rumor: Google Phone Will Be Linux-Powered, GPS-Loaded and Cheap: "If the murmurs are true, the gPhone cometh in September."

• the UK Guardian said that: The gPhone: "Speculation continues about Google's mobile phone plans."

• IntoMobile said that: Google GPhone confirmed as low-cost sub-$100 device: "Rizzn.com has also allegedly confirmed that the Google Phone will be using an ad-based model to help subsidize the cost of the phone - serving up Google ads whenever possible." [a point of clarification... that's analysis on my part, not confirmation. There will be ads on the phone, and the price-point is allegedly going to be low, but that one will subsidize the other, it's just an educated guess on my part]

• SEOPrincipal said that: Google Phone “Confirmed” - Will Be The Computer For The Poor: "Finally, someone posted something that looks like a reliable confirmation of the coming release of the Google Phone." [thanks! finally someone thinks I'm reliable instead of baggin' on me! :-) and he also said:] "Remember that Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, said last year that they would provide free phones to people if they accept to view advertising."

All of the supportive evidence points to the fact that a Google Phone is in development but will it launch in India in 2 weeks?

Evidence against the Gphone Launch

1. Intelligent marketing involves creating a buzz and using the buzz to build momentum for a product or service. Witness the iPhone and Steve Jobs announcement of the phone 5 months before its launch. Witness Hollywood and Bollywood movies and the marketing activities before a movie opening. Can you name one major product or service that was launched as a complete surprise?

Although if any company were to do it I’d pick Google, it doesn’t make any business sense (and as a publicly traded company they answer to shareholders) to launch a new product without any pre-marketing activities. No pre-marketing activity is a disservice to your shareholders and bottom line thus I find it difficult to believe even Google would try this approach.

2. From Rizzn’s blog: “I suggested a theory <to a Google insider> that perhaps they'll show a version of the phone in two weeks (or a press conference about it), but it might not be available for American release until later, and he seemed to think that was a reasonable theory.

Thus a hint from the same Google insider that a release of the phone may not ship in two weeks but that a Gphone announcement may be imminent.

3. Google is not in the hardware business and therefore I find it difficult to believe they developed and manufactured a Gphone without partnering with a major telecom handset manufacturer. If they partnered, then reports would have leaked long ago about the manufacturing partner because of the unofficial Public Relations value for that company.

3. Russell Shaw of ZDNet points out that that Google quickly secures trademarks for products and services it launches. Can we expect Google to do what Apple did to Cisco (see Apple vs. Cisco)? The gPhone trademark was filed by Micro-g LaCoste, Inc., a company in Lafayette, Colorado, on March 5 of this year which may be a Google front company, but the trademark is as follows:

“An accelerometer employed as a gravity meter for use in full bandwidth monitoring of ground motion related to earthquakes, volcanology, tectonic movements, aquifers, hydrocarbon and groundwater reservoirs, glacial rebound, glacier studies, earth tides, long period seismicity, and for geologic mapping and other geoscientific applications.”

It doesn’t sound like a phone to me. Can a US trademark attorney clarify whether a trademark can be changed to a new description? Also, has anyone tried to verify whether a Gphone trademark in India was filed? The India Street recently filed an India trademark search for Gphone and Google Phone and will report the findings.

4. The latest Engadget Report on the Gphone is that the Gphone is actually the Gphone Operating System (OS) and that Google is actively working with OEMs and ODMs to get them to put the Gphone OS on upcoming devices.

The report seems to be the most objective and factual that we have found. It makes sense since Google quietly acquired Android (a wireless software provider) in 2005 for Google’s mobile strategy.

5. While the FCC bid for the 700mhz spectrum is important and needs to be considered here, the strategy of owing a spectrum still appears to be software or platform related.

Conclusion

The evidence points to a very real Google mobile phone strategy but not a launch of a Gphone in 2 weeks. I predict an announcement will be made in two weeks declaring that a few OEM’s have agreed to add a Gphone OS to their upcoming model releases. Google may also hint that they are developing a very real Gphone handset but the evidence suggests the Gphone is a prototype phone used to show OEM’s the basic premise of the Gphone OS.

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